cnbc--2020-03-27--Coronavirus pandemic could inflict emotional trauma and PTSD on an unprecedented scale, scientists w

Coronavirus pandemic could inflict emotional trauma and PTSD on an unprecedented scale, scientists warn

Researchers are warning that the coronavirus pandemic could inflict long-lasting emotional trauma on an unprecedented global scale .
They say it could leave millions wrestling with debilitating psychological disorders while dashing hopes for a swift economic recovery .
The COVID-19 crisis has combined mental health stressors that have been studied before in other disasters , but which have never been seen consolidated in one global crisis , experts in trauma psychology said .
It has left millions without jobs , sent billions into isolation and forced nearly everyone on earth to grapple with the feeling that they or those they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature of the disease means that there can be no certainty about when the worst will pass .
Hundreds of thousands have been infected , thousands have died , the virus continues to spread , and a vaccine could be more than a year away .
`` The scale of this outbreak as a traumatic event is almost beyond comprehension , '' said Yuval Neria , the director of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and a professor of psychology at Columbia University Medical Center .
Neria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that not even the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attacks or World War II were adequate comparisons , as the anxiety those events caused was at least limited by geography .
In this case , he said , `` there are no boundaries . ''
Elana Newman , who researches trauma and disaster mental health at the University of Tulsa , said she has had to consult the literature of several different subjects to get a handle on the unfolding crisis .
There is research on how humans cope with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said , but not on all three .
`` This is a mass community disaster , but it is also a little bit like terrorism in that the fear component is there , ongoing fear , '' Newman said .
More than half a million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide , leaving nearly 30,000 dead , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
The United States surpassed China and Italy on Thursday to become the country with the largest outbreak , and now has more than 100,000 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a financial catastrophe , halting the 11-year bull run in the stock market and sending weekly jobless claims to a record nearly five times higher than the worst of the 2008 recession this week .
President Donald Trump and members of his administration have predicted that the economic recovery will be swift once the outbreak is contained .
On Tuesday , Trump said on Fox News that he `` would love to have the country opened up , and rarin ' to go by Easter . ''
Vice President Mike Pence said on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roaring back once we see our nation through this . ''
On Friday , the president signed a stimulus package , worth more than $ 2 trillion , intended to blunt the economic damage from the pandemic .
But estimates of a v-shaped recovery are n't factoring in psychology , according to Peter Atwater , a behavioral economist at William & Mary who studies consumer decision-making .
`` You can open it up .
But this is not a field of dreams .
You can build it , but they might not come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that as a result of the crisis , emotionally scarred consumers are likely to spend less and save more — a type of `` Great Depression mindset . ''
`` There were no skid marks — the car went straight the into the wall , '' Atwater said .
`` That sense of vulnerability will be quite lasting . ''
Andrew Rigie , the executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance , a nonprofit advocating for the city 's bars and restaurants , said he was concerned that anxiety and fear from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly prolonging the economic woes saddling the industry and the city .
He said he hoped that anxiety would not `` override human nature 's pull to bring us together . ''
Those who are financially crippled by the crisis or who experience the loss of loved ones are also the most susceptible to enduring psychological trauma , according to experts .
Those who already had mental health problems , such as addiction , are also at risk .
`` What we know from mass disasters is that the people who have experienced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a harder time bouncing back , '' Newman said .
Researchers at Peking University in Beijing wrote in a February correspondence in The Lancet , a prestigious medical journal , that the mental health disorders inflicted on those on the front lines of the crisis could `` exceed the consequences '' of the virus itself .
About one in 10 employees at a Chinese hospital who dealt with the 2003 SARS outbreak reported high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms in a study conducted three years later .
A 2004 study of 129 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak found that nearly a third exhibited symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or depression .
But trauma experts say that relatively new research has shown that even those who are not directly affected by the crisis are at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder .
`` After 9/11 , we had the first indication that even people who were not directly exposed to trauma , but spent many hours in front of the television or looking at their smart phones were at high risk for psychopathology , including PTSD , depression and anxiety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help Neria said that given the global scale of the current pandemic , it is likely that millions will need mental heath care .
Right now , he said , the focus was not on mental trauma .
But that could change .
`` I hope we will be ready for this .
People will need us , '' Neria wrote in an email .
Some states are already taking action .
In New York , the state hardest-hit by coronavirus , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday a free mental health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We 're all concerned about the immediate critical need .
The life and death of the immediate situation , which is right , '' Cuomo said during a press conference announcing the support line .
`` But do n't underestimate the emotional trauma that people are feeling , and the emotional health issues . ''
Those who suffer from mental health disorders can be treated with therapy and , in some cases , medication .
Exposure-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder , which involve survivors recalling and describing the traumatic event , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Neria .
For the other half of patients , studies have shown other methods to be effective .
But experts say there are steps that individuals can take even while the crisis continues that can limit its psychological toll , such as limiting exposure to television news and social media .
`` Each person needs to figure out , what is the optimal amount of information they need to make choices , '' Newman said .

Health care professionals take a break awaiting patients as they test for COVID-19 at the ProHEALTH testing site in Jericho, New York, March 24, 2020. Steve Pfost | Newsday RM | Getty Images
Researchers are warning that the coronavirus pandemic could inflict long-lasting emotional trauma on an unprecedented global scale. They say it could leave millions wrestling with debilitating psychological disorders while dashing hopes for a swift economic recovery. The COVID-19 crisis has combined mental health stressors that have been studied before in other disasters, but which have never been seen consolidated in one global crisis, experts in trauma psychology said. It has left millions without jobs, sent billions into isolation and forced nearly everyone on earth to grapple with the feeling that they or those they love are suddenly physically vulnerable. The nature of the disease means that there can be no certainty about when the worst will pass. Hundreds of thousands have been infected, thousands have died, the virus continues to spread, and a vaccine could be more than a year away. "The scale of this outbreak as a traumatic event is almost beyond comprehension," said Yuval Neria, the director of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and a professor of psychology at Columbia University Medical Center. Neria, seeking a precedent to point to, said that not even the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks or World War II were adequate comparisons, as the anxiety those events caused was at least limited by geography. In this case, he said, "there are no boundaries." Elana Newman, who researches trauma and disaster mental health at the University of Tulsa, said she has had to consult the literature of several different subjects to get a handle on the unfolding crisis. There is research on how humans cope with quarantine, mass disasters and ongoing stressors, she said, but not on all three. "This is a mass community disaster, but it is also a little bit like terrorism in that the fear component is there, ongoing fear," Newman said.
A question of recovery
More than half a million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, leaving nearly 30,000 dead, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The United States surpassed China and Italy on Thursday to become the country with the largest outbreak, and now has more than 100,000 cases. The public health disaster has become a financial catastrophe, halting the 11-year bull run in the stock market and sending weekly jobless claims to a record nearly five times higher than the worst of the 2008 recession this week. President Donald Trump and members of his administration have predicted that the economic recovery will be swift once the outbreak is contained. On Tuesday, Trump said on Fox News that he "would love to have the country opened up, and rarin' to go by Easter." Vice President Mike Pence said on Friday that the economy would "come roaring back once we see our nation through this." On Friday, the president signed a stimulus package, worth more than $2 trillion, intended to blunt the economic damage from the pandemic. But estimates of a v-shaped recovery aren't factoring in psychology, according to Peter Atwater, a behavioral economist at William & Mary who studies consumer decision-making. "You can open it up. But this is not a field of dreams. You can build it, but they might not come," Atwater said. He predicted that as a result of the crisis, emotionally scarred consumers are likely to spend less and save more — a type of "Great Depression mindset." "There were no skid marks — the car went straight the into the wall," Atwater said. "That sense of vulnerability will be quite lasting." Andrew Rigie, the executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, a nonprofit advocating for the city's bars and restaurants, said he was concerned that anxiety and fear from the virus could outlast the pandemic itself, possibly prolonging the economic woes saddling the industry and the city. He said he hoped that anxiety would not "override human nature's pull to bring us together."
'A harder time bouncing back'
Those who are financially crippled by the crisis or who experience the loss of loved ones are also the most susceptible to enduring psychological trauma, according to experts. Those who already had mental health problems, such as addiction, are also at risk. "What we know from mass disasters is that the people who have experienced direct interpersonal loss or financial loss have a harder time bouncing back," Newman said. Researchers at Peking University in Beijing wrote in a February correspondence in The Lancet, a prestigious medical journal, that the mental health disorders inflicted on those on the front lines of the crisis could "exceed the consequences" of the virus itself. About one in 10 employees at a Chinese hospital who dealt with the 2003 SARS outbreak reported high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms in a study conducted three years later. A 2004 study of 129 people in Canada who were voluntarily quarantined during the outbreak found that nearly a third exhibited symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. But trauma experts say that relatively new research has shown that even those who are not directly affected by the crisis are at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. "After 9/11, we had the first indication that even people who were not directly exposed to trauma, but spent many hours in front of the television or looking at their smart phones were at high risk for psychopathology, including PTSD, depression and anxiety," Neria said.
There is help
Neria said that given the global scale of the current pandemic, it is likely that millions will need mental heath care. Right now, he said, the focus was not on mental trauma. But that could change. "I hope we will be ready for this. People will need us," Neria wrote in an email. Cuomo tweet Some states are already taking action. In New York, the state hardest-hit by coronavirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday a free mental health hotline, staffed by 6,000 volunteers. "We're all concerned about the immediate critical need. The life and death of the immediate situation, which is right," Cuomo said during a press conference announcing the support line. "But don't underestimate the emotional trauma that people are feeling, and the emotional health issues." Those who suffer from mental health disorders can be treated with therapy and, in some cases, medication. Exposure-based treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder, which involve survivors recalling and describing the traumatic event, work about half the time, according to Neria. For the other half of patients, studies have shown other methods to be effective. But experts say there are steps that individuals can take even while the crisis continues that can limit its psychological toll, such as limiting exposure to television news and social media. "Each person needs to figure out, what is the optimal amount of information they need to make choices," Newman said.
How can you feel good about yourself in this situation? ... Doing something for your community, for your family, for someone. Elana Newman University of Tulsa


cnbc--2020-03-28--Coronavirus hits already struggling US farmers: 'We've stopped saying it can't get worse'

In this photo taken March 20 , 2020 , cattle rancher Joe Whitesell rides his horse in a field near Dufur , Oregon , as he helps a friend herd cattle .
U.S. farmers have endured a slew of financial hardships over the past few years .
The U.S.-China trade war sent scores of farmers out of business .
Record flooding inundated farmland and destroyed harvests .
And a blistering heat wave stunted crop growth in the Midwest .
Now , the coronavirus pandemic has dealt another blow to a vulnerable farm economy , sending crop and livestock prices tumbling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We were already under extreme financial pressure .
With the virus sending the prices down — it 's getting to be the straw that broke the camel 's back , '' said Iowa farmer Robb Ewoldt .
`` We were hoping for something good this year , but this virus has stopped all our markets , '' he said .
Farmers are worried about labor shortages right before planting season starts in April .
In an effort to curb the spread , the Trump administration recently restricted immigration from Mexico — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. Farm trade groups are lobbying the administration to provide financial aid for farmers enduring price drops , as well as temporary work visas for seasonal farm workers from Mexico .
But panic is surging as more states shutter businesses and order people to stay mostly indoors .
Consumer demand for items like beef , chicken and fish has dropped as restaurants close indefinitely .
More people are opting for cheaper , nonperishable goods like pasta and beans at grocery stores .
`` It 's not looking good .
Product ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned , '' said Aubrey Onley , a farmer in Perquimans County , North Carolina .
The numbers are grim : Corn futures have declined almost 10 % , soybean futures more than 4 % and wheat futures nearly 2 % in the past several weeks .
Futures prices for lean hogs have dropped 12 % in the past two weeks and prices for cattle have declined nearly 13 % .
Dairy prices have also fallen as school cafeterias and fast-food restaurants shutter , though grocery sales have surged .
But milk prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 25 % this year , a serious blow to milk makers already grappling with record low prices .
`` It comes down to every business 's ability to absorb loss , '' said upstate New York dairy farmer Nathan Chittenden .
`` All those coffeehouse and restaurants closing in the city not using cream is a huge hit to us . ''
Chittenden depends on truck drivers to pick up milk from his farm every day .
But he 's worried about possibly losing that service as infections surge in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertainty , '' he said , citing weather disasters that affect operations .
`` But not this prolonged situation . ''
Corn farmers are getting hit especially hard .
A combination of low oil prices and a sudden reduction in driving across the country has cut demand for ethanol .
Corn is a primary input in ethanol production .
Ewoldt , the Iowa corn and soybean farmer , said he does n't have the capital to continue farming the same amount of land , especially since lenders have less money to provide farmers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to farm on less land this year because he ca n't afford to rent it out the usual acreage , and is already in two years of debt exacerbated from trade war tariffs and climate-related disasters .
`` We 've stopped saying it ca n't get worse , '' Ewoldt said , adding that several years of financial losses coupled with the price drops from the virus have made farm operations impossible .
`` Our corn operation is not profitable anymore , '' he said .
`` It 's not profitable .
@

In this photo taken March 20, 2020, cattle rancher Joe Whitesell rides his horse in a field near Dufur, Oregon, as he helps a friend herd cattle.
U.S. farmers have endured a slew of financial hardships over the past few years.
The U.S.-China trade war sent scores of farmers out of business. Record flooding inundated farmland and destroyed harvests. And a blistering heat wave stunted crop growth in the Midwest.
Now, the coronavirus pandemic has dealt another blow to a vulnerable farm economy, sending crop and livestock prices tumbling and raising concerns about sudden labor shortages.
"We were already under extreme financial pressure. With the virus sending the prices down — it's getting to be the straw that broke the camel's back," said Iowa farmer Robb Ewoldt.
"We were hoping for something good this year, but this virus has stopped all our markets," he said.
Farmers are worried about labor shortages right before planting season starts in April. In an effort to curb the spread, the Trump administration recently restricted immigration from Mexico — a key source for cheap farm labor in the U.S.
Farm trade groups are lobbying the administration to provide financial aid for farmers enduring price drops, as well as temporary work visas for seasonal farm workers from Mexico.
But panic is surging as more states shutter businesses and order people to stay mostly indoors. Consumer demand for items like beef, chicken and fish has dropped as restaurants close indefinitely. More people are opting for cheaper, nonperishable goods like pasta and beans at grocery stores.
"It's not looking good. Product can't be moved. Farmers are very concerned," said Aubrey Onley, a farmer in Perquimans County, North Carolina.
The numbers are grim: Corn futures have declined almost 10%, soybean futures more than 4% and wheat futures nearly 2% in the past several weeks. Futures prices for lean hogs have dropped 12% in the past two weeks and prices for cattle have declined nearly 13%.
Dairy prices have also fallen as school cafeterias and fast-food restaurants shutter, though grocery sales have surged. But milk prices are expected to fall by as much as 25% this year, a serious blow to milk makers already grappling with record low prices.
"It comes down to every business's ability to absorb loss," said upstate New York dairy farmer Nathan Chittenden. "All those coffeehouse and restaurants closing in the city not using cream is a huge hit to us."
Chittenden depends on truck drivers to pick up milk from his farm every day. But he's worried about possibly losing that service as infections surge in the state. "We are used to temporary uncertainty," he said, citing weather disasters that affect operations. "But not this prolonged situation."
Corn farmers are getting hit especially hard. A combination of low oil prices and a sudden reduction in driving across the country has cut demand for ethanol. Corn is a primary input in ethanol production.
Ewoldt, the Iowa corn and soybean farmer, said he doesn't have the capital to continue farming the same amount of land, especially since lenders have less money to provide farmers amid the price drops.
He's decided to farm on less land this year because he can't afford to rent it out the usual acreage, and is already in two years of debt exacerbated from trade war tariffs and climate-related disasters.
"We've stopped saying it can't get worse," Ewoldt said, adding that several years of financial losses coupled with the price drops from the virus have made farm operations impossible.
"Our corn operation is not profitable anymore," he said. "It's not profitable."


cnbc--2020-03-28--Trump says he told Pence not to call governors who aren't 'appreciative' of White House coronavirus

Trump says he told Pence not to call governors who aren't 'appreciative' of White House coronavirus efforts

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force news conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington , D.C. , U.S. , on Monday , March 23 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump said Friday that he instructed Vice President Mike Pence not to reach out to governors who are n't `` appreciative '' of his administration 's efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus in their states .
`` If they do n't treat you right , I do n't call , '' Trump said of those state leaders .
`` I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know what ?
When they 're not appreciative to me , they 're not appreciative to the Army Corps [ of Engineers ] , they 're not appreciative to FEMA .
It 's not right , '' Trump told reporters at a daily press briefing at the White House .
The president mentioned Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee and Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , both Democrats who have been critical of the White House 's actions to combat the deadly pandemic .
Trump said that Pence `` calls all the governors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different type of person , and I say , 'Mike , do n't call the governor of Washington .
You 're wasting your time with him . ''
`` Do n't call the woman in Michigan .
It does n't make any difference what happens , '' Trump also said he told Pence , who leads the U.S. response to the coronavirus .
The president 's remarks came shortly after the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. topped 100,000 , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
The World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic is accelerating around the world .
Inslee responded to Trump 's remarks in a tweet , saying he was n't going to `` let personal attacks from the president distract me from what matters : beating this virus and keeping Washingtonians healthy . ''
Political leaders at every level of government have taken extreme steps to slow transmission of the virus .
An increasing number of states , including Washington and Michigan , have ordered residents to stay home and have temporarily closed schools and closed non-essential businesses .
At the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 trillion economic stimulus bill intended to blunt the devastating economic impact of the virus and the containment measures being imposed on millions of Americans .
Trump signed the bill – the largest relief package in U.S. history – earlier Friday .
Trump said that his administration has `` done a great job for the state of Washington , '' and has `` taken such great care of Michigan . ''
Trump described Inslee as `` a failed presidential candidate '' who is `` constantly chirping , and I guess complaining would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Michigan , all she does is -- she has no idea what 's going on , and all she does is say , 'Oh , it 's the federal government 's fault , ' '' Trump said .
He contrasted those governors with New York 's Andrew Cuomo and Phil Murphy of New Jersey .
`` I think if you ask Governor Murphy of New Jersey how we 're doing , I think he 'd say , 'Great . '
'' `` Governor Cuomo has really said we 're really doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC 's request for additional comment on the president 's remarks .
The vice president 's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Earlier Friday , Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to compel General Motors to make ventilators – a desperately needed piece of medical equipment in coronavirus `` hot spots '' such as New York .
Trump had complained about GM that morning on Twitter , accusing the U.S. manufacturing giant of changing the terms of an agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual with 'this ' General Motors , things just never seem to work out , '' Trump tweeted .
`` They said they were going to give us 40,000 much needed Ventilators , 'very quickly ' .
Now they are saying it will only be 6000 , in late April , and they want top dollar . ''
At the briefing , the president said of his dealings with GM that he `` did n't go into it with a very favorable view . ''
`` I was extremely unhappy '' with GM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ auto plant in Lordstown , Ohio , Trump said .
He viewed that move as a personal insult .

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Coronavirus Task Force news conference in the briefing room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, March 23, 2020.
President Donald Trump said Friday that he instructed Vice President Mike Pence not to reach out to governors who aren't "appreciative" of his administration's efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus in their states.
"If they don't treat you right, I don't call," Trump said of those state leaders.
"I think they should be appreciative. Because you know what? When they're not appreciative to me, they're not appreciative to the Army Corps [of Engineers], they're not appreciative to FEMA. It's not right," Trump told reporters at a daily press briefing at the White House.
CSPAN TWEET WITH TRUMP VIDEO
The president mentioned Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, both Democrats who have been critical of the White House's actions to combat the deadly pandemic.
Trump said that Pence "calls all the governors. And I tell him, I'm a different type of person, and I say, 'Mike, don't call the governor of Washington. You're wasting your time with him."
"Don't call the woman in Michigan. It doesn't make any difference what happens," Trump also said he told Pence, who leads the U.S. response to the coronavirus.
The president's remarks came shortly after the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. topped 100,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The World Health Organization warned this week that the pandemic is accelerating around the world.
Inslee responded to Trump's remarks in a tweet, saying he wasn't going to "let personal attacks from the president distract me from what matters: beating this virus and keeping Washingtonians healthy."
tweet
Political leaders at every level of government have taken extreme steps to slow transmission of the virus. An increasing number of states, including Washington and Michigan, have ordered residents to stay home and have temporarily closed schools and closed non-essential businesses.
At the federal level, the House passed a $2 trillion economic stimulus bill intended to blunt the devastating economic impact of the virus and the containment measures being imposed on millions of Americans. Trump signed the bill – the largest relief package in U.S. history – earlier Friday.
Trump said that his administration has "done a great job for the state of Washington," and has "taken such great care of Michigan."
Trump described Inslee as "a failed presidential candidate" who is "constantly chirping, and I guess complaining would be a nice way of saying it."
"Michigan, all she does is -- she has no idea what's going on, and all she does is say, 'Oh, it's the federal government's fault,'" Trump said.
He contrasted those governors with New York's Andrew Cuomo and Phil Murphy of New Jersey. "I think if you ask Governor Murphy of New Jersey how we're doing, I think he'd say, 'Great.'"
"Governor Cuomo has really said we're really doing a great job," Trump added.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for additional comment on the president's remarks. The vice president's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier Friday, Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to compel General Motors to make ventilators – a desperately needed piece of medical equipment in coronavirus "hot spots" such as New York.
Trump had complained about GM that morning on Twitter , accusing the U.S. manufacturing giant of changing the terms of an agreement to produce the ventilators.
"As usual with 'this' General Motors, things just never seem to work out," Trump tweeted. "They said they were going to give us 40,000 much needed Ventilators, 'very quickly'. Now they are saying it will only be 6000, in late April, and they want top dollar."
At the briefing, the president said of his dealings with GM that he "didn't go into it with a very favorable view."
"I was extremely unhappy" with GM's decision last year to shutter an auto plant in Lordstown, Ohio, Trump said. He viewed that move as a personal insult.


cnbc--2020-03-27--Trump orders General Motors to make ventilators under Defense Production Act

President Donald Trump has ordered General Motors to make ventilators under the Defense Production Act hours after criticizing the company for not acting quickly enough to produce the devices amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The Korean War-era statute can force certain American companies to produce materials that are in short supply in the face of the growing outbreak .
The order comes hours after GM announced plans to build critical-care ventilators with Ventec Life Systems at one of the automaker 's component plants in Indiana .
The order does not change General Motors ' previously announced plans or schedule to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesman Jim Cain .
Earlier , the companies said they were expecting to begin shipping as early as next month .
Trump , in a statement from the White House , said the action `` will help ensure the quick production of ventilators that will save American lives . ''
`` Our negotiations with GM regarding its ability to supply ventilators have been productive , but our fight against the virus is too urgent to allow the give-and-take of the contracting process to continue to run its normal course , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , did not directly address Trump invoking the act .
It reiterated that employees with Ventec , GM and their supply base `` have been working around the clock for over a week to meet this urgent need . ''
`` Our commitment to build Ventec 's high-quality critical care ventilator , VOCSN , has never wavered , '' GM said .
`` The partnership between Ventec and GM combines global expertise in manufacturing quality and a joint commitment to safety to give medical professionals and patients access to life-saving technology as rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is proud to support this initiative . ''

President Donald Trump has ordered General Motors to make ventilators under the Defense Production Act hours after criticizing the company for not acting quickly enough to produce the devices amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Korean War-era statute can force certain American companies to produce materials that are in short supply in the face of the growing outbreak.
The order comes hours after GM announced plans to build critical-care ventilators with Ventec Life Systems at one of the automaker's component plants in Indiana.
The order does not change General Motors' previously announced plans or schedule to produce the ventilators, according to GM spokesman Jim Cain. Earlier, the companies said they were expecting to begin shipping as early as next month.
Trump, in a statement from the White House, said the action "will help ensure the quick production of ventilators that will save American lives."
"Our negotiations with GM regarding its ability to supply ventilators have been productive, but our fight against the virus is too urgent to allow the give-and-take of the contracting process to continue to run its normal course," he said.
GM, in an emailed statement, did not directly address Trump invoking the act. It reiterated that employees with Ventec, GM and their supply base "have been working around the clock for over a week to meet this urgent need."
"Our commitment to build Ventec's high-quality critical care ventilator, VOCSN, has never wavered," GM said. "The partnership between Ventec and GM combines global expertise in manufacturing quality and a joint commitment to safety to give medical professionals and patients access to life-saving technology as rapidly as possible. The entire GM team is proud to support this initiative."


cnbc--2020-03-27--How airline workers won a $32 billion lifeline in the contentious coronavirus relief bill

U.S. airlines ' first plea for $ 58 billion in government aid to weather the coronavirus landed with a thud among lawmakers and the public .
Carriers requested half of it in grants that they would n't have to pay back , drumming up criticism about everything from hitting passengers with myriad fees to skimpy leg room to the billions carriers spent on buying back their own shares .
But the matter was urgent for the industry .
Demand was cratering as governments , including the U.S. , imposed severe travel restrictions , consumers ' flight cancellations outpaced new bookings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond .
President Donald Trump said several times over the past several weeks that airlines would receive government aid .
Labor unions quickly changed the narrative , pushing the industry toward a pledge to not furlough workers in exchange for the grants — at least through the summer .
Their efforts were instrumental in getting approval for the airline aid , one of the most contentious parts of the $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief bill , which passed the House on Friday , in the Senate earlier this week .
`` We basically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't like you , '' said Sara Nelson , president of the Association of Flight Attendants , which represents 50,000 cabin crew members at airlines including United , Spirit and Alaska `` You 're not going to get anything but we can get something to keep people on the job . ''
Nelson , a prominent labor leader before this crisis who railed against the government for not paying aviation workers during last year 's partial shutdown before it ended hours after a shortage of air traffic controllers disrupted flights , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bailouts , including following the Sept. 11 , 2001 , terror attacks that left carriers on shaky footing and led to thousands of layoffs in the tumultuous decade after .
`` When you send the money to the companies and the banks , the money does n't come down to the workers , '' said Nelson in an interview .
`` Fundamentally , that was what we wanted to fix . ''
`` I was sure we we were going to drive the train this time , '' she said .
Nelson sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go expressly to payroll to payroll to Rep. Peter DeFazio , an Oregon Democrat and chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure .
The framework informed the House bill , said Nelson and another person familiar with House Democrats ' negotiations .
A proposal by Republican senators provided airlines the sum they wanted but only in loans , falling short of the industry 's request , while Democrats fretted that the industry would receive a blank check .
Nelson reached out to senators including New York Sen. Charles Schumer to explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payroll .
Thousands of airline workers used social media to urge lawmakers to approve the payroll guarantees .
`` I was dialing for dollars , '' she said .
`` We were calling everyone we possibly could . ''
The format Nelson advocated for ended up in the successful Senate bill .
It was latest battle for labor unions and workers , who have fought and won higher pay and benefits from companies that were enjoying record streaks of profits .
`` The court of public opinion was making guarantees to the people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry versus people who allocate capital in those industry , '' said Bob Mann , an aviation analyst and former airline executive .
`` It came down in favor of the front-line folks whose fault it was n't . ''
Airlines for America , U.S. airlines ' lobbying group , changed its phrasing to say the $ 29 billion in grants would be exclusively for workers .
In a desperate letter signed by airline CEOs to congressional leadership over the weekend , it warned , `` Unless worker payroll protection grants are passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to take draconian measures such as furloughs . ''
Labor unions backed CEOs in jointly signed letters , including from American Airlines , which has had some of the most fraught relations with its workers ' unions , pleading for aid to save jobs .
The bill that passed the Senate included $ 25 billion in grants for passenger airlines and $ 4 billion for cargo airlines and $ 3 billion for airline contractors , like catering workers , in exchange for not furloughing workers through Sept. 30 .
It also would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger carriers , and $ 4 billion to cargo airlines , financing that would require them to refrain from stock buybacks and dividend payments .
Accepting some of the aid will also allow the government to take equity stakes in carriers and require airlines to maintain some routes .
Thousands of airline contractors have already lost their jobs , according to their union , while one of big carriers ' regional contractors , Compass Airlines , said it is forced to shutter .
`` Every worker is hurting right now , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Line Pilots Association .
`` This is not a bailout for shareholders , '' wrote Cowen airline analyst Helane Becker .
`` In fact , calling it a bailout is n't even correct .
It 's a lifeline for employees . ''
Dennis Tajer , spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association , which represents American 's some 15,000 pilots , said the payroll guarantees are a signal that taxpayers wo n't allow airlines `` to take advantage of this life vest we gave you . ''
`` This is n't just for you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suntan , '' he said .
`` It 's incumbent upon all of us to respect taxpayers ' money . ''

U.S. airlines' first plea for $58 billion in government aid to weather the coronavirus landed with a thud among lawmakers and the public.
Carriers requested half of it in grants that they wouldn't have to pay back, drumming up criticism about everything from hitting passengers with myriad fees to skimpy leg room to the billions carriers spent on buying back their own shares.
But the matter was urgent for the industry. Demand was cratering as governments, including the U.S., imposed severe travel restrictions, consumers' flight cancellations outpaced new bookings, and airlines dramatically reduced capacity to respond. President Donald Trump said several times over the past several weeks that airlines would receive government aid.
Labor unions quickly changed the narrative, pushing the industry toward a pledge to not furlough workers in exchange for the grants — at least through the summer. Their efforts were instrumental in getting approval for the airline aid, one of the most contentious parts of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill, which passed the House on Friday, in the Senate earlier this week.
"We basically said to the airlines: the public doesn't like you," said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, which represents 50,000 cabin crew members at airlines including United , Spirit and Alaska "You're not going to get anything but we can get something to keep people on the job."
Nelson, a prominent labor leader before this crisis who railed against the government for not paying aviation workers during last year's partial shutdown before it ended hours after a shortage of air traffic controllers disrupted flights, said she's learned lessons from previous industry bailouts, including following the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks that left carriers on shaky footing and led to thousands of layoffs in the tumultuous decade after.
"When you send the money to the companies and the banks, the money doesn't come down to the workers," said Nelson in an interview. "Fundamentally, that was what we wanted to fix."
"I was sure we we were going to drive the train this time," she said.
Nelson sent a framework for airline grants that would go expressly to payroll to payroll to Rep. Peter DeFazio, an Oregon Democrat and chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The framework informed the House bill, said Nelson and another person familiar with House Democrats' negotiations.
A proposal by Republican senators provided airlines the sum they wanted but only in loans, falling short of the industry's request, while Democrats fretted that the industry would receive a blank check.
Nelson reached out to senators including New York Sen. Charles Schumer to explain that the funds would go directly to payroll. Thousands of airline workers used social media to urge lawmakers to approve the payroll guarantees.
"I was dialing for dollars," she said. "We were calling everyone we possibly could."
The format Nelson advocated for ended up in the successful Senate bill. It was latest battle for labor unions and workers, who have fought and won higher pay and benefits from companies that were enjoying record streaks of profits.
"The court of public opinion was making guarantees to the people who actually provided that service in that industry versus people who allocate capital in those industry," said Bob Mann, an aviation analyst and former airline executive. "It came down in favor of the front-line folks whose fault it wasn't."
Airlines for America, U.S. airlines' lobbying group, changed its phrasing to say the $29 billion in grants would be exclusively for workers. In a desperate letter signed by airline CEOs to congressional leadership over the weekend, it warned, "Unless worker payroll protection grants are passed immediately, many of us will be forced to take draconian measures such as furloughs."
Labor unions backed CEOs in jointly signed letters, including from American Airlines , which has had some of the most fraught relations with its workers' unions, pleading for aid to save jobs.
The bill that passed the Senate included $25 billion in grants for passenger airlines and $4 billion for cargo airlines and $3 billion for airline contractors, like catering workers, in exchange for not furloughing workers through Sept. 30. It also would provide $25 billion in loans to passenger carriers, and $4 billion to cargo airlines, financing that would require them to refrain from stock buybacks and dividend payments. Accepting some of the aid will also allow the government to take equity stakes in carriers and require airlines to maintain some routes.
Thousands of airline contractors have already lost their jobs, according to their union, while one of big carriers' regional contractors, Compass Airlines, said it is forced to shutter.
"Every worker is hurting right now," said Joe DePete, president of the Air Line Pilots Association.
"This is not a bailout for shareholders," wrote Cowen airline analyst Helane Becker. "In fact, calling it a bailout isn't even correct. It's a lifeline for employees."
Dennis Tajer, spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, which represents American's some 15,000 pilots, said the payroll guarantees are a signal that taxpayers won't allow airlines "to take advantage of this life vest we gave you."
"This isn't just for you to lounge in the ocean and get a suntan," he said. "It's incumbent upon all of us to respect taxpayers' money."


cnbc--2020-03-27--Defense department reports more than 600 cases of coronavirus and 2 related deaths

WASHINGTON — Since the coronavirus emerged , the Pentagon has reported a total of 652 confirmed cases of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ .
Of the 652 cases , 343 are active-duty military , 135 are civilians , @ @ @ @ @ .
These figures include 37 recoveries and 2 deaths across the entire department .
Earlier @ @ @ @ @ of Defense confirmed that a U.S. Marine who worked within the Pentagon tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ Pentagon reservation employs more than 22,000 people , making it one of the largest office @ @ @ @ @ The Pentagon confirmed Friday that the second person within the Department of Defense to test @ @ @ @ @ .
A contractor who worked at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency died on Saturday and @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
The virus has infected more than 558,905 worldwide , though many have recovered @ @ @ @ @ than 92,930 cases have been reported so far .

WASHINGTON — Since the coronavirus emerged, the Pentagon has reported a total of 652 confirmed cases of the coronavirus within the Department of Defense.
Of the 652 cases, 343 are active-duty military, 135 are civilians, 111 dependents and 63 contractors. These figures include 37 recoveries and 2 deaths across the entire department.
Earlier this week, the Department of Defense confirmed that a U.S. Marine who worked within the Pentagon tested positive for the deadly virus. The Pentagon reservation employs more than 22,000 people, making it one of the largest office buildings in the world.
The Pentagon confirmed Friday that the second person within the Department of Defense to test positive for the coronavirus died. A contractor who worked at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency died on Saturday and a military dependent died on Thursday.
The virus has infected more than 558,905 worldwide, though many have recovered. In the U.S. more than 92,930 cases have been reported so far.


cnbc--2020-03-27--Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders haven't aired TV ads in nearly 2 weeks as coronavirus spreads

Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden ( C ) and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders shake hands ahead of the third Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season hosted by ABC News in partnership with Univision at Texas Southern University in Houston , Texas on September 12 , 2019 .
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have n't aired campaign television ads in nearly two weeks as the coronavirus spreads and dominates headlines .
The Democratic presidential rivals have n't aired an ad on TV since March 17 , according to data compiled by Advertising Analytics .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The move comes as both campaigns have eliminated in-person campaigning , opting instead to address supporters through virtual events .
Since last week , Biden has been spent more on Facebook ads , investing just over $ 1 million into spots that appear on the social media platform , according to Facebook 's ad archive .
Sanders , who has been a prolific online fundraiser , has put up only $ 190,000 on Facebook and none of the ads he 's purchased is currently active .
Sanders ' campaign , despite being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has publicly called on the Vermont senator 's supporters to help them raise money for charities fighting the coronavirus .
Biden has used his digital ads to go hard after President Donald Trump over his handling of the coronavirus crisis .
One of the advertisements , which also was published on Biden 's Twitter feed , portrays the former vice president as a leader who is better positioned to comfort the country during a time of tragedy and upheaval .
While Biden 's campaign itself has n't been on TV , a super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has been hammering Trump on the airwaves with an ad depicting past presidents such as Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan , contrasting their leadership with Trump 's .
Advertising Analytics said the ad has been aired at least 365 times .
Priorities USA , another super PAC backing Biden , has also been airing TV ads against Trump as part of a recent $ 6 million ad buy .
Jen O'Malley Dillon , Biden 's new campaign manager , sent a memo to supporters Thursday that outlines the organization 's digital plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaching out to Wisconsin primary voters , who are still scheduled to vote on April 7 , despite the coronavirus ' spread .
The campaign is encouraging voters in that state to use mail-in ballots as an alternative to in-person voting .
Dillon also stressed the importance of digital fundraising , since the campaign has halted in-person donor events .
The campaign told supporters in an email on Friday that it raised over $ 30 million online during the month of March , which saw Biden surge ahead of Sanders thanks to primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Illinois and Michigan .
Biden and Sanders may also be getting a boost from a former rival .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren 's former presidential campaign published a list of tech companies they worked with when she was running in the primary .
According to a blog post , the hope is `` that other Democratic candidates and progressive causes will use the ideas and code we developed to run stronger campaigns and help Democrats win . ''

Democratic presidential hopeful former Vice President Joe Biden (C) and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders shake hands ahead of the third Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season hosted by ABC News in partnership with Univision at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas on September 12, 2019.
Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders haven't aired campaign television ads in nearly two weeks as the coronavirus spreads and dominates headlines.
The Democratic presidential rivals haven't aired an ad on TV since March 17, according to data compiled by Advertising Analytics. Instead, they are focusing on digital advertising.
The move comes as both campaigns have eliminated in-person campaigning, opting instead to address supporters through virtual events.
Since last week, Biden has been spent more on Facebook ads, investing just over $1 million into spots that appear on the social media platform, according to Facebook's ad archive. Sanders, who has been a prolific online fundraiser, has put up only $190,000 on Facebook and none of the ads he's purchased is currently active.
Sanders' campaign, despite being behind Biden in the delegate count, has publicly called on the Vermont senator's supporters to help them raise money for charities fighting the coronavirus.
Biden has used his digital ads to go hard after President Donald Trump over his handling of the coronavirus crisis. One of the advertisements, which also was published on Biden's Twitter feed, portrays the former vice president as a leader who is better positioned to comfort the country during a time of tragedy and upheaval.
Tweet:
While Biden's campaign itself hasn't been on TV, a super PAC supporting him, Unite the Country, has been hammering Trump on the airwaves with an ad depicting past presidents such as Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, contrasting their leadership with Trump's. Advertising Analytics said the ad has been aired at least 365 times. Priorities USA, another super PAC backing Biden, has also been airing TV ads against Trump as part of a recent $6 million ad buy.
Jen O'Malley Dillon, Biden's new campaign manager, sent a memo to supporters Thursday that outlines the organization's digital plans. Dillon said the campaign is still reaching out to Wisconsin primary voters, who are still scheduled to vote on April 7, despite the coronavirus' spread. The campaign is encouraging voters in that state to use mail-in ballots as an alternative to in-person voting.
Dillon also stressed the importance of digital fundraising, since the campaign has halted in-person donor events.
The campaign told supporters in an email on Friday that it raised over $30 million online during the month of March, which saw Biden surge ahead of Sanders thanks to primary victories in delegate-rich states such as Texas, Illinois and Michigan.
Biden and Sanders may also be getting a boost from a former rival. Sen. Elizabeth Warren's former presidential campaign published a list of tech companies they worked with when she was running in the primary. According to a blog post, the hope is "that other Democratic candidates and progressive causes will use the ideas and code we developed to run stronger campaigns and help Democrats win."


cnbc--2020-03-27--Trump criticizes GM, CEO Mary Barra for wanting 'top dollar' for producing ventilators

President Donald Trump criticized General Motors and CEO Mary Barra on Friday for their response to producing life-saving ventilators amid the coronavirus pandemic and wanting `` top dollar '' for doing so .
`` As usual with 'this ' General Motors , things just never seem to work out , '' Trump tweeted .
`` They said they were going to give us 40,000 much needed Ventilators , 'very quickly ' .
Now they are saying it will only be 6000 , in late April , and they want top dollar .
Always a mess with Mary B. Invoke ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet , the meaning of `` Invoke P '' was n't immediately clear .
But Trump followed up with a second one , saying he was referring to invoking the Defense Production Act that would force companies to produce needed equipment .
GM is `` in the blocks , ready to start '' production of ventilators but is awaiting regulatory approval , sources told CNBC 's Scott Wapner .
A deal , according to the sources , could be announced as soon as Friday .
Shorty after Trump 's lambasting , GM announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators at one of its components plants in Indiana with Washington-based Ventec Life Systems .
GM said it is donating its resources at cost .
A spokesperson for the White House did n't immediately respond to a request for comment .
GM was not immediately available for comment .

President Donald Trump criticized General Motors and CEO Mary Barra on Friday for their response to producing life-saving ventilators amid the coronavirus pandemic and wanting "top dollar" for doing so.
"As usual with 'this' General Motors, things just never seem to work out," Trump tweeted. "They said they were going to give us 40,000 much needed Ventilators, 'very quickly'. Now they are saying it will only be 6000, in late April, and they want top dollar. Always a mess with Mary B. Invoke 'P'."
Tweet
In the initial tweet, the meaning of "Invoke P" wasn't immediately clear. But Trump followed up with a second one, saying he was referring to invoking the Defense Production Act that would force companies to produce needed equipment.
GM is "in the blocks, ready to start" production of ventilators but is awaiting regulatory approval, sources told CNBC's Scott Wapner. A deal, according to the sources, could be announced as soon as Friday.
Shorty after Trump's lambasting, GM announced it has agreed to build critical care ventilators at one of its components plants in Indiana with Washington-based Ventec Life Systems. GM said it is donating its resources at cost.
A spokesperson for the White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. GM was not immediately available for comment.


cnbc--2020-03-27--Pence says economic fundamentals remain strong despite massive coronavirus impact

Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that the fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain robust despite the coronavirus pandemic that has tanked markets and led to unprecedented layoffs of millions of Americans .
`` While the stock market has ebbed and flowed , and even this week made dramatic moves , President Trump and our entire economic team believe that all the fundamentals continue to be strong , '' Pence said on CNBC 's `` Squawk on the Street . ''
`` And that , as we deal with the coronavirus that this economy will come roaring back once we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Pence also said that the likely spread of the disease would be less severe than early forecasts projected , suggesting early models are `` now being understood to have been really wrong . ''
He said that based on data that has become available in recent days , the extent of the virus `` does appear to be significantly lower than a lot of the early projections were . ''
Markets were falling on Friday after a three-day winning streak , a day after the U.S. surpassed China and Italy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America is now the hardest-hit nation in the world based on the size of its outbreak .
The plunge in the major indexes came despite hopes for a $ 2 trillion rescue package from Congress , which was expected to pass the House of Representatives later in the day .
Pence , who heads the White House task force leading the federal government 's response to the coronavirus pandemic , said he was intent on opening up portions of the country where there was `` frankly , little outbreak of the virus .
@

Vice President Mike Pence said Friday that the fundamentals of the U.S. economy remain robust despite the coronavirus pandemic that has tanked markets and led to unprecedented layoffs of millions of Americans.
"While the stock market has ebbed and flowed, and even this week made dramatic moves, President Trump and our entire economic team believe that all the fundamentals continue to be strong," Pence said on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street." "And that, as we deal with the coronavirus that this economy will come roaring back once we see our nation through this challenging time."
Pence also said that the likely spread of the disease would be less severe than early forecasts projected, suggesting early models are "now being understood to have been really wrong." He said that based on data that has become available in recent days, the extent of the virus "does appear to be significantly lower than a lot of the early projections were."
Markets were falling on Friday after a three-day winning streak, a day after the U.S. surpassed China and Italy in its number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. America is now the hardest-hit nation in the world based on the size of its outbreak. The plunge in the major indexes came despite hopes for a $2 trillion rescue package from Congress, which was expected to pass the House of Representatives later in the day.
Pence, who heads the White House task force leading the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, said he was intent on opening up portions of the country where there was "frankly, little outbreak of the virus."


cnbc--2020-03-27--Coronavirus fight: 'This will not be licked by Easter,' doctor warns in call for two-week US lockdow

Coronavirus fight: 'This will not be licked by Easter,' doctor warns in call for two-week US lockdown

President Donald Trump wants the country to `` open up , '' but a growing number of health experts want a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
Those experts are saying the United States needs to impose a two-week or longer pause of non-essential activity before federal and state governments can even think about economic and social life starting to return to normal .
Far tighter restrictions on businesses and individuals need to be adopted , not the loosening of restrictions called for by some , including Trump , the experts say .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Dr. Aaron Carroll , a professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine , who is one of the loudest voices calling for a shutdown .
Trump suggested earlier this week that at least some areas of the U.S. could return to normal by Easter , saying he would love to see churches `` packed '' on that day , April 12 .
Trump plans this weekend to hear recommendations from the White House coronavirus task force on plans to `` open the country up . ''
Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force , said Thursday , `` The president has made it clear that in his words he wants to open the country up . ''
`` But we 're going to do that responsibly , and as the president told the governors today , we 'll do that based on the data , '' said Pence .
On Friday , a day after Pence spoke , there were more than 86,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. , and 1,301 confirmed deaths from the virus .
Carroll said the rising number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even better data on how the virus is spreading are strong evidence against opening up the country anytime soon .
`` There 's a lot of people who want to wish away the problem , '' Carroll said .
But , he added , `` We have not faced a virus or an infection that is this infectious and this dangerous and for which we have had no resistance or immunity since the flu of 1918 , '' when tens of millions of people died worldwide from that pandemic .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not seen before , '' Carroll said .
`` It 's really important that we treat it as that . ''
`` If we do take a national pause it will flatten the curve '' of the pandemic 's trajectory and avoid many deaths , Carroll said .
`` The danger will be that some states will take restrictions off and some people will believe that it 's safe to go about normal business , '' he said .
`` Then it will come roaring back . ''
On Thursday , the Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fauci , said the U.S. `` can start thinking about — thinking about — getting back to some degree of normality when the country as a whole turns that corner '' of reducing the trajectory of the coronavirus curve .
That curve currently is on track to surpass the rate of spread seen in Italy , which has been the European country hit hardest by COVID-19 so far .
On Thursday , the U.S. became the leader worldwide in the number of coronavirus cases , with New York City becoming the epicenter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday morning , Dr. Atul Gawande , the CEO of Haven , the joint health-care venture between JPMorgan , Amazon and Berkshire Hathaway , said the U.S. should lock down to flatten the upward curve of COVID-19 cases .
`` Our death toll curve is now worse than when China was at the same stage , '' Gawande said in an interview on CNBC 's `` Squawk Box . ''
`` We have 12 states with more than 1,500 cases .
China had one province . ''
`` We really need a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tina Tan , a board member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America , said in an interview , `` If you do n't keep the restrictions or make them stricter , you 're going to have more people infected , hospitalized , and dying from the disease . ''
The ISDA , in a statement this week said , `` Statewide efforts alone will not be sufficient to control this public health crisis . ''
`` A strong nationwide plan that supports and enforces social distancing — and recognizes that our health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should remain in place until public health and medical experts indicate it can safely be lifted . ''
A group of House Democrats have also called on Trump to order a national shelter-in-place .
Carroll , the Indiana U. doctor , with Harvard University professor of global health Ashish Jha , published an article Monday in The Atlantic titled `` Do n't Halt Social Distancing .
Instead , Do It Right . ''
Carroll and Jha said the U.S. needs to do two things to stop the spread of the coronavirus and set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to normal : Lock down the country , and start `` massive , coordinated testing of the population . ''
`` First , we need a true national pause — a cessation of all nonessential activities , '' they wrote .
`` It has to last at least two weeks , and everyone needs to participate . ''
`` If we all distanced ourselves from one another for that long , the outbreak would slow down significantly .
Isolating individual family members may not be socially tenable .
Because of that , infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but broader spread can be curtailed . ''
Carroll and Jha wrote that widespread testing must also be done because , `` Even today , we do n't know how many people are infected in the community and how many people without symptoms are spreading the infection to others . ''
`` Such testing must be organized by epidemiologists experienced in this area , not by health-care providers .
We need to know the full extent of those who are sick with COVID-19 , but we also need to know where the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers across the nation , we can avoid spreading the infection through our health-care system , '' they wrote .
Carroll , like other experts who spoke with CNBC , said that Trump talking about easing instead of significantly tightening restrictions on social and business interactions is not helping stop the pandemic .
`` I think he 's eager for good news and eager to have this spun in the right way , '' Carroll said .
But , `` He has a very large microphone , and if the wrong messages get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is potentially devastating , '' Carroll said .
`` I just think that the constant pressure to pull a date out of the air without data '' about the true transmission rate and the effectiveness of restrictions `` is the wrong way to approach this , '' Carroll said .
`` We 've got no evidence to show this is under control , so given that , I do n't think there 's any use in setting a date to get back to normal , '' he said .
`` Continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we know is the wrong way to go about it . ''
He noted that in Italy , where the disease has progressed further than in the United States , and other parts of Europe where that is the case , tight social restrictions remain in place .
`` None of them are saying this is the time to relax , '' Carroll said .
`` They 're 10 days ahead . ''
`` This is not the time to relax . ''

Paramedics wearing protective equipment carry a stretcher into Elmhurst Hospital Center in the Queens borough of New York, U.S., on Thursday, March 26, 2020. Angus Mordant | Bloomberg | Getty Images
President Donald Trump wants the country to "open up," but a growing number of health experts want a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Those experts are saying the United States needs to impose a two-week or longer pause of non-essential activity before federal and state governments can even think about economic and social life starting to return to normal. Far tighter restrictions on businesses and individuals need to be adopted, not the loosening of restrictions called for by some, including Trump, the experts say. "This will not be licked by Easter," said Dr. Aaron Carroll, a professor of pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, who is one of the loudest voices calling for a shutdown. Trump suggested earlier this week that at least some areas of the U.S. could return to normal by Easter, saying he would love to see churches "packed" on that day, April 12.
Dr. Aaron E. Carroll Source: Dr. Aaron E. Carroll
Trump plans this weekend to hear recommendations from the White House coronavirus task force on plans to "open the country up." Vice President Mike Pence, who heads that task force, said Thursday, "The president has made it clear that in his words he wants to open the country up." "But we're going to do that responsibly, and as the president told the governors today, we'll do that based on the data," said Pence. On Friday, a day after Pence spoke, there were more than 86,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S., and 1,301 confirmed deaths from the virus. Carroll said the rising number of cases and the pressing need to get even better data on how the virus is spreading are strong evidence against opening up the country anytime soon. "There's a lot of people who want to wish away the problem," Carroll said. But, he added, "We have not faced a virus or an infection that is this infectious and this dangerous and for which we have had no resistance or immunity since the flu of 1918," when tens of millions of people died worldwide from that pandemic. "This is a combination of stuff that we've not seen before," Carroll said. "It's really important that we treat it as that." "If we do take a national pause it will flatten the curve" of the pandemic's trajectory and avoid many deaths, Carroll said. "The danger will be that some states will take restrictions off and some people will believe that it's safe to go about normal business," he said. "Then it will come roaring back." On Thursday, the Trump White House health advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said the U.S. "can start thinking about — thinking about — getting back to some degree of normality when the country as a whole turns that corner" of reducing the trajectory of the coronavirus curve. That curve currently is on track to surpass the rate of spread seen in Italy, which has been the European country hit hardest by COVID-19 so far. On Thursday, the U.S. became the leader worldwide in the number of coronavirus cases, with New York City becoming the epicenter of the outbreak in the nation. On Friday morning, Dr. Atul Gawande, the CEO of Haven, the joint health-care venture between JPMorgan , Amazon and Berkshire Hathaway , said the U.S. should lock down to flatten the upward curve of COVID-19 cases. "Our death toll curve is now worse than when China was at the same stage," Gawande said in an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "We have 12 states with more than 1,500 cases. China had one province." "We really need a national shelter-in-place," Gawande said.
watch now


cnbc--2020-03-27--UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus, is experiencing 'mild symptoms'

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Friday he has tested positive for the coronavirus , making him the first major governmental leader known to have contracted the disease .
Johnson , 55 , said in a video posted to Twitter that he has developed `` a temperature and a persistent cough , '' and that he would self-isolate at home .
`` But be in no doubt that I can continue , thanks to the wizardry of modern technology , to communicate with all my top team , to lead the national fight back against coronavirus , '' Johnson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday on the advice of England 's chief medical officer after experiencing `` mild symptoms , '' a spokesman for No .
10 Downing Street said in a statement .
`` The test was carried out in No 10 by [ National Health Service ] staff and the result of the test was positive , '' the spokesman said .
`` In keeping with the guidance , the Prime Minister is self-isolating in Downing Street . ''
Later Friday morning , U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he also tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his symptoms are `` very mild '' and that he will self-quarantine until Thursday of next week .
Johnson 's diagnosis offers one of the most potent examples yet of how the deadly and highly transmissible coronavirus has permeated life around the world at every level of society .
Two days earlier , the British royal household announced that Prince Charles , heir to the throne , tested positive for the disease .
The 71-year-old Prince of Wales began displaying mild symptoms last weekend .
The coronavirus has hit home for other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday decided to quarantine herself after being exposed to a doctor who tested positive for the virus .
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau , wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , tested positive for the virus two weeks ago .
The prime minister said he would isolate himself as a precaution .
On Wednesday , he said his wife was feeling much better , according to Vancouver all-news radio station 1130 News .
He also said he and his children remained free of COVID-19 but did n't say whether he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and other top members of his administration , such as Vice President Mike Pence , have said they tested negative for the coronavirus .
But the devastating economic impact of the draconian efforts being imposed to try to contain the spread of the disease has taken a toll on Trump 's business empire : Trump Organization properties , including the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach , Florida , have shuttered their doors in the peak of their seasons .
The White House also announced last week that the next meeting of leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled for June , will be held via video conference rather than an in-person gathering at Camp David as was originally intended .
The virus , which is believed to have originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan , has quickly spread to more than 150 countries .
More than 533,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide , including at least 24,082 deaths , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Friday he has tested positive for the coronavirus, making him the first major governmental leader known to have contracted the disease.
Johnson, 55, said in a video posted to Twitter that he has developed "a temperature and a persistent cough," and that he would self-isolate at home.
Johnson TWEET
"But be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team, to lead the national fight back against coronavirus," Johnson said.
Johnson was tested for COVID-19 on Thursday on the advice of England's chief medical officer after experiencing "mild symptoms," a spokesman for No. 10 Downing Street said in a statement.
"The test was carried out in No 10 by [National Health Service] staff and the result of the test was positive," the spokesman said. "In keeping with the guidance, the Prime Minister is self-isolating in Downing Street."
Later Friday morning, U.K. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he also tested positive for the virus. Hancock said in a video that his symptoms are "very mild" and that he will self-quarantine until Thursday of next week.
Hancock TWEET
Johnson's diagnosis offers one of the most potent examples yet of how the deadly and highly transmissible coronavirus has permeated life around the world at every level of society.
Two days earlier, the British royal household announced that Prince Charles, heir to the throne, tested positive for the disease. The 71-year-old Prince of Wales began displaying mild symptoms last weekend.
The coronavirus has hit home for other world leaders, as well.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday decided to quarantine herself after being exposed to a doctor who tested positive for the virus.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, tested positive for the virus two weeks ago. The prime minister said he would isolate himself as a precaution. On Wednesday, he said his wife was feeling much better, according to Vancouver all-news radio station 1130 News. He also said he and his children remained free of COVID-19 but didn't say whether he was ending his self-isolation.
President Donald Trump and other top members of his administration, such as Vice President Mike Pence, have said they tested negative for the coronavirus. But the devastating economic impact of the draconian efforts being imposed to try to contain the spread of the disease has taken a toll on Trump's business empire: Trump Organization properties, including the Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, have shuttered their doors in the peak of their seasons.
The White House also announced last week that the next meeting of leaders from the Group of Seven nations, scheduled for June, will be held via video conference rather than an in-person gathering at Camp David as was originally intended.
The virus, which is believed to have originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has quickly spread to more than 150 countries.
More than 533,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide, including at least 24,082 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.


cnbc--2020-03-27--GOP Rep. Massie pledges to delay vote on massive $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill

The US Capitol is reflected in a standby ambulance on March 27 , 2020 , in Washington , DC .
House members are scrambling back to the Capitol on Friday morning as one member 's opposition to a $ 2 trillion coronavirus rescue package is set to delay its passage .
With few representatives in Washington this week as the outbreak tears across the country , House leaders hoped to approve the legislation quickly Friday by voice vote — which simply decides whether shouted yeas or nays from members present are louder .
But Rep. Thomas Massie , R-Ky. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded vote , which could hold up passage for hours as the House needs a quorum of 216 representatives present .
Shortly before the GOP representative 's expected request , House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer 's office encouraged lawmakers present to come to the House chamber and remain seated when Massie asks for a recorded vote .
If one-fifth of members join him , the House will take a voice vote rather than a full tally .
In a series of tweets announcing his plan to request a recorded vote , Massie contended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxpayer money , criticizing Democrats for pushing for changes this week rather than approving an earlier version of the legislation .
On Thursday , facing the prospect of the aid 's approval getting pushed to Saturday , Hoyer 's office encouraged lawmakers to come back to Washington `` with caution '' if they are `` able and willing '' to make the trip .
The roadblock prompted lawmakers to come back more quickly than they expected — though it was unclear before the vote if the House had the majority quorum needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photos as they hopped on near-empty morning flights .
Some expressed outrage that Massie would force lawmakers to come back and risk their safety — particularly after two representatives and a senator tested positive for COVID-19 .
`` Heading to Washington to vote on pandemic legislation , '' Rep. Peter King , R-N.Y. , wrote in a tweet Friday morning .
`` Because of one Member of Congress refusing to allow emergency action entire Congress must be called back to vote in House .
Risk of infection and risk of legislation being delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus measure , which includes one-time direct payments to individuals , beefed-up unemployment insurance , more health-care funding and loans to businesses , passed the Senate unanimously on Wednesday night .
On Thursday , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the bill `` as mitigation '' of the crisis , predicting there would be more legislation to aid `` recovery . ''
The rush to pass the bill comes a day after data showed unemployment claims spiked to a record 3.3 million last week after businesses across the country shuttered to slow the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ravaged New York , lack resources as they struggle to keep up with a rush of coronavirus patients .
The U.S. now has more than 86,000 coronavirus cases , the most in the world , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
Pelosi said she expected the bill to pass with a `` strong , bipartisan vote . ''
The House is set to hold up to three hours of debate on the legislation Friday .
The chamber will try to pass the bill by voice vote and see if a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump , who has pledged to sign the bill `` immediately '' after the House passes it , lashed out at Massie in a pair of tweets Friday .
He called him a `` third rate Grandstander '' who `` just wants the publicity '' and will only delay rather than stop the legislation .
`` Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive , '' he continued .
`` Virus was n't their fault .
It is 'HELL ' dealing with the Dems , had to give up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 'big picture ' done .
90 % GREAT !
WIN BACK HOUSE , but throw Massie out of Republican Party ! ''

The US Capitol is reflected in a standby ambulance on March 27, 2020, in Washington, DC.
House members are scrambling back to the Capitol on Friday morning as one member's opposition to a $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package is set to delay its passage.
With few representatives in Washington this week as the outbreak tears across the country, House leaders hoped to approve the legislation quickly Friday by voice vote — which simply decides whether shouted yeas or nays from members present are louder. But Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., said he plans to force a typical recorded vote, which could hold up passage for hours as the House needs a quorum of 216 representatives present.
Shortly before the GOP representative's expected request, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's office encouraged lawmakers present to come to the House chamber and remain seated when Massie asks for a recorded vote. If one-fifth of members join him, the House will take a voice vote rather than a full tally.
In a series of tweets announcing his plan to request a recorded vote, Massie contended the unprecedented rescue measure spends too much taxpayer money, criticizing Democrats for pushing for changes this week rather than approving an earlier version of the legislation.
Thomas Massie tweet
On Thursday, facing the prospect of the aid's approval getting pushed to Saturday, Hoyer's office encouraged lawmakers to come back to Washington "with caution" if they are "able and willing" to make the trip. The roadblock prompted lawmakers to come back more quickly than they expected — though it was unclear before the vote if the House had the majority quorum needed to pass the bill.
House members shared photos as they hopped on near-empty morning flights. Some expressed outrage that Massie would force lawmakers to come back and risk their safety — particularly after two representatives and a senator tested positive for COVID-19.
"Heading to Washington to vote on pandemic legislation," Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., wrote in a tweet Friday morning. "Because of one Member of Congress refusing to allow emergency action entire Congress must be called back to vote in House. Risk of infection and risk of legislation being delayed. Disgraceful. Irresponsible."
Peter King tweet
Dusty Johnson tweet
Mark Walker tweet
The stimulus measure, which includes one-time direct payments to individuals, beefed-up unemployment insurance, more health-care funding and loans to businesses, passed the Senate unanimously on Wednesday night. On Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described the bill "as mitigation" of the crisis, predicting there would be more legislation to aid "recovery."
The rush to pass the bill comes a day after data showed unemployment claims spiked to a record 3.3 million last week after businesses across the country shuttered to slow the pandemic's spread. Hospitals, particularly in ravaged New York, lack resources as they struggle to keep up with a rush of coronavirus patients.
The U.S. now has more than 86,000 coronavirus cases, the most in the world, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Pelosi said she expected the bill to pass with a "strong, bipartisan vote." The House is set to hold up to three hours of debate on the legislation Friday.
The chamber will try to pass the bill by voice vote and see if a representative forces a recorded vote.
President Donald Trump, who has pledged to sign the bill "immediately" after the House passes it, lashed out at Massie in a pair of tweets Friday. He called him a "third rate Grandstander" who "just wants the publicity" and will only delay rather than stop the legislation.
"Workers & small businesses need money now in order to survive," he continued. "Virus wasn't their fault. It is 'HELL' dealing with the Dems, had to give up some stupid things in order to get the 'big picture' done. 90% GREAT! WIN BACK HOUSE, but throw Massie out of Republican Party!"
Donald Trump tweet
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cnbc--2020-03-26--Trump to review options to 'open the country up' as US coronavirus cases pass China, Italy

President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference on the COVID-19 , coronavirus , outbreak flanked by US Vice President Mike Pence at the White House in Washington , DC on March 25 , 2020 .
President Donald Trump will hear recommendations from the White House coronavirus task force this weekend on plans to `` open the country up '' as the economy continues to strain under the pandemic .
The new guidance on how to kickstart the economy will come days after the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surpasses China or Italy , making it the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world .
Vice President Mike Pence told reporters at the White House on Thursday that the task force will share `` a range of recommendations and additional guidance for going forward '' with the next steps in its efforts to blunt the impact of the coronavirus .
`` The president has made it clear , that in his words , he wants to open the country up .
But we 're going to do that responsibly , and as the president told the governors today , we 'll do that based on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leads the U.S. response to the outbreak .
Earlier in the day , Trump sent a letter to U.S. governors outlining his vision for the `` next phase '' in his administration 's plans to reopen the economy , which has ground to a halt as an increasing number of states impose harsh restrictions to try to contain the spread of the disease .
Trump said he and his administration planned to develop criteria to `` help classify counties '' by low , medium and high `` risk '' levels using `` robust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governments to track the spread of the virus .
It 's unclear what sort of recommendations or guidance Pence was referring to .
But doctors and public health experts have warned that prematurely loosening restrictions could lead to more infections .
The president this week voiced a growing impatience with states ' strict `` social distancing '' measures , such as banning large gatherings of people and temporarily forcing businesses to close , to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
Officials say those measures are working , but there 's no clear end-date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted .
In the meantime , they have led to a record unemployment spike and a stock market in peril .
Trump has suggested repeatedly this week that areas of the country with comparatively low numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases could allow businesses to reopen in just a few weeks , if not sooner .
On Tuesday , he said he wants the U.S. economy to `` open '' back up by Easter Sunday – though he later added that `` I 'm not sure that 's going to be the day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work .
I 'm hearing it from everybody , '' Trump said at the White House presser Thursday evening .
Yet even if Trump were to recommend new guidelines under which social distancing measures could be relaxed , they would likely have little impact on the more than 20 states where governors have issued statewide stay-at-home and business closure orders .

President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference on the COVID-19, coronavirus, outbreak flanked by US Vice President Mike Pence at the White House in Washington, DC on March 25, 2020.
President Donald Trump will hear recommendations from the White House coronavirus task force this weekend on plans to "open the country up" as the economy continues to strain under the pandemic.
The new guidance on how to kickstart the economy will come days after the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. surpasses China or Italy, making it the country with the largest outbreak in the world.
Vice President Mike Pence told reporters at the White House on Thursday that the task force will share "a range of recommendations and additional guidance for going forward" with the next steps in its efforts to blunt the impact of the coronavirus.
"The president has made it clear, that in his words, he wants to open the country up. But we're going to do that responsibly, and as the president told the governors today, we'll do that based on the data," said Pence, who leads the U.S. response to the outbreak.
Earlier in the day, Trump sent a letter to U.S. governors outlining his vision for the "next phase" in his administration's plans to reopen the economy, which has ground to a halt as an increasing number of states impose harsh restrictions to try to contain the spread of the disease.
Trump said he and his administration planned to develop criteria to "help classify counties" by low, medium and high "risk" levels using "robust surveillance testing" that will allow local governments to track the spread of the virus.
It's unclear what sort of recommendations or guidance Pence was referring to. But doctors and public health experts have warned that prematurely loosening restrictions could lead to more infections.
The president this week voiced a growing impatience with states' strict "social distancing" measures, such as banning large gatherings of people and temporarily forcing businesses to close, to slow the spread of COVID-19. Officials say those measures are working, but there's no clear end-date in sight for when they can be lifted. In the meantime, they have led to a record unemployment spike and a stock market in peril.
Trump has suggested repeatedly this week that areas of the country with comparatively low numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases could allow businesses to reopen in just a few weeks, if not sooner. On Tuesday, he said he wants the U.S. economy to "open" back up by Easter Sunday – though he later added that "I'm not sure that's going to be the day."
"People want to go back to work. I'm hearing it from everybody," Trump said at the White House presser Thursday evening.
Yet even if Trump were to recommend new guidelines under which social distancing measures could be relaxed, they would likely have little impact on the more than 20 states where governors have issued statewide stay-at-home and business closure orders.


cnbc--2020-03-26--Nancy Pelosi says, 'I don't think we've seen the end of direct payments' during coronavirus crisis

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) speaks to news reporters ahead of a vote on the coronavirus relief bill on Capitol Hill in Washington , U.S. , March 25 , 2020 .
As the House prepares to pass a historically massive $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief bill , Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday outlined more steps she wants to take to blunt damage to the economy and health-care system .
After the Senate passed the package , believed to be the biggest rescue plan in U.S. history , on Wednesday night , the House hopes to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a `` strong , bipartisan '' vote .
The California Democrat set the stage for more congressional legislation as the pandemic rampages through the country .
Pelosi indicated she would push to send more money directly to Americans on top of the cash payments set out in the Senate-passed bill .
The proposal would give up to $ 1,200 to qualified individuals and $ 2,400 to couples , which starts to phase out for people making more than $ 75,000 .
`` I do n't think we 've seen the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday morning .
A separate proposal House Democrats put forward this week called for direct payments of $ 1,500 for individuals .
A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the Republican leader would be open to sending more relief checks .
As businesses across the country close to slow COVID-19 's spread , a record 3.3 million people filed unemployment claims last week .
The number of virus cases continues to climb in the U.S. , approaching 70,000 , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
As lawmakers deal with an unpredictable crisis , Pelosi said Congress `` has to be on call for what we need when we need it , and we do n't know what that might be . ''
Still , the speaker outlined some immediate goals she wants to address in future bills .
She highlighted free coronavirus testing and treatment , along with more money for state and local health-care grants and food assistance .
She also called for tougher safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has created uncertainty around when and how Congress will vote to provide relief .
Most House members are currently home after two representatives tested positive for COVID-19 and others who had contact with them chose to isolate .
The Senate , where one member has tested positive , does not plan to vote again until April 20 , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday night .
However , he said the chamber would stay `` nimble '' and could get called back , if needed .
After the Senate vote , Minority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high '' Congress will need to pass more relief legislation .

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) speaks to news reporters ahead of a vote on the coronavirus relief bill on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 25, 2020.
As the House prepares to pass a historically massive $2 trillion coronavirus relief bill, Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday outlined more steps she wants to take to blunt damage to the economy and health-care system.
After the Senate passed the package, believed to be the biggest rescue plan in U.S. history, on Wednesday night, the House hopes to follow suit Friday in what Pelosi predicted would be a "strong, bipartisan" vote. The California Democrat set the stage for more congressional legislation as the pandemic rampages through the country.
Pelosi indicated she would push to send more money directly to Americans on top of the cash payments set out in the Senate-passed bill. The proposal would give up to $1,200 to qualified individuals and $2,400 to couples, which starts to phase out for people making more than $75,000.
"I don't think we've seen the end of direct payments," Pelosi told reporters on Thursday morning. A separate proposal House Democrats put forward this week called for direct payments of $1,500 for individuals.
A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the Republican leader would be open to sending more relief checks.
As businesses across the country close to slow COVID-19's spread, a record 3.3 million people filed unemployment claims last week. The number of virus cases continues to climb in the U.S., approaching 70,000, while at least 1,000 people have died from the disease, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
As lawmakers deal with an unpredictable crisis, Pelosi said Congress "has to be on call for what we need when we need it, and we don't know what that might be."
Still, the speaker outlined some immediate goals she wants to address in future bills. She highlighted free coronavirus testing and treatment, along with more money for state and local health-care grants and food assistance. She also called for tougher safety standards for frontline workers.
The outbreak has created uncertainty around when and how Congress will vote to provide relief. Most House members are currently home after two representatives tested positive for COVID-19 and others who had contact with them chose to isolate.
The Senate, where one member has tested positive, does not plan to vote again until April 20, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday night. However, he said the chamber would stay "nimble" and could get called back, if needed.
After the Senate vote, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the "odds are high" Congress will need to pass more relief legislation.
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