cnbc--2020-04-14--I survived coronavirus. There's no road map for what comes next

The letter that arrived in my mailbox from the local public health department sounded definitive : `` This person has been cleared to return to normal activities without restrictions , '' it read .
I received it three weeks after I got sick from the coronavirus , and it was supposed to serve as an official declaration that I had won the battle against Covid-19 .
The buzzer sounded .
Game over , my clenched gloved hand raised in the air !
But the outcome does n't feel quite so obvious to me .
How can I return to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those activities are still shut down ?
What `` restrictions '' are now safe for me to abandon — especially considering there 's debate on what those restrictions should be in the first place ?
Does this mean I can ditch the mask at the grocery store ?
Or does it just give me permission to leave the house ?
I live in the suburbs of Washington , D.C. , which the White House has flagged as one of the next potential hot spots .
Across the country , more than 580,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , according to data from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center .
More than 23,000 have died .
But nearly twice that number — more than 40,000 infected patients — have recovered .
And like me , many are trying to figure out what comes next .
As our nation 's leaders begin to contemplate when and how to reopen the economy , those of us who have survived the virus could hold the key .
President Donald Trump is set to launch an `` Open the Country Council '' on Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least some businesses can resume operations on May 1 .
But Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health has cautioned that the economy wo n't turn back on like a light switch , while Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell warned against a `` false start . ''
Whatever the date , the arc of the rebound will depend not only on broad public policy decisions in Washington , but also individual choices of Americans about their own next steps .
And I 'm quickly learning there 's no road map @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a month ago : achiness and exhaustion so severe that I could barely get out of bed .
A dry , hacking cough that made my chest sore .
And a stubborn fever that reared its head every night for two weeks .
It was the sickest I have been as an adult .
That 's saying a lot .
As a mom to three young children , I have battled some pretty nasty bugs .
After six days , I finally was able to get tested .
A week later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time , my husband had fallen ill , and the kids all complained of similar symptoms .
Our doctors told us to just assume that everyone had it and stay at home until we all felt better .
I consider us fortunate : None of us had to be hospitalized .
I still have a mild cough but mostly feel like myself .
My husband can exercise again .
The kids throw the Frisbee in the yard nearly every afternoon .
My family recovered .
While we were sick , we had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All the experts agree on that much .
But it 's not clear when we are supposed to reenter society , much less how .
My primary-care physician told me we could start leaving the house after three days with no fever — in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
However , the public health department did n't send me a clearance letter until my eighth day without a fever .
And the guidelines from the World Health Organization are even more stringent , calling for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My family decided to play it safe and stayed holed up for the full two weeks .
Now that that has ended , I feel like there 's no guidance at all .
We 're just winging it , making up the rules of recovery as we go .
`` The frustrating thing , of course , is there 's no answer , '' said Dr. Jeremy Faust , who works in emergency medicine at Brigham and Women 's Hospital in Boston .
In the best-case scenario , he told me , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ super power of immunity .
The antibodies in our bloodstream mean that we can ditch the masks .
My kids could be the first to return to school and day care , the first ones back on the playground .
My husband and I could venture out for date night at one of our favorite restaurants without fear .
We could be the start of the herd .
`` You might assume that people like you ... are great resources , '' Faust said .
`` Go shopping .
Do the stuff we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Intellectually , I know this is the medicine the economy needs .
JPMorgan is forecasting a devastating 40 percent decline in GDP this quarter .
Economists estimate the unemployment rate is about 13 percent , the worst reading since the Great Depression .
One of the key metrics to watch is `` consumer confidence in the public health response , '' said Melissa Kearney , an economics professor at the University of Maryland .
`` That 's not a usual economic indicator . ''
Because my husband and children were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not totally sure that they had it — especially the children , who experienced mild symptoms .
To put it another way , it 's possible that they had some other virus , which would mean they 're still vulnerable .
That 's why new blood tests for immunity-granting antibodies are so important , Faust said .
Then I could know for sure that my whole family has the weapons we need to fight the disease .
The CDC has begun rolling out what are known as serology tests , and some private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But no one has reached out to us about them — not our doctors or our county health department .
I have no idea how to get one for myself , much less obtain them for my family .
And even if we have immunity , no one knows how long it would last .
On Monday , the World Health Organization warned that it 's unclear whether recovered patients could get sick again from the virus .
That may be especially true for my children .
Since their cases were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more susceptible to reinfection .
`` My guess is you are not contagious , '' Faust said .
`` The real money is when did your kids get it and how long were their courses ? ''
So while federal and state officials deal with the big picture , our family is trying to navigate our own new normal .
For the first time in a month , we decided to get takeout for dinner .
But my husband donned a mask and gloves to pick it up , as much to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Easter bunny ( aka Grandma ) managed a contactless delivery of the children 's basket .
But we 're still worried about coming too close to her , even by social distancing standards , so we just waved at them from the driveway .
Then there 's the pile of Amazon returns sitting in my dining room .
Is it safe to return them yet ?
Or could I be seeding the virus into the shipping system , undermining the warehouse workers who are already worried about their safety ?
I fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But they underscore how the virus has forced us to rethink the minutiae of our daily lives , how many tiny decisions need to be made before the big problems can be solved — not just for us , but for the circle of family and friends around us , and the friends and family around them , and so on .
In fact , there 's a book on my nightstand right now that I had recommended to my neighbor .
Could I loan it to her ?
What if I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would she even want it ?
If I gave it to you , would you take it ?

watch now
The letter that arrived in my mailbox from the local public health department sounded definitive: "This person has been cleared to return to normal activities without restrictions," it read. I received it three weeks after I got sick from the coronavirus, and it was supposed to serve as an official declaration that I had won the battle against Covid-19. The buzzer sounded. Game over, my clenched gloved hand raised in the air! But the outcome doesn't feel quite so obvious to me. How can I return to "normal activities" when almost all of those activities are still shut down? What "restrictions" are now safe for me to abandon — especially considering there's debate on what those restrictions should be in the first place? Does this mean I can ditch the mask at the grocery store? Or does it just give me permission to leave the house? I live in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., which the White House has flagged as one of the next potential hot spots. Across the country, more than 580,000 people have been infected with the virus in America, according to data from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. More than 23,000 have died. But nearly twice that number — more than 40,000 infected patients — have recovered. And like me, many are trying to figure out what comes next. As our nation's leaders begin to contemplate when and how to reopen the economy, those of us who have survived the virus could hold the key. President Donald Trump is set to launch an "Open the Country Council" on Tuesday, and the administration is reportedly hoping that at least some businesses can resume operations on May 1. But Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health has cautioned that the economy won't turn back on like a light switch, while Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell warned against a "false start." Whatever the date, the arc of the rebound will depend not only on broad public policy decisions in Washington, but also individual choices of Americans about their own next steps. And I'm quickly learning there's no road map for my recovery.
Intense illness
My symptoms started about a month ago: achiness and exhaustion so severe that I could barely get out of bed. A dry, hacking cough that made my chest sore. And a stubborn fever that reared its head every night for two weeks. It was the sickest I have been as an adult. That's saying a lot. As a mom to three young children, I have battled some pretty nasty bugs. After six days, I finally was able to get tested. A week later, my results came back positive. By that time, my husband had fallen ill, and the kids all complained of similar symptoms. Our doctors told us to just assume that everyone had it and stay at home until we all felt better. I consider us fortunate: None of us had to be hospitalized. I still have a mild cough but mostly feel like myself. My husband can exercise again. The kids throw the Frisbee in the yard nearly every afternoon. My family recovered. While we were sick, we had to isolate ourselves from the world. All the experts agree on that much. But it's not clear when we are supposed to reenter society, much less how. My primary-care physician told me we could start leaving the house after three days with no fever — in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the public health department didn't send me a clearance letter until my eighth day without a fever. And the guidelines from the World Health Organization are even more stringent, calling for two weeks of quarantine after my symptoms resolve. My family decided to play it safe and stayed holed up for the full two weeks. Now that that has ended, I feel like there's no guidance at all. We're just winging it, making up the rules of recovery as we go. "The frustrating thing, of course, is there's no answer," said Dr. Jeremy Faust, who works in emergency medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. In the best-case scenario, he told me, my family and I now have the super power of immunity. The antibodies in our bloodstream mean that we can ditch the masks. My kids could be the first to return to school and day care, the first ones back on the playground. My husband and I could venture out for date night at one of our favorite restaurants without fear. We could be the start of the herd. "You might assume that people like you ... are great resources," Faust said. "Go shopping. Do the stuff we need to do. Take public transportation." Intellectually, I know this is the medicine the economy needs. JPMorgan is forecasting a devastating 40 percent decline in GDP this quarter. Economists estimate the unemployment rate is about 13 percent, the worst reading since the Great Depression. But personally? I don't feel superhuman. I still feel scared. One of the key metrics to watch is "consumer confidence in the public health response," said Melissa Kearney, an economics professor at the University of Maryland. "That's not a usual economic indicator." Because my husband and children were not approved for coronavirus tests, I am not totally sure that they had it — especially the children, who experienced mild symptoms. To put it another way, it's possible that they had some other virus, which would mean they're still vulnerable.
Ylan Mui | CNBC
That's why new blood tests for immunity-granting antibodies are so important, Faust said. Then I could know for sure that my whole family has the weapons we need to fight the disease. The CDC has begun rolling out what are known as serology tests, and some private companies are reportedly using them as well. But no one has reached out to us about them — not our doctors or our county health department. I have no idea how to get one for myself, much less obtain them for my family. And even if we have immunity, no one knows how long it would last. On Monday, the World Health Organization warned that it's unclear whether recovered patients could get sick again from the virus. That may be especially true for my children. Since their cases were not as serious as mine, they may be more susceptible to reinfection. "My guess is you are not contagious," Faust said. "The real money is when did your kids get it and how long were their courses?"
Navigating a new normal


cnbc--2020-04-14--Pro wrestling company WWE is an essential business during the coronavirus pandemic, Florida Gov. DeS

Pro wrestling company WWE is an essential business during the coronavirus pandemic, Florida Gov. DeSantis says

Professional wrestling company WWE is an essential business and can continue operating during the coronavirus pandemic , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis has decided .
The state government issued an order on April 9 allowing professional sports to resume production `` only if the location is closed to the general public , '' a memo says , putting the entertainment company on par with the likes of grocery stores , banks and hospitals .
The WWE , which has been airing pretaped matches , resumed live operations without audiences Monday in response to the order .
In the WWE training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday Night Raw '' has kicked off its live return .
`` WWE Smackdown , '' also taped from the Orlando training facility , is among the programs that are expected to make a return this week .
One of its employees has tested positive for the coronavirus , also known as Covid-19 .
`` We believe this matter is low risk to WWE talent and staff , as the individual and a roommate became symptomatic in the days following exposure to two people working in acute health care on the evening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production on a closed set was already complete , '' a WWE spokesperson told CNBC .
`` The employee had no contact with anyone from WWE since being exposed to those two individuals , is doing well , and made a complete recovery . ''
The WWE is controlled by Vince McMahon , a longtime friend of President Donald Trump and husband of Linda McMahon , who served as the Small Business Administration 's chief in the Trump administration .
Linda McMahon , also a former CEO of WWE , is currently the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro-Trump Super PAC .
DeSantis , a Republican , tied himself tightly to Trump 's agenda when he ran for governor in 2018 .
DeSantis was one of the most recent governors to issue a statewide stay-at-home order , advising Floridians to stay home on April 1 , weeks after several governors across the United States had already put the same order in place in their respective states .
Florida , with 21,019 confirmed cases so far , ranks in eighth place in terms of states with the most confirmed coronavirus cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DeSantis held off on issuing a stay-at-home order for weeks even as he faced national criticism for his delay .
He has received pushback not only for avoiding issuing a statewide stay-at-home order , but also for making false claims .
On the same day that his office released the memo granting the WWE status as an essential business , he incorrectly said that people under 25 have not died in the United States because of the coronavirus .
`` This particular pandemic is one where , I do n't think nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 .
For whatever reason it just does n't seem to threaten , you know , kids , '' DeSantis said on Thursday .
DeSantis still has earned support from Trump , who last week in a White House press briefing said he trusted the Florida governor 's decisions .
`` I like to allow governors to make decisions without overruling them , '' Trump said when asked if he 'd recommend that schools open up in Florida .
`` I would rather have them make their own decisions . ''
The United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
The outbreak has spread to dozens of countries globally , with more than 1.9 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 120,449 deaths so far , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
There are at least 582,500 cases in the United States and at least 23,649 deaths , according to the latest tallies .
A spokesperson from DeSantis ' office told CNBC that the WWE is considered an essential business because it is `` critical to Florida 's economy .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may only be considered essential if the event location is closed to the general public . ''
In a statement to CNBC , the WWE said its programs offer a necessary distraction to people staying at home because of the coronavirus outbreak .
`` We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times , '' WWE said .
`` As a brand that has been woven into the fabric of society , WWE and its Superstars bring families together and deliver a sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Read all of CNBC 's coronavirus coverage here .

Professional wrestling company WWE is an essential business and can continue operating during the coronavirus pandemic, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has decided.
The state government issued an order on April 9 allowing professional sports to resume production "only if the location is closed to the general public," a memo says, putting the entertainment company on par with the likes of grocery stores, banks and hospitals.
The WWE, which has been airing pretaped matches, resumed live operations without audiences Monday in response to the order.
In the WWE training facility in Orlando, Florida, "Monday Night Raw" has kicked off its live return. "WWE Smackdown," also taped from the Orlando training facility, is among the programs that are expected to make a return this week.
One of its employees has tested positive for the coronavirus, also known as Covid-19. "We believe this matter is low risk to WWE talent and staff, as the individual and a roommate became symptomatic in the days following exposure to two people working in acute health care on the evening of March 26, after WWE's TV production on a closed set was already complete," a WWE spokesperson told CNBC. "The employee had no contact with anyone from WWE since being exposed to those two individuals, is doing well, and made a complete recovery."
The WWE is controlled by Vince McMahon, a longtime friend of President Donald Trump and husband of Linda McMahon, who served as the Small Business Administration's chief in the Trump administration. Linda McMahon, also a former CEO of WWE, is currently the chair of American First Action, a pro-Trump Super PAC. DeSantis, a Republican, tied himself tightly to Trump's agenda when he ran for governor in 2018.
DeSantis was one of the most recent governors to issue a statewide stay-at-home order, advising Floridians to stay home on April 1, weeks after several governors across the United States had already put the same order in place in their respective states.
Florida, with 21,019 confirmed cases so far, ranks in eighth place in terms of states with the most confirmed coronavirus cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
DeSantis held off on issuing a stay-at-home order for weeks even as he faced national criticism for his delay.
He has received pushback not only for avoiding issuing a statewide stay-at-home order, but also for making false claims. On the same day that his office released the memo granting the WWE status as an essential business, he incorrectly said that people under 25 have not died in the United States because of the coronavirus.
"This particular pandemic is one where, I don't think nationwide there's been a single fatality under 25. For whatever reason it just doesn't seem to threaten, you know, kids," DeSantis said on Thursday.
DeSantis still has earned support from Trump, who last week in a White House press briefing said he trusted the Florida governor's decisions.
"I like to allow governors to make decisions without overruling them," Trump said when asked if he'd recommend that schools open up in Florida. "I would rather have them make their own decisions."
The United States leads in confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The outbreak has spread to dozens of countries globally, with more than 1.9 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 120,449 deaths so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. There are at least 582,500 cases in the United States and at least 23,649 deaths, according to the latest tallies.
A spokesperson from DeSantis' office told CNBC that the WWE is considered an essential business because it is "critical to Florida's economy. It is important to note that professional sports activities may only be considered essential if the event location is closed to the general public."
In a statement to CNBC, the WWE said its programs offer a necessary distraction to people staying at home because of the coronavirus outbreak.
"We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times," WWE said. "As a brand that has been woven into the fabric of society, WWE and its Superstars bring families together and deliver a sense of hope, determination and perseverance."
Read all of CNBC's coronavirus coverage here.


cnbc--2020-04-14--Joe Biden is accused of sexual assault as he heads toward election fight with Trump

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden addresses the crowd during a South Carolina campaign launch party on February 11 , 2020 in Columbia , South Carolina .
As former Vice President Joe Biden enjoys big new presidential campaign endorsements from a political rival and his popular old boss , he also is facing an accusation by a woman who says he sexually assaulted her 27 years ago .
Tara Reade first made her claims in a podcast last month .
She recently made an official complaint to police in Washington , D.C. Biden 's campaign strongly denies Reade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it `` absolutely did not happen . ''
Deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield told NBC in a statement , `` He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully . ''
`` Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press .
What is clear about this claim : it is untrue , '' Bedinfield said .
The campaign had no immediate additional comment to CNBC on Tuesday .
Read NBC News ' story on the sex assault allegation against Joe Biden here In her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an aide to then-Sen. Biden in the spring of 1993 .
She told police in her recent complaint that Biden used his fingers to penetrate her after she gave him a gym bag .
Reade 's accusation against Biden has gained attention at a time when the former longtime senator from Delaware was preparing to fully pivot to face President Donald Trump in the election this fall .
Trump won the White House in 2016 despite the bombshell disclosure of an old `` Access Hollywood '' tape that revealed how he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their consent .
The tape came to light weeks before the election .

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden addresses the crowd during a South Carolina campaign launch party on February 11, 2020 in Columbia, South Carolina.
As former Vice President Joe Biden enjoys big new presidential campaign endorsements from a political rival and his popular old boss, he also is facing an accusation by a woman who says he sexually assaulted her 27 years ago.
Tara Reade first made her claims in a podcast last month. She recently made an official complaint to police in Washington, D.C.
Biden's campaign strongly denies Reade's accusation, telling NBC News that it "absolutely did not happen."
Deputy campaign manager Kate Bedingfield told NBC in a statement, "He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard — and heard respectfully."
"Such claims should also be diligently reviewed by an independent press. What is clear about this claim: it is untrue," Bedinfield said.
The campaign had no immediate additional comment to CNBC on Tuesday.
Read NBC News' story on the sex assault allegation against Joe Biden here
In her complaint, Reade said she was serving as an aide to then-Sen. Biden in the spring of 1993. She told police in her recent complaint that Biden used his fingers to penetrate her after she gave him a gym bag.
Reade's accusation against Biden has gained attention at a time when the former longtime senator from Delaware was preparing to fully pivot to face President Donald Trump in the election this fall.
Trump won the White House in 2016 despite the bombshell disclosure of an old "Access Hollywood" tape that revealed how he had bragged about groping women's genitals without their consent. The tape came to light weeks before the election.


cnbc--2020-04-14--Trump 'declared himself king' when he claimed 'total' authority in coronavirus response, Cuomo says

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a Coronavirus Task Force news conference at the White House in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Sunday , April 5 , 2020 .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo tore into President Donald Trump on Tuesday over his claim to have `` total '' authority over the restrictions that states have put in place to combat the coronavirus .
`` This was n't a bending of the Constitution .
What the president said last night was a breaking of the Constitution , '' Cuomo said on MSNBC 's `` Morning Joe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , '' Cuomo said , `` And all that annoying federal-state back-and-forth that our Founding Fathers went through , he just disregarded that . ''
Trump appeared to respond to Cuomo later Tuesday , accusing the Democratic governor of `` begging '' the government for critical health-care equipment , `` most of which should have been the state 's responsibility . ''
`` I got it all done for him , and everyone else , and now he seems to want Independence !
That wo n't happen ! ''
Trump tweeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Covid-19 crisis in the U.S. , was responding to Trump 's claims on Monday that he has the power to lift the restrictions put in place by governors to try to slow the spread of the disease .
`` When somebody 's the president of the United States , the authority is total , and that 's the way it 's got to be , '' Trump said at his daily briefing on the virus .
`` The president of the United States calls the shots , '' Trump said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump has expressed impatience with the strict social distancing measures imposed by governors — such as closing nonessential businesses and ordering residents to stay at home — that have helped contain the virus but have devastated the U.S. economy .
The federal government never imposed a nationwide lockdown , and has offered only nonbinding social distancing guidelines .
That guidance was recently extended through the end of April , despite Trump 's previously announced goal of reopening the economy by Easter Sunday .
Legal experts say Trump is wrong to claim authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health and safety of their residents .
When a reporter at the Monday night briefing noted that states , not the White House , ordered schools and nonessential businesses closed , Trump replied , `` That 's because I let that happen . ''
`` Because I would have preferred that , I let that happen .
But if I wanted to , I could have closed it up .
But I let that happen , and I like the way they 've done it , '' Trump replied .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision of the President '' on whether to `` open up '' the states that have put themselves in lockdown , `` and for many good reasons . ''
Cuomo said Tuesday morning that Trump 's current stance `` is a total 180 from where the president started . ''
`` When this started , he could have closed down the economy .
He did n't want to , '' Cuomo said .
`` So he left it to the governors , and I have had to do this , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government , frankly , did n't want to be in this position .
So now the states are doing it . ''
Cuomo has praised the Trump administration for its assistance to New York as the state grapples with the coronavirus crisis .
Federal agencies have sent resources and equipment to the Empire State and have helped set up temporary hospital space to deal with the surge in patients in the nation 's worst hot spot .
On Monday , Cuomo said that the strict social distancing measures are working , pointing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a drop in the number of people on ventilators .
`` The worst is over ... if we continue to be smart going forward , '' Cuomo said .
The next phase will be the reopening of the economy , Cuomo said on MSNBC on Tuesday .
`` I understand the president wants to do it quickly .
I understand the political environment .
I get it .
But I also know that if we do this wrong , you will see the number of infections increase dramatically . ''
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those numbers go up , and we 'll go right back to square one , '' Cuomo said .

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a Coronavirus Task Force news conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Sunday, April 5, 2020.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tore into President Donald Trump on Tuesday over his claim to have "total" authority over the restrictions that states have put in place to combat the coronavirus.
"This wasn't a bending of the Constitution. What the president said last night was a breaking of the Constitution," Cuomo said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe."
"He basically declared himself King Trump," Cuomo said, "And all that annoying federal-state back-and-forth that our Founding Fathers went through, he just disregarded that."
Trump appeared to respond to Cuomo later Tuesday, accusing the Democratic governor of "begging" the government for critical health-care equipment, "most of which should have been the state's responsibility."
"I got it all done for him, and everyone else, and now he seems to want Independence! That won't happen!" Trump tweeted.
TWEET
Cuomo, whose state is the epicenter of the Covid-19 crisis in the U.S., was responding to Trump's claims on Monday that he has the power to lift the restrictions put in place by governors to try to slow the spread of the disease.
"When somebody's the president of the United States, the authority is total, and that's the way it's got to be," Trump said at his daily briefing on the virus.
"The president of the United States calls the shots," Trump said. "I have the ultimate authority."
Trump has expressed impatience with the strict social distancing measures imposed by governors — such as closing nonessential businesses and ordering residents to stay at home — that have helped contain the virus but have devastated the U.S. economy.
The federal government never imposed a nationwide lockdown, and has offered only nonbinding social distancing guidelines. That guidance was recently extended through the end of April, despite Trump's previously announced goal of reopening the economy by Easter Sunday.
Legal experts say Trump is wrong to claim authority over measures imposed by states to protect the health and safety of their residents.
When a reporter at the Monday night briefing noted that states, not the White House, ordered schools and nonessential businesses closed, Trump replied, "That's because I let that happen."
"Because I would have preferred that, I let that happen. But if I wanted to, I could have closed it up. But I let that happen, and I like the way they've done it," Trump replied.
The president had tweeted earlier that "it is the decision of the President" on whether to "open up" the states that have put themselves in lockdown, "and for many good reasons."
Trump TWEETS
Cuomo said Tuesday morning that Trump's current stance "is a total 180 from where the president started."
"When this started, he could have closed down the economy. He didn't want to," Cuomo said. "So he left it to the governors, and I have had to do this, and I'm in this position because the federal government, frankly, didn't want to be in this position. So now the states are doing it."
Cuomo has praised the Trump administration for its assistance to New York as the state grapples with the coronavirus crisis. Federal agencies have sent resources and equipment to the Empire State and have helped set up temporary hospital space to deal with the surge in patients in the nation's worst hot spot.
On Monday, Cuomo said that the strict social distancing measures are working, pointing to the flattening in the rate of hospitalizations and a drop in the number of people on ventilators. "The worst is over ... if we continue to be smart going forward," Cuomo said.
The next phase will be the reopening of the economy, Cuomo said on MSNBC on Tuesday. "I understand the president wants to do it quickly. I understand the political environment. I get it. But I also know that if we do this wrong, you will see the number of infections increase dramatically."
"We reopen too fast, you will see those numbers go up, and we'll go right back to square one," Cuomo said.


cnbc--2020-04-14--Joe Biden defeats Bernie Sanders in Wisconsin Democratic primary, NBC News projects

Former Vice President Joe Biden , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , left , speaks as Senator Bernie Sanders , an Independent from Vermont , right , listens during a virtual event seen on an Apple Inc. laptop computer in Arlington , Virginia , U.S. , on Monday , April 13 , 2020 .
Former Vice President Joe Biden defeated Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Wisconsin Democratic presidential primary , NBC News projected Monday .
The election took place last week , before the Vermont senator left the 2020 race and endorsed Biden .
The former vice president will likely face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
The state faced backlash for moving forward with in-person voting as the coronavirus pandemic spread , risking voter safety .
Multiple other states delayed their primaries .
The state supreme court last week blocked Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers ' executive order to postpone in-person voting until June .
It said he did not have the authority to move the election date on his own .
Then , the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a lower court order to extend the deadline to file absentee ballots , in a separate case filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the court 's decision did not change one remnant of the legal tug of war : Wisconsin counties did not report results until Monday .
With 99 % of results in , Biden led Sanders by about a 63 % to 32 % margin .
Biden became the apparent Democratic presidential nominee when Sanders dropped out of the race on Wednesday .
Biden will win at least 54 pledged delegates from Wisconsin , while his former rival Sanders will come away with at least 24 , according to NBC .
The haul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 1,288 , versus 942 for the senator .
Sanders has said he will remain on the ballot in the states where he already filed to appear , in order to rack up delegates and influence the party platform at the Democratic National Convention in August .
Meanwhile , liberal challenger Jill Karofsky declared victory over conservative state Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly in a closely watched contest .
Trump backed Kelly and urged Wisconsin residents to vote for him last week , even as his administration discourages large public gatherings .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the circumstances under which this election was conducted were simply unacceptable , and raise serious concerns for the future of our democracy , '' Karofsky said in a statement as results came in .
`` Nobody in this state or in this country should have been forced to choose between their safety and participating in an election . ''
If Karofsky wins , the court 's conservative majority gets cut to 4-3 .
She would help to decide a fight over removing up to 209,000 people from voter rolls in a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deciding the next president .

Former Vice President Joe Biden, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, left, speaks as Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, right, listens during a virtual event seen on an Apple Inc. laptop computer in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., on Monday, April 13, 2020.
Former Vice President Joe Biden defeated Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Wisconsin Democratic presidential primary, NBC News projected Monday.
The election took place last week, before the Vermont senator left the 2020 race and endorsed Biden. The former vice president will likely face President Donald Trump in the 2020 general election. The state faced backlash for moving forward with in-person voting as the coronavirus pandemic spread, risking voter safety. Multiple other states delayed their primaries.
The state supreme court last week blocked Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' executive order to postpone in-person voting until June. It said he did not have the authority to move the election date on his own.
Then, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a lower court order to extend the deadline to file absentee ballots, in a separate case filed before Evers' action. Even so, the court's decision did not change one remnant of the legal tug of war: Wisconsin counties did not report results until Monday.
With 99% of results in, Biden led Sanders by about a 63% to 32% margin.
Biden became the apparent Democratic presidential nominee when Sanders dropped out of the race on Wednesday. Biden will win at least 54 pledged delegates from Wisconsin, while his former rival Sanders will come away with at least 24, according to NBC.
The haul brings the apparent nominee's national total to 1,288, versus 942 for the senator.
Sanders has said he will remain on the ballot in the states where he already filed to appear, in order to rack up delegates and influence the party platform at the Democratic National Convention in August.
Meanwhile, liberal challenger Jill Karofsky declared victory over conservative state Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly in a closely watched contest. Trump backed Kelly and urged Wisconsin residents to vote for him last week, even as his administration discourages large public gatherings.
"Although we were successful in this race, the circumstances under which this election was conducted were simply unacceptable, and raise serious concerns for the future of our democracy," Karofsky said in a statement as results came in. "Nobody in this state or in this country should have been forced to choose between their safety and participating in an election."
If Karofsky wins, the court's conservative majority gets cut to 4-3. She would help to decide a fight over removing up to 209,000 people from voter rolls in a state that will play a major role in deciding the next president.
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cnbc--2020-04-14--Why Trump's claim that he has 'total' power to restart state economies is false

President Donald Trump speaks during the daily briefing of the White House Coronavirus Task Force at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House April 13 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
WASHINGTON — As the nation entered its third straight week of near total economic shutdown on Monday , President Donald Trump falsely claimed that it will be his decision when the nation 's businesses will reopen during the coronavirus pandemic , and not a choice left to individual governors .
But legal experts say Trump is wrong .
For one , they note that U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the health and safety of their constituents .
Secondly , they point out that Trump never declared a nationwide lockdown , so there 's no mechanism by which he could order a nationwide reopening now , namely .
Still , that did not prevent Trump from claiming that his power is nearly boundless .
During a press briefing on the coronavirus Monday , he said , `` When somebody is president of the United States , the authority is total . ''
Trump 's comments on Monday evening came in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president had made earlier in the day .
Citing media reports that it would be up to governors when to `` open up the states , '' Trump wrote , `` this is incorrect .
It is the decision of the President , and for many good reasons . ''
Trump did not detail the `` many good reasons '' this was true in further tweets .
A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to questions from CNBC about what the president meant by this .
Asked during the press briefing about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any specific legal underpinning for his claim of power .
In reality , the authority to protect the public health of U.S. citizens by directing shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders lies squarely with the nation 's governors , and not with the president .
`` State and local governments have strong police power to protect their citizens and so I 'm unaware of any way in which the federal government could basically try to override anything the states and cities have been doing to protect the public health of their citizens , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University Law School and an expert in federalism .
`` Since the president has mainly acted in a sort of bully pulpit sort of way , there 's nothing in particular that he would be reversing or restarting , '' Buzbee told CNBC .
`` I do n't know what it means for the president to 'open up the states , ' '' conservative legal scholar Josh Blackman told NBC News on Monday .
`` The president does make certain declarations about critical infrastructure and other guidelines that states generally follow .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do anything .
I do n't even think he could withhold funding from states , absent a congressional appropriation , '' he said .

President Donald Trump speaks during the daily briefing of the White House Coronavirus Task Force at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House April 13, 2020 in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON — As the nation entered its third straight week of near total economic shutdown on Monday, President Donald Trump falsely claimed that it will be his decision when the nation's businesses will reopen during the coronavirus pandemic, and not a choice left to individual governors.
But legal experts say Trump is wrong. For one, they note that U.S. law gives state governors wide latitude to protect the health and safety of their constituents. Secondly, they point out that Trump never declared a nationwide lockdown, so there's no mechanism by which he could order a nationwide reopening now, namely.
Still, that did not prevent Trump from claiming that his power is nearly boundless. During a press briefing on the coronavirus Monday, he said, "When somebody is president of the United States, the authority is total."
Trump's comments on Monday evening came in response to questions from reporters about an announcement the president had made earlier in the day. Citing media reports that it would be up to governors when to "open up the states," Trump wrote, "this is incorrect. It is the decision of the President, and for many good reasons."
TRUMP TWEET
Trump did not detail the "many good reasons" this was true in further tweets. A White House spokesman did not immediately respond to questions from CNBC about what the president meant by this.
Asked during the press briefing about his claim, he did not detail any specific legal underpinning for his claim of power.
In reality, the authority to protect the public health of U.S. citizens by directing shutdowns and shelter-in-place orders lies squarely with the nation's governors, and not with the president.
"State and local governments have strong police power to protect their citizens and so I'm unaware of any way in which the federal government could basically try to override anything the states and cities have been doing to protect the public health of their citizens," said William Buzbee, a professor at Georgetown University Law School and an expert in federalism.
"Since the president has mainly acted in a sort of bully pulpit sort of way, there's nothing in particular that he would be reversing or restarting," Buzbee told CNBC.
"I don't know what it means for the president to 'open up the states,'" conservative legal scholar Josh Blackman told NBC News on Monday.
"The president does make certain declarations about critical infrastructure and other guidelines that states generally follow. But the president cannot order the governors to do anything. I don't even think he could withhold funding from states, absent a congressional appropriation," he said.


cnbc--2020-04-13--House will not return to Washington until May 4 unless it has to pass 'emergency' bill

The House will not come back to Washington until at least May 4 unless it needs to pass emergency measures to respond to the coronavirus pandemic , Majority Leader Steny Hoyer 's office told representatives Monday .
The chamber previously expected lawmakers to return on April 20 after an extended absence .
It is unclear if the Senate , which is expected to return to the Capitol next week , will follow suit .
House members , most of whom have been in their districts for all of April as Covid-19 spreads , will not have to travel to Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' the Maryland Democrat 's office said .
It added that lawmakers would get `` sufficient notice '' if they have to travel to Washington to vote on coronavirus legislation .
As efforts to stall the coronavirus ' spread have wrecked the U.S. economy , Congress has hit a deadlock in looking for ways to build on the unprecedented $ 2 trillion relief package it passed last month to limit the damage .
Senate Republicans last week tried to pass a bill to inject $ 250 billion more into a small business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation .
Democrats blocked the measure , then the GOP rejected a Democratic counter offer that included more money for states and hospitals fighting the pandemic , along with funding for food assistance programs .
While Democrats have held some discussions with the Trump administration on the issue , neither major party 's congressional leaders have showed a willingness to back down from their demands yet .
In a joint statement Monday morning , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated their demands from last week 's proposal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , and it 's time for the Republicans to quit the political posturing by proposing bills they know will not pass either chamber and get serious and work with us towards a solution , '' they said .
Republicans refused to back down over the weekend .
In a joint statement Saturday , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said they `` reject Democrats ' reckless threat to continue blocking job-saving funding unless we renegotiate unrelated programs which are not in similar peril . ''
Congress can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as no one lawmaker opposes the bill .
But the House 's attempt to pass the $ 2 trillion rescue package last month underscored the risks of the strategy .
Rep. Thomas Massie , R-Ky. , went to Washington insisting on a recorded vote , which would require House members to come to the Capitol to cast votes .
Representatives rushed back to Washington , and once a majority of lawmakers were present , they passed the bill by voice vote , which simply measures if the `` yeas '' or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress has been out of the Capitol , the coronavirus has taken a steeper human and economic toll .
U.S. Covid-19 cases now top 560,000 , and the disease has been linked to more than 22,800 deaths , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Meanwhile , more than 16 million people have filed new jobless claims over a three-week period .

The House will not come back to Washington until at least May 4 unless it needs to pass emergency measures to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's office told representatives Monday.
The chamber previously expected lawmakers to return on April 20 after an extended absence. It is unclear if the Senate, which is expected to return to the Capitol next week, will follow suit.
House members, most of whom have been in their districts for all of April as Covid-19 spreads, will not have to travel to Washington before May 4 "absent an emergency," the Maryland Democrat's office said. It added that lawmakers would get "sufficient notice" if they have to travel to Washington to vote on coronavirus legislation.
As efforts to stall the coronavirus' spread have wrecked the U.S. economy, Congress has hit a deadlock in looking for ways to build on the unprecedented $2 trillion relief package it passed last month to limit the damage. Senate Republicans last week tried to pass a bill to inject $250 billion more into a small business loan program set up in the rescue legislation. Democrats blocked the measure, then the GOP rejected a Democratic counter offer that included more money for states and hospitals fighting the pandemic, along with funding for food assistance programs.
While Democrats have held some discussions with the Trump administration on the issue, neither major party's congressional leaders have showed a willingness to back down from their demands yet. In a joint statement Monday morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated their demands from last week's proposal.
"We have real problems facing this country, and it's time for the Republicans to quit the political posturing by proposing bills they know will not pass either chamber and get serious and work with us towards a solution," they said.
Republicans refused to back down over the weekend. In a joint statement Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said they "reject Democrats' reckless threat to continue blocking job-saving funding unless we renegotiate unrelated programs which are not in similar peril."
Congress can pass legislation with few people present, as long as no one lawmaker opposes the bill. But the House's attempt to pass the $2 trillion rescue package last month underscored the risks of the strategy.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., went to Washington insisting on a recorded vote, which would require House members to come to the Capitol to cast votes. Representatives rushed back to Washington, and once a majority of lawmakers were present, they passed the bill by voice vote, which simply measures if the "yeas" or "nays" are louder.
While Congress has been out of the Capitol, the coronavirus has taken a steeper human and economic toll. U.S. Covid-19 cases now top 560,000, and the disease has been linked to more than 22,800 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Meanwhile, more than 16 million people have filed new jobless claims over a three-week period.
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cnbc--2020-04-13--Bernie Sanders endorses Joe Biden for president

Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president on Monday during a livestreamed conversation between the two men , telling Biden `` we need you in the White House . ''
`` I 'm asking every Democrat , I 'm asking every independent , I 'm asking a lot of Republicans to come together in this campaign to support your candidacy , which I endorse , '' Sanders said .
The Vermont senator exited the Democratic primary on Wednesday , effectively making Biden the apparent nominee to take on President Donald Trump in November .
The endorsement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surprise , and could give Biden a boost as he seeks to rally the party 's young liberals who backed Sanders in 2016 and again in 2020 .
Biden called the endorsement a `` big deal , '' including to him personally .
`` If I am the nominee , which it looks like now you just made me , I am going to need you , not just to win the campaign , but to govern , '' Biden said .
The former rivals appeared via split screen in an online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sanders ' endorsement of Biden comes far earlier in the cycle than the Vermont lawmaker 's 2016 endorsement of Hillary Clinton , who bested Sanders for the nomination that year .
Sanders endorsed Clinton in July 2016 , more than a month after she had secured enough delegates to clinch the nomination .
Biden has yet to secure a majority of the delegates up for grabs this cycle .
The perception that Sanders did not work hard enough to convince his supporters to vote for Clinton has left anger among some Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be considerably warmer , with the two men having apparently been in talks in recent weeks on policy .
Sanders said that his staff had been working with Biden 's team to come up with a number of `` task forces '' to address the pressing issues of the day , listing the economy , education , climate , criminal justice , immigration reform and health care .
A Sanders aide said the composition of the task forces was still being worked out .
`` It 's no great secret Joe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we are not going to paper them over .
That 's real , '' Sanders said .
`` But I hope that these task forces will come together , utilizing the best minds and people in your campaign and in my campaign , to work out real solutions to these very , very important problems . ''
Biden , for his part , said that he looked forward to welcoming Sanders 's supporters into his campaign and said that he and Sanders were friends .
Their livestreamed discussion was for the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic toll caused by coronavirus — but was lighthearted at times , with Sanders at one point joking that the two should play chess .
`` You do n't get enough credit , Bernie , for being the voice that forces us to take a hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we 've done enough , '' Biden said admiringly of Sanders at another point .
`` And we have n't . ''

Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president on Monday during a livestreamed conversation between the two men, telling Biden "we need you in the White House."
"I'm asking every Democrat, I'm asking every independent, I'm asking a lot of Republicans to come together in this campaign to support your candidacy, which I endorse," Sanders said.
The Vermont senator exited the Democratic primary on Wednesday, effectively making Biden the apparent nominee to take on President Donald Trump in November.
The endorsement was expected, though the timing was a surprise, and could give Biden a boost as he seeks to rally the party's young liberals who backed Sanders in 2016 and again in 2020.
Biden called the endorsement a "big deal," including to him personally.
"If I am the nominee, which it looks like now you just made me, I am going to need you, not just to win the campaign, but to govern," Biden said. The former rivals appeared via split screen in an online conversation that lasted about half an hour.
Sanders' endorsement of Biden comes far earlier in the cycle than the Vermont lawmaker's 2016 endorsement of Hillary Clinton, who bested Sanders for the nomination that year.
Sanders endorsed Clinton in July 2016, more than a month after she had secured enough delegates to clinch the nomination. Biden has yet to secure a majority of the delegates up for grabs this cycle. The perception that Sanders did not work hard enough to convince his supporters to vote for Clinton has left anger among some Democrats.
Relations between Biden and Sanders appear to be considerably warmer, with the two men having apparently been in talks in recent weeks on policy.
Sanders said that his staff had been working with Biden's team to come up with a number of "task forces" to address the pressing issues of the day, listing the economy, education, climate, criminal justice, immigration reform and health care. A Sanders aide said the composition of the task forces was still being worked out.
"It's no great secret Joe that you and I have our differences, and we are not going to paper them over. That's real," Sanders said. "But I hope that these task forces will come together, utilizing the best minds and people in your campaign and in my campaign, to work out real solutions to these very, very important problems."
Biden, for his part, said that he looked forward to welcoming Sanders's supporters into his campaign and said that he and Sanders were friends.
Their livestreamed discussion was for the most part somber, focused on the immense economic toll caused by coronavirus — but was lighthearted at times, with Sanders at one point joking that the two should play chess.
"You don't get enough credit, Bernie, for being the voice that forces us to take a hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves if we've done enough," Biden said admiringly of Sanders at another point. "And we haven't."


cnbc--2020-04-13--Mnuchin flexes muscles on airline coronavirus aid — a taste of what other companies may face

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on April 2 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
U.S. passenger airline executives cheered when Congress passed a $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package that included $ 25 billion in airline payroll grants on the condition that they they do n't furlough or cut the pay rates of their employees through Sept. 30 , as carriers face the deepest crisis in their history .
Negotiations between airlines and the department over payroll grants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Treasury Department requested more information and proposed additional conditions for the aid , a hint of what companies could face as they seek government assistance to blunt the impact of the virus and harsh measures like shelter-in-place orders aimed at slowing its spread .
But Steven Mnuchin 's Treasury Department has asked the country 's largest airlines to pay back 30 % of the grants for which they applied , essentially turning them into low-interest loans , according to people familiar with the matter .
The grants would also come with equity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the loan .
Talks continued over the weekend and airlines are closing in on deals , which could be announced early this week , according people familiar with the discussions .
Labor unions , some lawmakers and industry members have balked at additional conditions on the payroll grants , arguing they go against what was outlined in the aid package , that they could be too onerous for airlines to either accept or that they could leave carriers on shakier footing later on .
`` Direct Payroll Assistance funding in the form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our employees rather than a hybrid combination of instruments , '' said Airlines for America , a trade group that represents the country 's biggest airlines , including Delta , United , American , Southwest and others .
`` This federal relief is critical to getting our employees paid and preventing furloughs right now , especially as our country is experiencing historically high unemployment claims . ''
But Treasury Department is n't expected to cede much ground , according to people familiar with the talks .
Treasury officials , which are working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aid , believe the $ 2 trillion relief package , known as the CARES Act , gives the department wide discretion to implement the airline grants , including converting some of them to loans , a person familiar with the situation said .
Sens .
Edward Markey ( D-Mass . )
and Richard Blumenthal ( D-Conn. ) on Monday wrote to Mnuchin and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao that `` even if airlines accept relief funding with these conditions , each company 's ability to preserve its workforce will be imperiled when the Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ultimately pay the price . ''
Mnuchin 's requests in these rounds of negotiations may have broader implications as executives and taxpayers look for signs on how the Treasury approaches the $ 500 billion in loans , guarantees or other aid that Mnuchin is overseeing for businesses and states .
Mnuchin has repeatedly said the taxpayers need to be compensated for the aid , payments that may also come in the form of stock warrants or other securities , according to guidelines released by the government .
`` It is our objective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , that this is not a bailout , but to make sure that airlines have the liquidity to keep their workers in place , '' he said last week .
`` This is n't what we agreed to , '' one airline industry source said of the deal .
Mnuchin 's conditions on the grants may set the tone for how other talks may play out as companies weigh the pros and cons of government aid , and how those conditions may affect them in an uncertain recovery .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House on April 2, 2020, in Washington, DC.
U.S. passenger airline executives cheered when Congress passed a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package that included $25 billion in airline payroll grants on the condition that they they don't furlough or cut the pay rates of their employees through Sept. 30, as carriers face the deepest crisis in their history.
Negotiations between airlines and the department over payroll grants have dragged on longer than expected after the Treasury Department requested more information and proposed additional conditions for the aid, a hint of what companies could face as they seek government assistance to blunt the impact of the virus and harsh measures like shelter-in-place orders aimed at slowing its spread.
But Steven Mnuchin's Treasury Department has asked the country's largest airlines to pay back 30% of the grants for which they applied, essentially turning them into low-interest loans, according to people familiar with the matter. The grants would also come with equity warrants for 10% of the value of the loan. Talks continued over the weekend and airlines are closing in on deals, which could be announced early this week, according people familiar with the discussions.
Labor unions, some lawmakers and industry members have balked at additional conditions on the payroll grants, arguing they go against what was outlined in the aid package, that they could be too onerous for airlines to either accept or that they could leave carriers on shakier footing later on.
"Direct Payroll Assistance funding in the form of grants only is considerably more effective for our employees rather than a hybrid combination of instruments," said Airlines for America, a trade group that represents the country's biggest airlines, including Delta , United , American , Southwest and others. "This federal relief is critical to getting our employees paid and preventing furloughs right now, especially as our country is experiencing historically high unemployment claims."
But Treasury Department isn't expected to cede much ground, according to people familiar with the talks. Treasury officials, which are working with financial advisers and lawyers on the aid, believe the $2 trillion relief package, known as the CARES Act, gives the department wide discretion to implement the airline grants, including converting some of them to loans, a person familiar with the situation said.
Sens. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Monday wrote to Mnuchin and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao that "even if airlines accept relief funding with these conditions, each company's ability to preserve its workforce will be imperiled when the Treasury Department later demands repayment, leaving employees to ultimately pay the price."
Mnuchin's requests in these rounds of negotiations may have broader implications as executives and taxpayers look for signs on how the Treasury approaches the $500 billion in loans, guarantees or other aid that Mnuchin is overseeing for businesses and states.
Mnuchin has repeatedly said the taxpayers need to be compensated for the aid, payments that may also come in the form of stock warrants or other securities, according to guidelines released by the government.
"It is our objective to make sure, as I have said, that this is not a bailout, but to make sure that airlines have the liquidity to keep their workers in place," he said last week.
"This isn't what we agreed to," one airline industry source said of the deal.
Mnuchin's conditions on the grants may set the tone for how other talks may play out as companies weigh the pros and cons of government aid, and how those conditions may affect them in an uncertain recovery.


cnbc--2020-04-13--How millions of veterans could miss out on coronavirus stimulus checks

Martin Traiser of Yarmouth , a member of the Marine Corps League , holds his rifle at attention during the playing of Taps at the ceremony at Portland City Hall that was held after the Veterans Day parade on Monday , November 11 , 2019 .
As many as 2 million veterans could miss out on the federal stimulus payments that started arriving in Americans ' bank accounts this week , prompting outcries from advocates and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle .
The checks can total up to $ 1,200 per person and are being dispersed through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ file a tax return in order to receive their money .
But many veterans and their survivors who rely solely on government benefits , such as disability payments from Veterans Affairs , do not typically have to submit a return .
This year , that means they could also fall through the cracks of the stimulus program .
`` I served my country .
I was ready to go to war , '' said Dennis Arellano , 61 , a Marine Corps veteran who now lives in San Jose .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Veterans groups estimate roughly 1.9 million veterans and their survivors could be in this category , based on the number who were in a similar situation during the Great Recession .
Advocates argue that the federal government already has bank account information for those households since they receive veteran 's benefits .
And they 're calling on the VA , IRS and Treasury Department to work together to waive the filing requirement .
`` We are gravely concerned that absent quick and decisive action from the Administration , millions of seriously disabled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are among the most vulnerable Americans during the ongoing coronavirus health crisis – may never receive this critical financial support , '' a dozen of the nation 's largest veterans service organizations wrote in a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and VA Secretary Robert Wilkie this month .
On Friday , the IRS launched an online tool that allows households who do not typically file a tax return to submit basic personal information in order to receive their payments quickly .
The site specifically encourages disabled veterans and their survivors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , Secretary Mnuchin and the administration are fully committed to providing fast and direct economic impact payments to all Americans entitled to them , and we are particularly sensitive to the needs of our nations ' heroes and survivors , '' a Treasury spokeswoman said .
But the effort falls short of the fix that lawmakers have demanded .
Many affected veterans may not have a computer or internet access to submit their information , forcing them to venture out of their homes to a post office to get the necessary forms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waived the filing requirement entirely for Social Security recipients .
Veterans should also be able to receive their payments automatically , they said .
`` To put this hurdle in front of them will be wrong , '' House Veterans Affairs Chairman Mark Takano said of the filing requirement .
`` They are people who need this stimulus payment the most . ''
Earlier this month , Takano and other leading House Democrats , including Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal , urged Treasury to resolve the problem .
In the Senate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , most cost-effective way to provide desperately needed help '' in a letter to the Trump administration .
GOP Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona sent a similar letter , stating `` our nation 's veterans … deserve better . ''
Takano said he spoke recently with a top official at the VA who expressed `` eagerness '' to resolve the problem by cross-referencing agency databases .
`` I believe they can find a solution , '' he told CNBC .
`` They 've done it before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who handles legislative affairs for the VFW , called the IRS ' new online tool a good step in the right direction .
The challenge now , he said , is educating veterans about the guidelines for getting payments and the resources available for them as new information is released .
Arellano , the Marine Corp veteran , was not planning to file a tax return this year until he heard about the stimulus .
He said that he lives off the $ 435 a month that he receives in VA benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paperwork needs to be filled out .
But he knows that it would make a big difference -- both financially and mentally .
`` I 'm alone , you know .
So if something happens to me , they 're going to open the door and they 're going to find me dead , '' he said .
`` That 's what I 'm really , really scared of .
If I feel bad , there 's nobody I can call . ''

Martin Traiser of Yarmouth, a member of the Marine Corps League, holds his rifle at attention during the playing of Taps at the ceremony at Portland City Hall that was held after the Veterans Day parade on Monday, November 11, 2019.
As many as 2 million veterans could miss out on the federal stimulus payments that started arriving in Americans' bank accounts this week, prompting outcries from advocates and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The checks can total up to $1,200 per person and are being dispersed through the IRS, which requires eligible households to file a tax return in order to receive their money. But many veterans and their survivors who rely solely on government benefits, such as disability payments from Veterans Affairs, do not typically have to submit a return.
This year, that means they could also fall through the cracks of the stimulus program.
"I served my country. I was ready to go to war," said Dennis Arellano, 61, a Marine Corps veteran who now lives in San Jose. "I think they should consider something about that."
Veterans groups estimate roughly 1.9 million veterans and their survivors could be in this category, based on the number who were in a similar situation during the Great Recession. Advocates argue that the federal government already has bank account information for those households since they receive veteran's benefits. And they're calling on the VA, IRS and Treasury Department to work together to waive the filing requirement.
"We are gravely concerned that absent quick and decisive action from the Administration, millions of seriously disabled veterans, their survivors and caregivers – who are among the most vulnerable Americans during the ongoing coronavirus health crisis – may never receive this critical financial support," a dozen of the nation's largest veterans service organizations wrote in a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and VA Secretary Robert Wilkie this month.
On Friday, the IRS launched an online tool that allows households who do not typically file a tax return to submit basic personal information in order to receive their payments quickly. The site specifically encourages disabled veterans and their survivors to fill out the form.
"President Trump, Secretary Mnuchin and the administration are fully committed to providing fast and direct economic impact payments to all Americans entitled to them, and we are particularly sensitive to the needs of our nations' heroes and survivors," a Treasury spokeswoman said.
But the effort falls short of the fix that lawmakers have demanded. Many affected veterans may not have a computer or internet access to submit their information, forcing them to venture out of their homes to a post office to get the necessary forms instead. Earlier this month, Treasury waived the filing requirement entirely for Social Security recipients. Veterans should also be able to receive their payments automatically, they said.
"To put this hurdle in front of them will be wrong," House Veterans Affairs Chairman Mark Takano said of the filing requirement. "They are people who need this stimulus payment the most."
Earlier this month, Takano and other leading House Democrats, including Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, urged Treasury to resolve the problem. In the Senate, Democrats called automatic payments "the fastest, most cost-effective way to provide desperately needed help" in a letter to the Trump administration. GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona sent a similar letter, stating "our nation's veterans … deserve better."
Takano said he spoke recently with a top official at the VA who expressed "eagerness" to resolve the problem by cross-referencing agency databases.
"I believe they can find a solution," he told CNBC. "They've done it before."
In the meantime, Patrick Murray, who handles legislative affairs for the VFW, called the IRS' new online tool a good step in the right direction. The challenge now, he said, is educating veterans about the guidelines for getting payments and the resources available for them as new information is released.
Arellano, the Marine Corp veteran, was not planning to file a tax return this year until he heard about the stimulus. He said that he lives off the $435 a month that he receives in VA benefits and that he's confused about what paperwork needs to be filled out. But he knows that it would make a big difference -- both financially and mentally.
"I'm alone, you know. So if something happens to me, they're going to open the door and they're going to find me dead," he said. "That's what I'm really, really scared of. If I feel bad, there's nobody I can call."


cnbc--2020-04-14--Op-Ed: Overreliance on the Fed is compromising the future for millennials

Millennials have been dealt two very bad economic hands during their lifetimes .
First , they weathered the 2008 financial crisis brought about by reckless risk-taking in the financial sector .
Now , they confront a much more severe economic calamity caused not by Wall Street 's misbehavior but by a malicious virus .
Yet in both situations , the burden is disproportionately falling on working families , many of them millennials who are just now starting to accumulate some wealth and security .
And while Washington has responded aggressively with early commitments to help Main Street , as stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street ( again ) is going to come out on top .
The primary reason for this is that our elected officials have ceded too much responsibility for the economy to the Federal Reserve .
But the Fed is not well equipped for this role .
It is essentially a big bank , primarily configured to lend to other big banks .
More from Invest in You : SBA , small business disaster loans never faced test like coronavirus Coronavirus quarantine : Missing work could be financially 'crushing' Do n't let panic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a grip When an economic crisis hits , its instinctive response is to pump money into them .
It can do this easily because , unlike us , big banks are allowed to have reserve accounts where the Fed can directly credit funds .
When the Fed wants to stimulate the economy , it can make loans to big banks at very low rates or buy assets from them outright .
The Fed used these kinds of tools during the 2008 financial crisis to help stabilize the banking system , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the rest of the economy .
To Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell 's credit , this time around the Fed has promised to help Main Street by supporting lending to small and medium-sized businesses .
But the Fed is finding that hard to do because there are so many of them .
The programs the Fed is trying to launch are administratively more cumbersome and have more conditions than the programs supporting large institutions .
And the Fed must still rely on banks as intermediaries .
Meanwhile , trillions have already been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support their `` repo '' operations ( short-term funding markets ) , and trillions more will be dispersed to support commercial paper ( short-term debt ) , money market funds ( also bailed out in 2008 ) , asset-backed securities , corporate debt and municipal bonds .
The Fed is even propping up corporate junk bonds .

Millennials have been dealt two very bad economic hands during their lifetimes.
First, they weathered the 2008 financial crisis brought about by reckless risk-taking in the financial sector. Now, they confront a much more severe economic calamity caused not by Wall Street's misbehavior but by a malicious virus. Yet in both situations, the burden is disproportionately falling on working families, many of them millennials who are just now starting to accumulate some wealth and security.
And while Washington has responded aggressively with early commitments to help Main Street, as stimulus programs unfold it's becoming apparent that Wall Street (again) is going to come out on top.
The primary reason for this is that our elected officials have ceded too much responsibility for the economy to the Federal Reserve. But the Fed is not well equipped for this role. It is essentially a big bank, primarily configured to lend to other big banks.
More from Invest in You:
SBA, small business disaster loans never faced test like coronavirus
Coronavirus quarantine: Missing work could be financially 'crushing'
Don't let panic drive your investment decisions. How to get a grip
When an economic crisis hits, its instinctive response is to pump money into them. It can do this easily because, unlike us, big banks are allowed to have reserve accounts where the Fed can directly credit funds.
When the Fed wants to stimulate the economy, it can make loans to big banks at very low rates or buy assets from them outright. The Fed used these kinds of tools during the 2008 financial crisis to help stabilize the banking system, but it's not clear those tools did much for the rest of the economy.
To Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell's credit, this time around the Fed has promised to help Main Street by supporting lending to small and medium-sized businesses. But the Fed is finding that hard to do because there are so many of them. The programs the Fed is trying to launch are administratively more cumbersome and have more conditions than the programs supporting large institutions.
And the Fed must still rely on banks as intermediaries. Meanwhile, trillions have already been lent out to Wall Street firms to support their "repo" operations (short-term funding markets), and trillions more will be dispersed to support commercial paper (short-term debt), money market funds (also bailed out in 2008), asset-backed securities, corporate debt and municipal bonds. The Fed is even propping up corporate junk bonds.


cnbc--2020-04-14--Trump plays campaign-style video in White House coronavirus briefing touting his 'decisive action'

At a White House briefing meant to provide updates on the U.S. efforts to combat the coronavirus , President Donald Trump played a campaign-style video clip portraying his initial response to the disease as a bold success – further blurring the line between the government and his presidential reelection bid .
`` We have a few clips that we 're just going to put up , '' Trump told reporters in the White House briefing room Monday evening before starting the reel .
`` I think you 'll find them interesting . ''
The president said he would answer questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most importantly , we 're going to get back onto the reason we 're here , which is the success we 're having , '' Trump added .
What followed was a nearly four-minute video , made up of news clips promoting or defending the president 's actions and complete with dramatic music , graphics and visual effects .
It offered perhaps the clearest example yet of Trump using the daily briefings to tout what he describes as his successes , rather than merely inform the public about the deadly pandemic .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Critics have accused the president of abusing the briefings , which are carried on most major TV networks , by treating them as de facto campaign events .
They say he has tried to replace the boisterous rallies he has been forced to cancel during the public health crisis .
The U.S. has the highest number of reported Covid-19 cases of any country in the world , as well as the highest number of deaths from the disease .
More than 577,300 people in the U.S. are infected and at least 23,232 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johns Hopkins University .
`` Everything we did was right , '' Trump said in the briefing room after the video ended .
Text at the beginning of the clip asserted that `` THE MEDIA MINIMIZED THE RISK FROM THE START . ''
It gave way to a handful of soundbites describing the risk of the virus to the U.S. as low .
After that , another text graphic said that `` PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK DECISIVE ACTION . ''
It was followed by a slickly produced timeline of steps he approved in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump has previously bristled at critics who argue that he and his administration downplayed the threat of the coronavirus for too long .
Some point to Trump 's false assertion in late February that the number of people in the U.S. with Covid-19 – just a handful at the time – `` within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero . ''
Trump later said that he made that remark because he is a `` cheerleader '' for the country .
Critics have also pointed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a critical component of slowing the disease 's spread .

At a White House briefing meant to provide updates on the U.S. efforts to combat the coronavirus, President Donald Trump played a campaign-style video clip portraying his initial response to the disease as a bold success – further blurring the line between the government and his presidential reelection bid.
"We have a few clips that we're just going to put up," Trump told reporters in the White House briefing room Monday evening before starting the reel. "I think you'll find them interesting."
The president said he would answer questions after the video ended. "But most importantly, we're going to get back onto the reason we're here, which is the success we're having," Trump added.
What followed was a nearly four-minute video, made up of news clips promoting or defending the president's actions and complete with dramatic music, graphics and visual effects. It offered perhaps the clearest example yet of Trump using the daily briefings to tout what he describes as his successes, rather than merely inform the public about the deadly pandemic. He said White House staff produced the video.
Critics have accused the president of abusing the briefings, which are carried on most major TV networks, by treating them as de facto campaign events. They say he has tried to replace the boisterous rallies he has been forced to cancel during the public health crisis.
The U.S. has the highest number of reported Covid-19 cases of any country in the world, as well as the highest number of deaths from the disease. More than 577,300 people in the U.S. are infected and at least 23,232 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
"Everything we did was right," Trump said in the briefing room after the video ended.
Text at the beginning of the clip asserted that "THE MEDIA MINIMIZED THE RISK FROM THE START." It gave way to a handful of soundbites describing the risk of the virus to the U.S. as low.
After that, another text graphic said that "PRESIDENT TRUMP TOOK DECISIVE ACTION." It was followed by a slickly produced timeline of steps he approved in response to the spread of the virus.
Trump has previously bristled at critics who argue that he and his administration downplayed the threat of the coronavirus for too long. Some point to Trump's false assertion in late February that the number of people in the U.S. with Covid-19 – just a handful at the time – "within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero."
Trump later said that he made that remark because he is a "cheerleader" for the country.
Critics have also pointed to the administration's slow adoption of widespread testing, a critical component of slowing the disease's spread.


cnbc--2020-04-13--New York Gov. Cuomo: 'The worst is over if we continue to be smart' about coronavirus

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Monday the state is `` controlling the spread '' of the coronavirus , and it appears that `` the worst is over ... if we continue to be smart going forward . ''
At the same time , Cuomo revealed that the death toll from Covid-19 in New York — which is the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States — has topped 10,000 people .
Cuomo called the death tally a `` horrific level of pain and grief and sorrow . ''
But he pointed to a flattening of the daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ net number of hospitalizations and a drop in the number of people on ventilators as evidence that radical measures such as the shuttering of nonessential businesses have helped to contain the virus .
He said the death toll for Sunday was 671 , versus 758 on Saturday .
`` We 're controlling the spread , '' Cuomo said at a press conference in Albany .
`` The worst can be over , and is over , unless we do something reckless . ''
`` You can turn those numbers on two or three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Cuomo said he will make an announcement later Monday about plans for reopening the state in conjunction with some other governors .
He said he and governors from Connecticut , New Jersey , Pennsylvania , Delaware and Rhode Island have been talking `` for the past couple of days , about coming up with , how do we come up with a reopening plan ?
And can we work together on a reopening plan ? ''
The new deaths recorded in New York state on Easter Sunday brought the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For me , I 'm Catholic , Easter Sunday is the high holy day in many ways ... and to have this happen over this weekend is really really especially tragic and they 're all in our thoughts and prayers . ''
He noted that the state 's total number of fatalities from the virus dwarfed the 2,753 deaths in the terrorist attacks in New York City on Sept. 11 , 2001 .
But Cuomo noted that the daily number of new deaths has dropped a bit from some recent days , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday the state is "controlling the spread" of the coronavirus, and it appears that "the worst is over ... if we continue to be smart going forward."
At the same time, Cuomo revealed that the death toll from Covid-19 in New York — which is the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States — has topped 10,000 people.
Cuomo called the death tally a "horrific level of pain and grief and sorrow."
But he pointed to a flattening of the daily death toll, the flattening in the net number of hospitalizations and a drop in the number of people on ventilators as evidence that radical measures such as the shuttering of nonessential businesses have helped to contain the virus.
He said the death toll for Sunday was 671, versus 758 on Saturday.
"We're controlling the spread," Cuomo said at a press conference in Albany. "The worst can be over, and is over, unless we do something reckless."
"You can turn those numbers on two or three days of reckless behaviors," he said.
Cuomo said he will make an announcement later Monday about plans for reopening the state in conjunction with some other governors.
He said he and governors from Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Rhode Island have been talking "for the past couple of days, about coming up with, how do we come up with a reopening plan? And can we work together on a reopening plan?"
The new deaths recorded in New York state on Easter Sunday brought the state's total 10,056, Cuomo said.
"For me, I'm Catholic, Easter Sunday is the high holy day in many ways ... and to have this happen over this weekend is really really especially tragic and they're all in our thoughts and prayers."
He noted that the state's total number of fatalities from the virus dwarfed the 2,753 deaths in the terrorist attacks in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001.
But Cuomo noted that the daily number of new deaths has dropped a bit from some recent days, when new fatalities had topped 750 people each day.


cnbc--2020-04-13--Supreme Court to hear historic arguments virtually in May, including over Trump tax records and Elec

Supreme Court to hear historic arguments virtually in May, including over Trump tax records and Electoral College

The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear some oral arguments virtually in May after closing its building to the public and postponing cases as a precaution against the coronavirus .
The move is a first for the high court as it wrestles with carrying on its business despite the strain imposed by the health crisis .
Among the disputes that will be heard via teleconference are three high-profile cases over whether President Donald Trump may keep his financial records , including his tax returns , shielded from state and congressional investigators .
The court also said the justices will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether electors 's votes may differ from their state 's popular vote .
In all , the court scheduled 10 arguments to be heard over the first two weeks of May .
It has not yet assigned dates for each of the cases to be argued .
`` In keeping with public health guidance in response to Covid-19 , the Justices and counsel will all participate remotely , '' the announcement said .
It added that the court expects to provide live audio to the news media , with details to be announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ major cases are typically released in June , at the end of the court 's regular session , but it was not immediately clear if that schedule will be impacted .
The court first postponed arguments in response to Covid-19 last month , saying it had previously done so during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 and the yellow fever outbreaks of the 18th century .
It later expanded the postponed cases to include its entire April session .
Despite the precautions , the court has continued to announce decisions in previously argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an order tightening the deadline for absentee ballots in Wisconsin 's April 7 elections .
The justices are currently weighing an appeal from abortion providers in Texas over an order signed by Republican Gov .
Greg Abbott last month effectively banning the procedure as part of an effort to conserve emergency medical supplies .
The unprecedented move announced Monday comes as the nation remains largely under lockdown in order to slow the spread of Covid-19 , which has sickened more than half a million people in the U.S. and killed more than 22,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Johns Hopkins University .
Some of the justices themselves are particularly susceptible to coronavirus , which public health officials warn disproportionately affects those who are older or have underlying medical conditions .
Six of the justices are 65 years old or older , and its eldest member — 87-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — has suffered from multiple bouts of cancer .

The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear some oral arguments virtually in May after closing its building to the public and postponing cases as a precaution against the coronavirus.
The move is a first for the high court as it wrestles with carrying on its business despite the strain imposed by the health crisis.
Among the disputes that will be heard via teleconference are three high-profile cases over whether President Donald Trump may keep his financial records, including his tax returns, shielded from state and congressional investigators.
The court also said the justices will also hear key Electoral College cases over whether electors's votes may differ from their state's popular vote.
In all, the court scheduled 10 arguments to be heard over the first two weeks of May. It has not yet assigned dates for each of the cases to be argued.
"In keeping with public health guidance in response to Covid-19, the Justices and counsel will all participate remotely," the announcement said. It added that the court expects to provide live audio to the news media, with details to be announced as they become available.
Decisions in major cases are typically released in June, at the end of the court's regular session, but it was not immediately clear if that schedule will be impacted.
The court first postponed arguments in response to Covid-19 last month, saying it had previously done so during the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 and the yellow fever outbreaks of the 18th century. It later expanded the postponed cases to include its entire April session.
Despite the precautions, the court has continued to announce decisions in previously argued cases, and just last week issued an order tightening the deadline for absentee ballots in Wisconsin's April 7 elections.
The justices are currently weighing an appeal from abortion providers in Texas over an order signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott last month effectively banning the procedure as part of an effort to conserve emergency medical supplies.
The unprecedented move announced Monday comes as the nation remains largely under lockdown in order to slow the spread of Covid-19, which has sickened more than half a million people in the U.S. and killed more than 22,000 in the country, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
Some of the justices themselves are particularly susceptible to coronavirus, which public health officials warn disproportionately affects those who are older or have underlying medical conditions. Six of the justices are 65 years old or older, and its eldest member — 87-year-old Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — has suffered from multiple bouts of cancer.


cnbc--2020-04-13--US Navy sailor from coronavirus-stricken aircraft carrier dies in Guam

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is docked at Naval Base Guam in Apra Harbor on April 10 , 2020 .
At least 416 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier , or 8.6 percent of the ships crew of 4,800 , have tested positive for the novel coronavirus , with the numbers increasing daily .
WASHINGTON — A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier died Monday from the disease after testing positive last month , the service confirmed in a statement .
`` At approximately 8:30 a.m. , Apr .
9 , the Sailor was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Naval Base Guam emergency responders were notified , CPR was administered by fellow Sailors and onsite medical team in the house .
The Sailor was transferred to U.S .
Naval Hospital Guam where the Sailor was moved to the Intensive Care Unit .
The Sailor was declared deceased April 13 , '' the Navy wrote in a Monday statement .
The sailor 's death is the first for one of the U.S. Navy 's vessels at sea and comes as nearly 600 sailors on the ship tested positive for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family of the USS Theodore Roosevelt sailor who lost his battle with the virus today , '' Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in a statement .
`` We remain committed to protecting our personnel and their families while continuing to assist in defeating this outbreak . ''
Adm. Mike Gilday , chief of naval operations , said in a statement that `` We mourn the loss of the Sailor from USS Theodore Roosevelt who died today , and we stand alongside their family , loved ones , and shipmates as they grieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ship and for our Navy .
My deepest sympathy goes out the family , and we pledge our full support to the ship and crew as they continue their fight against the coronavirus . ''
The growing outbreak threatening the crew aboard the Roosevelt was foreshadowed in a leaked letter penned last month by the ship 's captain .

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is docked at Naval Base Guam in Apra Harbor on April 10, 2020. At least 416 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier, or 8.6 percent of the ships crew of 4,800, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, with the numbers increasing daily.
WASHINGTON — A U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the coronavirus-stricken USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier died Monday from the disease after testing positive last month, the service confirmed in a statement.
"At approximately 8:30 a.m., Apr. 9, the Sailor was found unresponsive during a daily medical check. While Naval Base Guam emergency responders were notified, CPR was administered by fellow Sailors and onsite medical team in the house. The Sailor was transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam where the Sailor was moved to the Intensive Care Unit. The Sailor was declared deceased April 13," the Navy wrote in a Monday statement.
The sailor's death is the first for one of the U.S. Navy's vessels at sea and comes as nearly 600 sailors on the ship tested positive for the coronavirus.
"Our thoughts are with the family of the USS Theodore Roosevelt sailor who lost his battle with the virus today," Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in a statement. "We remain committed to protecting our personnel and their families while continuing to assist in defeating this outbreak."
Adm. Mike Gilday, chief of naval operations, said in a statement that "We mourn the loss of the Sailor from USS Theodore Roosevelt who died today, and we stand alongside their family, loved ones, and shipmates as they grieve. This is a great loss for the ship and for our Navy. My deepest sympathy goes out the family, and we pledge our full support to the ship and crew as they continue their fight against the coronavirus."
The growing outbreak threatening the crew aboard the Roosevelt was foreshadowed in a leaked letter penned last month by the ship's captain.