shareblue--2020-03-13--Mnuchin belittles fears: 'Not everybody who has sniffles' has coronavirus

From the March 13 edition of CNBC 's `` Squawk on the Street '' : STEVE MNUCHIN , U.S. Treasury Secretary : I want to give you another interesting statistic : In South Korea , they tested 200,000 people with symptoms and 96 % of them did n't have coronavirus .
So , there will be people who get this but again , I just emphasize , for healthy Americans and for young people they may not even know they have this .
Not everybody who has sniffles will have the coronavirus .
I 'm not traveling this weekend because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'd get on a commercial airline and fly to L.A. if I was n't working 24 hours a day .
DAVID FABER , CNBC : You know , in some ways Mr. Secretary , it 's David Faber , I 'm surprised to hear you say that though .
There are not enough test kits still available apparently for us to actually share in what seems to be your optimism about the lack of actual infection .
When are we going to get to the point — and when we do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to the point that we certainly realize there are more people who do have the virus , are you not concerned that that 's going to stoke more panic ?
MNUCHIN : Well people should understand the numbers are going to go up before they go down , I think as you have said .
We have heard about the test kit issues , we talked about that , again yesterday at the task force .
I can assure you the vice president and the entire team are focused on this and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

From the March 13 edition of CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street”:
STEVE MNUCHIN, U.S. Treasury Secretary: I want to give you another interesting statistic: In South Korea, they tested 200,000 people with symptoms and 96% of them didn’t have coronavirus. So, there will be people who get this but again, I just emphasize, for healthy Americans and for young people they may not even know they have this.
Not everybody who has sniffles will have the coronavirus.
I’m not traveling this weekend because I’m way too busy, but I’d get on a commercial airline and fly to L.A. if I wasn’t working 24 hours a day.
DAVID FABER, CNBC: You know, in some ways Mr. Secretary, it’s David Faber, I’m surprised to hear you say that though. There are not enough test kits still available apparently for us to actually share in what seems to be your optimism about the lack of actual infection.
When are we going to get to the point — and when we do with all those test kits out there — get to the point that we certainly realize there are more people who do have the virus, are you not concerned that that’s going to stoke more panic?
MNUCHIN: Well people should understand the numbers are going to go up before they go down, I think as you have said. We have heard about the test kit issues, we talked about that, again yesterday at the task force. I can assure you the vice president and the entire team are focused on this and making sure that people have test kits.


shareblue--2020-03-13--Trump keeps blaming Obama for his mishandling of coronavirus crisis

As lawmakers from both parties criticize the Trump administration for a lack of testing for the novel coronavirus , Donald Trump continued to falsely place blame on his predecessor , former President Barack Obama .
In a series of tweets Thursday night and Friday morning , Trump repeated lies that have already been debunked .
Trump said Obama made it harder to test for viruses — a false claim — and said that Obama made the H1N1 flu outbreak in 2009 worse by not declaring a state of emergency early enough , also false .
`` The Obama White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden ’ s remarks , and any alarm that he might have caused , an alarm about a Swine Flu outbreak that took 6 months for President Obama to declare a National Emergency , and that killed 12,000 Americans , '' Trump tweeted Thursday night , apparently quoting Fox News host and Trump sycophant Lou Dobbs .
In fact , the Obama administration declared a public health emergency in April 2009 , just as the outbreak began .
The flu outbreak was n't declared a pandemic until June 11 , 2009 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And by October , when 1,000 people had died , Obama announced a state of emergency — which let hospitals move infected patients offsite to stop the spread .
Meanwhile , Trump himself has yet to announce a state of emergency himself , as experts warn of community spread and state and local governments taking drastic measures — such as canceling schools and large-scale public events — to stop an even larger outbreak .
Declaring a state of emergency would free up as much as $ 40 billion in disaster relief aid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning , Trump again tried to blame the Obama administration for the lack of current testing for the novel coronavirus , which has been declared a pandemic .
`` For decades the @ CDCgov looked at , and studied , its testing system , but did nothing about it .
It would always be inadequate and slow for a large scale pandemic , but a pandemic would never happen , they hoped .
President Obama made changes that only complicated things further .
Their response to H1N1 Swine Flu was a full scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing meaningful done to fix the testing problem , until now .
The changes have been made and testing will soon happen on a very large scale basis .
All Red Tape has been cut , ready to go ! ''
This lie — which Trump has told multiple times in the past few weeks — has also been debunked .
There were Obama-era rules that limited the development .
The lack of testing for patients experiencing coronavirus symptoms is becoming a scandal , with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As lawmakers from both parties criticize the Trump administration for a lack of testing for the novel coronavirus, Donald Trump continued to falsely place blame on his predecessor, former President Barack Obama.
In a series of tweets Thursday night and Friday morning, Trump repeated lies that have already been debunked.
Trump said Obama made it harder to test for viruses — a false claim — and said that Obama made the H1N1 flu outbreak in 2009 worse by not declaring a state of emergency early enough, also false.
“The Obama White House had to immediately issue an apology for Joe Biden’s remarks, and any alarm that he might have caused, an alarm about a Swine Flu outbreak that took 6 months for President Obama to declare a National Emergency, and that killed 12,000 Americans,” Trump tweeted Thursday night, apparently quoting Fox News host and Trump sycophant Lou Dobbs.
In fact, the Obama administration declared a public health emergency in April 2009, just as the outbreak began. The flu outbreak wasn’t declared a pandemic until June 11, 2009 — months after the Obama administration acted. And by October, when 1,000 people had died, Obama announced a state of emergency — which let hospitals move infected patients offsite to stop the spread.
Meanwhile, Trump himself has yet to announce a state of emergency himself, as experts warn of community spread and state and local governments taking drastic measures — such as canceling schools and large-scale public events — to stop an even larger outbreak. Declaring a state of emergency would free up as much as $40 billion in disaster relief aid, according to CNN.
Then, Friday morning, Trump again tried to blame the Obama administration for the lack of current testing for the novel coronavirus, which has been declared a pandemic.
Trump tweeted:
“For decades the @CDCgov looked at, and studied, its testing system, but did nothing about it. It would always be inadequate and slow for a large scale pandemic, but a pandemic would never happen, they hoped. President Obama made changes that only complicated things further. Their response to H1N1 Swine Flu was a full scale disaster, with thousands dying, and nothing meaningful done to fix the testing problem, until now. The changes have been made and testing will soon happen on a very large scale basis. All Red Tape has been cut, ready to go!”
This lie — which Trump has told multiple times in the past few weeks — has also been debunked. There were Obama-era rules that limited the development.
The lack of testing for patients experiencing coronavirus symptoms is becoming a scandal, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testing just 77 people over the last week.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-14--Surgeon general: 'No more criticism or finger-pointing' on coronavirus

The Trump administration has made several missteps and contradictory announcements regarding the coronavirus .
From a March 14 press briefing @ @ @ @ @ JEROME ADAMS , U.S. surgeon general : Straight talk from the nation 's doctor : @ @ @ @ @ to lean into and prioritize the health and safety of the American people .
No @ @ @ @ @ partisanship , no more criticism or finger-pointing .
They 'll be plenty of time for @ @ @ @ @ need to hit the reset button and lean into moving forward with the health and @ @ @ @ @ as our top priority .
More stories on how people can protect themselves , more @ @ @ @ @ can get the resources that they need , that we 've unleashed from the federal @ @ @ @ @ local government , less stories looking at what happened in the past .
Again , @ @ @ @ @ that .

From a March 14 press briefing at the White House:
JEROME ADAMS, U.S. surgeon general: Straight talk from the nation’s doctor: We really need you all to lean into and prioritize the health and safety of the American people.
No more bickering, no more partisanship, no more criticism or finger-pointing.
They’ll be plenty of time for that, but we all need to hit the reset button and lean into moving forward with the health and safety of the American people as our top priority.
More stories on how people can protect themselves, more people on — how people can get the resources that they need, that we’ve unleashed from the federal government, and state and local government, less stories looking at what happened in the past. Again, there’ll be time for that.


shareblue--2020-03-14--Trump says he was tested for coronavirus after his doctor said he wasn't

At a press conference on Saturday , Donald Trump announced that he had been tested for coronavirus .
`` I also took the test last night , '' he said .
`` I decided I should , based on the press conference yesterday .
People were asking , did I take the test . ''
But that is n't what Trump 's doctor said in a letter released by the White House just before midnight Friday .
`` [ G ] iven the President himself remains without symptoms , testing for COVID-19 is not currently indicated , '' Sean P. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in a memo on Friday that was released by the White House .
`` I will continue to closely monitor and care for the President , and will update you as more information becomes available . ''
Trump has come in contact with at least two people who have tested positive and several others who were exposed to people who have tested positive , including members of Congress .
But as of Friday afternoon , Trump insisted that he had not been tested and did not think it necessary to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
`` Well , I do n't know that I had exposure , but I do n't have any of the symptoms , '' Trump said Friday .
He added that he had asked his White House doctors , and they told him he did `` not have any symptoms whatsoever . ''
On Saturday , Trump said he did not know when he would receive the results of his test .
`` I do n't know , whatever it takes , '' he said .
`` A day , two days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

At a press conference on Saturday, Donald Trump announced that he had been tested for coronavirus.
“I also took the test last night,” he said. “I decided I should, based on the press conference yesterday. People were asking, did I take the test.”
But that isn’t what Trump’s doctor said in a letter released by the White House just before midnight Friday.
“[G]iven the President himself remains without symptoms, testing for COVID-19 is not currently indicated,” Sean P. Conley, physician to the president, wrote in a memo on Friday that was released by the White House. “I will continue to closely monitor and care for the President, and will update you as more information becomes available.”
Trump has come in contact with at least two people who have tested positive and several others who were exposed to people who have tested positive, including members of Congress.
But as of Friday afternoon, Trump insisted that he had not been tested and did not think it necessary to do so, despite his potential exposure to the virus.
“Well, I don’t know that I had exposure, but I don’t have any of the symptoms,” Trump said Friday. He added that he had asked his White House doctors, and they told him he did “not have any symptoms whatsoever.”
On Saturday, Trump said he did not know when he would receive the results of his test. “I don’t know, whatever it takes,” he said. “A day, two days — whatever it is.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-14--Civil rights manifesto still resonates 60 years later

Sixty years have passed since Roslyn Pope came home from Europe to a segregated South and channeled her frustrations into writing `` An Appeal for Human Rights . ''
The document published on March 9 , 1960 , announced the formation of the Atlanta Student Movement , whose campaign of civil disobedience broke a suffocating stalemate over civil rights in Atlanta and hastened the end of racist Jim Crow laws and policies across the region .
After all this time , Pope is deeply concerned that their hard-won achievements are slipping away .
`` We have to be careful .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest and think that all is well , '' Pope told The Associated Press in an interview last week .
The `` Appeal '' quickly became a civil rights manifesto after it appeared as a full-page advertisement in Atlanta 's newspapers .
It was denounced by Georgia 's segregationist Gov .
Ernest Vandiver but celebrated around the country , reprinted for free in The New York Times and Los Angeles Times and entered into the Congressional Record .
The idea was to explain why black students would defy their parents , professors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It decried the racist laws governing education , jobs , housing , voting , hospitals , theaters , restaurants , and law enforcement .
It called on `` all people of good will to assert themselves and abolish these injustices . ''
`` Every normal human being wants to walk the earth with dignity and abhors any and all proscriptions placed upon him because of race or color , '' it said .
`` We do not intend to wait placidly for those rights which are already legally and morally ours to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time . ''
`` The time has come for the people of Atlanta and Georgia to take a good look at what is really happening in this country , and to stop believing those who tell us that everything is fine and equal , and that the Negro is happy and satisfied , '' it said .
The students meant what they said , persuading Atlanta 's black families to boycott segregated stores and theaters and repeatedly seek service in places where the color of their skin meant they were n't allowed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they committed countless acts of nonviolent protest and were arrested by the hundreds throughout that spring and summer .
Pope 's role as the writer of the Atlanta Student Movement 's `` Appeal '' is well-documented .
Less well known is how she came to write it as a 21-year-old student body president at Spelman College .
Born and raised in Atlanta , Pope said she did not know how it felt to be free until she was 20 , when she spent a year abroad in Europe on a Merrill scholarship .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no places I could n't go , no programs I could n't take advantage of , no limits to my existence .
I could eat where I wanted â€ ” I could n't do that in Atlanta , '' she said .
`` I felt like the shackles had been taken off me . ''
Returning to life under Jim Crow felt suffocating , she said : `` I was so miserable .
I just did n't know how I was going to stand it . ''
She said she was drinking coffee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a Georgia state senator , when his Morehouse College classmate Lonnie King approached , waving a newspaper article about a drugstore sit-in by four North Carolina A & T students the day before .
`` It just clicked : 'Why are n't we doing that ? '
we said to each other .
And before the day was over , we decided to start a movement .
We would no longer bear the mantle of inferiority , '' Pope recalled .
Led by Lonnie King , an Ebenezer Baptist Church member but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they began mobilizing among the 4,000 students at Atlanta 's six black institutions of higher learning .
When their college presidents realized they could n't stop them , they asked the students to explain their motives in a public document .
Pope was named to the writing committee , but could n't persuade the young men to sit down and do the job .
`` Roslyn was unable to corral us to work , '' Charles Black , a Morehouse student who became an activist and actor , explained at a Black History @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgia .
`` So Lonnie tells her , 'write the damn thing . '
'' Pope wrote it herself , longhand , pulling an all-nighter with Bond in the house of her professor , historian Howard Zinn , who had a typewriter .
`` We did n't have a lot of time , '' Pope said .
`` Julian was typing it while I was handing him the pages . ''
`` Of course , it sent shock waves through the community , '' she said .
`` It became kind of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all these things , '' Black said .
Their campaign of boycotts and sit-ins , eventually including Martin Luther King Jr. , forced white leaders to negotiate with the black students to desegregate stores , theaters , schools and other institutions .
Pope went on to teach religion , music and English literature to generations of college students in New York , Pennsylvania and Texas while raising two daughters .
The `` Appeal '' has followed her all along , she said : `` It 's just as relevant now as when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pope said , `` is such obvious evil .
And it seems to me that people do n't try to hide it so much anymore . ''
`` I just had a lovely great-granddaughter born in September , and I just hope things will be better for her , '' she said .
`` Maybe we 'll have different leadership and people 's lives will have been changed .
But I 'm not terribly optimistic . ''

Sixty years have passed since Roslyn Pope came home from Europe to a segregated South and channeled her frustrations into writing “An Appeal for Human Rights.”
The document published on March 9, 1960, announced the formation of the Atlanta Student Movement, whose campaign of civil disobedience broke a suffocating stalemate over civil rights in Atlanta and hastened the end of racist Jim Crow laws and policies across the region.
After all this time, Pope is deeply concerned that their hard-won achievements are slipping away.
“We have to be careful. It’s not as if we can rest and think that all is well,” Pope told The Associated Press in an interview last week.
The “Appeal” quickly became a civil rights manifesto after it appeared as a full-page advertisement in Atlanta’s newspapers. It was denounced by Georgia’s segregationist Gov. Ernest Vandiver but celebrated around the country, reprinted for free in The New York Times and Los Angeles Times and entered into the Congressional Record.
The idea was to explain why black students would defy their parents, professors and police by illegally occupying whites-only spaces. It decried the racist laws governing education, jobs, housing, voting, hospitals, theaters, restaurants, and law enforcement. It called on “all people of good will to assert themselves and abolish these injustices.”
“Every normal human being wants to walk the earth with dignity and abhors any and all proscriptions placed upon him because of race or color,” it said. “We do not intend to wait placidly for those rights which are already legally and morally ours to be meted out to us one at a time.”
“The time has come for the people of Atlanta and Georgia to take a good look at what is really happening in this country, and to stop believing those who tell us that everything is fine and equal, and that the Negro is happy and satisfied,” it said.
The students meant what they said, persuading Atlanta’s black families to boycott segregated stores and theaters and repeatedly seek service in places where the color of their skin meant they weren’t allowed. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., they committed countless acts of nonviolent protest and were arrested by the hundreds throughout that spring and summer.
Pope’s role as the writer of the Atlanta Student Movement’s “Appeal” is well-documented. Less well known is how she came to write it as a 21-year-old student body president at Spelman College.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Pope said she did not know how it felt to be free until she was 20, when she spent a year abroad in Europe on a Merrill scholarship.
“There were no boundaries â€” no places I couldn’t go, no programs I couldn’t take advantage of, no limits to my existence. I could eat where I wanted â€” I couldn’t do that in Atlanta,” she said. “I felt like the shackles had been taken off me.”
Returning to life under Jim Crow felt suffocating, she said: “I was so miserable. I just didn’t know how I was going to stand it.”
She said she was drinking coffee with Julian Bond, who would later become a Georgia state senator, when his Morehouse College classmate Lonnie King approached, waving a newspaper article about a drugstore sit-in by four North Carolina A&T students the day before.
“It just clicked: ‘Why aren’t we doing that?’ we said to each other. And before the day was over, we decided to start a movement. We would no longer bear the mantle of inferiority,” Pope recalled.
Led by Lonnie King, an Ebenezer Baptist Church member but no relation to its famous pastors, they began mobilizing among the 4,000 students at Atlanta’s six black institutions of higher learning. When their college presidents realized they couldn’t stop them, they asked the students to explain their motives in a public document. Pope was named to the writing committee, but couldn’t persuade the young men to sit down and do the job.
“Roslyn was unable to corral us to work,” Charles Black, a Morehouse student who became an activist and actor, explained at a Black History Month event last month in Decatur, Georgia. “So Lonnie tells her, ‘write the damn thing.'”
Pope wrote it herself, longhand, pulling an all-nighter with Bond in the house of her professor, historian Howard Zinn, who had a typewriter. “We didn’t have a lot of time,” Pope said. “Julian was typing it while I was handing him the pages.”
“Of course, it sent shock waves through the community,” she said.
“It became kind of a road map for our movement to take on all these things,” Black said.
Their campaign of boycotts and sit-ins, eventually including Martin Luther King Jr., forced white leaders to negotiate with the black students to desegregate stores, theaters, schools and other institutions.
Pope went on to teach religion, music and English literature to generations of college students in New York, Pennsylvania and Texas while raising two daughters.
The “Appeal” has followed her all along, she said: “It’s just as relevant now as when I wrote it.”
Racism, Pope said, “is such obvious evil. And it seems to me that people don’t try to hide it so much anymore.”
“I just had a lovely great-granddaughter born in September, and I just hope things will be better for her,” she said. “Maybe we’ll have different leadership and people’s lives will have been changed. But I’m not terribly optimistic.”


shareblue--2020-03-14--Nursing homes on high alert as coronavirus poses threat to older Americans

From Miami to Seattle , nursing homes and other facilities for the elderly are stockpiling masks and thermometers , preparing for staff shortages and screening visitors to protect a particularly vulnerable population from the coronavirus .
In China , where the outbreak began , the disease has been substantially deadlier for the elderly .
In Italy , the epicenter of the virus outbreak in Europe , the more than 100 people who died were either elderly , sick with other complications , or both .
Of the 21 deaths across the U.S. as of Sunday , at least 16 had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with many other infections among residents , staff and family members .
The Seattle Times reported that a second nursing home and a retirement community in the area had each reported one case of the virus .
That has put other facilities in the U.S. on high alert , especially in states with large populations of older residents , such as Florida and California .
About 2.5 million people live in long-term care facilities in the United States .
“ For people over the age of 80 ... the mortality rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Mark Parkinson , president of the nursing home trade group American Health Care Association .
The federal government is now focusing all nursing home inspections on infection control , singling out facilities in cities with confirmed cases and those previously cited for not following protocol .
Federal rules already require the homes to have an infection prevention specialist on staff , and many have long had measures in place to deal with seasonal flus and other ailments that pose a higher risk to the elderly .
Even so , facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country .
In Florida , where about 160,000 seniors live in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities , mandatory visitor screening is not in place “ because we 're not at that stage , ” said Kristen Knapp , a spokeswoman for the Florida Health Care Association .
But elder care centers are posting signs urging visitors to stay away if they have symptoms , and are looking into alternate ways for families to connect , such as through video chats , Knapp said .
Concierges in the 14 Florida nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now giving all visitors a short questionnaire asking about symptoms , recent travel and contact with others , said company Vice President Luke Neumann .
Neumann said the nursing homes also have purchased extra thermometers in case they need to check visitors ' temperatures and stockpiled preventive supplies , including medical masks , protective eyewear and gowns .
In the laundry rooms , they are making sure to use enough bleach and heat to kill any lingering virus germs , he said .
At the South Shore Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center south @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a container of disinfecting wipes on a shelf by his bed that he uses several times a day .
The 71-year-old Vietnam veteran and retired truck driver has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that makes it difficult for him to breathe .
The possibility of contracting the coronavirus scares him .
“ It ’ s a concern , '' Marchand said .
`` It really is.
” Many facilities across the country have said they were having trouble getting medical masks and gowns because of shortages .
More intensive screening of visitors , meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Some of the visitors have been quite reluctant to comply , and that has been stressful , '' said Janet Snipes , executive director of Holly Heights Nursing Center in Denver .
Under federal regulations , nursing homes are considered a patient ’ s residence , and the facilities want to keep them connected with family , especially when they are near death .
“ I don ’ t think you can flat-out prevent visitors , '' said Dr. David A. Nace , director of long-term care and flu programs at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He oversees 300 facilities in Pennsylvania .
For now , facilities in most states are stressing basic precautions , including hand washing and coughing etiquette .
Centers throughout the country are also trying to prepare their staffs for the worst .
An adult day care center in Miami 's Little Havana neighborhood bought long-lasting prepared meals in preparation for possible shortages .
The Hebrew Home in Riverdale , New York , is running nursing staff through drills to see how they will handle situations at the 750-bed facility if the virus progresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure for staff to work remotely if they become sick .
“ If one of our sites has an outbreak , we quickly will deplete the staff in that location , '' said Randy Bury , CEO of The Good Samaritan Society , one of the largest not-for-profit providers of senior care services in the country , with 19,000 employees in 24 states .
Some families are considering pulling their loved ones out of facilities .
Kathleen Churchyard said her family has decided to move her 80-year-old mother out of her retirement community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her sister ’ s home nearby if the virus is confirmed in the area .
Churchyard , who lives in Concord , North Carolina , worries her mother is not taking it seriously , and is particularly worried about her dining hall .
“ I tried to get her to buy some stuff to prepare .
... She said , ‘ No .
If ( the virus ) takes me , it takes me , ’ ” Churchyard said .

From Miami to Seattle, nursing homes and other facilities for the elderly are stockpiling masks and thermometers, preparing for staff shortages and screening visitors to protect a particularly vulnerable population from the coronavirus.
In China, where the outbreak began, the disease has been substantially deadlier for the elderly. In Italy, the epicenter of the virus outbreak in Europe, the more than 100 people who died were either elderly, sick with other complications, or both.
Of the 21 deaths across the U.S. as of Sunday, at least 16 had been linked to a Seattle-area nursing home, along with many other infections among residents, staff and family members. The Seattle Times reported that a second nursing home and a retirement community in the area had each reported one case of the virus.
That has put other facilities in the U.S. on high alert, especially in states with large populations of older residents, such as Florida and California. About 2.5 million people live in long-term care facilities in the United States.
“For people over the age of 80 … the mortality rate could be as high as 15 percent,” said Mark Parkinson, president of the nursing home trade group American Health Care Association.
The federal government is now focusing all nursing home inspections on infection control, singling out facilities in cities with confirmed cases and those previously cited for not following protocol.
Federal rules already require the homes to have an infection prevention specialist on staff, and many have long had measures in place to deal with seasonal flus and other ailments that pose a higher risk to the elderly.
Even so, facilities’ response to the coronavirus has varied across the country.
In Florida, where about 160,000 seniors live in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities, mandatory visitor screening is not in place “because we’re not at that stage,” said Kristen Knapp, a spokeswoman for the Florida Health Care Association.
But elder care centers are posting signs urging visitors to stay away if they have symptoms, and are looking into alternate ways for families to connect, such as through video chats, Knapp said.
Concierges in the 14 Florida nursing homes run by the Palm Gardens corporation are now giving all visitors a short questionnaire asking about symptoms, recent travel and contact with others, said company Vice President Luke Neumann.
Neumann said the nursing homes also have purchased extra thermometers in case they need to check visitors’ temperatures and stockpiled preventive supplies, including medical masks, protective eyewear and gowns. In the laundry rooms, they are making sure to use enough bleach and heat to kill any lingering virus germs, he said.
At the South Shore Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center south of Boston, patient Leo Marchand keeps a container of disinfecting wipes on a shelf by his bed that he uses several times a day. The 71-year-old Vietnam veteran and retired truck driver has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that makes it difficult for him to breathe. The possibility of contracting the coronavirus scares him.
“It’s a concern,” Marchand said. “It really is.”
Many facilities across the country have said they were having trouble getting medical masks and gowns because of shortages.
More intensive screening of visitors, meanwhile, is not sitting well with some.
“Some of the visitors have been quite reluctant to comply, and that has been stressful,” said Janet Snipes, executive director of Holly Heights Nursing Center in Denver.
Under federal regulations, nursing homes are considered a patient’s residence, and the facilities want to keep them connected with family, especially when they are near death.
“I don’t think you can flat-out prevent visitors,” said Dr. David A. Nace, director of long-term care and flu programs at the University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine. He oversees 300 facilities in Pennsylvania.
For now, facilities in most states are stressing basic precautions, including hand washing and coughing etiquette.
Centers throughout the country are also trying to prepare their staffs for the worst.
An adult day care center in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood bought long-lasting prepared meals in preparation for possible shortages. The Hebrew Home in Riverdale, New York, is running nursing staff through drills to see how they will handle situations at the 750-bed facility if the virus progresses. Their IT department is setting up infrastructure for staff to work remotely if they become sick.
“If one of our sites has an outbreak, we quickly will deplete the staff in that location,” said Randy Bury, CEO of The Good Samaritan Society, one of the largest not-for-profit providers of senior care services in the country, with 19,000 employees in 24 states.
Some families are considering pulling their loved ones out of facilities.
Kathleen Churchyard said her family has decided to move her 80-year-old mother out of her retirement community near Jacksonville, Florida, and into her sister’s home nearby if the virus is confirmed in the area.
Churchyard, who lives in Concord, North Carolina, worries her mother is not taking it seriously, and is particularly worried about her dining hall.
“I tried to get her to buy some stuff to prepare. … She said, ‘No. If (the virus) takes me, it takes me,’” Churchyard said.


shareblue--2020-03-15--Russian trolls use more sophisticated measures ahead of 2020 elections

Facebook and Twitter revealed evidence Thursday suggesting that Russian efforts to interfere in the U.S. presidential election are getting more sophisticated and harder to detect .
The companies said they have removed dozens of fake accounts and pages from their services .
Facebook said the network of accounts it removed was in the `` early stages '' of building an audience .
It was operated by people in Ghana and Nigeria on behalf of individuals in Russia .
The accounts posted about topics such as black history , celebrity gossip , and fashion .
Twitter , meanwhile , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by emphasizing social issues such as race and civil rights without favoring any particular candidate or ideology .
The tactics the accounts used to avoid detection , and that Russia has essentially outsourced the work to countries in West Africa , shows that foreign interference remains a challenge for Facebook in the months leading to November .
The accounts Facebook took down focused on stoking racial divisions .
Some posed as legitimate non-governmental organizations in order to deceive people .
The takedowns follow a report last week that found Moscow 's campaign of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , and in fact has gotten more difficult to detect .
That report , from University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Young Mie Kim , found that Russia-linked social media accounts are posting about the same divisive issues — race relations , gun laws and immigration — as they did in 2016 , when the Kremlin polluted American voters ' feeds with messages about the presidential election .
Facebook has since removed those accounts as well .
Last month , FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that Russia was still waging `` information warfare '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personas and bots that spread disinformation .
Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in U.S. elections .

Facebook and Twitter revealed evidence Thursday suggesting that Russian efforts to interfere in the U.S. presidential election are getting more sophisticated and harder to detect.
The companies said they have removed dozens of fake accounts and pages from their services.
Facebook said the network of accounts it removed was in the “early stages” of building an audience. It was operated by people in Ghana and Nigeria on behalf of individuals in Russia. The accounts posted about topics such as black history, celebrity gossip, and fashion.
Twitter, meanwhile, said the accounts it removed tried to sow discord by emphasizing social issues such as race and civil rights without favoring any particular candidate or ideology.
The tactics the accounts used to avoid detection, and that Russia has essentially outsourced the work to countries in West Africa, shows that foreign interference remains a challenge for Facebook in the months leading to November.
The accounts Facebook took down focused on stoking racial divisions. Some posed as legitimate non-governmental organizations in order to deceive people.
The takedowns follow a report last week that found Moscow’s campaign of election interference hasn’t let up since 2016, and in fact has gotten more difficult to detect.
That report, from University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Young Mie Kim, found that Russia-linked social media accounts are posting about the same divisive issues — race relations, gun laws and immigration — as they did in 2016, when the Kremlin polluted American voters’ feeds with messages about the presidential election. Facebook has since removed those accounts as well.
Last month, FBI Director Christopher Wray warned that Russia was still waging “information warfare” with an army of fictional social media personas and bots that spread disinformation.
Russia has repeatedly denied interfering in U.S. elections.


shareblue--2020-03-15--A who's who of who's canceling over coronavirus — including The Who

Tours , awards shows , conventions , and festivals on Thursday announced cancellations and postponements at a rapid clip , with concert tours being postponed , movie releases shifting , and Broadway going dark .
Here 's a look at some of the ways the entertainment industry reacted to the spread of the coronavirus , which most people recover from but can cause severe illness in the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions .
Rock band The Who postponed their UK and Ireland tour that was scheduled to start Monday and run through April 8 .
Grammy-winning country duo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their U.S. arena tour , after they said some of their concerts were being forced to mandatorily postpone .
`` We want the shows to be memorable , and not experienced with fear , '' the `` 10,000 Hours '' singers said in a statement Thursday .
Blake Shelton postponed the last two weeks of his Friends and Heroes tour , and Billy Joel also postponed two shows in March and April for later this year .
`` I wo n't take chances with the ones I love , '' Kenny Chesney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his upcoming tour spanning from mid-April through the end of May .
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame postponed its induction ceremony , which was to feature commemorations of the late artists Whitney Houston and The Notorious B.I.G.
, as well as performances honoring Depeche Mode , the Doobie Brothers , Nine Inch Nails , and T-Rex .
The city of Houston ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo , a major concert series in Texas , to close early , canceling upcoming shows by Lizzo , Chris Stapleton , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ varied from 50,000 to 70,000 people per concert .
Studios began scuttling their upcoming releases Thursday , delaying `` A Quiet Place 2 '' and `` F9 , '' the latest `` Fast & Furious '' film that was to be a major summer release .
`` Mulan , '' Disney 's live-action remake of the animated tale , will not be released on March 27 as planned .
No new date has been announced .
Along with other film postponements , including `` Blue Story '' and `` Lovebirds , '' domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entice audiences for weeks to come .
In Los Angeles , the TCM Classic Film Festival was canceled , with organizers citing concerns about public health .
The festival held in the heart of Hollywood was to run from April 16-19 , kicking off with a screening of `` Back to the Future . ''
Organizers say it will refund all ticket purchases .
The television industry continued to forgo audiences and large gatherings for its shows and events , with the audience-participation heavy `` The Price Is Right '' suspending production altogether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would put show tapings on hold `` for the short term . ''
The company also said its shows `` America 's Got Talent '' and `` Family Feud '' will film without live audiences .
Comedy Central 's `` Lights Out With David Spade '' and `` Tosh.0 , '' will both tape without crowds beginning Monday , and Pop TV 's sitcom `` One Day at a Time '' has been taping without a studio audience since Tuesday .
Several broadcasters at the so-called `` upfronts '' , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell advance commercial time to advertisers , will not feature massive in-person presentations .
NBCUniversal , Fox , and ViacomCBS said Thursday that their presentations long held in New York City theaters such as Carnegie Hall will be replaced by online specials and information for the advertising community .
WarnerMedia says it is rethinking its presentation and will instead offer `` a unique video experience '' on May 13 .
The Emmy Awards are adjusting to the health crisis even though nominations are n't due out until this summer and the ceremony is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early `` for your consideration '' Q & A panels held to drum up voter interest in shows and their makers as potential nominees will have to go online , the Television Academy said Thursday .
Out of concern for all involved and to help `` do our part '' against the coronavirus , the organization decided to limit such events to live-streamed or taped panels held without an audience , academy President Maury McIntyre said in a statement Thursday .
The academy also is suspending all member activities through April , McIntyre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumption .
... And the awards too The Kids ' Choice Awards , scheduled for March 22 in Los Angeles , has been postponed .
GLAAD , the lesbian , gay , bisexual , transgender , and queer media advocacy organization , canceled its GLAAD Media Awards in New York on March 19 .

Tours, awards shows, conventions, and festivals on Thursday announced cancellations and postponements at a rapid clip, with concert tours being postponed, movie releases shifting, and Broadway going dark.
Here’s a look at some of the ways the entertainment industry reacted to the spread of the coronavirus, which most people recover from but can cause severe illness in the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Music Muted
Rock band The Who postponed their UK and Ireland tour that was scheduled to start Monday and run through April 8. Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay rescheduled the spring leg of their U.S. arena tour, after they said some of their concerts were being forced to mandatorily postpone.
“We want the shows to be memorable, and not experienced with fear,” the “10,000 Hours” singers said in a statement Thursday.
Blake Shelton postponed the last two weeks of his Friends and Heroes tour, and Billy Joel also postponed two shows in March and April for later this year.
“I won’t take chances with the ones I love,” Kenny Chesney said in a statement announcing postponement dates on his upcoming tour spanning from mid-April through the end of May.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame postponed its induction ceremony, which was to feature commemorations of the late artists Whitney Houston and The Notorious B.I.G., as well as performances honoring Depeche Mode, the Doobie Brothers, Nine Inch Nails, and T-Rex.
The city of Houston ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a major concert series in Texas, to close early, canceling upcoming shows by Lizzo, Chris Stapleton, and Keith Urban. This year’s attendance varied from 50,000 to 70,000 people per concert.
Film, interrupted
Studios began scuttling their upcoming releases Thursday, delaying “A Quiet Place 2” and “F9,” the latest “Fast & Furious” film that was to be a major summer release.
“Mulan,” Disney’s live-action remake of the animated tale, will not be released on March 27 as planned. No new date has been announced. Along with other film postponements, including “Blue Story” and “Lovebirds,” domestic theaters could have few new releases to entice audiences for weeks to come.
In Los Angeles, the TCM Classic Film Festival was canceled, with organizers citing concerns about public health.
The festival held in the heart of Hollywood was to run from April 16-19, kicking off with a screening of “Back to the Future.” Organizers say it will refund all ticket purchases.
Hold the applause…
The television industry continued to forgo audiences and large gatherings for its shows and events, with the audience-participation heavy “The Price Is Right” suspending production altogether.
Production company Fremantle announced Thursday night that it would put show tapings on hold “for the short term.” The company also said its shows “America’s Got Talent” and “Family Feud” will film without live audiences.
Comedy Central’s “Lights Out With David Spade” and “Tosh.0,” will both tape without crowds beginning Monday, and Pop TV’s sitcom “One Day at a Time” has been taping without a studio audience since Tuesday.
Several broadcasters at the so-called “upfronts”, at which networks unveil their fall schedules to sell advance commercial time to advertisers, will not feature massive in-person presentations.
NBCUniversal, Fox, and ViacomCBS said Thursday that their presentations long held in New York City theaters such as Carnegie Hall will be replaced by online specials and information for the advertising community. WarnerMedia says it is rethinking its presentation and will instead offer “a unique video experience” on May 13.
The Emmy Awards are adjusting to the health crisis even though nominations aren’t due out until this summer and the ceremony is more than six months away. The early “for your consideration” Q&A panels held to drum up voter interest in shows and their makers as potential nominees will have to go online, the Television Academy said Thursday.
Out of concern for all involved and to help “do our part” against the coronavirus, the organization decided to limit such events to live-streamed or taped panels held without an audience, academy President Maury McIntyre said in a statement Thursday. The academy also is suspending all member activities through April, McIntyre said, or until circumstances allow their resumption.
…And the awards too
The Kids’ Choice Awards, scheduled for March 22 in Los Angeles, has been postponed.
GLAAD, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer media advocacy organization, canceled its GLAAD Media Awards in New York on March 19.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Biden: 'No one will be deported at all' in my first 100 days in office

VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN : The first hundred days of my administration , no one , no one will be @ @ @ @ @ that point on , the only deportations that will take place are commissions of felonies @ @ @ @ @ America .
ILIA CALDERÒN , Univision : So to be clear , only felons get @ @ @ @ @ everyone else is safe ?
BIDEN : Yes .
Yes .
And the reason is @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's about making sure that we can both be a nation of immigrants @ @ @ @ @ that is decent .

From the March 15 Democratic presidential primary debate:
VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: The first hundred days of my administration, no one, no one will be deported at all. From that point on, the only deportations that will take place are commissions of felonies in the United States of America.
ILIA CALDERÒN, Univision: So to be clear, only felons get deported —
BIDEN: Period.
CALDERÒN: — everyone else is safe?
BIDEN: Yes. Yes. And the reason is it’s about uniting families. It’s about making sure that we can both be a nation of immigrants as well as a nation that is decent.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Joe Biden pledges to pick a woman as vice president

Former Vice President Joe Biden announced at Sunday 's Democratic debate that he would select a woman vice president to run alongside him in 2020 .
`` I commit that I will , in fact , pick a woman to be vice president , '' he said .
`` There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow .
I would pick a woman to be my vice president . ''
Biden also vowed to appoint the first black woman to the Supreme Court .
`` If I 'm elected president and have the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll appoint the first black woman to the [ Supreme ] Court , '' he said , calling the representation long overdue .
Biden then talked about appointing a Cabinet that `` looks like the country . ''
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders also said Sunday that he `` in all likelihood '' would pick a woman as his running mate if he becomes the Democratic nominee later this year .
If either candidate follows through on that pledge , they would become the second Democratic candidate in U.S. history to select a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made history in 1984 when she was the first woman to be a major party vice presidential candidate , joining Walter Mondale on the Democratic ticket .
In 2008 , Sen. John McCain ( R-AZ ) became the first Republican to select a woman as a running mate , tapping Alaska Gov .
Sarah Palin as his vice presidential pick .
In 2016 , Democrat Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be the nominee of a major party .
Biden also talked Sunday about the role he played in writing and helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and noted he would `` get the 'boyfriend exception ' amended now , '' referring to the so-called `` boyfriend loophole '' that allows ex-boyfriends and non-spouse partners to access firearms even if they have convictions on their records .
`` No one should be able to own a gun who has abused a woman , period , '' he said .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Former Vice President Joe Biden announced at Sunday’s Democratic debate that he would select a woman vice president to run alongside him in 2020.
“I commit that I will, in fact, pick a woman to be vice president,” he said. “There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be my vice president.”
Biden also vowed to appoint the first black woman to the Supreme Court.
“If I’m elected president and have the opportunity to appoint someone to the courts, I’ll appoint the first black woman to the [Supreme] Court,” he said, calling the representation long overdue.
Biden then talked about appointing a Cabinet that “looks like the country.”
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders also said Sunday that he “in all likelihood” would pick a woman as his running mate if he becomes the Democratic nominee later this year.
If either candidate follows through on that pledge, they would become the second Democratic candidate in U.S. history to select a woman as their running mate.
Geraldine Ferraro made history in 1984 when she was the first woman to be a major party vice presidential candidate, joining Walter Mondale on the Democratic ticket.
In 2008, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) became the first Republican to select a woman as a running mate, tapping Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential pick.
In 2016, Democrat Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be the nominee of a major party.
Biden also talked Sunday about the role he played in writing and helping pass the first Violence Against Women Act and noted he would “get the ‘boyfriend exception’ amended now,” referring to the so-called “boyfriend loophole” that allows ex-boyfriends and non-spouse partners to access firearms even if they have convictions on their records.
“No one should be able to own a gun who has abused a woman, period,” he said.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Sanders: Coronavirus 'exposes the incredible weakness' of US health care

JAKE TAPPER , CNN : If you were president right now , what would you do to make sure every sick American is able to get treatment so the U.S. does not suffer the same fate as Italy , where doctors have to decide right now who gets lifesaving treatment and who does not ?
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS : Jake , let 's be honest and understand that this coronavirus pandemic exposes the incredible weakness and dysfunctionality of our current health care system .
Now , we 're spending twice as much per person on health care as the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God 's name does it happen that we end up with 87 million people who are uninsured or underinsured and there are people watching this program tonight who say , `` I 'm not feeling well .
Should I go to the doctor ?
But I ca n't afford to go to doctor .
What happens if I am sick ?
It 's going to cost thousands of dollars for treatment .
Who is going to feed my kids ? ''
We are the only major country on Earth not to guarantee health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending so much money and yet we 're not even prepared for this pandemic .
How come we do n't have enough doctors ?
How come hospitals in rural areas are shutting town ?
How come people ca n't afford to get the prescription drugs they need because we have a bunch of crooks who are running the pharmaceutical industry ripping us off every single day .
And I 'll tell you something right now : In the midst of this epidemic , you 've got people in the pharmaceutical industry are saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to make a fortune . ''
So the word has got to go out , I certainly would do this as president , you do n't worry .
People of America , do not worry about the cost of prescription drugs .
Do not worry about the cost of the health care that you 're going to get .
Because we are a nation , a civilized democratic society .
Rich and poor , middle class will get the care they need .
The drug companies will not rip us off @

From the March 15 Democratic presidential primary debate:
JAKE TAPPER, CNN: If you were president right now, what would you do to make sure every sick American is able to get treatment so the U.S. does not suffer the same fate as Italy, where doctors have to decide right now who gets lifesaving treatment and who does not?
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS: Jake, let’s be honest and understand that this coronavirus pandemic exposes the incredible weakness and dysfunctionality of our current health care system.
Now, we’re spending twice as much per person on health care as the people of any other country. How in God’s name does it happen that we end up with 87 million people who are uninsured or underinsured and there are people watching this program tonight who say, “I’m not feeling well. Should I go to the doctor? But I can’t afford to go to doctor. What happens if I am sick? It’s going to cost thousands of dollars for treatment. Who is going to feed my kids?”
We are the only major country on Earth not to guarantee health care to all people. We’re spending so much money and yet we’re not even prepared for this pandemic. How come we don’t have enough doctors? How come hospitals in rural areas are shutting town? How come people can’t afford to get the prescription drugs they need because we have a bunch of crooks who are running the pharmaceutical industry ripping us off every single day.
And I’ll tell you something right now: In the midst of this epidemic, you’ve got people in the pharmaceutical industry are saying, “Oh, wow, what an opportunity to make a fortune.”
So the word has got to go out, I certainly would do this as president, you don’t worry. People of America, do not worry about the cost of prescription drugs. Do not worry about the cost of the health care that you’re going to get. Because we are a nation, a civilized democratic society. Rich and poor, middle class will get the care they need. The drug companies will not rip us off.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Sanders: We need to 'shut this president up right now' about coronavirus

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden spent much of the first half of Sunday 's Democratic presidential debate sparring over how they would each handle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic .
Sanders had blunt advice for Donald Trump , telling him to stop spreading misinformation .
`` The first thing we need to do , whether I 'm president or not , is to shut this president up right now , '' Sanders said .
`` Because he is undermining the doctors and the scientists who are trying to help the American people .
It is unacceptable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information which is confusing the general public . ''
The comments came hours after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that organizers across the country cancel or postpone all events that consist of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks .
Numerous schools and businesses across the nation have also announced they are closing for weeks in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19 .
Trump has mostly downplayed the pandemic , waiting until Friday afternoon to finally declare the outbreak a national emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about how he would handle the situation with a focus on protecting workers who are unpaid during those nationwide closures .
`` We have to deal with the economic fallout quickly , '' Biden said .
`` And that means making sure that people who , in fact , lose their job , do n't get a paycheck , ca n't pay their mortgage are able to pay it — and pay them now . ''
Biden also said small businesses impacted by the pandemic should be able to get interest-free loans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States have tested positive for the coronavirus , according to the New York Times , and at least 62 have died .
In addition to banning mass gatherings , the CDC recommends frequent hand-washing with soap and warm water for 20 seconds , as well as other ways to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus .
Since the start of the outbreak earlier this year , the Trump administration has offered a scattered response to the crisis .
Among other things , it has been accused of bungling early efforts by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment and training , and for not offering widespread testing quickly enough which likely worsened the outbreak significantly .
Trump however has praised his administration 's efforts , calling the outbreak a hoax pushed by Democrats and the media .
More specifically , he has claimed baselessly that his decision to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border and his continued crackdowns on immigration have protected Americans from the virus , ignoring statistics that show Mexico and Central America have much lower numbers of confirmed cases than the United States .
`` To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a very strong border policy , we have had 40 deaths related to CoronaVirus .
If we had weak or open borders , that number would be many times higher ! ''
he tweeted Friday .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden spent much of the first half of Sunday’s Democratic presidential debate sparring over how they would each handle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Sanders had blunt advice for Donald Trump, telling him to stop spreading misinformation.
“The first thing we need to do, whether I’m president or not, is to shut this president up right now,” Sanders said. “Because he is undermining the doctors and the scientists who are trying to help the American people. It is unacceptable for him to be blabbering with unfactual information which is confusing the general public.”
The comments came hours after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that organizers across the country cancel or postpone all events that consist of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks.
Numerous schools and businesses across the nation have also announced they are closing for weeks in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19.
Trump has mostly downplayed the pandemic, waiting until Friday afternoon to finally declare the outbreak a national emergency.
Biden for his part responded to questions about how he would handle the situation with a focus on protecting workers who are unpaid during those nationwide closures.
“We have to deal with the economic fallout quickly,” Biden said. “And that means making sure that people who, in fact, lose their job, don’t get a paycheck, can’t pay their mortgage are able to pay it — and pay them now.”
Biden also said small businesses impacted by the pandemic should be able to get interest-free loans.
At least 3,487 people in the United States have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the New York Times, and at least 62 have died.
In addition to banning mass gatherings, the CDC recommends frequent hand-washing with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, as well as other ways to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
Since the start of the outbreak earlier this year, the Trump administration has offered a scattered response to the crisis. Among other things, it has been accused of bungling early efforts by not providing response worker with proper safety equipment and training, and for not offering widespread testing quickly enough which likely worsened the outbreak significantly.
Trump however has praised his administration’s efforts, calling the outbreak a hoax pushed by Democrats and the media. More specifically, he has claimed baselessly that his decision to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border and his continued crackdowns on immigration have protected Americans from the virus, ignoring statistics that show Mexico and Central America have much lower numbers of confirmed cases than the United States.
“To this point, and because we have had a very strong border policy, we have had 40 deaths related to CoronaVirus. If we had weak or open borders, that number would be many times higher!” he tweeted Friday.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-16--5 ways people are supporting each other during the coronavirus crisis

As much of America and the world hunkers down for social distancing to fight the coronavirus pandemic , people are finding creative ways to support the vulnerable members of their communities , educate kids whose schools are closed , and entertain themselves and others .
Here are five ways people are trying to make things better for humanity .
Contributing to those in need As communities work to face both the public health crisis and the economic challenges surrounding it , many people are looking for ways to donate .
Charity Navigator maintains a list of trustworthy charitable organizations working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical supplies and provide assistance to individuals , families , and communities in need . ''
Others are working to make sure there is a sufficient supply of donated blood and to check in by phone and online with older neighbors .
And José Andrés , the chef behind several DC and New York restaurants , has already been using his World Central Kitchen charity to provide emergency food relief for those in need .
On Sunday , he closed all of his restaurant locations temporarily and announced that starting Tuesday , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feed those in need .
With schools closed around the country , many individuals , organizations , and companies are stepping up to make sure learning does n't stop .
Best-selling author Joelle Charbonneau has organized more than two dozen authors who have agreed to do free `` virtual author visits '' for schools now holding their classes online .
Author and illustrator Mo Willems is inviting kids to watch his weekly `` Lunch Doodle '' video livestream , encouraging `` learners of all ages '' to draw and write along with him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during its COVID-19 closure , it will do a `` Home Safari '' Facebook live event daily .
Each program will introduce animals and include a home activity for kids who are home from school .
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is offering a daily `` Shark Story Hour '' with shark-themed books and shark Q & A sessions .
A number of other parks and zoos have also offered virtual tours for kids .
And Scholastic is providing free `` Learn and Home '' online courses , while several other online education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services .
Kids are n't the only ones feeling uprooted .
Yoga studios and teachers around the country have moved online and are offering free streaming classes to help people relax .
Meanwhile , some grocery stores are establishing special early hours for vulnerable senior citizens to come shop , and some restaurants are offering free meals to senior citizens .
With people staying home , a number of online campaigns have been started to help keep local small businesses afloat .
One encourages people to buy merchandise online from restaurants , bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Another urges them to buy gift cards now that can be used once the social distancing effort is complete .
Last week , Broadway shut down all of its theaters , leaving hundreds of actors , musicians , and other theater professionals without work .
Elsewhere , concerts , museums , theatrical productions , and other entertainment events have been canceled .
So the arts community has also moved online .
BroadwayWorld is offering a series of free `` living room concerts '' from top musical theater performers .
Actor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from theater , recorded in his bathtub .
The Metropolitan Opera will stream a different pre-recorded performance each night , for free .
And Tony-winning actor Laura Benanti has curated an online collection of videos of performances from school theatrical productions that were canceled because of the crisis .
Several museums around the globe have also put their collections online , for free , even as many have closed their doors .
And in Italy and Spain , people have gotten through the day by singalongs as they sit outside on their balconies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent Foundation .

As much of America and the world hunkers down for social distancing to fight the coronavirus pandemic, people are finding creative ways to support the vulnerable members of their communities, educate kids whose schools are closed, and entertain themselves and others.
Here are five ways people are trying to make things better for humanity.
Contributing to those in need
As communities work to face both the public health crisis and the economic challenges surrounding it, many people are looking for ways to donate. Charity Navigator maintains a list of trustworthy charitable organizations working domestically and internationally “to purchase much-needed medical supplies and provide assistance to individuals, families, and communities in need.”
Others are working to make sure there is a sufficient supply of donated blood and to check in by phone and online with older neighbors.
And José Andrés, the chef behind several DC and New York restaurants, has already been using his World Central Kitchen charity to provide emergency food relief for those in need. On Sunday, he closed all of his restaurant locations temporarily and announced that starting Tuesday, many will become “community kitchens” to feed those in need.
Supporting kids
With schools closed around the country, many individuals, organizations, and companies are stepping up to make sure learning doesn’t stop.
Best-selling author Joelle Charbonneau has organized more than two dozen authors who have agreed to do free “virtual author visits” for schools now holding their classes online.
Author and illustrator Mo Willems is inviting kids to watch his weekly “Lunch Doodle” video livestream, encouraging “learners of all ages” to draw and write along with him.
The Cincinnati Zoo announced Sunday that during its COVID-19 closure, it will do a “Home Safari” Facebook live event daily. Each program will introduce animals and include a home activity for kids who are home from school.
The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy is offering a daily “Shark Story Hour” with shark-themed books and shark Q&A sessions. A number of other parks and zoos have also offered virtual tours for kids.
And Scholastic is providing free “Learn and Home” online courses, while several other online education companies are offering free subscriptions to their services.
Supporting grown-ups
Kids aren’t the only ones feeling uprooted. Yoga studios and teachers around the country have moved online and are offering free streaming classes to help people relax.
Meanwhile, some grocery stores are establishing special early hours for vulnerable senior citizens to come shop, and some restaurants are offering free meals to senior citizens.
Supporting small businesses
With people staying home, a number of online campaigns have been started to help keep local small businesses afloat.
One encourages people to buy merchandise online from restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops around the country. Another urges them to buy gift cards now that can be used once the social distancing effort is complete.
Sharing the arts
Last week, Broadway shut down all of its theaters, leaving hundreds of actors, musicians, and other theater professionals without work. Elsewhere, concerts, museums, theatrical productions, and other entertainment events have been canceled.
So the arts community has also moved online. BroadwayWorld is offering a series of free “living room concerts” from top musical theater performers.
Actor Todd Buonopane is posting videos of scenes from theater, recorded in his bathtub.
The Metropolitan Opera will stream a different pre-recorded performance each night, for free.
And Tony-winning actor Laura Benanti has curated an online collection of videos of performances from school theatrical productions that were canceled because of the crisis.
Several museums around the globe have also put their collections online, for free, even as many have closed their doors.
And in Italy and Spain, people have gotten through the day by singalongs as they sit outside on their balconies.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Trump rates his coronavirus response a '10' — but majority of Americans disagree

Donald Trump has repeatedly lied and downplayed the seriousness of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak , but took time during a press conference on Monday to give himself a glowing review regardless .
`` I 'd rate it a ten , '' Trump said , responding to reporter questions about how he would rank his administration 's efforts so far .
`` I think we 've done a great job . ''
Trump then touted his early response to the crisis by restricting travel from China and praised the work of professionals in his administration , who he said , `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's self-evaluation is markedly different from most Americans , who disapprove of the way Trump is handling the outbreak , according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll published on Sunday .
In that poll , 51 % of Americans more broadly said they disapprove of Trump 's response , while 45 % said they approved .
Some 81 % of Republicans approved of Trump 's response .
Throughout the crisis , Trump has regularly shared inaccurate information and lied to the American public .
In a March 11 primetime address to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would implement a complete ban on travel from Europe , wrongly stated trade and cargo from Europe would be halted , and falsely declared that antiviral therapies would soon be available .
Americans in Europe were in fact free to travel back to the United States and there was no ban on trade from Europe , nor was there any indication that antiviral therapies would be available soon .
Earlier , on Feb. 28 , Trump downplayed the seriousness of the global outbreak by placing the blame on Democrats .
`` The Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed at a South Carolina campaign rally .
`` One of my people came up to me and said 'Mr .
President they tried to beat you on Russia , Russia , Russia .
That didn ’ t work out too well . '
They could n't do it .
They tried the impeachment hoax that was on a perfect conversation . ''
`` This is their new hoax , '' he added .
Two weeks later , Trump declared a national emergency over the outbreak .
At a Feb. 27 briefing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments , Trump said that there were only 15 confirmed cases in the United States and that , `` 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 . ''
On March 16 , less than three weeks after Trump made that prediction , the New York Times reported 3,927 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States , and at least 68 deaths from the COVID-19 disease it causes .
This week 's NBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential election .
The poll showed Trump specifically trailing Biden by a 52-43 margin and Sanders by a 49-45 margin .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump has repeatedly lied and downplayed the seriousness of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, but took time during a press conference on Monday to give himself a glowing review regardless.
“I’d rate it a 10,” Trump said, responding to reporter questions about how he would rank his administration’s efforts so far. “I think we’ve done a great job.”
Trump then touted his early response to the crisis, noting he restricted travel from China, and praised the work of professionals in his administration, who, he said, “have done a great job.”
Trump’s evaluation of his own performance is markedly different from the way most Americans view it. According to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll published on Sunday, a majority disapprove of the way Trump is handling the outbreak.
In that poll, 51% of Americans more broadly said they disapprove of Trump’s response, while 45% said they approved.
Some 81% of Republicans approved of Trump’s response.
Throughout the crisis, Trump has regularly shared inaccurate information and lied to the American public.
In a March 11 primetime address to the nation, Trump said he would implement a complete ban on travel from Europe, wrongly stated trade and cargo from Europe would be halted, and falsely declared that antiviral therapies would soon be available. Americans in Europe were in fact free to travel back to the United States, there was no halt of trade between the U.S. and Europe, and there was no indication that antiviral therapies would be available soon.
Earlier, on Feb. 28, Trump downplayed the seriousness of the global outbreak, saying Democrats were exaggerating it as part of a plot against him.
“The Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus,” he claimed at a South Carolina campaign rally. “One of my people came up to me and said ‘Mr. President they tried to beat you on Russia, Russia, Russia. That didn’t work out too well.’ They couldn’t do it. They tried the impeachment hoax that was on a perfect conversation.”
“This is their new hoax,” he added.
Two weeks later, Trump declared a national emergency over the outbreak.
At a Feb. 27 briefing, one day prior to his campaign rally comments, Trump said that there were only 15 confirmed cases in the United States and that, “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.”
On March 16, less than three weeks after Trump made that prediction, the New York Times reported 3,927 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States, and at least 68 deaths from the COVID-19 disease it causes.
This week’s NBC News poll also showed Trump losing to both former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential election. The poll showed Trump specifically trailing Biden by a 52-43 margin and Sanders by a 49-45 margin.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Trump admits coronavirus isn't under control but thinks his response is 'very good'

Donald Trump said on Monday that while the coronavirus outbreak is not under control , his response is .
This contradicted his comments from a day earlier .
At a press conference about the administration 's response to the pandemic , Trump said that when he previously said things were under control , he did not mean that things were under control .
`` We are doing a very good job , within the confines of what we 're dealing with .
We 're doing a very good job , '' he argued .
`` You 're talking about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under control for anyplace in the world , '' he conceded .
`` I was talking about what we 're doing is under control , but I was not talking about the virus . ''
The comments came as much of the nation has ground to a halt in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus by social distancing .
On Sunday , however , Trump claimed the outbreak itself was contained .
`` We see what 's happening .
We see what 's going on in other countries .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from watching other countries , frankly , '' he falsely claimed .
`` This is a very contagious — this is a very contagious virus .
It 's incredible .
But it 's something that we have tremendous control over . ''
Trump has frequently downplayed the crisis , claiming for weeks that everything was `` totally under control . ''
In February , he boasted , `` Because of all we 've done , the risk to the American people remains very low .
… When you have 15 people , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going to be down to close to zero .
That 's a pretty good job we 've done . ''
As of Monday , the CDC has confirmed more than 3,480 cases and 68 deaths in the United States , though experts say many more people are already carrying the coronavirus undetected .
Still , Trump continued Monday to congratulate himself , awarding himself a 10 out of 10 for his handling of the crisis .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump said on Monday that while the coronavirus outbreak is not under control, his response is. This contradicted his comments from a day earlier.
At a press conference about the administration’s response to the pandemic, Trump said that when he previously said things were under control, he did not mean that things were under control.
“We are doing a very good job, within the confines of what we’re dealing with. We’re doing a very good job,” he argued.
“You’re talking about the virus, no, that’s not under control for anyplace in the world,” he conceded. “I was talking about what we’re doing is under control, but I was not talking about the virus.”
The comments came as much of the nation has ground to a halt in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus by social distancing.
On Sunday, however, Trump claimed the outbreak itself was contained.
“We see what’s happening. We see what’s going on in other countries. We’re looking at — we’re learning from watching other countries, frankly,” he falsely claimed. “This is a very contagious — this is a very contagious virus. It’s incredible. But it’s something that we have tremendous control over.”
Trump has frequently downplayed the crisis, claiming for weeks that everything was “totally under control.”
In February, he boasted, “Because of all we’ve done, the risk to the American people remains very low. … When you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero. That’s a pretty good job we’ve done.”
As of Monday, the CDC has confirmed more than 3,480 cases and 68 deaths in the United States, though experts say many more people are already carrying the coronavirus undetected.
Still, Trump continued Monday to congratulate himself, awarding himself a 10 out of 10 for his handling of the crisis.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Trump says buck 'normally' stops with him — but not for coronavirus

From a March 16 press conference at the White House to address the COVID-19 outbreak : REPORTER : Mr. President @ @ @ @ @ with you ?
DONALD TRUMP : Yeah , normally , but I think when you @ @ @ @ @ never been done before in this country .
If you look back , take a @ @ @ @ @ things that took place '09 or '11 , or whatever it may have been , @ @ @ @ @ 's ever done anything like what we 're doing .
At a Rose Garden press @ @ @ @ @ told reporters he took no responsibility for the growing outbreak , despite an onslaught of @ @ @ @ @ bungled initial efforts to stop the virus .
`` I do n't take responsibility at @ @ @ @ @ , blaming his predecessor , President Barack Obama , as well as a number of @ @ @ @ @ for the pandemic .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

From a March 16 press conference at the White House to address the COVID-19 outbreak:
REPORTER: Mr. President, does the buck stop with you? DONALD TRUMP: Yeah, normally, but I think when you hear the — this has never been done before in this country. If you look back, take a look at some of the things that took place ’09 or ’11, or whatever it may have been, they never did — nobody’s ever done anything like what we’re doing.
At a Rose Garden press conference on Friday, Trump told reporters he took no responsibility for the growing outbreak, despite an onslaught of criticism over his administration’s bungled initial efforts to stop the virus.
“I don’t take responsibility at all,” he said, blaming his predecessor, President Barack Obama, as well as a number of vague “circumstances,” for the pandemic.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-16--McConnell still working on packing the courts as nation focuses on coronavirus

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave the Senate a long weekend despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic , but he is still laser-focused on packing the courts with far-right judges .
McConnell is currently engaged in a `` continuing lobbying effort '' urging judges appointed by past Republican presidents to retire soon so Donald Trump can nominate their replacements , the New York Times reported on Monday .
McConnell and conservative allies are reminding judges that if Trump loses in November , it could be eight years before another Republican sits in the White House .
The new report arrives just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , D.C. , without addressing an emergency bill passed by the House to help Americans deal with the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak .
The House passed the bill by an overwhelming 363-40 majority , but the legislation can not move forward until McConnell decides to return to Congress .
While he wo n't rush to help Americans deal with a health pandemic , McConnell has been an outspoken supporter of packing the courts with conservative justices , even if justices who are notably unqualified or have a history of discriminatory remarks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to ram through judges to fill vacancies more quickly .
For instance , McConnell reduced the amount of time the Senate is allowed to debate judges from 30 hours to just 2 hours .
In just 2019 , the McConnell-led Senate confirmed three judges rated `` not qualified '' by the American Bar Association .
For comparison , former President Barack Obama never appointed a single judge with an unqualified rating .
In March 2019 , the Senate confirmed 36-year-old Allison Rushing to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals .
Rushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moral than LGBTQ marriage , and once interned at the Alliance Defending Freedom , which had been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center .
In total , Trump has nominated , and the Senate has confirmed , 51 judges to the nation 's appeals courts , meaning Trump-appointed judges now make up a quarter of appeals court judges .
A New York Times investigation found these judges are younger , less diverse , and more likely to be publicly engaged in conservative causes than judges appointed by Presidents Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump appointed his 50th appellate court judge , the National Women 's Law Center found that 78 % of Trump 's nominees were male and 86 % were white .
None were black .
`` When the roster of judges who are opining on these cases are not representative of the populations most impacted by these decisions , it 's a problem , '' Theresa Lau , senior counsel for NWLC , wrote in January .
`` When judges lack understanding of the real-life implications of their rulings , it 's a problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young conservative ideologues who are putting their personal biases over their duties to uphold the law and rolling back progress for decades to come , it 's a problem , '' Lau said .
McConnell 's effort to push GOP-appointed judges to resign did not sit well with his Democratic counterpart .
`` Senator McConnell knows he ca n't achieve any of his extreme goals legislatively , so he continues to attempt to pull America to the far right by packing the courts , '' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell 's emphasis on the courts may `` significantly hurt Republican senators in November . ''
Republicans currently hold a slim 53-47 majority in the Senate .
After Democrats regained control of the House in the 2018 election , Schumer is hoping that Democrats can win at least three or four seats in November to regain control of the upper chamber .
While McConnell stays focused on the courts , the Times reports nearly 4,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States and at least 68 people have died .
Published with permission @ @ @ @ @ @

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave the Senate a long weekend despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but he is still laser-focused on packing the courts with far-right judges.
McConnell is currently engaged in a “continuing lobbying effort” urging judges appointed by past Republican presidents to retire soon so Donald Trump can nominate their replacements, the New York Times reported on Monday.
McConnell and conservative allies are reminding judges that if Trump loses in November, it could be eight years before another Republican sits in the White House.
The new report arrives just a few days after McConnell left Washington, D.C., without addressing an emergency bill passed by the House to help Americans deal with the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
The House passed the bill by an overwhelming 363-40 majority, but the legislation cannot move forward until McConnell decides to return to Congress.
While he won’t rush to help Americans deal with a health pandemic, McConnell has been an outspoken supporter of packing the courts with conservative justices, even if justices who are notably unqualified or have a history of discriminatory remarks.
McConnell even changed Senate norms and traditions in order to ram through judges to fill vacancies more quickly. For instance, McConnell reduced the amount of time the Senate is allowed to debate judges from 30 hours to just 2 hours.
In just 2019, the McConnell-led Senate confirmed three judges rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association. For comparison, former President Barack Obama never appointed a single judge with an unqualified rating.
In March 2019, the Senate confirmed 36-year-old Allison Rushing to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Rushing has written that heterosexual marriage is more moral than LGBTQ marriage, and once interned at the Alliance Defending Freedom, which had been labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
In total, Trump has nominated, and the Senate has confirmed, 51 judges to the nation’s appeals courts, meaning Trump-appointed judges now make up a quarter of appeals court judges.
A New York Times investigation found these judges are younger, less diverse, and more likely to be publicly engaged in conservative causes than judges appointed by Presidents Obama and Bush.
In January, when Trump appointed his 50th appellate court judge, the National Women’s Law Center found that 78% of Trump’s nominees were male and 86% were white. None were black.
“When the roster of judges who are opining on these cases are not representative of the populations most impacted by these decisions, it’s a problem,” Theresa Lau, senior counsel for NWLC, wrote in January.
“When judges lack understanding of the real-life implications of their rulings, it’s a problem. When the courts are stacked with young conservative ideologues who are putting their personal biases over their duties to uphold the law and rolling back progress for decades to come, it’s a problem,” Lau said.
McConnell’s effort to push GOP-appointed judges to resign did not sit well with his Democratic counterpart.
“Senator McConnell knows he can’t achieve any of his extreme goals legislatively, so he continues to attempt to pull America to the far right by packing the courts,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told the Times in a statement.
Schumer added that McConnell’s emphasis on the courts may “significantly hurt Republican senators in November.”
Republicans currently hold a slim 53-47 majority in the Senate. After Democrats regained control of the House in the 2018 election, Schumer is hoping that Democrats can win at least three or four seats in November to regain control of the upper chamber.
While McConnell stays focused on the courts, the Times reports nearly 4,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States and at least 68 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Ohio tries to delay primary as 3 other states say they'll proceed with in-person voting

Ohio 's governor wants the state to delay in-person voting for the state 's Tuesday presidential primary for three months to let the coronavirus outbreak subside , but Florida , Illinois and Arizona plan to push ahead .
Gov .
Mike DeWine told a news conference Monday that he does not have the power to order the change , but some affected voters will file a lawsuit asking a judge to order it given the danger they would face if they had to go to the polls .
He wants the new in-person date set for June 2 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that choice , ” DeWine said .
Absentee balloting would continue during the interim .
Georgia already postponed next week 's primary , and Louisiana has postponed its scheduled April 4 primary .
But Florida , Illinois , and Arizona 's governors ' offices said they were pushing forward with Tuesday 's voting , even though they are losing polling sites and workers .
In Illinois , there 's no process for canceling or postponing the vote , said Matt Dietrich , spokesman for the State Board of Elections .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly what the process would be for changing it , though it likely would involve a request to the attorney general to seek a court order , '' Dietrich said .
Turnout at the polling places is already expected to be light Tuesday as only the Democrats have a contested presidential primary and that is down to two contenders : Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders .
Add in that the states were pushing early voting and vote-by-mail even before the outbreak and many fewer voters are expected to appear Tuesday at their neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit voter and poll worker exposure to the coronavirus .
In Florida and Arizona , the states moved polling places located in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to avoid exposing the residents to outsiders .
For some counties like Volusia , Florida , and Maricopa , Arizona — by far that state 's largest — that became a benefit .
The counties combined those polling places with others nearby , meaning they needed fewer workers .
In Arizona , the Republican governor and Democratic secretary of state released a video early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking to keep voters safe .
Those include measures to keep distance between people , frequent hand washing by poll workers and disinfecting equipment regularly .
They also asked voters to wash hands before and after visiting the polls .
“ It ’ s been a lot of work but it ’ s well worth it because our democracy is worth it , ” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said in the video .
Broward County , Florida , is stocking its 421 polling locations with extra supplies , including 4,000 rolls of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 bars of soap .
“ We ’ ve purchased gallons of rubbing alcohol and are having them transferred to spray bottles , '' said spokesperson Steve Vancore .
“ We 've ordered cases upon case of Clorox wipes so polls workers can frequently wipe down the equipment and wipe down the voting booths . ''
The states have also been pushing early voting and voting by mail as a way to curtail any crowds at the polls .
Chicago election officials say the effort paid off with 118,000 voters casting ballots in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an all-time record , according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners .
Despite the efforts , voters may experience disruptions Tuesday , particularly when polling places first open .
In Pasco County , Florida , more than 150 poll workers dropped out , citing fears of the virus .
Volunteers from the Tampa Bay-area county 's shuttered schools are stepping in , but some polling places are being combined .
Noah Praetz , an elections consultant and former director of elections for Cook County , Illinois , said election officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manage the loss of polling locations and poll workers .
But `` the early morning hours will likely be shaky in some precincts as heroic poll workers get things up and running short handed . ''
He said he expected problems would be addressed quickly and hoped the voting process would be operating smoothly by late morning .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The vast majority of people recover .
According to the World Health Organization , people with mild illness recover in about two weeks , while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover .

Ohio’s governor wants the state to delay in-person voting for the state’s Tuesday presidential primary for three months to let the coronavirus outbreak subside, but Florida, Illinois and Arizona plan to push ahead.
Gov. Mike DeWine told a news conference Monday that he does not have the power to order the change, but some affected voters will file a lawsuit asking a judge to order it given the danger they would face if they had to go to the polls. He wants the new in-person date set for June 2.
“We should not force them to make that choice,” DeWine said.
Absentee balloting would continue during the interim. Georgia already postponed next week’s primary, and Louisiana has postponed its scheduled April 4 primary.
But Florida, Illinois, and Arizona’s governors’ offices said they were pushing forward with Tuesday’s voting, even though they are losing polling sites and workers.
In Illinois, there’s no process for canceling or postponing the vote, said Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the State Board of Elections.
“This is unprecedented so it’s not clear exactly what the process would be for changing it, though it likely would involve a request to the attorney general to seek a court order,” Dietrich said.
Turnout at the polling places is already expected to be light Tuesday as only the Democrats have a contested presidential primary and that is down to two contenders: Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. Add in that the states were pushing early voting and vote-by-mail even before the outbreak and many fewer voters are expected to appear Tuesday at their neighborhood precinct.
The states are taking steps to limit voter and poll worker exposure to the coronavirus.
In Florida and Arizona, the states moved polling places located in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to avoid exposing the residents to outsiders. For some counties like Volusia, Florida, and Maricopa, Arizona — by far that state’s largest — that became a benefit. The counties combined those polling places with others nearby, meaning they needed fewer workers.
In Arizona, the Republican governor and Democratic secretary of state released a video early Monday outlining the steps they’re taking to keep voters safe. Those include measures to keep distance between people, frequent hand washing by poll workers and disinfecting equipment regularly. They also asked voters to wash hands before and after visiting the polls.
“It’s been a lot of work but it’s well worth it because our democracy is worth it,” Secretary of State Katie Hobbs said in the video.
Broward County, Florida, is stocking its 421 polling locations with extra supplies, including 4,000 rolls of paper towels, gloves and more than 400 bars of soap.
“We’ve purchased gallons of rubbing alcohol and are having them transferred to spray bottles,” said spokesperson Steve Vancore. “We’ve ordered cases upon case of Clorox wipes so polls workers can frequently wipe down the equipment and wipe down the voting booths.”
The states have also been pushing early voting and voting by mail as a way to curtail any crowds at the polls. Chicago election officials say the effort paid off with 118,000 voters casting ballots in the mail in the city, which is an all-time record, according to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
Despite the efforts, voters may experience disruptions Tuesday, particularly when polling places first open. In Pasco County, Florida, more than 150 poll workers dropped out, citing fears of the virus. Volunteers from the Tampa Bay-area county’s shuttered schools are stepping in, but some polling places are being combined.
Noah Praetz, an elections consultant and former director of elections for Cook County, Illinois, said election officials in Illinois have done everything they can to manage the loss of polling locations and poll workers. But “the early morning hours will likely be shaky in some precincts as heroic poll workers get things up and running short handed.”
He said he expected problems would be addressed quickly and hoped the voting process would be operating smoothly by late morning.
For most people, the new coronavirus 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 illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.