cnbc--2020-04-16--The US economy can't reopen without widespread coronavirus testing. Getting there will take a lot of

The US economy can't reopen without widespread coronavirus testing. Getting there will take a lot of work and money

As the United States reels from the massive economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak , there are growing calls by President Donald Trump and others to start to reopen businesses , schools and other public spaces so that the nation can begin to recover financially .
On Thursday , Trump tweeted he would be holding a `` Major News Conference '' that evening to `` explain Guidelines for OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN ! ''
But health experts and several top business leaders warn that the country — which might not see a coronavirus vaccine for 18 months or more — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unless there is a huge increase in the relatively small number of tests currently being done for Covid-19 infection .
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos , in a note to shareholders early Thursday , wrote : `` Regular testing on a global scale , across all industries , would both help keep people safe and help get the economy back up and running . ''
`` For this to work , we as a society would need vastly more testing capacity than is currently available , '' Bezos noted .
NBC News later reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump insisted that he wait until there is widespread testing available before he pushes to reopen the nation .
But Trump indicated to them that such an economic reopening would have to occur before an expansion of testing levels , Sen. Mike Braun , R-Ind.
, told NBC News .
Health experts also say the country needs a related and equally robust program to trace the people who have had contact with infected people , to avoid seeing those contacts themselves spread the coronavirus to others .
There are only about 120,000 samples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus in the United States , according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Experts say that millions of people will have to be tested each day , even as many as 20 million to 30 million people , before the nation can return to a semblance of economic normality .
That is much more than the number of tests even projected to be produced by some major manufacturers by June .
`` To avoid a second wave of viral spread you have to do what South Korea and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done .
You have to have testing in place , and aggressive testing , '' said Dr. Tom Moore , an infectious disease specialist in Wichita , Kansas .
`` We do n't have to test everybody , but we definitely need to test a significant portion of the community , '' said Moore , a former board member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America .
`` This is a Herculean task , '' he said .
`` I do n't know how it 's going to be solved in the immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Moore and other experts say that a second or third wave of Covid-19 infections could end up killing more people than the first wave , lead to another series of shutdowns of businesses , and ultimately end up doing greater economic damage than has been seen to date from the pandemic .
Officials at the Rockefeller Foundation told CNBC they expect to release in coming days a paper outlining the scope of the work that needs to be done to get the U.S. on track to safely returning to work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ philanthropic group is a major donor for efforts related to health , science and other areas .
The foundation said that it has been in contact with the Trump administration , national groups of governors and mayors , and leading American corporations as it prepares its recommendations .
`` It 's going to [ initially ] cost at least $ 100 billion and upward of $ 500 billion over the long haul , '' said Eileen O'Connor , senior vice president for communications , policy and advocacy at the Rockefeller Foundation .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the cost be financed directly and subsidized by the federal government , estimates that 20 million to 30 million tests each day would need to be performed to get many Americans back to a more normal life .
But the foundation also estimates that there will ultimately need to be 200 million to 300 million tests each week to have the economy functioning as it was before the outbreak began .
That level of testing assumes multiple rescreenings of individual Americans in the absence of a Covid-19 vaccine .
The Rockefeller Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to optimize the current capacity of testing in the U.S. , which by June or July could allow for 2 million to 3 million tests per week , O'Connor said .
At the same time , O'Connor said , `` We need to invest in the different kinds of tests that can be ramped up even more quickly and as efficiently '' as possible .
She said a medium-term goal is to ramp up the testing capacity with a `` huge investment '' that could lead to `` up to 10 million tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain sectors back to work . ''
Even that number of polymerase chain reaction , or PCR , tests would be a tiny fraction of the U.S. population of 330 million or so .
The Rockefeller Foundation 's plan also will call for `` data aggregation '' platforms that will track where tests and testing-related supplies such as swabs and chemical reagents are located and where they should be allocated .
`` We then have to also marry that with testing results and contact tracing ... so that we can know where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The contact tracing could be aided by digital apps and geolocators to identify where infected people have been , she said .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said the state , which is currently ground zero for the Covid-19 pandemic in the U.S. , will need an `` army '' of contact tracers to identify people who have been with infected individuals .
He called on the federal government to fund that effort .
Thomas Frieden , a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week that `` We need an army of 300,000 people '' to do contact tracing nationwide .
O'Connor said , `` There is no doubt we need to get the economy back and running , and if we do n't the damage will be long lasting . ''
`` Everybody is focused on the safest return to work possible , but the only way you do that is testing , '' she added .
The Rockefeller Foundation 's plan does not estimate that the U.S. workforce will be back to normal anytime soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the number of needed tests might seem high to some people , it comes on the heels of projections published by the Edmond Jr. Safra Center for Ethics last week .
`` These [ projections ] suggest that , depending on what tracing technology is used in conjunction with testing , at least millions and possibly hundreds of millions of tests per day will be needed , '' that analysis said .
`` While we estimate that such capacity is possible by late spring or early summer , '' the authors wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressively if we are to allow a return to work . ''
Dr. Scott Gottlieb , the former head of the Food and Drug Administration , and a CNBC contributor , has called for a plan that would test anyone who visits a doctor , which would be nearly 4 million people per week .
But Gottlieb also said in a Vox interview this week that getting to the point where the United States has the capacity to perform 2 million to 3 million tests each week `` is going to be very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be possible to reach that level by September but added that Congress would need to support that effort .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee for president , said Thursday , `` I say we should not send you back to work till it 's safe to send you back . ''
Choosing between the economy and health `` is a false choice , '' he said .
`` The way you revive the economy is you defeat the disease , '' said Biden , who argued that widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can return to work and which workplaces and public spaces can be opened again .
BlackRock CEO and co-founder Larry Fink said during an interview on CNBC 's `` Squawk Box '' on Thursday : `` We 're going to still see elements of the disease increasing in other parts of the world and until we have adequate testing , rapid testing , it 's very hard to see how we 're going to reboot in the next 30 days . ''
Fink said he expects that treatments for Covid-19 could be improved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But it may not be in June or July .
It may be in August . ''
He noted that a number of business leaders told Trump during conference calls on Wednesday that `` we need to have adequate '' testing `` to make sure we have a secured environment . ''
Trump himself this week said , `` Our country has to get open , and it will get open , and it will get open safely and hopefully quickly .
Some areas quicker than other areas . ''
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall , also claimed `` there 's tremendous testing , and the governors will use whatever testing is necessary , and if they 're not satisfied with their testing , they should n't open . ''
But Trump 's own leading infectious disease advisor , Dr. Anthony Fauci , told the Associated Press in an interview Tuesday that the U.S. is `` not there yet '' in having enough testing capability or contact tracing systems in place to rely on for reopening the economy .
Complicating the effort to increase the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortage in equipment needed to conduct those screenings .
This week , the American Academy of Medical Colleges wrote Dr. Deborah Birx , coordinator of the White House 's Coronavirus Task Force , and said the group appreciated the fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had taken steps `` to reduce regulatory barriers to developing , validating , and deploying '' coronavirus tests .
But the group added that while those tests hold the promise for increased numbers of Covid-19 screenings , `` we have come to learn over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all parties , not one of these components [ needed to run those tests ] is readily available in sufficient quantities to each and every lab that needs them . ''
`` Widespread but uneven shortages in one or more of the essential components for testing have resulted in a situation where few labs are able to maximize the testing capacity of any one machine , platform , or test , '' the letter said .
Qiagen , a major manufacturer of the RNA extraction kits used to detect the coronavirus for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it `` produced enough kits in March to purify RNA for coronavirus testing of about 3.3 million patient samples , up from about 1 million in February and an average of 400,000 a month during 2019 . ''
The company added that it `` aims to double production to about 7 million in April and ramp up to about 20 million a month by October 2020 — well ahead of our original plan that we announced on March 17 . ''
That level of production would still , for Qiagen at least , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing the Rockefeller Foundation plans to call for .
'The test has to be affordable' Moore , the infectious disease expert who practices medicine in Kansas , said that one potential major hurdle to ensuring widespread testing is the out-of-pocket cost of a screening to individuals .
`` The test has to be affordable , '' Moore said .
`` Otherwise , you will have people who wo n't come in to do it . ''
Another complicating factor for tests that Moore and other experts noted is the reliability of current tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for antibodies to the disease at first , even though subsequent tests will show they had it .
There is also a risk , he said , of false negatives , in which rapid tests show someone does not have the virus when they actually are infected .
That , in turn , increases the chances they will go back to their normal routine and infect other people .
And experts do not currently know whether people who had Covid-19 can become reinfected with the virus .
Moore cited a new report from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that reportedly recovered from the virus then acquired it again . ''
`` Which raises the question , '' Moore said , `` is there more than one strain of coronavirus disease ? ''

Cars form lines at a federally-supported drive-thru testing site for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, April 4, 2020. K. C. Wilsey | FEMA | via Reuters
As the United States reels from the massive economic fallout of the coronavirus outbreak, there are growing calls by President Donald Trump and others to start to reopen businesses, schools and other public spaces so that the nation can begin to recover financially. On Thursday, Trump tweeted he would be holding a "Major News Conference" that evening to "explain Guidelines for OPENING UP AMERICA AGAIN!" TWEET But health experts and several top business leaders warn that the country — which might not see a coronavirus vaccine for 18 months or more — should not reopen on a broad scale unless there is a huge increase in the relatively small number of tests currently being done for Covid-19 infection. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, in a note to shareholders early Thursday, wrote: "Regular testing on a global scale, across all industries, would both help keep people safe and help get the economy back up and running." "For this to work, we as a society would need vastly more testing capacity than is currently available," Bezos noted. NBC News later reported that Democratic lawmakers in calls Thursday with Trump insisted that he wait until there is widespread testing available before he pushes to reopen the nation. But Trump indicated to them that such an economic reopening would have to occur before an expansion of testing levels, Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., told NBC News. Health experts also say the country needs a related and equally robust program to trace the people who have had contact with infected people, to avoid seeing those contacts themselves spread the coronavirus to others. There are only about 120,000 samples or so being tested each day for the coronavirus in the United States, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Experts say that millions of people will have to be tested each day, even as many as 20 million to 30 million people, before the nation can return to a semblance of economic normality. That is much more than the number of tests even projected to be produced by some major manufacturers by June.
"To avoid a second wave of viral spread you have to do what South Korea and other countries, including Germany, have done. You have to have testing in place, and aggressive testing," said Dr. Tom Moore, an infectious disease specialist in Wichita, Kansas. "We don't have to test everybody, but we definitely need to test a significant portion of the community," said Moore, a former board member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. "This is a Herculean task," he said. "I don't know how it's going to be solved in the immediate future, but it needs to be." Moore and other experts say that a second or third wave of Covid-19 infections could end up killing more people than the first wave, lead to another series of shutdowns of businesses, and ultimately end up doing greater economic damage than has been seen to date from the pandemic.
watch now
As of Thursday, there were more than 639,000 cases of coronavirus reported in the U.S., with nearly 31,000 people dead from the disease.
Millions of tests a day
Officials at the Rockefeller Foundation told CNBC they expect to release in coming days a paper outlining the scope of the work that needs to be done to get the U.S. on track to safely returning to work, school and leisure time activities. The philanthropic group is a major donor for efforts related to health, science and other areas. The foundation said that it has been in contact with the Trump administration, national groups of governors and mayors, and leading American corporations as it prepares its recommendations. "It's going to [initially] cost at least $100 billion and upward of $500 billion over the long haul," said Eileen O'Connor, senior vice president for communications, policy and advocacy at the Rockefeller Foundation. The foundation's plan, which will propose that the cost be financed directly and subsidized by the federal government, estimates that 20 million to 30 million tests each day would need to be performed to get many Americans back to a more normal life. But the foundation also estimates that there will ultimately need to be 200 million to 300 million tests each week to have the economy functioning as it was before the outbreak began. That level of testing assumes multiple rescreenings of individual Americans in the absence of a Covid-19 vaccine. The Rockefeller Foundation's plan calls for changes in logistics to optimize the current capacity of testing in the U.S., which by June or July could allow for 2 million to 3 million tests per week, O'Connor said. At the same time, O'Connor said, "We need to invest in the different kinds of tests that can be ramped up even more quickly and as efficiently" as possible. She said a medium-term goal is to ramp up the testing capacity with a "huge investment" that could lead to "up to 10 million tests per week, before we can get certain sectors back to work." Even that number of polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests would be a tiny fraction of the U.S. population of 330 million or so.
watch now
The first sector to target with a testing capacity of 10 million or so tests per week would be health-care workers, many of whom have contact with coronavirus patients, police and emergency workers, O'Connor said. Then food production workers, including farm workers, and then trucking workers. That target could be reached by this fall, the foundation believes. After that, the goal would be to have tens of millions of tests done every day to have the country fully return to work.
More tracking
The Rockefeller Foundation's plan also will call for "data aggregation" platforms that will track where tests and testing-related supplies such as swabs and chemical reagents are located and where they should be allocated. "We then have to also marry that with testing results and contact tracing ... so that we can know where the disease is going next," O'Connor said. The contact tracing could be aided by digital apps and geolocators to identify where infected people have been, she said. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said the state, which is currently ground zero for the Covid-19 pandemic in the U.S., will need an "army" of contact tracers to identify people who have been with infected individuals. He called on the federal government to fund that effort. Tweet Thomas Frieden, a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the news site STAT this week that "We need an army of 300,000 people" to do contact tracing nationwide. O'Connor said, "There is no doubt we need to get the economy back and running, and if we don't the damage will be long lasting." "Everybody is focused on the safest return to work possible, but the only way you do that is testing," she added.
A long road ahead
The Rockefeller Foundation's plan does not estimate that the U.S. workforce will be back to normal anytime soon. And while the foundation's projections for the number of needed tests might seem high to some people, it comes on the heels of projections published by the Edmond Jr. Safra Center for Ethics last week. "These [projections] suggest that, depending on what tracing technology is used in conjunction with testing, at least millions and possibly hundreds of millions of tests per day will be needed," that analysis said. "While we estimate that such capacity is possible by late spring or early summer," the authors wrote, "we must invest much more aggressively if we are to allow a return to work." Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the former head of the Food and Drug Administration, and a CNBC contributor, has called for a plan that would test anyone who visits a doctor, which would be nearly 4 million people per week. But Gottlieb also said in a Vox interview this week that getting to the point where the United States has the capacity to perform 2 million to 3 million tests each week "is going to be very hard." He said it would be possible to reach that level by September but added that Congress would need to support that effort. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, said Thursday, "I say we should not send you back to work till it's safe to send you back." Choosing between the economy and health "is a false choice," he said. "The way you revive the economy is you defeat the disease," said Biden, who argued that widespread testing will be needed to determine who can return to work and which workplaces and public spaces can be opened again. BlackRock CEO and co-founder Larry Fink said during an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Thursday: "We're going to still see elements of the disease increasing in other parts of the world and until we have adequate testing, rapid testing, it's very hard to see how we're going to reboot in the next 30 days." Fink said he expects that treatments for Covid-19 could be improved to speed up that economic rebooting, "But it may not be in June or July. It may be in August." He noted that a number of business leaders told Trump during conference calls on Wednesday that "we need to have adequate" testing "to make sure we have a secured environment." Trump himself this week said, "Our country has to get open, and it will get open, and it will get open safely and hopefully quickly. Some areas quicker than other areas." The president, who is running for reelection this fall, also claimed "there's tremendous testing, and the governors will use whatever testing is necessary, and if they're not satisfied with their testing, they shouldn't open." But Trump's own leading infectious disease advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told the Associated Press in an interview Tuesday that the U.S. is "not there yet" in having enough testing capability or contact tracing systems in place to rely on for reopening the economy.
Equipment shortage
Complicating the effort to increase the number of tests performed in the U.S. is a shortage in equipment needed to conduct those screenings. This week, the American Academy of Medical Colleges wrote Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House's Coronavirus Task Force, and said the group appreciated the fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had taken steps "to reduce regulatory barriers to developing, validating, and deploying" coronavirus tests. But the group added that while those tests hold the promise for increased numbers of Covid-19 screenings, "we have come to learn over the past several weeks, despite the best efforts of all parties, not one of these components [needed to run those tests] is readily available in sufficient quantities to each and every lab that needs them." "Widespread but uneven shortages in one or more of the essential components for testing have resulted in a situation where few labs are able to maximize the testing capacity of any one machine, platform, or test," the letter said. Qiagen, a major manufacturer of the RNA extraction kits used to detect the coronavirus for tests, told CNBC on Thursday that it "produced enough kits in March to purify RNA for coronavirus testing of about 3.3 million patient samples, up from about 1 million in February and an average of 400,000 a month during 2019." The company added that it "aims to double production to about 7 million in April and ramp up to about 20 million a month by October 2020 — well ahead of our original plan that we announced on March 17." That level of production would still, for Qiagen at least, be far short of the levels of testing the Rockefeller Foundation plans to call for.
'The test has to be affordable'


cnbc--2020-04-16--Army launches 'Shark Tank'-style competition for ventilator designs, successful ideas get $100,000

Students and instructors in the Medical Education and Training Campus Respiratory Therapist program practice safe distancing and wear face coverings @ @ @ @ @ .
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is offering an initial investment of $ 100,000 to @ @ @ @ @ develop ventilators amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The competition will be carried out by the @ @ @ @ @ the expeditionary technology search program , dubbed `` xTechSearch , '' which aims to fund @ @ @ @ @ technology solutions .
This particular competition , however , will be open to any American @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We 've directed the Army expeditionary technology search program to reach out to @ @ @ @ @ a rapid ventilator production system to support field hospitals that are still requiring critical infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ oxygen , '' explained Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy on Thursday at the Pentagon @

Students and instructors in the Medical Education and Training Campus Respiratory Therapist program practice safe distancing and wear face coverings while training with mechanical ventilators.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is offering an initial investment of $100,000 to innovators with plans to rapidly develop ventilators amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The competition will be carried out by the Army's acquisition unit under the expeditionary technology search program, dubbed "xTechSearch," which aims to fund small businesses with novel dual-use technology solutions.
This particular competition, however, will be open to any American business, regardless of size.
"We've directed the Army expeditionary technology search program to reach out to the innovation community to find a rapid ventilator production system to support field hospitals that are still requiring critical infrastructure such as generators and pressurized oxygen," explained Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy on Thursday at the Pentagon.


cnbc--2020-04-16--GOP congressman says US should 'slowly' reopen for business, barbers can wear masks

Rep. Greg Murphy , R-N.C. , said Thursday he believes there are ways for businesses such as barbershops and salons to reopen safely during the coronavirus pandemic .
Murphy , a urologist who was elected to Congress in 2019 , said on CNBC 's `` The Exchange '' that restrictions should remain in place for people who are `` most at risk , most susceptible '' to serious illness from Covid-19 .
`` I think it 's important that we keep those sheltered in place really until there are therapeutics , '' Murphy said .
But people who are under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be subject to fewer restrictions , Murphy argued .
Murphy said he was hearing from people who are `` losing their life savings .
They 're in despair .
They 're just anxious . ''
`` So there is a balance here , '' he said , adding , `` We really have to have perspective not only of health care needs but also for folks ' mental health . ''
For example , Murphy said he thinks barbershops and salons should be allowed to open with staggered appointments and stylists who wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same thing in restaurants .
You could keep a maximum of four people to a table , every other table , '' Murphy suggested .
Murphy stressed he wanted people to `` get back into our economy slowly '' but he added , `` We really do need to start getting back to some semblance of normalcy and ... using the data that we 've learned so far , I think we can do that . ''
There are signs that daily increases new Covid-19 cases in the U.S. may be slowing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump , on how the U.S. will roll back restrictions put in place to help slow the spread of the disease .
Protesters in several states have pushed for an end to social distancing measures .

Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., said Thursday he believes there are ways for businesses such as barbershops and salons to reopen safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
Murphy, a urologist who was elected to Congress in 2019, said on CNBC's "The Exchange" that restrictions should remain in place for people who are "most at risk, most susceptible" to serious illness from Covid-19.
"I think it's important that we keep those sheltered in place really until there are therapeutics," Murphy said.
But people who are under 65 and "otherwise healthy" should be subject to fewer restrictions, Murphy argued.
Murphy said he was hearing from people who are "losing their life savings. They're in despair. They're just anxious."
"So there is a balance here," he said, adding, "We really have to have perspective not only of health care needs but also for folks' mental health."
For example, Murphy said he thinks barbershops and salons should be allowed to open with staggered appointments and stylists who wear face masks and gloves.
"The same thing in restaurants. You could keep a maximum of four people to a table, every other table," Murphy suggested.
Murphy stressed he wanted people to "get back into our economy slowly" but he added, "We really do need to start getting back to some semblance of normalcy and ... using the data that we've learned so far, I think we can do that."
There are signs that daily increases new Covid-19 cases in the U.S. may be slowing, leading to greater focus, including from President Donald Trump, on how the U.S. will roll back restrictions put in place to help slow the spread of the disease.
Protesters in several states have pushed for an end to social distancing measures.


cnbc--2020-04-16--Can you argue in pajamas? Lawyers get ready for first-ever Supreme Court oral arguments by phone

A Supreme Court Police officer walks up the steps at the U.S. Supreme Court on March 16 , 2020 in Washington , DC .
The Supreme Court 's announcement this week that it will hold oral arguments via teleconference for the first time in its history has a small group of America 's top attorneys prepping for the most important phone calls of their careers .
The court said that it will hear 10 arguments over the first two weeks in May , including blockbuster disputes over the Electoral College and whether President Donald Trump can keep his tax records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weighty , whether they are discussed in a basement office over a cell phone or inside the Supreme Court 's historical Corinthian building .
But lawyers who will be arguing before the court are still adjusting .
`` I 'm trying to figure out : Do you stand up ?
Do you sit down ?
Do you get a podium ? ''
Jay Sekulow , an attorney for the president and a veteran Supreme Court lawyer , said in a recent interview .
Those questions are just the beginning .
Do you use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
And what about the handcrafted quill pens , which in more normal times are left on the counsel table as a souvenir for arguing attorneys ?
`` I am planning on giving my quill pens to my grandchildren , so I am hoping they still send us the quill pen , '' said Sekulow , who will be asking the top court to reverse lower court rulings ordering Trump 's banks and longtime accounting firm to hand over his financial records to state and congressional investigators .
The questions facing the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be argued next month are emblematic of the ways the coronavirus has reshaped how Americans work and live .
While some of their cases are likely to live on in textbooks for decades , the attorneys face many of the same challenges confronting other white-collar professionals learning to work from home in the middle of a public health crisis .
`` I will not be in a place where my kids can ask me questions at the same time the justices are .
That already happens in conference calls , '' said Eric @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Becket who will be arguing in a religious freedom case next month .
`` I have n't figured that out yet , '' Rassbach said , referring to how he would find privacy .
`` Four-year-olds do not understand what the Supreme Court is . ''
Ian Gershengorn , who was a top Justice Department lawyer under President Barack Obama , said the `` core of preparation '' — knowing the case , knowing the record , practicing your answers — will `` mostly be the same . ''
But he has gotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gotten all sorts of suggestions from colleagues , ranging from pajamas to a morning coat — there 's a lot of flexibility , '' said Gershengorn , who is now chair of the appellate and Supreme Court practice at law firm Jenner & Block .
State and local courts often stream proceedings live , and some federal circuit and district courts have experimented with video cameras , but the Supreme Court has long resisted any changes to its tradition .
The court announced last month it would postpone some arguments indefinitely as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Spanish flu a century ago .
On Monday , the justices said they will hear some arguments via teleconference in May .
While decisions are generally handed down by the end of June , it is not clear if that tradition will hold amid the Covid-19 crisis .

A Supreme Court Police officer walks up the steps at the U.S. Supreme Court on March 16, 2020 in Washington, DC.
The Supreme Court's announcement this week that it will hold oral arguments via teleconference for the first time in its history has a small group of America's top attorneys prepping for the most important phone calls of their careers.
The court said that it will hear 10 arguments over the first two weeks in May, including blockbuster disputes over the Electoral College and whether President Donald Trump can keep his tax records shielded from investigators.
The issues are weighty, whether they are discussed in a basement office over a cell phone or inside the Supreme Court's historical Corinthian building. But lawyers who will be arguing before the court are still adjusting.
"I'm trying to figure out: Do you stand up? Do you sit down? Do you get a podium?" Jay Sekulow, an attorney for the president and a veteran Supreme Court lawyer, said in a recent interview.
Those questions are just the beginning. Do you use earbuds? Put the justices on speakerphone? And what about the handcrafted quill pens, which in more normal times are left on the counsel table as a souvenir for arguing attorneys?
"I am planning on giving my quill pens to my grandchildren, so I am hoping they still send us the quill pen," said Sekulow, who will be asking the top court to reverse lower court rulings ordering Trump's banks and longtime accounting firm to hand over his financial records to state and congressional investigators.
The questions facing the group of attorneys working on the cases to be argued next month are emblematic of the ways the coronavirus has reshaped how Americans work and live.
While some of their cases are likely to live on in textbooks for decades, the attorneys face many of the same challenges confronting other white-collar professionals learning to work from home in the middle of a public health crisis.
"I will not be in a place where my kids can ask me questions at the same time the justices are. That already happens in conference calls," said Eric Rassbach, a lawyer at the nonprofit Becket who will be arguing in a religious freedom case next month.
"I haven't figured that out yet," Rassbach said, referring to how he would find privacy. "Four-year-olds do not understand what the Supreme Court is."
Ian Gershengorn, who was a top Justice Department lawyer under President Barack Obama, said the "core of preparation" — knowing the case, knowing the record, practicing your answers — will "mostly be the same."
But he has gotten some sartorial advice.
"I've gotten all sorts of suggestions from colleagues, ranging from pajamas to a morning coat — there's a lot of flexibility," said Gershengorn, who is now chair of the appellate and Supreme Court practice at law firm Jenner & Block.
State and local courts often stream proceedings live, and some federal circuit and district courts have experimented with video cameras, but the Supreme Court has long resisted any changes to its tradition.
The court announced last month it would postpone some arguments indefinitely as a health precaution, the first time since the Spanish flu a century ago. On Monday, the justices said they will hear some arguments via teleconference in May. While decisions are generally handed down by the end of June, it is not clear if that tradition will hold amid the Covid-19 crisis.


cnbc--2020-04-16--Tom Steyer shuts down his Need to Impeach operation after failed 2020 bid, Trump acquittal

Tom Steyer , co-founder of NextGen Climate Action Committee and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate , speaks during the 61st Annual McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner in Manchester , New Hampshire , U.S. , on Saturday , Feb. 8 , 2020 .
Billionaire and former presidential candidate Tom Steyer is shutting down his organization that advocated the impeachment of President Donald Trump .
Steyer , a businessman who founded Need to Impeach in 2017 to call on Congress to impeach and remove Trump from office , has decided it 's time for the political action committee to close after the president was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , according to his spokesman .
The GOP-led Senate acquitted the president in February .
`` Tom started Need to Impeach two and half years ago and committed over $ 75 million of his own money to help shine a light on this lawless president .
Over eight million Americans joined that effort and their voices were heard loud and clear when the House of Representatives voted to impeach Donald Trump , '' Benjamin Gerdes , the spokesman , told CNBC .
`` With the work complete , Need to Impeach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to taking on Donald Trump continues . ''
When asked if `` wrapping up '' means Need to Impeach is shutting down , Gerdes confirmed that was indeed the case .
It does n't appear Need to Impeach will be evolving into a new venture .
The organization 's website says it is `` transitioning to Need to Vote — our movement to hold Republican Senators and the President accountable . ''
No other details are given , except that it calls for people to sign up for an email list .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says that she 's now the executive director of Need to Vote .
However , Gerdes , the Steyer spokesman , said it is not a new group .
`` It 's not the start of a new organization – it 's simply an opportunity to encourage the NTI list to commit to vote in November , '' he said .
Gerdes said Steyer has committed over $ 50 million this year to help fund grassroots organizing dedicated to defeating Trump .
Steyer dropped out of the Democratic primary for president after failing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where he had invested millions of his dollars in his campaign to win the Feb. 29 primary there .
Steyer stepped down from his leadership post at Need to Impeach when he decided last year to get into the race .
Steyer has given nothing to the super PAC since he dropped out , and they have just over $ 650,000 on hand , according to their latest first quarter filing .
He was the main donor to Need to Impeach .
Steyer recently endorsed apparent Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former vice president is `` going to have to show , in terms of policy , that Joe Biden is more progressive than people understand him to be . ''
Representatives from Need to Impeach did not return multiple requests for comment .
Need to Impeach advocated for Trump 's removal throughout special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation and the congressional impeachment process .
Millions of people signed their petition calling for Trump 's removal .
The organization aired multiple TV ads highlighting what it considered the president 's transgressions .
Need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other group , NextGen America , were involved in get-out-the-vote efforts that helped Democrats take back the House during the 2018 midterm elections .
NextGen America recently co-signed a letter to Biden calling on him to disallow Wall Street executives from either being campaign advisors or members of his cabinet .
Steyer 's funding of the PAC continued all the way through his run for president .
A Federal Election Commission filing that covered July through December of last year showed that Steyer gave the organization over $ 4 million .
Steyer announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vox reported in November that Need to Impeach had scaled back their operations after some of its staff started working for his campaign .

Tom Steyer, co-founder of NextGen Climate Action Committee and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, speaks during the 61st Annual McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Dinner in Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S., on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020.
Billionaire and former presidential candidate Tom Steyer is shutting down his organization that advocated the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
Steyer, a businessman who founded Need to Impeach in 2017 to call on Congress to impeach and remove Trump from office, has decided it's time for the political action committee to close after the president was indeed impeached by the Democratic-led House late last year, according to his spokesman. The GOP-led Senate acquitted the president in February.
"Tom started Need to Impeach two and half years ago and committed over $75 million of his own money to help shine a light on this lawless president. Over eight million Americans joined that effort and their voices were heard loud and clear when the House of Representatives voted to impeach Donald Trump," Benjamin Gerdes, the spokesman, told CNBC. "With the work complete, Need to Impeach is wrapping up, but Tom's commitment to taking on Donald Trump continues."
When asked if "wrapping up" means Need to Impeach is shutting down, Gerdes confirmed that was indeed the case.
It doesn't appear Need to Impeach will be evolving into a new venture. The organization's website says it is "transitioning to Need to Vote — our movement to hold Republican Senators and the President accountable." No other details are given, except that it calls for people to sign up for an email list. Executive director Nathaly Arriola's LinkedIn page says that she's now the executive director of Need to Vote.
However, Gerdes, the Steyer spokesman, said it is not a new group.
"It's not the start of a new organization – it's simply an opportunity to encourage the NTI list to commit to vote in November," he said.
Gerdes said Steyer has committed over $50 million this year to help fund grassroots organizing dedicated to defeating Trump.
Steyer dropped out of the Democratic primary for president after failing to pick up delegates in South Carolina, where he had invested millions of his dollars in his campaign to win the Feb. 29 primary there. Steyer stepped down from his leadership post at Need to Impeach when he decided last year to get into the race.
Steyer has given nothing to the super PAC since he dropped out, and they have just over $650,000 on hand, according to their latest first quarter filing. He was the main donor to Need to Impeach.
Steyer recently endorsed apparent Democratic nominee Joe Biden. In an interview with Politico, Steyer said the former vice president is "going to have to show, in terms of policy, that Joe Biden is more progressive than people understand him to be."
Representatives from Need to Impeach did not return multiple requests for comment.
Need to Impeach advocated for Trump's removal throughout special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and the congressional impeachment process. Millions of people signed their petition calling for Trump's removal. The organization aired multiple TV ads highlighting what it considered the president's transgressions.
Need to Impeach, along with Steyer's other group, NextGen America, were involved in get-out-the-vote efforts that helped Democrats take back the House during the 2018 midterm elections.
NextGen America recently co-signed a letter to Biden calling on him to disallow Wall Street executives from either being campaign advisors or members of his cabinet.
Steyer's funding of the PAC continued all the way through his run for president. A Federal Election Commission filing that covered July through December of last year showed that Steyer gave the organization over $4 million. Steyer announced his run for president in July. Vox reported in November that Need to Impeach had scaled back their operations after some of its staff started working for his campaign.


cnbc--2020-04-16--US intel community examining whether coronavirus emerged accidentally from a Chinese lab

Laboratory technicians work on testing samples from people to be tested for the COVID-19 coronavirus at a laboratory in Shenyang in China 's northeastern Liaoning province on February 12 , 2020 .
The U.S. intelligence community is examining whether the virus that caused a global pandemic emerged accidentally from a Chinese research lab studying diseases in bats , current and former U.S. intelligence officials tell NBC News .
Spy agencies have ruled out that the novel coronavirus was manmade , the officials say .
But scientists at a military and a civilian lab in Wuhan , where the virus originated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research on coronaviruses , officials say .
They say intelligence agencies have gathered and are weighing evidence that an employee of one of the labs could have become accidentally infected and left the facility with the virus .
`` It 's a possibility , though not the most likely possibility , '' one official told NBC News .
Asked about the intelligence on TODAY , Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said , `` This is something we 've been watching closely now for some time , '' adding that the results of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Joint Chief of Staff Chairman Mark Milley told reporters this week that U.S. intelligence agencies are taking `` a hard look '' at whether the coronavirus originated in a Wuhan lab .
`` We do n't know for certain , '' Milley told reporters on Tuesday .
President Donald Trump declined to answer a question about the intelligence during a televised briefing on Wednesday .
China disputes that the virus could have originated in a Wuhan lab .
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Thursday the head of the World Health Organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence '' the virus was made in a lab and that `` well-known medical experts '' believe there is `` no scientific basis '' for claims of `` so-called laboratory leaks . ''

Laboratory technicians work on testing samples from people to be tested for the COVID-19 coronavirus at a laboratory in Shenyang in China's northeastern Liaoning province on February 12, 2020.
The U.S. intelligence community is examining whether the virus that caused a global pandemic emerged accidentally from a Chinese research lab studying diseases in bats, current and former U.S. intelligence officials tell NBC News.
Spy agencies have ruled out that the novel coronavirus was manmade, the officials say. But scientists at a military and a civilian lab in Wuhan, where the virus originated, are known to have conducted ongoing research on coronaviruses, officials say. They say intelligence agencies have gathered and are weighing evidence that an employee of one of the labs could have become accidentally infected and left the facility with the virus.
"It's a possibility, though not the most likely possibility," one official told NBC News.
Asked about the intelligence on TODAY, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said, "This is something we've been watching closely now for some time," adding that the results of the investigation are thus far "inconclusive."
Joint Chief of Staff Chairman Mark Milley told reporters this week that U.S. intelligence agencies are taking "a hard look" at whether the coronavirus originated in a Wuhan lab.
"We don't know for certain," Milley told reporters on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump declined to answer a question about the intelligence during a televised briefing on Wednesday.
China disputes that the virus could have originated in a Wuhan lab. Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Thursday the head of the World Health Organization has "repeatedly said there's no evidence" the virus was made in a lab and that "well-known medical experts" believe there is "no scientific basis" for claims of "so-called laboratory leaks."


cnbc--2020-04-16--Homeless shelters are running low on cash and volunteers as coronavirus spreads

Homeless shelters across the country are facing volunteer shortages and increased costs as they struggle to contend with the deadly coronavirus outbreak while continuing to take in residents .
Several shelters have made adjustments to continue offering the same services while minimizing contact .
That means spreading out beds , sterilizing surfaces more frequently and offering services at a distance .
It 's been tricky for shelters around the country to adjust to new social distancing guidelines .
But many have found solutions in which they 're still responding to people who need a place to stay while adhering to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now you 're trying to optimize the space you have , so you 're going to be either serving less people '' or finding `` alternate space for these folks '' like trailers , motels and large tents , which can become costly measures , said Larry Haynes , executive director of Mercy House , a California nonprofit that provides about 1,200 beds in emergency shelters .
It 's difficult to quantify the pervasiveness of homelessness because government agencies use different definitions to calculate it in the United States .
The Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people experienced homelessness on any given night in 2018 , counting people living in public streets and public spaces without a shelter , and people living in emergency and time-limited shelters .
As the coronavirus continues to spread , even as some states see infection rates plateau , a large burden falls on shelters and programs for those experiencing homelessness .
Herb Smith , president of Los Angeles Mission , said that he 's concerned about the virus hitting the homeless population especially hard .
People living on the streets may find themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catch the disease .
Some shelters told CNBC that they have been rapidly losing much-needed volunteers because of a fear of catching or spreading the coronavirus .
Still , many shelter workers have been on the front lines every day , keeping them running and supporting residents and any newcomers .
The outbreak has spread to dozens of countries globally , with more than 2 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 138,008 deaths so far , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
There are at least 639,600 cases in the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the latest tallies .
This story is based on conversations with seven homeless shelters and with three people experiencing homelessness in New York , California , Michigan and Washington , four states that have seen some of the highest numbers of confirmed cases in the country .
In states like New York , where officials declared a stay-at-home order to curb the spread of the virus , people have found ways to bypass feelings of isolation , using technology to keep in touch with others .
But for some people living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new .
James Winans , interim CEO of the Bowery Mission , which operates five residential shelters in New York City , said that people experiencing homelessness usually do n't have predictable access to technology and often ca n't rely on it to talk to loved ones .
Restaurant closures and the shuttering of public spaces created another obstacle .
`` People without a home lost access to all of their bathrooms , '' Winans told CNBC .
`` Their bathroom was at a Starbucks , at a library , at a recreation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Bowery Mission and other organizations have set up mobile hand-washing stations and shower units .
`` There are very few options right now for hygiene if you do n't have a home , '' Winans said .
The closures have also made it tricky for families who are experiencing homelessness to care for their kids , said Executive Director Marty Hartman of Mary 's Place , a nonprofit in Seattle that provides shelter to women , children and families .
`` This crisis has made them feel unstable , not sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources to stay in housing , where they 're going to find child care , how they 're going to get their kids education , how they 're going to put gas in their car , how they 're going to be provided the food that they need when food banks are running lower , '' Hartman said , adding that Mary 's Place tries to eliminate some of these worries and helps people get on their feet .
Some people who 've entered homeless shelters in recent weeks have lost out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who works at a nursing home decided to temporarily stay in a shelter to prevent potentially spreading the disease to her aunt and uncle , who are both in their 80s .
She and her 8-year-old son found beds at Mary 's Place .
Kimberly Austin , a grandmother staying at the Mustard Seed Shelter in Michigan , said she misses her family , too , and would normally visit them .
Under stay-at-home guidelines , she ca n't .
`` My grand kids , I 'm thinking , are they thinking of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on there ?
How are they doing ? ''
Austin said she wonders .
`` I 'm hoping they do n't get sick .
Or [ I 'm wondering ] what are they doing . ''
While she 's still been able to FaceTime them , she misses in-person contact .
`` I 'm a hugger , '' she said .
Several shelters told CNBC that they 've lost out on much-needed volunteers once officials recommended shelter-in-place guidelines , forcing staffers to step up .
`` Volunteerism has absolutely plummeted '' at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To get around it , the organization has put in place `` a much more aggressive staffing plan . ''
It 's also more expensive .
`` You have to have people pick up extra shifts or work overtime or we need to hire additional stuff , '' he said .
`` So you need to find paid personnel , which will elevate your cost .
Food preparation has to be more carefully considered . ''
Mary 's Place in Seattle saw similar drops in volunteer service , according to executive director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were health-care workers .
`` A lot of those workers have more demands at their current hospital , '' she said .
Mary 's Place has hired more people to help the 300 children in its shelter with online learning and other needs .
It 's getting pricier to pay for the shelter 's normal staff as well .
`` With staff callouts , you realize you 're paying time and a half or double time , '' Hartman said .
At the Bowery Mission in New York , some residents act as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently stays there said .
David , who asked that CNBC not use his last name due to privacy concerns , works from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the kitchen every weekday .
Mustard Seed in Michigan has also lost its volunteers , Director Amy Bartels Roe said , but its staffers have continued running the shelter with adjustments in place .
Shelters are taking other steps to keep their services available .
At Mustard Seed , for example , mental health services are now virtual .
`` But our ladies are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having the one-on-one meeting with a therapist or going to an AA meeting in person , '' Roe said .
South Oakland Shelter , also in Michigan , has paid for motel rooms to house people , said Ryan Hertz , president and CEO of Lighthouse , the social services organization behind South Oakland .
`` We started immediately raising funds to cover the cost of the rooms , '' he said , describing a crowdfunding effort Lighthouse is running .
Lighthouse sets up `` rotating '' emergency shelters in churches or synagogues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold between 30 and 35 people at a time , Hertz said .
Donations and grants have allowed the organization to pay for hotel and motel rooms for residents and increase capacity .
`` Our hope is that it 'll be around 200 people very soon , '' Hertz said .
It 's not yet clear how the outbreak will weigh on shelters in the months and years ahead , as the coronavirus has wreaked havoc on supply chains and funding resources .
The Bowery Mission spends only a small portion of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` such reliable sources of food donations that we were able to serve 555,000 meals a year on a food budget of $ 68,000 , '' said Winans , the organization 's interim CEO .
But whether these donations will endure is a cause for concern .
`` We received a lot of food in the past from restaurants and catering companies that are now closed , '' he said .
Winans is also concerned about financial contributions to the privately funded Bowery Mission , as the American economy craters into a likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the organization has seen generous support from donors .
`` But will they be able to continue to be generous ? ''
he asked .
Los Angeles Mission also worries about whether private funding will `` remain solid in spite of the economic uncertainties , '' Smith , the organization 's president , said .
Several shelters are anticipating confirmed cases among their residents and among the general population .
Haynes from Mercy House , also in California , is unsure what a potential spike in cases might look like .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collective breath and asking , what does this mean , who will it hit ? ''
he said .
In New York , at least 23 shelter residents have died from the coronavirus , and at least 371 have tested positive for it .
In San Francisco at least 90 shelter residents have tested positive .
But even if the coronavirus spreads to shelter staffers or residents , the work will still have to continue , Haynes said .
`` I have people putting themselves on the line who have kids of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is really hard , '' he said .
`` But the focus is on the clients .
That 's why I have people sucking it up and showing up every single day .
I feel a tremendous amount of compassion for my staff who are putting themselves out there . ''

Sleeping mats and storage bins are placed six feet apart, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control guidelines, as protection against the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on the floor of the Ben Boeke Ice Arena in Anchorage, Alaska, March 21, 2020. Matt Waliszek | Orzel Photography | Bean's Cafe | Handout | Reuters
Homeless shelters across the country are facing volunteer shortages and increased costs as they struggle to contend with the deadly coronavirus outbreak while continuing to take in residents. Several shelters have made adjustments to continue offering the same services while minimizing contact. That means spreading out beds, sterilizing surfaces more frequently and offering services at a distance. It's been tricky for shelters around the country to adjust to new social distancing guidelines. But many have found solutions in which they're still responding to people who need a place to stay while adhering to any government-issued advice or rules. "Now you're trying to optimize the space you have, so you're going to be either serving less people" or finding "alternate space for these folks" like trailers, motels and large tents, which can become costly measures, said Larry Haynes, executive director of Mercy House, a California nonprofit that provides about 1,200 beds in emergency shelters. It's difficult to quantify the pervasiveness of homelessness because government agencies use different definitions to calculate it in the United States. The Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that 552,830 people experienced homelessness on any given night in 2018, counting people living in public streets and public spaces without a shelter, and people living in emergency and time-limited shelters. As the coronavirus continues to spread, even as some states see infection rates plateau, a large burden falls on shelters and programs for those experiencing homelessness. Herb Smith, president of Los Angeles Mission, said that he's concerned about the virus hitting the homeless population especially hard. People living on the streets may find themselves unable to seek adequate help if they catch the disease. Some shelters told CNBC that they have been rapidly losing much-needed volunteers because of a fear of catching or spreading the coronavirus. Still, many shelter workers have been on the front lines every day, keeping them running and supporting residents and any newcomers. The outbreak has spread to dozens of countries globally, with more than 2 million confirmed cases worldwide and over 138,008 deaths so far, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. There are at least 639,600 cases in the United States and at least 30,985 deaths, according to the latest tallies. This story is based on conversations with seven homeless shelters and with three people experiencing homelessness in New York, California, Michigan and Washington, four states that have seen some of the highest numbers of confirmed cases in the country.
The losses
In states like New York, where officials declared a stay-at-home order to curb the spread of the virus, people have found ways to bypass feelings of isolation, using technology to keep in touch with others. But for some people living on the streets, isolation is not new. James Winans, interim CEO of the Bowery Mission, which operates five residential shelters in New York City, said that people experiencing homelessness usually don't have predictable access to technology and often can't rely on it to talk to loved ones. Restaurant closures and the shuttering of public spaces created another obstacle. "People without a home lost access to all of their bathrooms," Winans told CNBC. "Their bathroom was at a Starbucks, at a library, at a recreation center." To mitigate the issue, the Bowery Mission and other organizations have set up mobile hand-washing stations and shower units. "There are very few options right now for hygiene if you don't have a home," Winans said. The closures have also made it tricky for families who are experiencing homelessness to care for their kids, said Executive Director Marty Hartman of Mary's Place, a nonprofit in Seattle that provides shelter to women, children and families. "This crisis has made them feel unstable, not sure where they're going to find the resources to stay in housing, where they're going to find child care, how they're going to get their kids education, how they're going to put gas in their car, how they're going to be provided the food that they need when food banks are running lower," Hartman said, adding that Mary's Place tries to eliminate some of these worries and helps people get on their feet. Some people who've entered homeless shelters in recent weeks have lost out on time with loved ones. A woman who works at a nursing home decided to temporarily stay in a shelter to prevent potentially spreading the disease to her aunt and uncle, who are both in their 80s. She and her 8-year-old son found beds at Mary's Place. Kimberly Austin, a grandmother staying at the Mustard Seed Shelter in Michigan, said she misses her family, too, and would normally visit them. Under stay-at-home guidelines, she can't. "My grand kids, I'm thinking, are they thinking of me? My daughter, what's going on there? How are they doing?" Austin said she wonders. "I'm hoping they don't get sick. Or [I'm wondering] what are they doing." While she's still been able to FaceTime them, she misses in-person contact. "I'm a hugger," she said.
The front lines
Several shelters told CNBC that they've lost out on much-needed volunteers once officials recommended shelter-in-place guidelines, forcing staffers to step up. "Volunteerism has absolutely plummeted" at Mercy House, executive director Haynes said. To get around it, the organization has put in place "a much more aggressive staffing plan." It's also more expensive. "You have to have people pick up extra shifts or work overtime or we need to hire additional stuff," he said. "So you need to find paid personnel, which will elevate your cost. Food preparation has to be more carefully considered." Mary's Place in Seattle saw similar drops in volunteer service, according to executive director Hartman, who noted that many volunteers were health-care workers. "A lot of those workers have more demands at their current hospital," she said. Mary's Place has hired more people to help the 300 children in its shelter with online learning and other needs. It's getting pricier to pay for the shelter's normal staff as well. "With staff callouts, you realize you're paying time and a half or double time," Hartman said. At the Bowery Mission in New York, some residents act as volunteer crew members, one man who currently stays there said. David, who asked that CNBC not use his last name due to privacy concerns, works from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the kitchen every weekday. Mustard Seed in Michigan has also lost its volunteers, Director Amy Bartels Roe said, but its staffers have continued running the shelter with adjustments in place. Shelters are taking other steps to keep their services available. At Mustard Seed, for example, mental health services are now virtual. "But our ladies are saying it's not the same as having the one-on-one meeting with a therapist or going to an AA meeting in person," Roe said. South Oakland Shelter, also in Michigan, has paid for motel rooms to house people, said Ryan Hertz, president and CEO of Lighthouse, the social services organization behind South Oakland. "We started immediately raising funds to cover the cost of the rooms," he said, describing a crowdfunding effort Lighthouse is running. Lighthouse sets up "rotating" emergency shelters in churches or synagogues in Michigan, each of which can hold between 30 and 35 people at a time, Hertz said. Donations and grants have allowed the organization to pay for hotel and motel rooms for residents and increase capacity. "Our hope is that it'll be around 200 people very soon," Hertz said.
The future


cnbc--2020-04-16--Nearly a dozen Iranian vessels come dangerously close to US military ships in the Gulf, Pentagon say

Nearly a dozen Iranian vessels come dangerously close to US military ships in the Gulf, Pentagon says

Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy vessels conducted unsafe and unprofessional actions against U.S. Military ships by crossing the ships ' bows and sterns at close range while operating in international waters of the North Arabian Gulf .
WASHINGTON — Nearly a dozen vessels from Iran 's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy took `` dangerous and provocative '' actions near U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf , the Pentagon said Wednesday .
Six U.S. military vessels were conducting training operations in international waters when 11 Iranian ships `` crossed the bows and sterns of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speeds , '' according to a U.S. Navy statement .
At one point , the Iranian ships came within 10 yards of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Maui 's bow .
The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio , five short blasts from the ships ' horns and long-range acoustic noise maker devices to the Iranian ships .
`` After approximately one hour , the IRGCN vessels responded to the bridge-to-bridge radio queries , then maneuvered away from the U.S. ships and opened distance between them , '' the statement added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox News , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration was evaluating a response .
`` We 've seen this before , where the Iranians behave in ways that were inconsistent with international law ... We 've talked as a team we 've talked across the interagency .
We 're evaluating how best to respond and how best to communicate our displeasure with what took place , '' Pompeo said Wednesday .

Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy vessels conducted unsafe and unprofessional actions against U.S. Military ships by crossing the ships' bows and sterns at close range while operating in international waters of the North Arabian Gulf.
WASHINGTON — Nearly a dozen vessels from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy took "dangerous and provocative" actions near U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Persian Gulf, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
Six U.S. military vessels were conducting training operations in international waters when 11 Iranian ships "crossed the bows and sterns of the U.S. vessels at extremely close range and high speeds," according to a U.S. Navy statement.
At one point, the Iranian ships came within 10 yards of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Maui's bow.
The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio, five short blasts from the ships' horns and long-range acoustic noise maker devices to the Iranian ships.
"After approximately one hour, the IRGCN vessels responded to the bridge-to-bridge radio queries, then maneuvered away from the U.S. ships and opened distance between them," the statement added.
When asked about the matter on Fox News, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the administration was evaluating a response.
"We've seen this before, where the Iranians behave in ways that were inconsistent with international law ... We've talked as a team we've talked across the interagency. We're evaluating how best to respond and how best to communicate our displeasure with what took place," Pompeo said Wednesday.


cnbc--2020-04-16--Executives warn Trump that Americans need more coronavirus testing before returning to work, shoppin

Executives warn Trump that Americans need more coronavirus testing before returning to work, shopping, eating out

Although showing no symptoms and being cautious , Keith Whiteing has the back of his nasal passage swabbed while being tested for the novel coronavirus at the Velocity Urgent Care April 15 , 2020 in Woodbridge , Virginia .
A group of business executives warned President Donald Trump on Wednesday that the federal government `` needed to dramatically increase '' the availability of coronavirus testing before Americans would feel comfortable returning to their normal lives , according to a new report .
The Wall Street Journal , citing people familiar with the situation , said Trump held a conference call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and beverage , hospitality and retail industry executives who are part of a new task force that will advise him on reopening the country .
It was the first of four planned calls involving task force members .
`` The people involved in the first call ... described current testing levels in the U.S. as inadequate to effectively reopen the economy , '' the Journal reported .
The participants reportedly told the president that Americans needed to see much more testing for Covid-19 before they `` would be confident enough to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in retail establishments . ''
A number of the executives on the hourlong call indicated that are trying to obtain tests for their own companies so that their workers and customers can be screened for the virus , according to the Journal .
The number of Americans tested daily for the coronavirus has been between 120,000 and 140,000 in recent weeks , according to a Washington Post report that noted that rate still leaves the U.S. behind South Korea , Germany , Canada and Italy on testing per capita .
Paul Romer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nobel laureate , has said that more than 20 million Americans should be tested each day .
The Journal , in its report , said that during the call Trump called `` on participants who largely praised the president and his administration . ''
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC .
He expressed confidence that the U.S. economy would eventually recover .
But he added , `` It may not be in June or July .
It may be in August . ''
New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from many health experts , said Wednesday that there needs to be widespread testing for the coronavirus , coupled with the tracing of people who have been in contact with infected people , before life could return to close to normal in the absence of a vaccine for the virus .
Cuomo called on the federal government to play a lead role in expanding testing .

Although showing no symptoms and being cautious, Keith Whiteing has the back of his nasal passage swabbed while being tested for the novel coronavirus at the Velocity Urgent Care April 15, 2020 in Woodbridge, Virginia.
A group of business executives warned President Donald Trump on Wednesday that the federal government "needed to dramatically increase" the availability of coronavirus testing before Americans would feel comfortable returning to their normal lives, according to a new report.
The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the situation, said Trump held a conference call with about three dozen financial, food and beverage, hospitality and retail industry executives who are part of a new task force that will advise him on reopening the country.
It was the first of four planned calls involving task force members.
"The people involved in the first call ... described current testing levels in the U.S. as inadequate to effectively reopen the economy," the Journal reported.
The participants reportedly told the president that Americans needed to see much more testing for Covid-19 before they "would be confident enough to return to work, eat at restaurants or shop in retail establishments."
A number of the executives on the hourlong call indicated that are trying to obtain tests for their own companies so that their workers and customers can be screened for the virus, according to the Journal.
The number of Americans tested daily for the coronavirus has been between 120,000 and 140,000 in recent weeks, according to a Washington Post report that noted that rate still leaves the U.S. behind South Korea, Germany, Canada and Italy on testing per capita.
Paul Romer, a New York University economics professor and Nobel laureate, has said that more than 20 million Americans should be tested each day.
The Journal, in its report, said that during the call Trump called "on participants who largely praised the president and his administration."
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC.
Tweet
He expressed confidence that the U.S. economy would eventually recover. But he added, "It may not be in June or July. It may be in August."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, echoing advice from many health experts, said Wednesday that there needs to be widespread testing for the coronavirus, coupled with the tracing of people who have been in contact with infected people, before life could return to close to normal in the absence of a vaccine for the virus.
Cuomo called on the federal government to play a lead role in expanding testing.


cnbc--2020-04-17--Trump friend Roger Stone denied new trial by judge

Roger Stone arrives for his sentencing at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington , DC on February , 20 , 2020 .
A federal judge on Thursday denied a request for a new trial by President Donald Trump friend Roger Stone , who was convicted last fall of lying to Congress and witness tampering , flatly rejecting his claim of juror misconduct .
Stone , 67 , had sought a new trial based on his allegation that the jury forewoman lied on a questionnaire as the panel was being selected .
Judge Amy Berman Jackson 's denial of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican political operative to begin with two weeks a 40-month prison term within the next two weeks for felonies related to lying to a House committee about his discussions with members of Trump 's 2016 presidential campaign .
Jackson had suspended that sentence from taking effect until she ruled on the motion for a new trial in U.S. District Court in Washington , D.C .
But Stone is certain to appeal his conviction now that his bid for a retrial has failed .
And it is not clear if he will be denied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pending , particularly given the coronavirus outbreak .
Attorney General William Barr has urged the Bureau of Prisons to release inmates who are eligible for home confinement and vulnerable to Covid-19 because of their advanced age or underlying health conditions , in an effort to limit infections in federal lockups .
Stone 's lawyer , Seth Ginsberg , when asked for comment about the ruling said `` At this point , we are reviewing the decision and will determine how to proceed in the coming days . ''
Trump has not ruled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has for decades embraced a public persona of a dirty political trickster .
The president has repeatedly criticized the prosecution of Stone , who was charged in the case by then-special counsel Robert Mueller .
In her ruling , Jackson rejected Stone 's argument that the jury forewoman , Tomeka Hart , had lied during jury selection and had exhibited such a bias against Trump on social media that it should have ruled her out from deciding Stone 's fate .
That argument had been supported in late February by Trump himself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defendant has not shown that the juror lied ; nor has he shown that the supposedly disqualifying evidence could not have been found through the exercise of due diligence at the time the jury was selected , '' Jackson wrote in her decision Thursday .
`` Moreover , while the social media communications may suggest that the juror has strong opinions about certain people or issues , they do not reveal that she had an opinion about Roger Stone , which is the opinion that matters , '' the judge wrote .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one can infer from the juror 's opinions about the President that she could not fairly consider the evidence against the defendant – is not supported by any facts or data and it is contrary to controlling legal precedent , '' Jackson wrote .
`` The motion is a tower of indignation , but at the end of the day , there is little of substance holding it up . ''
Jackson a number of times called out Stone 's lawyers for raising the issue of Hart 's social media posts only months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was finished .
She noted that they had failed to discover those posts during jury selection or the trial , even though they were public .
`` At the time of the trial , though , the defense made a strategic choice not to look for social media information .
None of the seven lawyers or the two jury consultants on the defense team performed the rudimentary Googling that located this set of Facebook and Twitter posts , '' Jackson wrote .
And the judge at one point in her decision referenced Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nixon , citing a 1975 ruling in which the federal appeals court for the District of Columbia `` refused to equate views about President Nixon with an inability to be impartial to someone who worked in the White House , an even closer connection than the one here . ''
Stone has a tattoo of Nixon 's face on his back .
Jackson , in a separate order , said , `` The defendant must surrender for service of his sentence at the institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons at such time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Probation or Pretrial Services Office , but no earlier than fourteen days after the date of this order . ''
Stone was convicted last fall in Washington federal court of seven felony counts .
Jurors found that he lied to a House committee about talked with Trump 's presidential campaign about his efforts to get information from the document disclosure group WikiLeaks about emails stolen by Russian agents from John Podesta , the head of Hillary Clinton 's presidential campaign , and from the Democratic National Committee .
The emails were made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their contents embarrassed Clinton 's campaign and the DNC .
Jurors also found that Stone had threatened his associate Randy Credico , a New York comedian , in an effort to get Credico to back up his misstatements to the House committee .
In February , as Stone 's sentencing date approached , a controversy erupted over Trump 's public statements about the case , and over the involvement in the case of Attorney General William Barr .
The uproar led directly to Stone 's request for a new trial .

Roger Stone arrives for his sentencing at the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse in Washington, DC on February, 20, 2020.
A federal judge on Thursday denied a request for a new trial by President Donald Trump friend Roger Stone, who was convicted last fall of lying to Congress and witness tampering, flatly rejecting his claim of juror misconduct.
Stone, 67, had sought a new trial based on his allegation that the jury forewoman lied on a questionnaire as the panel was being selected.
Judge Amy Berman Jackson's denial of that motion theoretically sets the stage for the Republican political operative to begin serving within two weeks a 40-month prison term for felonies related to lying to a House committee about his discussions with members of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
Jackson had suspended that sentence from taking effect until she ruled on the motion for a new trial in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.
But Stone is certain to appeal his conviction now that his bid for a retrial has failed.
And it is not clear if he will be denied a release bond while that appeal is pending, particularly given the coronavirus outbreak. Attorney General William Barr has urged the Bureau of Prisons to release inmates who are eligible for home confinement and vulnerable to Covid-19 because of their advanced age or underlying health conditions, in an effort to limit infections in federal lockups.
Stone's lawyer, Seth Ginsberg, when asked for comment about the ruling said ''At this point, we are reviewing the decision and will determine how to proceed in the coming days.''
Trump has not ruled out pardoning Stone, a Florida resident who has for decades embraced a public persona of a dirty political trickster.
The president has repeatedly criticized the prosecution of Stone, who was charged in the case by then-special counsel Robert Mueller.
In her ruling, Jackson rejected Stone's argument that the jury forewoman, Tomeka Hart, had lied during jury selection and had exhibited such a bias against Trump on social media that it should have ruled her out from deciding Stone's fate.
That argument had been supported in late February by Trump himself, in a Twitter post.
Tweet
"The defendant has not shown that the juror lied; nor has he shown that the supposedly disqualifying evidence could not have been found through the exercise of due diligence at the time the jury was selected," Jackson wrote in her decision Thursday.
"Moreover, while the social media communications may suggest that the juror has strong opinions about certain people or issues, they do not reveal that she had an opinion about Roger Stone, which is the opinion that matters," the judge wrote.
"The assumption underlying the motion – that one can infer from the juror's opinions about the President that she could not fairly consider the evidence against the defendant – is not supported by any facts or data and it is contrary to controlling legal precedent," Jackson wrote.
"The motion is a tower of indignation, but at the end of the day, there is little of substance holding it up."
Jackson a number of times called out Stone's lawyers for raising the issue of Hart's social media posts only months after jury selection and after the trial was finished. She noted that they had failed to discover those posts during jury selection or the trial, even though they were public.
"At the time of the trial, though, the defense made a strategic choice not to look for social media information. None of the seven lawyers or the two jury consultants on the defense team performed the rudimentary Googling that located this set of Facebook and Twitter posts," Jackson wrote.
And the judge at one point in her decision referenced Stone's earlier political hero, President Richard Nixon, citing a 1975 ruling in which the federal appeals court for the District of Columbia "refused to equate views about President Nixon with an inability to be impartial to someone who worked in the White House, an even closer connection than the one here."
Stone has a tattoo of Nixon's face on his back.
Jackson, in a separate order, said, "The defendant must surrender for service of his sentence at the institution designated by the Bureau of Prisons at such time as he is notified by the U.S. Probation or Pretrial Services Office, but no earlier than fourteen days after the date of this order."
Stone was convicted last fall in Washington federal court of seven felony counts.
Jurors found that he lied to a House committee about talked with Trump's presidential campaign about his efforts to get information from the document disclosure group WikiLeaks about emails stolen by Russian agents from John Podesta, the head of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, and from the Democratic National Committee.
The emails were made public by WikiLeaks in 2016. Disclosures of their contents embarrassed Clinton's campaign and the DNC.
Jurors also found that Stone had threatened his associate Randy Credico, a New York comedian, in an effort to get Credico to back up his misstatements to the House committee.
In February, as Stone's sentencing date approached, a controversy erupted over Trump's public statements about the case, and over the involvement in the case of Attorney General William Barr.
The uproar led directly to Stone's request for a new trial.


cnbc--2020-04-17--Bill Gates calls Trump's decision to halt funding for WHO 'as dangerous as it sounds'

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates is defending the World Health Organization , blasting President Donald Trump 's decision to halt funding for the U.N. agency in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
Microsoft co-founder and his wife , Melinda , voiced support for the WHO in separate Twitter posts early Wednesday , a day after Trump announced that he is halting U.S. funding while the administration reviews the agency 's response to the Covid-19 outbreak .
`` Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds .
Their work is slowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work is stopped no other organization can replace them .
The world needs @ WHO now more than ever , '' Gates tweeted .
`` Any suggestion that the President is putting the health and safety of the American people or global health aid in jeopardy is false , '' deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement .
`` The WHO 's response to COVID has been filled with one misstep after another , and President Trump is standing up for the American taxpayer to ensure we hold WHO accountable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long focused on the health field within his work at the nonprofit Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , though he often avoids diving into political issues .
However , he has been speaking out on the coronavirus pandemic .
In late March he said the United States missed its chance to avoid mandated shutdowns because it did n't act fast enough on the pandemic .
Trump said Tuesday that his administration is suspending funding from the WHO as it investigates how the agency reacted to the coronavirus outbreak .
Trump said the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much death , '' as the virus continues to spread .
Since it emerged more than three months ago in Wuhan , China , the coronavirus has infected more than 1.9 million people worldwide and killed at least 125,678 , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
The WHO designated the virus as a global health emergency on Jan. 30 , when there were fewer than 10,000 confirmed cases across the globe .
It 's unclear exactly what mechanism Trump intends to use to withhold WHO funding , much of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president typically does not have the authority to unilaterally redirect congressional funding .

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates is defending the World Health Organization, blasting President Donald Trump's decision to halt funding for the U.N. agency in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Microsoft co-founder and his wife, Melinda, voiced support for the WHO in separate Twitter posts early Wednesday, a day after Trump announced that he is halting U.S. funding while the administration reviews the agency's response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
"Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever," Gates tweeted.
Tweet
The White House defended Trump's announcement.
"Any suggestion that the President is putting the health and safety of the American people or global health aid in jeopardy is false," deputy press secretary Judd Deere said in a statement. "The WHO's response to COVID has been filled with one misstep after another, and President Trump is standing up for the American taxpayer to ensure we hold WHO accountable for their flawed actions."
Gates has long focused on the health field within his work at the nonprofit Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, though he often avoids diving into political issues. However, he has been speaking out on the coronavirus pandemic. In late March he said the United States missed its chance to avoid mandated shutdowns because it didn't act fast enough on the pandemic.
Trump said Tuesday that his administration is suspending funding from the WHO as it investigates how the agency reacted to the coronavirus outbreak. Trump said the international health agency made mistakes that "caused so much death," as the virus continues to spread.
Since it emerged more than three months ago in Wuhan, China, the coronavirus has infected more than 1.9 million people worldwide and killed at least 125,678, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The WHO designated the virus as a global health emergency on Jan. 30, when there were fewer than 10,000 confirmed cases across the globe.
It's unclear exactly what mechanism Trump intends to use to withhold WHO funding, much of which is appropriated by Congress. The president typically does not have the authority to unilaterally redirect congressional funding.


cnbc--2020-04-17--James Clyburn calls on Joe Biden to start get-out-the-vote efforts now and hire more African America

James Clyburn calls on Joe Biden to start get-out-the-vote efforts now and hire more African Americans

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden shakes hands with U.S. Rep. and House Majority Whip James Clyburn ( D-SC ) as Clyburn announces his endorsement for Biden at Trident Technical College February 26 , 2020 in North Charleston , South Carolina .
Rep. James Clyburn has been credited for saving Joe Biden 's presidential campaign ahead of South Carolina 's primary .
Now he is working to make sure Biden wins this fall .
Clyburn , in an interview with CNBC on Friday , called on the Biden campaign to start now with its efforts to maximize black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sure it has the African American aides , staffers and volunteers to do it .
`` I think the focus on turnout has to start now , '' Clyburn said .
`` We have to get people involved in this campaign who know where and how to turn voters out . ''
To be sure , connecting with voters is difficult as the nation contends with the coronavirus and social distancing guidelines intended to limit its spread .
Democrats and Republicans have been fighting over whether to enhance vote-by-mail options and limit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Democrats have called for more mail-in ballots .
President Donald Trump , on the other hand , has weighed in against the method , saying , without evidence , that it can lead to voter fraud – and that it would hurt Republicans .
Regardless of how people cast their votes this fall , Clyburn believes that the Biden campaign needs to start encouraging turnout now , particularly among black voters , who came through in a big way for Biden during the Feb. 29 South Carolina primary .
Biden dominated that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the endorsement from Clyburn , an African American , receiving 61 % of the black vote in the state , according to an NBC News exit poll .
Clyburn said the campaign should immediately start making its case to nonwhite voters to ensure they do n't stay home this November , however .
He explained how his wife , Emily , who recently passed away , would react when a young white volunteer would knock on their door to canvass , instead of someone from their community .
`` She would get angry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18- to 20-year-old nonblack person asked if Emily is here , '' he said .
`` I know that if we want to turn out African American voters you need to have people that they know , '' he added .
`` That 's why you got to hire people in these communities if you want them to turnout to vote . ''
Clyburn said he has not spoken to the apparent Democratic nominee for president about this and has yet to suggest any hires to his team .
Biden did n't look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , days later , romped on Super Tuesday .
Biden 's sole remaining primary adversary , Sen. Bernie Sanders , dropped out last week and endorsed Biden earlier this week .
Clyburn pointed to the efforts former President Bill Clinton and his campaign made in the 1990s to connecting with African American voters and how it boosted him to two terms .
Clnton 's wife , however , did not have as much success appealing to black voters , and it showed when she took on Trump in the 2016 election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows that in 2016 the black voter turnout was down for the first time in two decades.It fell to just over 59 % after a record 66.6 % turnout in 2012 , when President Barack Obama defeated Republican rival Mitt Romney .

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden shakes hands with U.S. Rep. and House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) as Clyburn announces his endorsement for Biden at Trident Technical College February 26, 2020 in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Rep. James Clyburn has been credited for saving Joe Biden's presidential campaign ahead of South Carolina's primary. Now he is working to make sure Biden wins this fall.
Clyburn, in an interview with CNBC on Friday, called on the Biden campaign to start now with its efforts to maximize black voter turnout in November – and to make sure it has the African American aides, staffers and volunteers to do it.
"I think the focus on turnout has to start now," Clyburn said. "We have to get people involved in this campaign who know where and how to turn voters out."
To be sure, connecting with voters is difficult as the nation contends with the coronavirus and social distancing guidelines intended to limit its spread. Democrats and Republicans have been fighting over whether to enhance vote-by-mail options and limit voters' exposure to public polling places. Democrats have called for more mail-in ballots. President Donald Trump, on the other hand, has weighed in against the method, saying, without evidence, that it can lead to voter fraud – and that it would hurt Republicans.
Regardless of how people cast their votes this fall, Clyburn believes that the Biden campaign needs to start encouraging turnout now, particularly among black voters, who came through in a big way for Biden during the Feb. 29 South Carolina primary. Biden dominated that contest, a result many credited to the endorsement from Clyburn, an African American, receiving 61% of the black vote in the state, according to an NBC News exit poll.
Clyburn said the campaign should immediately start making its case to nonwhite voters to ensure they don't stay home this November, however.
He explained how his wife, Emily, who recently passed away, would react when a young white volunteer would knock on their door to canvass, instead of someone from their community.
"She would get angry when she opened the door and an 18- to 20-year-old nonblack person asked if Emily is here," he said.
"I know that if we want to turn out African American voters you need to have people that they know," he added. "That's why you got to hire people in these communities if you want them to turnout to vote."
Clyburn said he has not spoken to the apparent Democratic nominee for president about this and has yet to suggest any hires to his team. Biden didn't look back after he won in South Carolina and, days later, romped on Super Tuesday. Biden's sole remaining primary adversary, Sen. Bernie Sanders, dropped out last week and endorsed Biden earlier this week.
Clyburn pointed to the efforts former President Bill Clinton and his campaign made in the 1990s to connecting with African American voters and how it boosted him to two terms.
Clnton's wife, however, did not have as much success appealing to black voters, and it showed when she took on Trump in the 2016 election.
A report by the Pew Research Center shows that in 2016 the black voter turnout was down for the first time in two decades.It fell to just over 59% after a record 66.6% turnout in 2012, when President Barack Obama defeated Republican rival Mitt Romney.