shareblue--2020-03-18--GOP senator blames China for global pandemics in fact-free racist tirade

Texas Sen. John Cornyn ( R ) made several racist and incorrect statements on Wednesday while speaking to reporters about the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak .
Cornyn was specifically responding to questions about the use of inflammatory names for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
Donald Trump and a number of his Republican allies have employed racist terminology to describe the virus , with Trump himself calling it the `` Chinese Virus '' repeatedly .
Experts have warned against naming viruses after geographic locations as doing so may incite discrimination and hate against corresponding communities and groups of people .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : REPORTER : Are you on board with [ the ] president calling ... this the `` Chinese Virus ? ''
SEN. JOHN CORNYN ( R-TX ) : That 's where it came from .
REPORTER : But is it helpful ?
It alienates people , it sort of sends [ a tone ] like there is someone to blame .
That there is a group of people to blame .
CORNYN : Well I think China is to blame because the culture where people eat bats and snakes and dogs and things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the animal to the people and that 's why China 's been the source of a lot of these viruses like SARS , like MERS , the swine flu and now the coronavirus .
So I think they have a fundamental problem and I do n't object to geographically identifying where it 's coming from .
REPORTER : To Asian Americans , Asian Americans are feeling like it 's a racist thing to do .
CORNYN : I disagree .
I do n't think – we 're not talking about Asians , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viruses emanate from and which have created this pandemic .
Cornyn was incorrect on Wednesday when he claimed `` China has been the source of a lot of these viruses like SARS , like MERS , the Swine Flu . ''
The first confirmed case of MERS , another species of coronavirus , was reported in 2012 outside of China .
Swine Flu is caused by an influenza virus common among pig populations across the globe .
The first reported cases in the infamous 2009 Swine Flu outbreak were also discovered outside of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North America .
Additionally , Cornyn 's claim that the current COVID-19 outbreak can be linked to Chinese eating habits is both flawed and discriminatory .
A viral video initially linked to the outbreak purported to show a young woman eating a cooked bat , suggesting that consumption of the animal was what started the pandemic .
The video was in fact several years old and published by a travel blogger who had visited Palau .
Tropes about `` dirty '' Asian eating habits are rooted in xenophobia and racism and have existed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 19th century Europe , the Los Angeles Times noted earlier this year .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) made several racist and incorrect statements on Wednesday while speaking to reporters about the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Cornyn was specifically responding to questions about the use of inflammatory names for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Donald Trump and a number of his Republican allies have employed racist terminology to describe the virus, with Trump himself calling it the “Chinese Virus” repeatedly.
Experts have warned against naming viruses after geographic locations as doing so may incite discrimination and hate against corresponding communities and groups of people.
From a March 18 interview with The Hill:
REPORTER: Are you on board with [the] president calling … this the “Chinese Virus?” SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): That’s where it came from. REPORTER: But is it helpful? It alienates people, it sort of sends [a tone] like there is someone to blame. That there is a group of people to blame. CORNYN: Well I think China is to blame because the culture where people eat bats and snakes and dogs and things like that, these viruses are transmitted from the animal to the people and that’s why China’s been the source of a lot of these viruses like SARS, like MERS, the swine flu and now the coronavirus. So I think they have a fundamental problem and I don’t object to geographically identifying where it’s coming from. REPORTER: To Asian Americans, Asian Americans are feeling like it’s a racist thing to do. CORNYN: I disagree. I don’t think – we’re not talking about Asians, we’re talking about China where these viruses emanate from and which have created this pandemic.
Cornyn was incorrect on Wednesday when he claimed “China has been the source of a lot of these viruses like SARS, like MERS, the Swine Flu.”
The first confirmed case of MERS, another species of coronavirus, was reported in 2012 outside of China.
Swine Flu is caused by an influenza virus common among pig populations across the globe. The first reported cases in the infamous 2009 Swine Flu outbreak were also discovered outside of China, halfway across the globe in North America.
Additionally, Cornyn’s claim that the current COVID-19 outbreak can be linked to Chinese eating habits is both flawed and discriminatory.
A viral video initially linked to the outbreak purported to show a young woman eating a cooked bat, suggesting that consumption of the animal was what started the pandemic.
The video was in fact several years old and published by a travel blogger who had visited Palau.
Tropes about “dirty” Asian eating habits are rooted in xenophobia and racism and have existed for years, going as far back as 19th century Europe, the Los Angeles Times noted earlier this year.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-18--GOP senator who voted against federal aid shrugs off coronavirus deaths

Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) tried to downplay how bad the impact of the novel coronavirus will be , and in the process showed his science skills are not up to speed .
In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , he suggested that the social distancing measures being taken to stop the spread of the virus are overblown .
`` I 'm sure the deaths are horrific ...
I 'm not denying what a nasty disease COVID-19 can be , and how it 's obviously devastating to somewhere between 1 and 3.4 percent of the population , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We do n't shut down our economy because tens of thousands of people die on the highways .
It 's a risk we accept so we can move about .
We do n't shut down our economies because tens of thousands of people die from the common flu , '' Johnson added .
Using Johnson 's logic , even if just 1 % of the 329 million people living in the United States died of COVID-19 disease , that would be 3.29 million deaths .
If 3.4 % of the American population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11.2 million people .
Johnson did n't acknowledge that even if people do n't die of COVID-19 disease , the American health care system can not withstand an influx of millions of sick people needing ventilators and beds in intensive care units .
A fear of overloading the country 's health care system is a big reason why social distancing measures have been put into place , an effort described as `` flattening the curve . ''
If the spread can be slowed , the health care system will better be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 disease .
Not only is Johnson publicly downplaying the threats the coronavirus poses , he 's also voted against helping the millions of people losing income and even their jobs while social distancing measures are in place .
Johnson was one of eight Republicans to vote against a coronavirus relief bill on Wednesday that provides free testing for the coronavirus disease , offers paid family and sick leave , and beefs up food assistance and unemployment benefits .

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) tried to downplay how bad the impact of the novel coronavirus will be, and in the process showed his science skills are not up to speed.
In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, he suggested that the social distancing measures being taken to stop the spread of the virus are overblown.
“I’m sure the deaths are horrific … I’m not denying what a nasty disease COVID-19 can be, and how it’s obviously devastating to somewhere between 1 and 3.4 percent of the population,” Johnson told the Journal Sentinel.
“We don’t shut down our economy because tens of thousands of people die on the highways. It’s a risk we accept so we can move about. We don’t shut down our economies because tens of thousands of people die from the common flu,” Johnson added.
Using Johnson’s logic, even if just 1% of the 329 million people living in the United States died of COVID-19 disease, that would be 3.29 million deaths. If 3.4% of the American population died, that would be a staggering 11.2 million people.
Johnson didn’t acknowledge that even if people don’t die of COVID-19 disease, the American health care system cannot withstand an influx of millions of sick people needing ventilators and beds in intensive care units.
A fear of overloading the country’s health care system is a big reason why social distancing measures have been put into place, an effort described as “flattening the curve.” If the spread can be slowed, the health care system will better be able to handle the number of severe cases of COVID-19 disease.
Not only is Johnson publicly downplaying the threats the coronavirus poses, he’s also voted against helping the millions of people losing income and even their jobs while social distancing measures are in place.
Johnson was one of eight Republicans to vote against a coronavirus relief bill on Wednesday that provides free testing for the coronavirus disease, offers paid family and sick leave, and beefs up food assistance and unemployment benefits.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-18--Rand Paul: Immigrants are 'non-people' who don't deserve federal aid

From a floor speech on giving people federal tax credits in response to the coronavirus pandemic , during the March 18 session of the U.S. Senate : SEN. RAND PAUL ( R-KY ) : My amendment says that if you want to apply for money from the government through the child tax credit program — this is money that the government gives to people — that you have to be a legitimate person , you have to have a Social Security number .
We 've been talking about this reform for a decade now and we never seem to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has nothing to do with not liking immigrants , it has to do with saying taxpayer money should n't go to non-people .
You should have to be a person to get taxpayer money .
It just says you have to have a Social Security number .
People estimate this would save $ 26 billion dollars .
That goes a long way towards paying for this bill .
According to the Daily Beast , Paul was proposing on Wednesday to block federal child tax credits in response to the COVID-19 outbreak for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could save the U.S. government tens of billions of dollars .
The Trump administration has floated the idea of a stimulus to help relieve Americans impacted by the outbreak .
Paul 's office tried to explain those comments later on Wednesday , telling the Daily Beast in a statement that when he `` spoke of 'non-people ' he was referring to literally fraudulent practices where individuals claim children that do n't exist or children they don ’ t have , but their tax credits increase due to this fraudulent practice ... '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undocumented immigrants , '' they claimed .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

From a floor speech on giving people federal tax credits in response to the coronavirus pandemic, during the March 18 session of the U.S. Senate:
SEN. RAND PAUL (R-KY): My amendment says that if you want to apply for money from the government through the child tax credit program — this is money that the government gives to people — that you have to be a legitimate person, you have to have a Social Security number. We’ve been talking about this reform for a decade now and we never seem to be able to get it passed. It has nothing to do with not liking immigrants, it has to do with saying taxpayer money shouldn’t go to non-people. You should have to be a person to get taxpayer money. It just says you have to have a Social Security number. People estimate this would save $26 billion dollars. That goes a long way towards paying for this bill.
According to the Daily Beast, Paul was proposing on Wednesday to block federal child tax credits in response to the COVID-19 outbreak for those without a Social Security number, claiming it could save the U.S. government tens of billions of dollars.
The Trump administration has floated the idea of a stimulus to help relieve Americans impacted by the outbreak.
Paul’s office tried to explain those comments later on Wednesday, telling the Daily Beast in a statement that when he “spoke of ‘non-people’ he was referring to literally fraudulent practices where individuals claim children that don’t exist or children they don’t have, but their tax credits increase due to this fraudulent practice…”
“This has nothing to do with undocumented immigrants,” they claimed.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-18--Republicans refuse to stop using racist language as attacks against Asians rise

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn ( R ) this week became the latest Republican to use racist language to describe the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak , even as hate crimes against Asians and Asian Americans continue to rise .
In a Facebook post Wednesday , Blackburn shared a Washington Post opinion piece urging that the coronavirus be linked to the Chinese regime .
`` Rather than help prevent the spread of the Chinese Coronavirus , '' Blackburn said , `` the Communist party focused their efforts on punishing those who spoke out . ''
Blackburn is hardly the first Republican to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump has repeatedly dropped inflammatory phrases into various tweets and comments .
Rep. Jim Banks ( R-IN ) has demanded China pay reparations , tweeting the hashtag # MakeChinaPay .
One White House official reportedly even called it the `` Kung Flu '' while speaking to a Chinese American journalist .
Experts have warned that using geographic terms to describe viruses can lead to discrimination .
The World Health Organization has said doing so `` has had unintended negative impacts by stigmatizing certain communities or economic sectors . ''
The Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stigma during his outbreak `` hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem . ''
The NAACP and congressional leaders of color have condemned the language as dangerous .
According to a recent People report , people of Asian descent are already facing increased racist attacks amid the pandemic , as nations `` worldwide are reporting an uptick in assaults [ ... ] . ''
New York City police announced two arrests this week in anti-Asian hate crimes .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Hong Kong-born man who was walking with his 10-year-old child , yelling , `` Where the [ expletive ] is your mask ? ''
at them .
Another teen has been accused of kicking a man and telling him to go back to his country , mentioning the coronavirus in the process .
Trump has continued to defend his use of racist terminology regardless of the rise in hate-fueled incidents , claiming Wednesday that calling it a `` Chinese virus '' is `` not racist at all '' and was `` accurate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , responded to criticism of those comments on Wednesday morning , stating that she is `` married to an Asian . ''
On Wednesday afternoon , the official White House Twitter feed mocked `` the media ’ s fake outrage '' about the term .
`` Spanish Flu .
West Nile Virus .
Zika .
Ebola .
All named for places , '' officials wrote .
`` Those trying to divide us must stop rooting for America to fail and give Americans real info they need to get through the crisis . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation .

Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R) this week became the latest Republican to use racist language to describe the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, even as hate crimes against Asians and Asian Americans continue to rise.
In a Facebook post Wednesday, Blackburn shared a Washington Post opinion piece urging that the coronavirus be linked to the Chinese regime. “Rather than help prevent the spread of the Chinese Coronavirus,” Blackburn said, “the Communist party focused their efforts on punishing those who spoke out.”
Blackburn is hardly the first Republican to use racist language in discussing the outbreak. Donald Trump has repeatedly dropped inflammatory phrases into various tweets and comments. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) has demanded China pay reparations, tweeting the hashtag #MakeChinaPay. One White House official reportedly even called it the “kung-flu” while speaking to a Chinese American journalist.
Experts have warned that using geographic terms to describe viruses can lead to discrimination.
The World Health Organization has said doing so “has had unintended negative impacts by stigmatizing certain communities or economic sectors.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said contributing to stigma during his outbreak “hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem.” The NAACP and congressional leaders of color have condemned the language as dangerous.
According to a recent People report, people of Asian descent are already facing increased racist attacks amid the pandemic, as nations “worldwide are reporting an uptick in assaults […].”
New York City police announced two arrests this week in anti-Asian hate crimes. One person is accused of harassing and pushing a Hong Kong-born man who was walking with his 10-year-old child, yelling, “Where the [expletive] is your mask?” at them. Another teen has been accused of kicking a man and telling him to go back to his country, mentioning the coronavirus in the process.
Trump has continued to defend his use of racist terminology regardless of the rise in hate-fueled incidents, claiming Wednesday that calling it a “Chinese virus” is “not racist at all” and was “accurate.”
His counselor, Kellyanne Conway, responded to criticism of those comments on Wednesday morning, stating that she is “married to an Asian.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the official White House Twitter feed mocked “the media’s fake outrage” about the term.
“Spanish Flu. West Nile Virus. Zika. Ebola. All named for places,” officials wrote. “Those trying to divide us must stop rooting for America to fail and give Americans real info they need to get through the crisis.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-18--All the stock market gains under Trump have been erased

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid yet again on Wednesday , erasing all of the gains it had made since Donald Trump took office — as well as a key argument Trump has made for his reelection in November .
When Trump took office , the Dow stood at 19,827 points .
On Wednesday , that number was even lower — 19,520 at the time of publication .
That 's down from a high of 29,398 on Feb. 14 .
The market has struggled for weeks amid the growing COVID-19 outbreak .
On Wednesday , the latest drop triggered the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
The stock market slide — thanks to economic fallout from the outbreak and related business closures — could spell trouble for Trump 's reelection hopes .
Trump has long touted stock market gains as evidence that voters should give him a second term in office .
More specifically , he has claimed that Americans ' 401k retirement accounts were performing well because of him .
`` STOCK MARKET AT ALL-TIME HIGH !
HOW ARE YOUR 401K ’ S DOING ? ''
Trump tweeted in on Jan. 9 .
`` 70 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Only 50 % up !
What are you doing wrong ? ''
He also touted market gains in his State of the Union speech in February .
`` Since my election , U.S. stock markets have soared 70 % , adding more than $ 12 trillion to our nation ’ s wealth , transcending anything anyone believed was possible , '' Trump said .
`` This is a record .
It is something that every country in the world is looking up to .
They admire .
Consumer confidence has just reached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` All of those millions of people with 401ks and pensions are doing far better than they have ever done before with increases of 60 , 70 , 80 , 90 and 100 % , and even more . ''
Trump has similarly celebrated market milestones , suggesting they were tied to his success as president .
`` New Stock Market RECORD .
Congratulations , spend your money wisely .
KEEP AMERICA GREAT !
!
!
!
! ''
Trump tweeted just a few weeks ago on Feb. 11 .
He even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why he should n't be impeached and removed from office .
`` STOCK MARKET CLOSES AT ALL-TIME HIGH !
What a great time for the Radical Left , Do Nothing Democrats to Impeach your favorite President , especially since he has not done anything wrong ! ''
Trump tweeted on Dec. 23 , 2019 , days after he was impeached by the House of Representatives .
Those gains , however , are now gone , as investors fear the loss of business and jobs thanks to the drastic social distancing measures that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus .
Trump has yet to comment on the stock market losses .
He did , however , comment on a gain a few days ago .
`` BIGGEST STOCK MARKET RISE IN HISTORY YESTERDAY ! ''
Trump tweeted on March 14 after the market recovered briefly from an otherwise dramatic loss one day prior .
All of those gains have since been erased .

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid yet again on Wednesday, erasing all of the gains it had made since Donald Trump took office — as well as a key argument Trump has made for his reelection in November.
When Trump took office, the Dow stood at 19,827 points. On Wednesday, that number was even lower — 19,520 at the time of publication.
That’s down from a high of 29,398 on Feb. 14.
The market has struggled for weeks amid the growing COVID-19 outbreak. On Wednesday, the latest drop triggered the fourth automatic halt in trading in a month.
The stock market slide — thanks to economic fallout from the outbreak and related business closures — could spell trouble for Trump’s reelection hopes.
Trump has long touted stock market gains as evidence that voters should give him a second term in office.
More specifically, he has claimed that Americans’ 401k retirement accounts were performing well because of him.
“STOCK MARKET AT ALL-TIME HIGH! HOW ARE YOUR 401K’S DOING?” Trump tweeted in on Jan. 9. “70%, 80%, 90% up? Only 50% up! What are you doing wrong?”
He also touted market gains in his State of the Union speech in February.
“Since my election, U.S. stock markets have soared 70%, adding more than $12 trillion to our nation’s wealth, transcending anything anyone believed was possible,” Trump said. “This is a record. It is something that every country in the world is looking up to. They admire. Consumer confidence has just reached amazing new highs.”
He added, “All of those millions of people with 401ks and pensions are doing far better than they have ever done before with increases of 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100%, and even more.”
Trump has similarly celebrated market milestones, suggesting they were tied to his success as president.
“New Stock Market RECORD. Congratulations, spend your money wisely. KEEP AMERICA GREAT!!!!!” Trump tweeted just a few weeks ago on Feb. 11.
He even used the stock market success as reason why he shouldn’t be impeached and removed from office.
“STOCK MARKET CLOSES AT ALL-TIME HIGH! What a great time for the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats to Impeach your favorite President, especially since he has not done anything wrong!” Trump tweeted on Dec. 23, 2019, days after he was impeached by the House of Representatives.
Those gains, however, are now gone, as investors fear the loss of business and jobs thanks to the drastic social distancing measures that have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Trump has yet to comment on the stock market losses.
He did, however, comment on a gain a few days ago.
“BIGGEST STOCK MARKET RISE IN HISTORY YESTERDAY!” Trump tweeted on March 14 after the market recovered briefly from an otherwise dramatic loss one day prior.
All of those gains have since been erased.


shareblue--2020-03-18--GOP candidate uses coronavirus in attack ad after McConnell condemns it

Corky Messner , a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire , is running ads attacking Democrats for being too critical of Donald Trump 's coronavirus response .
The ads come after top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell called for a halt to campaign ads by his opponent , Democratic candidate Amy McGrath , during the COVID-19 crisis .
One of Messner 's Facebook ads , running since March 9 , says Trump 's `` bold , early actions ( like the travel ban ) have helped limit the effects of Coronavirus on American soil . ''
`` We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical time , unlike the Democrats who continually criticize the President no matter what he does , '' the ad says .
While Messner continues to run ads politicizing the coronavirus crisis , McConnell 's campaign has demanded his opponent for his Kentucky Senate seat stop running any political ads during the pandemic .
`` Amy McGrath 's decision to blanket the airwaves with deceitful ads during the coronavirus outbreak is tasteless and shameful , '' McConnell 's campaign manager Kevin Golden said Monday .
`` As Kentuckians adjust their daily lives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last thing they need to see on TV is negative political advertising .
The McGrath campaign must stop airing all of their advertisements , '' Golden added .
Senate Republicans ' campaign arm also has railed against any efforts to `` politicize a disease that knows no party . ''
Jesse Hunt , National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson , said Thursday , `` If Democrats want to be seen as working toward a bipartisan solution on this incredibly serious issue , then they should cease using it to try to score cheap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less than a month ago that the number of cases in the United states would be `` going to be down to close to zero , '' the CDC has now confirmed at least 4,226 cases and 75 deaths due to COVID-19 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Corky Messner, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in New Hampshire, is running ads attacking Democrats for being too critical of Donald Trump’s coronavirus response. The ads come after top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell called for a halt to campaign ads by his opponent, Democratic candidate Amy McGrath, during the COVID-19 crisis.
One of Messner’s Facebook ads, running since March 9, says Trump’s “bold, early actions (like the travel ban) have helped limit the effects of Coronavirus on American soil.”
“We need to be supportive of him at this critical time, unlike the Democrats who continually criticize the President no matter what he does,” the ad says.
[media-credit name=”Messner for Senate” align=”none” width=”300″] [/media-credit]
While Messner continues to run ads politicizing the coronavirus crisis, McConnell’s campaign has demanded his opponent for his Kentucky Senate seat stop running any political ads during the pandemic.
“Amy McGrath’s decision to blanket the airwaves with deceitful ads during the coronavirus outbreak is tasteless and shameful,” McConnell’s campaign manager Kevin Golden said Monday.
“As Kentuckians adjust their daily lives and schedules to help stem the outbreak, the last thing they need to see on TV is negative political advertising. The McGrath campaign must stop airing all of their advertisements,” Golden added.
Senate Republicans’ campaign arm also has railed against any efforts to “politicize a disease that knows no party.” Jesse Hunt, National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson, said Thursday, “If Democrats want to be seen as working toward a bipartisan solution on this incredibly serious issue, then they should cease using it to try to score cheap political points.”
Meanwhile, experts have widely panned Trump’s coronavirus response.
Despite Trump claiming less than a month ago that the number of cases in the United states would be “going to be down to close to zero,” the CDC has now confirmed at least 4,226 cases and 75 deaths due to COVID-19.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-18--Trump administration uses coronavirus to justify banning asylum-seekers

The Trump administration is planning to implement a new plan to immediately send back all asylum-seekers trying to enter the United States from Mexico , the New York Times reported on Tuesday .
The move would be yet another instance of the administration using the coronavirus crisis to attack vulnerable populations .
According to the Times , anyone seeking to enter the United States anywhere other than a port of entry would be returned to Mexico without being detained and with no due process .
U.S. citizens , green-card holders , and those with documentation would still reportedly be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not be impacted .
Four administration officials confirmed that the new policy could be implemented in the next 48 hours , with officials claiming that fear of coronavirus spreading through detention centers is the reason for the policy .
The Times noted that the details of the new rule could change before the official announcement .
Neither Customs and Border Protection nor Immigration and Customs Enforcement have reported any confirmed cases of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , at their detention facilities .
One employee at an ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently underwent testing for the virus after reporting feeling unwell but there have been no cases of the virus reported there so far .
Both agencies said earlier this month that they had put measures in place to protect both detainees and federal workers .
Neither CBP nor the White House responded to a request for comment .
Trump has used the coronavirus to justify previous crackdowns on immigrants , whom he has targeted repeatedly since taking office .
In early March , he claimed the COVID-19 outbreak proved the necessity of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need the Wall more than ever ! ''
Trump tweeted on March 10 in response to a separate post about the coronavirus epidemic .
There is no scientific proof to back up those xenophobic fears .
The idea that migrants are disease carriers is not only false , but is often rooted in racist propaganda .
`` There is no evidence to show that migrants are spreading disease , '' Paul Spiegel , director of the Center for Humanitarian Health at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health , told NBC News in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subject .
`` That is a false argument that is used to keep migrants out . ''
Spiegel and the team of researchers on that study found in fact that immigrants were `` less likely than people in their host countries to die of heart disease , cancer , respiratory diseases and other ills . ''
And when infectious diseases did spread , it was typically due to poor detention conditions .
`` It ’ s not migrants or migration itself that is spreading disease .
It may be the situations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to basic care that may exacerbate the situation , '' he said .
Both CBP and ICE have been condemned in the past for unsanitary and overcrowded conditions in their respective facilities .
Officials with both organizations have refused to answer questions about what has been done so far to prevent dangerous overcrowding and unsanitary facilities amid the outbreak , beyond saying they are following CDC guidance .
In addition to using the COVID-19 outbreak to crack down on immigration , Trump has embraced racist terminology to describe the virus , despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detrimental effects .
Trump insists on calling the new coronavirus the `` China virus '' in speeches and in tweets .
Health experts with the World Health Organization have warned against naming infectious diseases after geographic locations , saying that doing so `` has had unintended negative impacts by stigmatizing certain communities or economic sectors . ''
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also warned that contributing to stigma during the current pandemic `` hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out certain segments of the population , Trump and others `` are telling people who to fear and who to hate , '' Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chairwoman Judy Chu , Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro , Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Karen Bass , and Congressional Native American Caucus Co-Chair Deb Haaland said in a joint statement on March 17 .
The congressional leaders urged `` all leaders to stick to expert guidance and not spread xenophobia . ''
`` Lives depend on it , '' they added .
Published with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The Trump administration is planning to implement a new plan to immediately send back all asylum-seekers trying to enter the United States from Mexico, the New York Times reported on Tuesday. The move would be yet another instance of the administration using the coronavirus crisis to attack vulnerable populations.
According to the Times, anyone seeking to enter the United States anywhere other than a port of entry would be returned to Mexico without being detained and with no due process. U.S. citizens, green-card holders, and those with documentation would still reportedly be allowed in the country, and commercial traffic would not be impacted.
Four administration officials confirmed that the new policy could be implemented in the next 48 hours, with officials claiming that fear of coronavirus spreading through detention centers is the reason for the policy. The Times noted that the details of the new rule could change before the official announcement.
Neither Customs and Border Protection nor Immigration and Customs Enforcement have reported any confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, at their detention facilities. One employee at an ICE facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, recently underwent testing for the virus after reporting feeling unwell but there have been no cases of the virus reported there so far.
Both agencies said earlier this month that they had put measures in place to protect both detainees and federal workers.
Neither CBP nor the White House responded to a request for comment.
Trump has used the coronavirus to justify previous crackdowns on immigrants, whom he has targeted repeatedly since taking office.
In early March, he claimed the COVID-19 outbreak proved the necessity of a wall along the U.S-Mexico border.
“We need the Wall more than ever!” Trump tweeted on March 10 in response to a separate post about the coronavirus epidemic.
There is no scientific proof to back up those xenophobic fears. The idea that migrants are disease carriers is not only false, but is often rooted in racist propaganda.
“There is no evidence to show that migrants are spreading disease,” Paul Spiegel, director of the Center for Humanitarian Health at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, told NBC News in 2018 after completing a two-year study on the subject. “That is a false argument that is used to keep migrants out.”
Spiegel and the team of researchers on that study found in fact that immigrants were “less likely than people in their host countries to die of heart disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and other ills.” And when infectious diseases did spread, it was typically due to poor detention conditions.
“It’s not migrants or migration itself that is spreading disease. It may be the situations that they are in and the lack of access to basic care that may exacerbate the situation,” he said.
Both CBP and ICE have been condemned in the past for unsanitary and overcrowded conditions in their respective facilities. Officials with both organizations have refused to answer questions about what has been done so far to prevent dangerous overcrowding and unsanitary facilities amid the outbreak, beyond saying they are following CDC guidance.
In addition to using the COVID-19 outbreak to crack down on immigration, Trump has embraced racist terminology to describe the virus, despite health experts warning that such language has detrimental effects.
Trump insists on calling the new coronavirus the “China virus” in speeches and in tweets. Health experts with the World Health Organization have warned against naming infectious diseases after geographic locations, saying that doing so “has had unintended negative impacts by stigmatizing certain communities or economic sectors.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also warned that contributing to stigma during the current pandemic “hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem.”
By singling out certain segments of the population, Trump and others “are telling people who to fear and who to hate,” Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chairwoman Judy Chu, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro, Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Karen Bass, and Congressional Native American Caucus Co-Chair Deb Haaland said in a joint statement on March 17.
The congressional leaders urged “all leaders to stick to expert guidance and not spread xenophobia.”
“Lives depend on it,” they added.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-18--Kellyanne Conway on Trump's racism: 'I'm married to an Asian'

Trump and other Republicans have called the new coronavirus the 'Chinese virus , ' and a White House staffer reportedly called it 'Kung Flu . '
From a March 18 press availability at the White House : REPORTER : Do you think that using the phrase `` Chinese virus '' is ... KELLYANNE CONWAY : I think what the president is saying is that 's where it started , but the president 's also – I mean , I do n't know how much more transparent and active the president , the vice president 's task force could be .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90 minutes on the COVID-19 coronavirus , and I think what 's most important , I mean , frankly , I wo n't tell you how to do your jobs , but I think that you 're a great resource to the country right now in giving them the information they need to slow the spread .
You 'll report what you want , you 'll say what you want , you 'll do what you want .
But ... YAMICHE ALCINDOR , PBS : But there are some staffers calling it the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I 'd like to know who they are .
But hold on , you ca n't just say that and not name them .
Tell us who it was .
Come up here and tell us who it was .
I 'd like to know , because I 'll go inside — ALCINDOR : So even if those staffers are watching you now , what is your message to those staffers ?
CONWAY : Excuse me , excuse me — that 's been alleged .
No , Yamiche , excuse me — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CONWAY : Yamiche , I 'm not dealing in hypotheticals .
Of course it 's wrong .
But you ca n't just make an accusation and not tell us who it is .
Who is it ?
Come and tell us .
ALCINDOR : But you 're saying of course it 's wrong .
You 're saying of course it 's wrong , correct ?
CONWAY : Yamiche , if you want to argue , I 'm going to argue about standing away from each other and washing our hands and everything .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : But just to be clear , you 're telling those staffers of course it 's wrong to use the words `` Kung Flu '' ?
CONWAY : Weijia , who was it ?
Tell us .
I think we ought — WEIJIA JIANG , CBS News : I think you understand how these conversations go ... CONWAY : No , I do n't know , I do n't know how these conversations go .
And that 's highly offensive , so you should tell us all who it is .
I 'd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm not going to engage in hypotheticals .
I 'm married to an Asian .
I mean , I would n't engage in a hypothetical — my kids are , partly .
Yes , I 'm married to an Asian American .
My kids are 25 % Filipino .
REPORTER : Oh , I 'm sorry .
Actually , I did n't know that .
CONWAY : You 're all so obsessed , I thought you knew .
ALCINDOR : But you 're saying that using that term is wrong .
CONWAY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is it , Yamiche ?
Who is it ?
Now you 're engaged in — we 're trying to tell , I 'm trying to be here to help you help America understand how to slow the spread , and you 're shouting at me in a way about something that somebody allegedly said to somebody else , and I 'm asking , who was it ?
Why do n't we go to the source — I certainly did n't say it , I do n't believe it .
So why do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell them that 's very hurtful and nonhelpful for what we 're all trying to do ?
And pardon me if I 've been mistaken that you all are trying to inform America as to what 's going on .
We 're really pleased that your networks and your cable stations and your radio affiliates are all helping us to inform America by donating significant space on your networks to these public service announcements that we 've been recording with health professionals and they 're starting .
I think they 're running on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
JIANG : But can you say at least that this is a policy from the White House to say to its staff , `` Do not call it that ? ''
REPORTER : Have you ever heard someone say that ?
CONWAY : I have never heard that .
The only time I ever even heard that or read that is when you said it yesterday .
That 's the only time I 've ever heard or read it .

From a March 18 press availability at the White House:
REPORTER: Do you think that using the phrase “Chinese virus” is …
KELLYANNE CONWAY: I think what the president is saying is that’s where it started, but the president’s also – I mean, I don’t know how much more transparent and active the president, the vice president’s task force could be.
They’re every day — yesterday for 90 minutes on the COVID-19 coronavirus, and I think what’s most important, I mean, frankly, I won’t tell you how to do your jobs, but I think that you’re a great resource to the country right now in giving them the information they need to slow the spread.
You’ll report what you want, you’ll say what you want, you’ll do what you want. But …
YAMICHE ALCINDOR, PBS: But there are some staffers calling it the “kung-flu virus.”
CONWAY: I’d like to know who they are. But hold on, you can’t just say that and not name them. Tell us who it was. Come up here and tell us who it was. I’d like to know, because I’ll go inside —
ALCINDOR: So even if those staffers are watching you now, what is your message to those staffers?
CONWAY: Excuse me, excuse me — that’s been alleged. No, Yamiche, excuse me —
ALCINDOR: So is that wrong —
CONWAY: Yamiche, I’m not dealing in hypotheticals. Of course it’s wrong. But you can’t just make an accusation and not tell us who it is. Who is it? Come and tell us.
ALCINDOR: But you’re saying of course it’s wrong. You’re saying of course it’s wrong, correct?
CONWAY:Yamiche, if you want to argue, I’m going to argue about standing away from each other and washing our hands and everything. Tell us who it is.
ALCINDOR: But just to be clear, you’re telling those staffers of course it’s wrong to use the words “kung-flu”?
CONWAY: Weijia, who was it? Tell us. I think we ought —
WEIJIA JIANG, CBS News: I think you understand how these conversations go …
CONWAY: No, I don’t know, I don’t know how these conversations go. And that’s highly offensive, so you should tell us all who it is. I’d like to know who it is.
I’m not going to engage in hypotheticals.
I’m married to an Asian. I mean, I wouldn’t engage in a hypothetical — my kids are, partly. Yes, I’m married to an Asian American. My kids are 25% Filipino.
REPORTER: Oh, I’m sorry. Actually, I didn’t know that.
CONWAY: You’re all so obsessed, I thought you knew.
ALCINDOR: But you’re saying that using that term is wrong.
CONWAY: Of course it is. But who is it, Yamiche? Who is it?
Now you’re engaged in — we’re trying to tell, I’m trying to be here to help you help America understand how to slow the spread, and you’re shouting at me in a way about something that somebody allegedly said to somebody else, and I’m asking, who was it? Why don’t we go to the source — I certainly didn’t say it, I don’t believe it.
So why don’t we go to the source and tell them that’s very hurtful and nonhelpful for what we’re all trying to do?
And pardon me if I’ve been mistaken that you all are trying to inform America as to what’s going on. We’re really pleased that your networks and your cable stations and your radio affiliates are all helping us to inform America by donating significant space on your networks to these public service announcements that we’ve been recording with health professionals and they’re starting. I think they’re running on your networks starting today or definitely this week.
JIANG: But can you say at least that this is a policy from the White House to say to its staff, “Do not call it that?”
REPORTER: Have you ever heard someone say that?
CONWAY: I have never heard that. The only time I ever even heard that or read that is when you said it yesterday. That’s the only time I’ve ever heard or read it.


shareblue--2020-03-18--Democrats beat 2016 voter turnout numbers despite virus outbreak

Democrats in three states held primaries on Tuesday to help determine their 2020 presidential nominee .
Despite fear and social distancing efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 , participation in two of those states was actually higher than in 2016 .
As of Wednesday morning , 541,378 Democratic ballots had been counted in Arizona .
Just 468,461 Democrats voted in the state 's 2016 primary .
In Florida , 1,734,701 Democrats participated in Tuesday 's primary , compared to 1,709,183 four years ago .
Only Illinois showed a decline in turnout : With nearly all precincts reporting , 1,540,106 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Joe Biden got the largest share of the vote in all three 2020 contests .
Voter turnout was still considerably high , given that the country is largely shut down by the coronavirus pandemic .
The outbreak closed polling locations , caused staffing shortages in many places , and hampered Election Day turnout .
Ohio postponed its primary and some other states have announced they will do the same .
But while day-of turnout was down , even Illinois appeared to set a record for largest early voting and vote by mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats voted before Tuesday — exceeding the entire 2016 primary turnout total .
Given that people are staying home , mail-in ballots may well have saved these primaries .
More than 630,000 Florida Democrats voted by mail before Tuesday 's elections .
Experts say this may be the way of the future .
`` What the current crisis does is it just sheds a new light on the merits of this system , '' Phil Keisling , an advocate for all-mail voting , said in a recent interview .
`` And at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by which states can navigate through this unprecedented moment . ''
Still , not all states have robust vote by mail programs under their current law and some would need to act quickly to implement it for this year 's elections .
`` The reality is every level of government is going to have to cope with the fallout if this virus continues to spread , '' Sen. Ron Wyden ( D-OR ) told Politico .
`` Setting up emergency systems for voting wo n't be easy , but the alternative is forcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot and protecting their health . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Democrats in three states held primaries on Tuesday to help determine their 2020 presidential nominee. Despite fear and social distancing efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, participation in two of those states was actually higher than in 2016.
As of Wednesday morning, 541,378 Democratic ballots had been counted in Arizona. Just 468,461 Democrats voted in the state’s 2016 primary. In Florida, 1,734,701 Democrats participated in Tuesday’s primary, compared to 1,709,183 four years ago.
Only Illinois showed a decline in turnout: With nearly all precincts reporting, 1,540,106 Democrats participated there, down from 2,056,047.
Joe Biden got the largest share of the vote in all three 2020 contests.
Voter turnout was still considerably high, given that the country is largely shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.
The outbreak closed polling locations, caused staffing shortages in many places, and hampered Election Day turnout. Ohio postponed its primary and some other states have announced they will do the same.
But while day-of turnout was down, even Illinois appeared to set a record for largest early voting and vote by mail participation. In fact, 480,523 Arizona Democrats voted before Tuesday — exceeding the entire 2016 primary turnout total.
Given that people are staying home, mail-in ballots may well have saved these primaries. More than 630,000 Florida Democrats voted by mail before Tuesday’s elections.
Experts say this may be the way of the future.
“What the current crisis does is it just sheds a new light on the merits of this system,” Phil Keisling, an advocate for all-mail voting, said in a recent interview. “And at a minimum, it might be a strategy by which states can navigate through this unprecedented moment.”
Still, not all states have robust vote by mail programs under their current law and some would need to act quickly to implement it for this year’s elections.
“The reality is every level of government is going to have to cope with the fallout if this virus continues to spread,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) told Politico. “Setting up emergency systems for voting won’t be easy, but the alternative is forcing vulnerable Americans to choose between casting a ballot and protecting their health.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-19--GOP candidate can't decide if coronavirus prevention is good or bad

North Carolina Lt. Gov .
Dan Forest ( R ) offered conflicting responses this week to Democratic Gov .
Roy Cooper 's decision to close down the state 's bars and restaurants as a way to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak .
On Tuesday , Forest , who is running to unseat the governor in November , seemed to oppose Cooper 's decision , releasing a statement saying it would `` devastate our economy , shutter many small businesses , and leave many people unemployed , especially in the rural areas of our state . ''
Forest added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` does not have the authority to issue this part of his executive order , '' stating a legal objection to Cooper 's order .
On Wednesday , however , Forest walked back his criticism during a radio interview , before eventually changing position again .
`` I 'm not challenging the decision , '' Forest said on Wednesday morning 's KC O'dea Show .
`` That 's the governor 's role to be able to do that [ close down restaurants ] . ''
He said he took issue with Cooper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the matter with others in the government .
He added that he does n't `` want to even challenge the governor 's decision making on that . ''
`` I do n't think that 's politically expedient at this moment to do that , '' Forest said .
Later that morning , in an interview with Fox Business , Forest reverted to his original criticism of Cooper .
When asked about closing restaurants in the state , Forest said , `` I do n't think it 's a good move across the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of North Carolina 's 100 counties had confirmed COVID-19 cases .
`` We should allow those economies to still flourish , '' he said .
The contradicting interviews were first flagged by American Bridge , a progressive opposition research group .
The Cooper campaign fired back at Forest on Thursday .
`` In a crisis , you need a leader who takes decisive action to keep the health and safety of North Carolinians the top priority , '' spokesperson Liz Doherty said in an email .
`` By lobbing attacks , playing politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dan Forest has shown he is not fit to lead . ''
Forest 's criticism of Cooper also does n't hold water , according to one national health expert .
Brock Slabach , executive vice president of the National Rural Hospital Association , confirmed in an interview this week that , typically , by the time coronavirus is detected in a community , it is too late to stop the spread .
`` The unfortunate thing about this disease , '' he said , `` is that this one , craftily , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while you can still be infecting other people . ''
On Thursday , the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 97 confirmed cases in 22 counties , six more counties than Forest noted one day earlier .
There were at least 10,822 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States at present , according to the New York Times .
At least 168 people have died .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest (R) offered conflicting responses this week to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s decision to close down the state’s bars and restaurants as a way to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
On Tuesday, Forest, who is running to unseat the governor in November, seemed to oppose Cooper’s decision, releasing a statement saying it would “devastate our economy, shutter many small businesses, and leave many people unemployed, especially in the rural areas of our state.”
Forest added that Cooper, who is seeking reelection, “does not have the authority to issue this part of his executive order,” stating a legal objection to Cooper’s order.
On Wednesday, however, Forest walked back his criticism during a radio interview, before eventually changing position again.
“I’m not challenging the decision,” Forest said on Wednesday morning’s KC O’dea Show. “That’s the governor’s role to be able to do that [close down restaurants].”
He said he took issue with Cooper’s “lack of communication” on the matter with others in the government.
He added that he doesn’t “want to even challenge the governor’s decision making on that.”
“I don’t think that’s politically expedient at this moment to do that,” Forest said.
Later that morning, in an interview with Fox Business, Forest reverted to his original criticism of Cooper.
When asked about closing restaurants in the state, Forest said, “I don’t think it’s a good move across the board.”
He noted that only 16 of North Carolina’s 100 counties had confirmed COVID-19 cases. “We should allow those economies to still flourish,” he said.
The contradicting interviews were first flagged by American Bridge, a progressive opposition research group.
The Cooper campaign fired back at Forest on Thursday.
“In a crisis, you need a leader who takes decisive action to keep the health and safety of North Carolinians the top priority,” spokesperson Liz Doherty said in an email. “By lobbing attacks, playing politics, and waffling in the wind, Dan Forest has shown he is not fit to lead.”
Forest’s criticism of Cooper also doesn’t hold water, according to one national health expert.
Brock Slabach, executive vice president of the National Rural Hospital Association, confirmed in an interview this week that, typically, by the time coronavirus is detected in a community, it is too late to stop the spread.
“The unfortunate thing about this disease,” he said, “is that this one, craftily, is nonsymptomatic for maybe up to seven days while you can still be infecting other people.”
On Thursday, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 97 confirmed cases in 22 counties, six more counties than Forest noted one day earlier.
There were at least 10,822 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States at present, according to the New York Times. At least 168 people have died.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-19--Trump laughs off governor who can't get medical supplies

Trump dismissed Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker 's concerns this week about not being able to compete with the federal government to secure coronavirus supplies .
CHARLIE BAKER , governor of Massachusetts ( R ) : I 'm not quite sure what to do with this , so I 'm just going to throw it out there for you .
We took very seriously the push that you made previously on one of these calls that we should not just rely on the stockpile , and that we should go out and buy stuff — BAKER : — and put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on manufacturers and distributors .
And I have to tell you that on three big orders we lost to the feds .
So my question is , could you give some of these guys some guidance that says — BAKER : — if states are doing what the feds want and try and create their own supply chain on this , that people should be responsive to that ?
BAKER : Because I have a feeling that if somebody has a chance to sell to you and a chance to sell to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of those .
TRUMP : [ Laughing ] Alright , Charlie thank you very much .
Well we do like you going out , seeing what you can get if you can get it faster and price is always a component of that also , and maybe that 's why you lost to the feds .
I tell you , that 's probably why .

From a March 19 press event at FEMA:
CHARLIE BAKER, governor of Massachusetts (R): I’m not quite sure what to do with this, so I’m just going to throw it out there for you. We took very seriously the push that you made previously on one of these calls that we should not just rely on the stockpile, and that we should go out and buy stuff —
DONALD TRUMP: Right.
BAKER: — and put in orders and try to create pressure on manufacturers and distributors. And I have to tell you that on three big orders we lost to the feds. So my question is, could you give some of these guys some guidance that says —
TRUMP: Yeah.
BAKER: — if states are doing what the feds want and try and create their own supply chain on this, that people should be responsive to that?
TRUMP: Good.
BAKER: Because I have a feeling that if somebody has a chance to sell to you and a chance to sell to me, I’m going to lose every one of those.
TRUMP: [Laughing] Alright, Charlie thank you very much. Well we do like you going out, seeing what you can get if you can get it faster and price is always a component of that also, and maybe that’s why you lost to the feds. I tell you, that’s probably why.


shareblue--2020-03-19--GOP refusal to expand Medicaid puts rural areas at risk during pandemic

For years , Republicans in states across the South and the Midwest refused to expand Medicaid , a health insurance program for Americans with lower incomes .
Now , as the coronavirus outbreak worsens , the decisions by GOP leaders could be even more harmful to rural communities .
As the new coronavirus inevitably spreads across the country , many low-income families in states that did not expand Medicaid must `` face the threat of serious , life-threatening illness of COVID-19 infection without any coverage , '' Brock Slabach , executive vice president of the National Rural Hospital Association , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the disease caused by the new coronavirus at the center of the current global pandemic .
Republicans across the country largely opposed the 2010 Affordable Care Act , or Obamacare , which contained the option to expand Medicaid to provide health insurance to more low-income people .
As a result , Republican leaders — either governors , legislatures , or both — in 15 states refused to expand Medicaid for political rather than health policy reasons .
Those states are : Alabama , Florida , Georgia , Kansas , Mississippi , Missouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Carolina , South Dakota , Tennessee , Texas , Wisconsin , and Wyoming .
Many have large segments of the population who live in rural areas .
Republicans remain in control of either the legislative branch , the executive branch , or both in all 15 of these states .
Even before the coronavirus pandemic , the decision by Republican leaders to deny health care to low-income residents had dire consequences .
More than 2 million people are uninsured in these states that could have been covered with Medicaid expansion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kaiser Family Foundation .
A 2019 report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found 15,600 adults died prematurely because Republican leaders decided not to expand Medicaid in their states .
A Kaiser Family Foundation review of 400 studies on the subject found most research showed states that expanded Medicaid saw `` improved access to care , utilization of services , the affordability of care , and financial security among the low-income population . ''
Slabach had a recommendation for the 15 states that did n't expand Medicaid in light of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` shovel-ready program for investing in the health care of the rural community , '' Slabach said .
Doing so would give the states access to millions of dollars from the federal government for health care and make it possible for them to `` give coverage to more people in the wake of this pandemic . ''
Under Obamacare , the federal government would pick up almost all of the financial costs for states to expand Medicaid , yet state Republican leaders still opposed it .
The refusal impacted not only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the availability of health care in those states , with dozens of hospitals closing in rural areas .
A 2018 study in the journal Health Affairs concluded Medicaid expansion in a state `` was associated with improved hospital financial performance and substantially lower likelihoods of closure , especially in rural markets and counties with large numbers of uninsured adults before Medicaid expansion . ''
Since Obamacare was passed , 126 rural hospitals have closed , with 70 % of the closures happening in the states that have not implemented Medicaid expansion .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Missouri , became the seventh rural hospital in the state to shut down since 2010 .
Missouri 's Republican governor , Mike Parson , continues to oppose Medicaid expansion in the state .
As recently as January , Parson said Medicaid expansion was `` a massive tax increase that Missourians can not afford . ''
As of Thursday , Missouri had 24 confirmed COVID-19 cases , and at least one person in the state has died from the disease .
`` In a pandemic , you want to get early treatment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` One of the ways to do that is to provide coverage for care , '' he added , calling such coverage a `` necessary part of pandemic planning . ''
As of Thursday , at least 10,201 people in the United States had confirmed COVID-19 cases , according to the New York Times , and at least 149 people have died .
For all Americans , no matter where they live , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends frequent hand-washing with soap and warm water , as well as other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the disease .
In addition , the CDC recommended gatherings of 50 or more people be canceled for the next two months .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

For years, Republicans in states across the South and the Midwest refused to expand Medicaid, a health insurance program for Americans with lower incomes. Now, as the coronavirus outbreak worsens, the decisions by GOP leaders could be even more harmful to rural communities.
As the new coronavirus inevitably spreads across the country, many low-income families in states that did not expand Medicaid must “face the threat of serious, life-threatening illness of COVID-19 infection without any coverage,” Brock Slabach, executive vice president of the National Rural Hospital Association, said in a Wednesday interview.
COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus at the center of the current global pandemic.
Republicans across the country largely opposed the 2010 Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, which contained the option to expand Medicaid to provide health insurance to more low-income people. As a result, Republican leaders — either governors, legislatures, or both — in 15 states refused to expand Medicaid for political rather than health policy reasons.
Those states are: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Many have large segments of the population who live in rural areas.
Republicans remain in control of either the legislative branch, the executive branch, or both in all 15 of these states.
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the decision by Republican leaders to deny health care to low-income residents had dire consequences.
More than 2 million people are uninsured in these states that could have been covered with Medicaid expansion, according to a January report by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
A 2019 report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found 15,600 adults died prematurely because Republican leaders decided not to expand Medicaid in their states.
A Kaiser Family Foundation review of 400 studies on the subject found most research showed states that expanded Medicaid saw “improved access to care, utilization of services, the affordability of care, and financial security among the low-income population.”
Slabach had a recommendation for the 15 states that didn’t expand Medicaid in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
Immediately expanding Medicaid is a “shovel-ready program for investing in the health care of the rural community,” Slabach said. Doing so would give the states access to millions of dollars from the federal government for health care and make it possible for them to “give coverage to more people in the wake of this pandemic.”
Under Obamacare, the federal government would pick up almost all of the financial costs for states to expand Medicaid, yet state Republican leaders still opposed it.
The refusal impacted not only the number of uninsured residents, but also the availability of health care in those states, with dozens of hospitals closing in rural areas.
A 2018 study in the journal Health Affairs concluded Medicaid expansion in a state “was associated with improved hospital financial performance and substantially lower likelihoods of closure, especially in rural markets and counties with large numbers of uninsured adults before Medicaid expansion.”
Since Obamacare was passed, 126 rural hospitals have closed, with 70% of the closures happening in the states that have not implemented Medicaid expansion.
In January, Pinnacle Regional Hospital in Boonville, Missouri, became the seventh rural hospital in the state to shut down since 2010. Missouri’s Republican governor, Mike Parson, continues to oppose Medicaid expansion in the state.
As recently as January, Parson said Medicaid expansion was “a massive tax increase that Missourians cannot afford.”
As of Thursday, Missouri had 24 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and at least one person in the state has died from the disease.
“In a pandemic, you want to get early treatment and thorough treatment,” Slabach said. “One of the ways to do that is to provide coverage for care,” he added, calling such coverage a “necessary part of pandemic planning.”
As of Thursday, at least 10,201 people in the United States had confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to the New York Times, and at least 149 people have died.
For all Americans, no matter where they live, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends frequent hand-washing with soap and warm water, as well as other preventive measures, to curb the spread of the disease. In addition, the CDC recommended gatherings of 50 or more people be canceled for the next two months.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-19--Texas governor finally bans public gatherings after days of criticism

Gov .
Greg Abbott ( R-TX ) announced on Thursday that he was finally taking action to ban large gatherings and close schools after insisting for days that the decision should be left up to localities .
`` All jurisdictions must work to contain the spread of COVID-19 for at least the next two weeks , '' he said at a news conference announcing his decision to ban all gatherings of 10 people or more and to close restaurants , bars , gyms , and schools .
`` We are doing this now today so that we can get back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' The order , set to last at least two weeks , goes into effect Friday at midnight .
At least 20 states have beat Texas in taking action to promote social distancing .
But as recently as Tuesday , Abbott steadfastly refused to take action .
`` We 've seen very swift and very effective standards issued by local authorities based upon consultation with local health authorities , which is the way the structure works in the state of Texas , '' he told reporters at the time .
`` And that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important person they can be working with right now is their local health authority , so they can make the right decision that is best for their community , '' Abbott said .
Texas has been hammered for one of the worst COVID-19 responses in the country .
One report released Wednesday ranked Texas as the third-worst state at fighting the coronavirus ' spread .
Some local officials criticized Abbott 's inaction , noting the patchwork response meant people from one county could simply gather in the next one .
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Dallas County close , and there 's three times as many people in the bars in the surrounding counties … we have n't done much to keep our community safe , '' Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said Monday .
`` We need the state to come in and lay out some parameters .
… We have community spread and we have to act , but we need our neighbors alongside us .
And so we need the governor to lead on that , '' Jenkins added .
As of Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases and three deaths .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) announced on Thursday that he was finally taking action to ban large gatherings and close schools after insisting for days that the decision should be left up to localities.
“All jurisdictions must work to contain the spread of COVID-19 for at least the next two weeks,” he said at a news conference announcing his decision to ban all gatherings of 10 people or more and to close restaurants, bars, gyms, and schools. “We are doing this now today so that we can get back to business as usual more quickly.”
The order, set to last at least two weeks, goes into effect Friday at midnight. At least 20 states have beat Texas in taking action to promote social distancing.
But as recently as Tuesday, Abbott steadfastly refused to take action. “We’ve seen very swift and very effective standards issued by local authorities based upon consultation with local health authorities, which is the way the structure works in the state of Texas,” he told reporters at the time.
“And that is for all local authorities, the most important person they can be working with right now is their local health authority, so they can make the right decision that is best for their community,” Abbott said.
Texas has been hammered for one of the worst COVID-19 responses in the country. One report released Wednesday ranked Texas as the third-worst state at fighting the coronavirus’ spread.
Some local officials criticized Abbott’s inaction, noting the patchwork response meant people from one county could simply gather in the next one.
“If all this accomplishes is that the bars in Dallas County close, and there’s three times as many people in the bars in the surrounding counties … we haven’t done much to keep our community safe,” Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said Monday.
“We need the state to come in and lay out some parameters. … We have community spread and we have to act, but we need our neighbors alongside us. And so we need the governor to lead on that,” Jenkins added.
As of Thursday, Texas has already had 143 documented COVID-19 cases and three deaths.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-19--Trump brags that 'somebody' on TV praised his pandemic response

From a March 19 press conference at the White House : DONALD TRUMP : Today I want to share with @ @ @ @ @ FDA is making with the private sector as we slash red tape like nobody has @ @ @ @ @ Somebody was on yesterday on one of the networks and said that there 's never @ @ @ @ @ that 's been able to do what I 've done in slashing all of the @ @ @ @ @ get very important things to the market – medical .

From a March 19 press conference at the White House:
DONALD TRUMP: Today I want to share with you exciting progress that the FDA is making with the private sector as we slash red tape like nobody has ever done it before.
Somebody was on yesterday on one of the networks and said that there’s never been a president even close that’s been able to do what I’ve done in slashing all of the red tape and everything to get very important things to the market – medical.


shareblue--2020-03-19--Trump refuses to use correct term for coronavirus even when it's written in his speech

Donald Trump on Thursday continued to use racist terminology for the novel coronavirus that 's become a global pandemic .
Trump used the name — `` Chinese virus '' — even when his prepared remarks used the term coronavirus , according to an image captured by Washington Post photographer Jabin Botsford .
Botsford 's photo shows that Trump used his signature sharpie to cross out the word `` corona '' and replace it with `` Chinese . ''
Experts at the World Health Organization say that naming viruses after the geographic location they are thought to have come from is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who have nothing to do with the outbreak and it 's spread .
Trump has only started to use the name `` Chinese virus '' in recent days , as he attempts to shift blame on his own response to the virus and steer Americans ' anger at a foreign foe .
Other GOP lawmakers have followed suit , including Sens .
John Cornyn of Texas and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee .
On Thursday , a personality for the pro-Trump outlet `` One America News '' asked Trump question to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese virus . ''
`` Do you consider the term Chinese food racist because it 's food that originates in China ? ''
asked Chanel Rion — who pals around with Trump and his family , and who has pushed absurd and absolutely false conspiracy theories about the novel coronavirus , including that it was created as a bioweapon at the University of North Carolina , according to Media Matters for America .
`` Is it alarming that major media players just to oppose you are consistently siding with foreign state propaganda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cartels and they work right here at the White House with direct access to you and your team , '' Rion continued .
Trump then took the opportunity to make this a fight with the media — one of his favorite enemies — seemingly to distract from the pandemic that 's ravaging the country .
Meanwhile , COVID-19 cases are increasing , hospitals are running out of supplies such as protective masks , and testing to identify who has the virus is still lagging .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation @

Donald Trump on Thursday continued to use racist terminology for the novel coronavirus that’s become a global pandemic.
Trump used the name — “Chinese virus” — even when his prepared remarks used the term coronavirus, according to an image captured by Washington Post photographer Jabin Botsford.
Botsford’s photo shows that Trump used his signature sharpie to cross out the word “corona” and replace it with “Chinese.”
Close up of President @realDonaldTrump notes is seen where he crossed out "Corona" and replaced it with "Chinese" Virus as he speaks with his coronavirus task force today at the White House. #trump #trumpnotes pic.twitter.com/kVw9yrPPeJ — Jabin Botsford (@jabinbotsford) March 19, 2020
Experts at the World Health Organization say that naming viruses after the geographic location they are thought to have come from is wrong, as it causes unfair stigmatization of people who have nothing to do with the outbreak and it’s spread.
Trump has only started to use the name “Chinese virus” in recent days, as he attempts to shift blame on his own response to the virus and steer Americans’ anger at a foreign foe.
Other GOP lawmakers have followed suit, including Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.
On Thursday, a personality for the pro-Trump outlet “One America News” asked Trump question to help him downplay the racist use of “Chinese virus.”
“Do you consider the term Chinese food racist because it’s food that originates in China?” asked Chanel Rion — who pals around with Trump and his family, and who has pushed absurd and absolutely false conspiracy theories about the novel coronavirus, including that it was created as a bioweapon at the University of North Carolina, according to Media Matters for America.
“Is it alarming that major media players just to oppose you are consistently siding with foreign state propaganda, Islamic radicals, and Latin gangs and cartels and they work right here at the White House with direct access to you and your team,” Rion continued.
Trump then took the opportunity to make this a fight with the media — one of his favorite enemies — seemingly to distract from the pandemic that’s ravaging the country.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases are increasing, hospitals are running out of supplies such as protective masks, and testing to identify who has the virus is still lagging.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-19--GOP governor refuses to help parents who suddenly don't have child care

All public schools in Indiana were shut down on Wednesday as part of the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
As parents struggle to find child care , Republican Gov .
Eric Holcomb has refused to do anything to help , urging communities to figure it out on their own .
`` Communities are encouraged to work together to provide child care options for all who need assistance and delivery services of meals and other necessities for senior citizens , '' he tweeted on Monday .
He had previously dodged the question .
Asked last Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help workers who needed time off because their children were out of school or sick , Holcomb answered that `` fortunately we live in a state with world-class hospitals , with world-class doctors , employers that understand we 're all going through this together and that 's where we 'll derive our strength and that 's where we 'll get through this . ''
He said the state was `` remarkably prepared '' for COVID-19 and that each employer should work with employees .
Last week , his health commissioner also suggested people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves .
`` I understand that there are going to be people that have critical jobs , and they need to go to their jobs , and they may now have three children who they can ’ t leave at home all day , '' Kris Box said .
`` So , maybe the neighbor or someone else in the family can help to watch the children . ''
Holcomb 's office did not immediately respond to an inquiry about what families should do about child care .
Meanwhile , a local news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Facebook seeking child care during this crisis and a number of unlicensed `` cheap '' daycare services are being advertised .
This is not an entirely new problem .
A 2018 study by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute found the lack of early child care and education in the state was costing it nearly $ 1.1 billion each year .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

All public schools in Indiana were shut down on Wednesday as part of the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. As parents struggle to find child care, Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb has refused to do anything to help, urging communities to figure it out on their own.
“Communities are encouraged to work together to provide child care options for all who need assistance and delivery services of meals and other necessities for senior citizens,” he tweeted on Monday.
He had previously dodged the question.
Asked last Tuesday if his administration was doing anything to help workers who needed time off because their children were out of school or sick, Holcomb answered that “fortunately we live in a state with world-class hospitals, with world-class doctors, employers that understand we’re all going through this together and that’s where we’ll derive our strength and that’s where we’ll get through this.”
He said the state was “remarkably prepared” for COVID-19 and that each employer should work with employees.
Last week, his health commissioner also suggested people needed to figure out child care for themselves. “I understand that there are going to be people that have critical jobs, and they need to go to their jobs, and they may now have three children who they can’t leave at home all day,” Kris Box said. “So, maybe the neighbor or someone else in the family can help to watch the children.”
Holcomb’s office did not immediately respond to an inquiry about what families should do about child care.
Meanwhile, a local news outlet reported that Indiana parents have taken to Facebook seeking child care during this crisis and a number of unlicensed “cheap” daycare services are being advertised.
This is not an entirely new problem. A 2018 study by the Indiana University Public Policy Institute found the lack of early child care and education in the state was costing it nearly $1.1 billion each year.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-19--Florida governor won't close beaches to spring break crowds

Republican Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis is refusing to close his state 's beaches , despite the fact that thousands are crowding the coastline for spring break against government-issued guidance to avoid large gatherings amid the COVID-19 outbreak .
`` We 've seen some big crowds on the west coast of Florida and I 've had a chance to speak to mayors on both coasts today , '' DeSantis said Tuesday .
`` If … they want to continue to [ leave the beach open ] , we want them to have the freedom to do that , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do more if they see fit . ''
Images of a packed beach in Clearwater , Florida , led to uproar this week , as the beachgoers , many of them young people on spring break , were clearly not adhering to the social distancing measures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
On Monday , the CDC advised against gatherings of 10 or more people , warning that there were just 15 days to stop the spread of the virus .
But DeSantis said he wo n't be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision up to local authorities .
The governor said the images of crowded beaches were from before the CDC changed its guidance to allowing groups of just 10 or less .
`` I would point out though guys , the images from Clearwater were from Saturday , '' DeSantis said .
`` At that point the CDC guidance was groups of 250 or more , then on Sunday they changed it to 50 , and so we were looking at locals to try and figure out OK , what makes sense for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And then the next day on Monday , they changed it to the 10 , and so that 's at that point we need to steer clear of any large groups and so we did it for the beaches and we for the bars , we closed the bars down . ''
Associated Press images from as recently as Wednesday , March 18 , however , show gatherings much larger than 10 people at Clearwater Beach , with little to no social distancing , as the CDC has recommended .
Meanwhile , fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beaches altogether .
`` I think they ought to do everything they can to stop people from being on the beach , '' Sen. Rick Scott , who served as governor before DeSantis , said on CNN Thursday morning .
`` They outta make sure that the only way you can go on the beach is if you 're gon na be on there by yourself , '' he added .
`` ... What are you thinking being on the beach around all these people that might have coronavirus ?
And you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infect the people you love the most ?
What are you thinking ?
Stop doing it , now . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is refusing to close his state’s beaches, despite the fact that thousands are crowding the coastline for spring break against government-issued guidance to avoid large gatherings amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We’ve seen some big crowds on the west coast of Florida and I’ve had a chance to speak to mayors on both coasts today,” DeSantis said Tuesday. “If … they want to continue to [leave the beach open], we want them to have the freedom to do that, but we also want them to have the freedom to do more if they see fit.”
Images of a packed beach in Clearwater, Florida, led to uproar this week, as the beachgoers, many of them young people on spring break, were clearly not adhering to the social distancing measures outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Monday, the CDC advised against gatherings of 10 or more people, warning that there were just 15 days to stop the spread of the virus.
But DeSantis said he won’t be ordering those beaches closed, leaving the decision up to local authorities.
DeSantis defended that decision on “Fox & Friends” — Donald Trump’s preferred media program — Thursday morning.
The governor said the images of crowded beaches were from before the CDC changed its guidance to allowing groups of just 10 or less.
“I would point out though guys, the images from Clearwater were from Saturday,” DeSantis said. “At that point the CDC guidance was groups of 250 or more, then on Sunday they changed it to 50, and so we were looking at locals to try and figure out OK, what makes sense for us on a whole variety of things. And then the next day on Monday, they changed it to the 10, and so that’s at that point we need to steer clear of any large groups and so we did it for the beaches and we for the bars, we closed the bars down.”
Associated Press images from as recently as Wednesday, March 18, however, show gatherings much larger than 10 people at Clearwater Beach, with little to no social distancing, as the CDC has recommended.
Meanwhile, fellow Florida Republicans have urged DeSantis to shutter the beaches altogether.
“I think they ought to do everything they can to stop people from being on the beach,” Sen. Rick Scott, who served as governor before DeSantis, said on CNN Thursday morning.
“They outta make sure that the only way you can go on the beach is if you’re gonna be on there by yourself,” he added. “…What are you thinking being on the beach around all these people that might have coronavirus? And you’re gonna go home and potentially infect the people you love the most? What are you thinking? Stop doing it, now.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-19--Trump administration is still fighting to kick 700,000 off food stamps

The Agriculture Department said Wednesday that it would appeal a judge 's ruling that it would be `` arbitrary and capricious '' to move forward during a global health crisis with food stamp changes that could force hundreds of thousands from the program .
Federal Judge Beryl Howell , in a ruling late last week , stopped a set of changes that would have taken effect on April 1 .
On Wednesday , an Agriculture Department spokesperson responded to an Associated Press query with a terse email saying only that `` USDA disagrees with the court 's reasoning and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current rules , able-bodied adults without dependents must show they 've worked at least 80 hours per month for more than three months in a 36-month period to stay in the SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — commonly known as food stamps .
However , individual states have had the ability to waive that work requirement and time limit for areas of the state that have high unemployment rates .
The changes , championed by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue , would have taken that waiver ability from the states , starting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department set the number of people who would be removed from the program at approximately 700,000 .
In response to a lawsuit brought by a group of state attorneys general , Howell ordered a freeze on the changes .
`` Especially now , as a global pandemic poses widespread health risks , guaranteeing that government officials at both the federal and state levels have flexibility to address the nutritional needs of residents and ensure their well-being through programs like SNAP , is essential , '' Howell wrote in her ruling .
Ellen Vollinger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Food Research & Action Center , said her organization opposes the changes at any time .
But the idea of pressuring low-income workers to keep their hours up is particularly dangerous right now , she said .
`` You do n't want to have workers going out when they 're sick and trying to document the right number of hours just to keep their benefits , '' she said .
In a December column in the Arizona Republic , Perdue said the changes were designed to prevent able-bodied people from settling into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government can be a powerful force for good , but government dependency has never been the American dream , '' Perdue wrote .
`` We need to encourage people by giving them a helping hand but not allowing it to become an indefinitely giving hand . ''
Vollinger said that if the Agriculture Department really does intend to fight for the SNAP program changes , it might end up publicly clashing with Congress .
The economic relief package recently approved by the House also suspends the government 's ability to remove SNAP benefits @ @ @ @ @

The Agriculture Department said Wednesday that it would appeal a judge’s ruling that it would be “arbitrary and capricious” to move forward during a global health crisis with food stamp changes that could force hundreds of thousands from the program.
Federal Judge Beryl Howell, in a ruling late last week, stopped a set of changes that would have taken effect on April 1. On Wednesday, an Agriculture Department spokesperson responded to an Associated Press query with a terse email saying only that “USDA disagrees with the court’s reasoning and will appeal its decision.”
Under the current rules, able-bodied adults without dependents must show they’ve worked at least 80 hours per month for more than three months in a 36-month period to stay in the SNAP or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — commonly known as food stamps.
However, individual states have had the ability to waive that work requirement and time limit for areas of the state that have high unemployment rates. The changes, championed by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, would have taken that waiver ability from the states, starting on April 1. Estimates from the Agriculture Department set the number of people who would be removed from the program at approximately 700,000.
In response to a lawsuit brought by a group of state attorneys general, Howell ordered a freeze on the changes.
“Especially now, as a global pandemic poses widespread health risks, guaranteeing that government officials at both the federal and state levels have flexibility to address the nutritional needs of residents and ensure their well-being through programs like SNAP, is essential,” Howell wrote in her ruling.
Ellen Vollinger, legal director for the advocacy group the Food Research & Action Center, said her organization opposes the changes at any time. But the idea of pressuring low-income workers to keep their hours up is particularly dangerous right now, she said.
“You don’t want to have workers going out when they’re sick and trying to document the right number of hours just to keep their benefits,” she said.
In a December column in the Arizona Republic, Perdue said the changes were designed to prevent able-bodied people from settling into a life of welfare dependence.
“Government can be a powerful force for good, but government dependency has never been the American dream,” Perdue wrote. “We need to encourage people by giving them a helping hand but not allowing it to become an indefinitely giving hand.”
Vollinger said that if the Agriculture Department really does intend to fight for the SNAP program changes, it might end up publicly clashing with Congress. The economic relief package recently approved by the House also suspends the government’s ability to remove SNAP benefits over the work requirement.


shareblue--2020-03-19--Former national security officials say reelecting Trump would have 'catastrophic results'

Donald Trump is once again facing criticism from former national security officials .
On Wednesday , a bipartisan group of more than 80 former national security officials released a letter criticizing Trump 's tenure in the White House and endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden for president in 2020 .
Trump `` has created an existential danger to the United States , its place in the world , and the values we share , '' the letter stated .
`` His reelection would continue this downward spiral , and will likely have catastrophic results .
Democracy itself is at stake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` nation 's foreign affairs are in disarray , our alliances frayed , and our national prestige declining . ''
They also said that America 's `` place in the world as a source of moral leadership has nearly been lost , '' and `` we are increasingly less secure and less safe . ''
The group endorsed Biden , stating , `` We believe our Country is in grave danger '' and noting Biden is `` best suited to reverse the course of American national security decline . ''
Before serving as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent more than three decades in the Senate , including serving as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee .
The letter was first reported by the Washington Post .
It was signed by several high-profile names , including former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper , who has served under a number of different administrations both Republican and Democratic , as well as former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig , who served under Presidents Obama , Clinton , and Carter .
This is not the first time a group of national security experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 2019 , a group of 300 national security experts , including officials who had served in both Republican and Democratic administrations , released a letter condemning Trump 's actions toward Ukraine .
`` President Trump appears to have leveraged the authority and resources of the highest office in the land to invite additional foreign interference into our democratic processes , '' the letter stated .
`` That would constitute an unconscionable abuse of power .
It also would represent an effort to subordinate America 's national interests — and those of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President 's personal political interest . ''
The House of Representatives impeached Trump for abuse of power over those actions three months later .
Earlier , in 2018 , a group of 175 national security experts criticized Trump for stripping security clearance away from former CIA Director John Brennan after Brennan was critical of Trump .
The letter stated that `` the country will be weakened if there is a political litmus test applied before seasoned experts are allowed to share their views . ''
Biden is currently the frontrunner in the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in both the popular vote and pledged delegates .
In recent national polls , Biden holds a strong lead over Trump .
A Sunday NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll had Biden beating Trump by a 52-43 margin , while a March 9 CNN poll had Biden leading 53-43 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump is once again facing criticism from former national security officials.
On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of more than 80 former national security officials released a letter criticizing Trump’s tenure in the White House and endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden for president in 2020.
Trump “has created an existential danger to the United States, its place in the world, and the values we share,” the letter stated. “His reelection would continue this downward spiral, and will likely have catastrophic results. Democracy itself is at stake.”
The officials wrote that the “nation’s foreign affairs are in disarray, our alliances frayed, and our national prestige declining.” They also said that America’s “place in the world as a source of moral leadership has nearly been lost,” and “we are increasingly less secure and less safe.”
The group endorsed Biden, stating, “We believe our Country is in grave danger” and noting Biden is “best suited to reverse the course of American national security decline.”
Before serving as President Obama’s vice president, Biden spent more than three decades in the Senate, including serving as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The letter was first reported by the Washington Post. It was signed by several high-profile names, including former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who has served under a number of different administrations both Republican and Democratic, as well as former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig, who served under Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Carter.
This is not the first time a group of national security experts have been critical of Trump.
In September 2019, a group of 300 national security experts, including officials who had served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, released a letter condemning Trump’s actions toward Ukraine.
“President Trump appears to have leveraged the authority and resources of the highest office in the land to invite additional foreign interference into our democratic processes,” the letter stated. “That would constitute an unconscionable abuse of power. It also would represent an effort to subordinate America’s national interests — and those of our closest allies and partners — to the President’s personal political interest.”
The House of Representatives impeached Trump for abuse of power over those actions three months later.
Earlier, in 2018, a group of 175 national security experts criticized Trump for stripping security clearance away from former CIA Director John Brennan after Brennan was critical of Trump.
The letter stated that “the country will be weakened if there is a political litmus test applied before seasoned experts are allowed to share their views.”
Biden is currently the frontrunner in the Democratic primary, leading Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in both the popular vote and pledged delegates.
In recent national polls, Biden holds a strong lead over Trump. A Sunday NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll had Biden beating Trump by a 52-43 margin, while a March 9 CNN poll had Biden leading 53-43.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.