usatoday--2020-04-02--Partisan divide over social distancing narrows as states ramp up coronavirus measures, poll finds

WASHINGTON – Despite an earlier partisan divide among Americans who were taking social distancing measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus , most are now taking at least some precautions , a new poll found .
A Kaiser Family Foundation health tracking poll released Thursday found 92 % of people surveyed said they had practiced at least some social distancing measures , up from the 59 % who said the same two weeks earlier , when KFF last surveyed Americans .
Of those who identified as Democrats , 95 % said they were taking some precautions such as staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel and canceling plans to attend large gatherings .
That is compared to 91 % of independents and 91 % of Republicans who took the same precautions .
The partisan gap is way down since the last survey earlier in March , when 80 % of Democrats said they were taking one of the social distancing measures , while 68 % of independents and 53 % of Republicans said they were taking some measures .
The findings come as President Donald Trump 's coronavirus task force has extended its guidelines for slowing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An increasing number of states have also implemented mandatory distancing measures such as stay-at-home orders and school closures .
A nod to fame : Dr. Fauci is getting his own bobblehead in support of 100 million mask challenge The death toll from the virus has reached over 5,000 in the United States , while the number of infected individuals is more than 220,000 .
The White House said Tuesday between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans could succumb to the virus by the end of the year , and that without intervention strategies , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The poll also found about eight in 10 Americans surveyed said they had trust in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci for reliable coronavirus information .
While slightly less than half said they trusted the news media or Trump .
Trust in the latter two sources is widely split along party lines .
The KFF poll also found that 72 % of Americans say their lives have been disrupted due to the pandemic .
About four in 10 of those surveyed said they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced income because of the impact of COVID-19 .
And about six in 10 reported stocking up on essential items like food and household supplies .
‘ Isolation is a big trigger ’ : Feelings of suicide are amplified amid a pandemic Forty-five percent said the stress or worry related to coronavirus had at least a minor impact on their mental health , compared to 32 % in the previous poll .
The president has warned that the closed economy and job losses could exacerbate mental health issues for Americans , even resulting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it 's reasonable to expect the current pandemic will lead to increased suicide risk for certain populations , as social isolation and economic ramifications persist .
About three-quarters of poll respondents said they thought the worst of the pandemic was ahead , with just 13 % saying the worst is behind Americans .
While most said they worry about the economy , an 80 % majority said Americans should prioritize measures to slow the spread over reopening businesses to get the economy going again .
However , Republicans ( 68 % ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less likely to prioritize curbing the virus over the economy than Democrats ( 94 % ) .
Poll : About 6 in 10 voters say Trump was not prepared for coronavirus outbreak KFF 's survey of 1,226 U.S. adults was conducted March 25-30 , and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points .
The margin of error for the breakdown of results by party is 6 percentage points for Republicans , Democrats and independents .

Partisan divide over social distancing narrows as states ramp up coronavirus measures, poll finds
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: Social distancing key to fighting COVID-19 Social distancing matters. Here is how to do it and how it can help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Despite an earlier partisan divide among Americans who were taking social distancing measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, most are now taking at least some precautions, a new poll found.
A Kaiser Family Foundation health tracking poll released Thursday found 92% of people surveyed said they had practiced at least some social distancing measures, up from the 59% who said the same two weeks earlier, when KFF last surveyed Americans.
Of those who identified as Democrats, 95% said they were taking some precautions such as staying home from school or work, changing travel and canceling plans to attend large gatherings. That is compared to 91% of independents and 91% of Republicans who took the same precautions. The partisan gap is way down since the last survey earlier in March, when 80% of Democrats said they were taking one of the social distancing measures, while 68% of independents and 53% of Republicans said they were taking some measures.
The findings come as President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force has extended its guidelines for slowing the spread through the end of April. An increasing number of states have also implemented mandatory distancing measures such as stay-at-home orders and school closures.
A nod to fame: Dr. Fauci is getting his own bobblehead in support of 100 million mask challenge
The death toll from the virus has reached over 5,000 in the United States, while the number of infected individuals is more than 220,000. The White House said Tuesday between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans could succumb to the virus by the end of the year, and that without intervention strategies, as many as 2.2 million could have died.
The poll also found about eight in 10 Americans surveyed said they had trust in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and task force member Dr. Anthony Fauci for reliable coronavirus information. While slightly less than half said they trusted the news media or Trump. Trust in the latter two sources is widely split along party lines.
The KFF poll also found that 72% of Americans say their lives have been disrupted due to the pandemic. About four in 10 of those surveyed said they had either lost their job or seen a reduced income because of the impact of COVID-19. And about six in 10 reported stocking up on essential items like food and household supplies.
‘Isolation is a big trigger’: Feelings of suicide are amplified amid a pandemic
Forty-five percent said the stress or worry related to coronavirus had at least a minor impact on their mental health, compared to 32% in the previous poll.
COVID-19 pandemic myths debunked There is a lot of misinformation out there about coronavirus. We sort the facts from falsehoods. USA TODAY, Wochit
The president has warned that the closed economy and job losses could exacerbate mental health issues for Americans, even resulting in increased suicides. Suicide prevention experts say it's reasonable to expect the current pandemic will lead to increased suicide risk for certain populations, as social isolation and economic ramifications persist.
About three-quarters of poll respondents said they thought the worst of the pandemic was ahead, with just 13% saying the worst is behind Americans.
While most said they worry about the economy, an 80% majority said Americans should prioritize measures to slow the spread over reopening businesses to get the economy going again. However, Republicans (68%) and independents (78%) were less likely to prioritize curbing the virus over the economy than Democrats (94%).
Poll: About 6 in 10 voters say Trump was not prepared for coronavirus outbreak
KFF's survey of 1,226 U.S. adults was conducted March 25-30, and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points. The margin of error for the breakdown of results by party is 6 percentage points for Republicans, Democrats and independents.


usatoday--2020-04-02--Democratic convention pushed back to August in response to coronavirus pandemic

MILWAUKEE – The 2020 Democratic National Convention has been pushed back to mid-August as organizers try to navigate the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic .
The event , originally scheduled for July 13-17 , will instead be held the week of Aug. 17 .
It 's unclear how many days the convention will be held as planning remains in flux .
The announcement came in a news release Thursday from convention organizers .
`` After a great deal of scenario planning and giving thought to how it is this event can have the greatest impact in the electoral process and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can bring to Milwaukee , we felt the best decision , not knowing all the answers , was to delay this , '' Democratic National Convention CEO Joe Solmonese told the Journal Sentinel .
`` After checking with hotels and venues and Fiserv , we determined the week of Aug. 17 was the best week to move it to , '' he said .
`` More than anything we continue to monitor the public health landscape , '' Solmonese said .
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett called the decision `` absolutely the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic National Committee .
More : Will coronavirus cancel the conventions ?
Biden says 'it 's hard to envision ' a Dem convention in July '' It underscores the commitment that they have made to Milwaukee , '' he said .
`` It underscores the commitment they have made to Wisconsin and it is my hope that by having it in August it will be a much needed shot in the arm for our restaurants , hotels and other businesses . ''
Alex Lasry , financial chair of the convention 's host committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right decision for the safety of those involved in the convention for Milwaukee .
An August convention will provide a much needed economic boost for Milwaukee and Wisconsin as we come out of this unprecedented time . ''
The move effectively sets off a logistical scramble to accommodate the thousands of delegates that will descend upon Milwaukee to nominate the Democratic ticket that will take on President Donald Trump in the fall .
`` Leadership means being able to adapt , and that 's exactly what our party is doing , '' DNC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The city of Milwaukee has been an incredible partner , especially over the past few weeks as we 've confronted this global crisis , and we could n't be more committed to highlighting Wisconsin as a key battleground state , as it is at the center of so many of Trump 's broken promises . ''
Perez said the party `` will continue to be in contact with local , state , and federal health officials as we monitor this fluid situation . ''
More : More than a dozen states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the statement , convention organizers said they confirmed that planned main venues will be available in August : Fiserv Forum , UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena , Miller High Life Theatre and the Wisconsin Center , as well as hotel accommodations in the surrounding area .
The statement said : `` The convention planning team will now use the coming weeks to further explore all options to ensure nominating the next president of the United States is done without unnecessary risk to public health .
These options include everything from adjusting the convention ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The move was signaled Wednesday by Democratic front-runner Joe Biden who told Jimmy Fallon of the `` The Tonight Show , '' `` I doubt whether the Democratic convention is going to be able to be held in mid-July or early July .
I think it ’ s going to have to move into August . ''
In a Tuesday interview , Biden said : `` We were able to … in the middle of a Civil War all the way through to World War II have Democratic and Republican conventions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public safety .
And we 're able to do both .
But the fact is , it may have to be different . ''
The Wisconsin Center District , which oversees three of the convention venues , is working to reschedule events in August to accommodate the rescheduled DNC .

Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Democratic convention pushed back to August in response to coronavirus pandemic
Show Caption Hide Caption Difference between caucus and primary, explained The 2020 election is nearing and with that, comes the caucuses and primary elections. But what’s the difference? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
MILWAUKEE – The 2020 Democratic National Convention has been pushed back to mid-August as organizers try to navigate the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
The event, originally scheduled for July 13-17, will instead be held the week of Aug. 17. It's unclear how many days the convention will be held as planning remains in flux. The announcement came in a news release Thursday from convention organizers.
"After a great deal of scenario planning and giving thought to how it is this event can have the greatest impact in the electoral process and the greatest impact in terms of what we can bring to Milwaukee, we felt the best decision, not knowing all the answers, was to delay this," Democratic National Convention CEO Joe Solmonese told the Journal Sentinel.
"After checking with hotels and venues and Fiserv, we determined the week of Aug. 17 was the best week to move it to," he said.
"More than anything we continue to monitor the public health landscape," Solmonese said.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett called the decision "absolutely the right move" by the organizers and the Democratic National Committee.
More: Will coronavirus cancel the conventions? Biden says 'it's hard to envision' a Dem convention in July
"It underscores the commitment that they have made to Milwaukee," he said. "It underscores the commitment they have made to Wisconsin and it is my hope that by having it in August it will be a much needed shot in the arm for our restaurants, hotels and other businesses."
Alex Lasry, financial chair of the convention's host committee, said: "This is the right decision for the safety of those involved in the convention for Milwaukee. An August convention will provide a much needed economic boost for Milwaukee and Wisconsin as we come out of this unprecedented time."
The move effectively sets off a logistical scramble to accommodate the thousands of delegates that will descend upon Milwaukee to nominate the Democratic ticket that will take on President Donald Trump in the fall.
"Leadership means being able to adapt, and that's exactly what our party is doing," DNC Chair Tom Perez said in a statement. "The city of Milwaukee has been an incredible partner, especially over the past few weeks as we've confronted this global crisis, and we couldn't be more committed to highlighting Wisconsin as a key battleground state, as it is at the center of so many of Trump's broken promises."
Perez said the party "will continue to be in contact with local, state, and federal health officials as we monitor this fluid situation."
More: More than a dozen states have delayed their primaries due to coronavirus
In the statement, convention organizers said they confirmed that planned main venues will be available in August: Fiserv Forum, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Miller High Life Theatre and the Wisconsin Center, as well as hotel accommodations in the surrounding area.
The statement said: "The convention planning team will now use the coming weeks to further explore all options to ensure nominating the next president of the United States is done without unnecessary risk to public health. These options include everything from adjusting the convention’s format to crowd size and schedule."
Biden calls for 'oversight' of virus aid package Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says the congressional aid package addressing the coronavirus outbreak goes a long way. But the former vice president says the agreement requires "meticulous oversight" and isn't all-encompassing. (March 25) AP
The move was signaled Wednesday by Democratic front-runner Joe Biden who told Jimmy Fallon of the "The Tonight Show," "I doubt whether the Democratic convention is going to be able to be held in mid-July or early July. I think it’s going to have to move into August."
In a Tuesday interview, Biden said: "We were able to … in the middle of a Civil War all the way through to World War II have Democratic and Republican conventions and primaries and elections and still have public safety. And we're able to do both. But the fact is, it may have to be different."
The Wisconsin Center District, which oversees three of the convention venues, is working to reschedule events in August to accommodate the rescheduled DNC.
Contributing: Tom Daykin


usatoday--2020-04-02--Trump calls some governors 'complainers' as he's criticized over delivery of coronavirus supplies

WASHINGTON – Elevating a feud with some governors critical of the government 's response to the coronavirus pandemic , President Donald Trump insisted Thursday his team is delivering medical supplies to states nationwide and that certain unnamed `` complainers '' will never be satisfied .
In a series of tweets , Trump said some state leaders have “ insatiable appetites ” for equipment needed to fight the spread of a virus that threatens to kill up to 240,000 Americans this year .
`` Massive amounts of medical supplies , even hospitals and medical centers , are being delivered directly to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump said in a tweet .
`` Some have insatiable appetites & are never satisfied ( politics ? )
.
Remember , we are a backup for them . ''
Trump did not specify which critics he was referring to , but a group of Democratic governors that include Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan , Andrew Cuomo of New York , J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Jay Inslee of Washington state have criticized the slow pace of federal assistance .
Stimulus checks : Treasury backs off requirement that Social Security recipients , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,200 checks Critics accused Trump of shifting blame for a slow response that has allowed the coronavirus to spread .
`` These tweets are disgusting , '' said Walter Shaub , former director of the Office of Government Ethics .
`` This is a man desperate to shift blame instead of save a country because he knows he 's over his head .
He does n't care who dies , he cares who votes for him . ''
Some governors said they have shortages of masks , gloves , and personal protective equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They also protest a looming shortage of ventilators that patients with the virus need to breathe .
Fauci to get security : Anthony Fauci to get a security detail after facing threats , reports say Trump has been clashing with certain governors for weeks .
On Friday , when Trump asked Vice President Mike Pence not to call governors who have not been `` appreciative '' enough , Whitmer tweeted : `` I 've asked repeatedly and respectfully for help .
We need it .
No more political attacks , just PPEs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kits . ''
On March 22 , after Pritzker complained in a CNN interview about the federal response to the coronavirus , Trump tweeted that the Illinois governor and others `` shouldn ’ t be blaming the Federal Government for their own shortcomings . ''
Responding on Twitter , Pritzker said : `` You wasted precious months when you could 've taken action to protect Americans & Illinoisans .
You should be leading a national response instead of throwing tantrums from the back seat . ''
At times , Trump has accused states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticism from governors like Cuomo .
“ We ’ re creating a stockpile , ” Cuomo said this week .
“ For someone to say , ‘ Well , the warehouse has equipment in it , you should be using that equipment today , ’ that defies the basic concept of planning . ''
He added , in apparent reference to Trump : “ If you are not preparing for the apex , and for the high point , you are missing the entire point of the operation .
It is a fundamental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said that `` New York unfortunately got off to a late start '' and said Cuomo is `` working hard ! ''
In his morning tweets , Trump said `` the complainers should have been stocked up and ready long before this crisis hit .
Other states are thrilled with the job we have done . ''
The president also claimed his administration is `` sending many Ventilators today , with thousands being built .
51 large cargo planes coming in with medical supplies . ''
100,000 body bags : FEMA seeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic worsens While not singling out any particular governor in those tweets , Trump sent other posts zeroing in on a congressional critic : Sen. Chuck Schumer , D-N.Y. , who protested the Trump administration 's coronavirus response on MSNBC 's Morning Joe .
Schumer said Trump needs new leadership for the counter-coronavirus effort .
He also urged Trump to make use of a federal law designed to compel private industries to make more equipment .
`` President Trump needs to harness industry to quickly produce more medical supplies and equipment under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schumer tweeted .
`` He needs to appoint a czar like a military or logistics expert to lead the effort to make and get the supplies where they ’ re needed . ''
The president claimed that `` New York has gotten far more than any other State '' , adding that , `` It wouldn ’ t matter if you got ten times what was needed , it would never be good enough . ''

Trump calls some governors 'complainers' as he's criticized over delivery of coronavirus supplies
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump rips 'unappreciative' governors, tells Pence not to call them President Trump told reporters that certain governors are not appreciative enough of his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Associated Press, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Elevating a feud with some governors critical of the government's response to the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump insisted Thursday his team is delivering medical supplies to states nationwide and that certain unnamed "complainers" will never be satisfied.
In a series of tweets, Trump said some state leaders have “insatiable appetites” for equipment needed to fight the spread of a virus that threatens to kill up to 240,000 Americans this year.
"Massive amounts of medical supplies, even hospitals and medical centers, are being delivered directly to states and hospitals by the Federal Government," Trump said in a tweet. "Some have insatiable appetites & are never satisfied (politics?). Remember, we are a backup for them."
Trump did not specify which critics he was referring to, but a group of Democratic governors that include Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andrew Cuomo of New York, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Jay Inslee of Washington state have criticized the slow pace of federal assistance.
Stimulus checks: Treasury backs off requirement that Social Security recipients, others take extra step to get $1,200 checks
Critics accused Trump of shifting blame for a slow response that has allowed the coronavirus to spread.
"These tweets are disgusting," said Walter Shaub, former director of the Office of Government Ethics. "This is a man desperate to shift blame instead of save a country because he knows he's over his head. He doesn't care who dies, he cares who votes for him."
Some governors said they have shortages of masks, gloves, and personal protective equipment that doctors need to treat coronavirus patients. They also protest a looming shortage of ventilators that patients with the virus need to breathe.
Fauci to get security: Anthony Fauci to get a security detail after facing threats, reports say
Trump has been clashing with certain governors for weeks.
On Friday, when Trump asked Vice President Mike Pence not to call governors who have not been "appreciative" enough, Whitmer tweeted: "I've asked repeatedly and respectfully for help. We need it. No more political attacks, just PPEs, ventilators, N95 masks, test kits."
On March 22, after Pritzker complained in a CNN interview about the federal response to the coronavirus, Trump tweeted that the Illinois governor and others "shouldn’t be blaming the Federal Government for their own shortcomings."
Responding on Twitter, Pritzker said: "You wasted precious months when you could've taken action to protect Americans & Illinoisans. You should be leading a national response instead of throwing tantrums from the back seat."
At times, Trump has accused states of hoarding equipment, comments that brought criticism from governors like Cuomo.
Coronavirus: How much families can expect from the stimulus package? Families across the U.S. will get a portion of money from the federal government's sweeping $2 trillion stimulus package. But how much? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
“We’re creating a stockpile,” Cuomo said this week. “For someone to say, ‘Well, the warehouse has equipment in it, you should be using that equipment today,’ that defies the basic concept of planning."
He added, in apparent reference to Trump: “If you are not preparing for the apex, and for the high point, you are missing the entire point of the operation. It is a fundamental blunder to only prepare for today.”
Trump said that "New York unfortunately got off to a late start" and said Cuomo is "working hard!"
In his morning tweets, Trump said "the complainers should have been stocked up and ready long before this crisis hit. Other states are thrilled with the job we have done."
The president also claimed his administration is "sending many Ventilators today, with thousands being built. 51 large cargo planes coming in with medical supplies."
100,000 body bags: FEMA seeks 100,000 body bags from the Pentagon as coronavirus pandemic worsens
While not singling out any particular governor in those tweets, Trump sent other posts zeroing in on a congressional critic: Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who protested the Trump administration's coronavirus response on MSNBC's Morning Joe.
Schumer said Trump needs new leadership for the counter-coronavirus effort. He also urged Trump to make use of a federal law designed to compel private industries to make more equipment.
"President Trump needs to harness industry to quickly produce more medical supplies and equipment under the Defense Production Act NOW," Schumer tweeted. "He needs to appoint a czar like a military or logistics expert to lead the effort to make and get the supplies where they’re needed."
The president claimed that "New York has gotten far more than any other State", adding that, "It wouldn’t matter if you got ten times what was needed, it would never be good enough."


usatoday--2020-04-03--Navy captain fired after pleading help for sailors who tested positive for coronavirus

Navy fires captain who sought help for COVID-19 positive sailors Capt .
Brett Crozier sent a letter to the Navy @ @ @ @ @ crew as cases of coronavirus infection increased on the USS Theodore Roosevelt .

Navy fires captain who sought help for COVID-19 positive sailors
Capt. Brett Crozier sent a letter to the Navy, seeking to evacuate his crew as cases of coronavirus infection increased on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-04-03--'Confused' and 'bad senator:' Trump and Schumer trade barbs over coronavirus response

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump ripped Sen. Charles Schumer in a notably nasty letter on Thursday , blaming his support of impeachment in part for New York 's lack of readiness regarding the spread of the coronavirus .
`` If you spent less time on your ridiculous impeachment hoax , which went haplessly on forever and ended up going nowhere ( except increasing my poll numbers ) , and instead focused on helping the people of New York , then New York would not have been so completely unprepared for the 'invisible enemy , '' Trump wrote in a reply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the day .
A former New York resident , Trump also told the state 's senior senator : `` I ’ ve known you for many years , but I never knew how bad a Senator you are for the state of New York , until I became President . ''
Schumer had sent a more tempered letter to Trump , saying it was the federal government that was not ready for the coronavirus pandemic .
More : Trump has n't ordered any ventilators from GM , despite saying he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources More : New York ties bind Trump and Schumer , but can they last through health care ?
`` As the Coronavirus spreads rapidly into every corner of our nation and its terrible , grim toll grows more severe with each passing day , the tardiness and inadequacy of this Administration ’ s response to the crisis becomes more painfully evident , '' Schumer told Trump .
Trump 's letter was the latest volley in a new war of words with the Senate 's top Democrat .
Schumer , D-N.Y. , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called the Trump administration 's `` confused and uncoordinated '' response to the coronavirus pandemic .
During an appearance Thursday on MSNBC 's `` Morning Joe , '' Schumer said Trump needs new leadership for the counter-coronavirus effort .
He also urged Trump to make use of a federal law designed to compel private industries to make more equipment .
`` President Trump needs to harness industry to quickly produce more medical supplies and equipment under the Defense Production Act NOW , '' Schumer tweeted .
`` He needs to appoint a czar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead the effort to make and get the supplies where they ’ re needed . ''
State spat : Trump calls some governors 'complainers ' as he 's criticized over delivery of coronavirus supplies In a tweet responding to Schumer , Trump claimed that `` New York has gotten far more than any other State , '' adding that , `` It wouldn ’ t matter if you got ten times what was needed , it would never be good enough . ''
In his follow-up letter , made public as Trump conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , the president accused Schumer of `` incorrect sound bites , which are wrong in every way . ''
Schumer 's letter repeated the same criticisms of the administration 's response that he has made before .
`` This is a matter of the utmost urgency for the health of every American , '' Schumer concluded .
`` Regrettably , our national response is far behind where it should be .
But by acting now , there is still time to help protect our medical professionals , reduce suffering and save lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , in December during the height of the impeachment crisis .
In his harangue to Pelosi , Trump wrote : “ Your Speakership and your party are held hostage by your most deranged and radical representatives of the far left .
Look at yourself and others .
Do not take our country down with your party .
”

'Confused' and 'bad senator:' Trump and Schumer trade barbs over coronavirus response
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump ripped Sen. Charles Schumer in a notably nasty letter on Thursday, blaming his support of impeachment in part for New York's lack of readiness regarding the spread of the coronavirus.
"If you spent less time on your ridiculous impeachment hoax, which went haplessly on forever and ended up going nowhere (except increasing my poll numbers), and instead focused on helping the people of New York, then New York would not have been so completely unprepared for the 'invisible enemy," Trump wrote in a reply to a letter Schumer had sent him earlier in the day.
A former New York resident, Trump also told the state's senior senator: "I’ve known you for many years, but I never knew how bad a Senator you are for the state of New York, until I became President."
Schumer had sent a more tempered letter to Trump, saying it was the federal government that was not ready for the coronavirus pandemic.
More: Trump hasn't ordered any ventilators from GM, despite saying he was using wartime powers to force production - sources
More: New York ties bind Trump and Schumer, but can they last through health care?
"As the Coronavirus spreads rapidly into every corner of our nation and its terrible, grim toll grows more severe with each passing day, the tardiness and inadequacy of this Administration’s response to the crisis becomes more painfully evident," Schumer told Trump.
Trump's letter was the latest volley in a new war of words with the Senate's top Democrat. Schumer, D-N.Y., has been an outspoken critic of what he called the Trump administration's "confused and uncoordinated" response to the coronavirus pandemic.
During an appearance Thursday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Schumer said Trump needs new leadership for the counter-coronavirus effort. He also urged Trump to make use of a federal law designed to compel private industries to make more equipment.
"President Trump needs to harness industry to quickly produce more medical supplies and equipment under the Defense Production Act NOW," Schumer tweeted. "He needs to appoint a czar like a military or logistics expert to lead the effort to make and get the supplies where they’re needed."
State spat: Trump calls some governors 'complainers' as he's criticized over delivery of coronavirus supplies
In a tweet responding to Schumer, Trump claimed that "New York has gotten far more than any other State," adding that, "It wouldn’t matter if you got ten times what was needed, it would never be good enough."
In his follow-up letter, made public as Trump conducted a coronavirus news conference at the White House, the president accused Schumer of "incorrect sound bites, which are wrong in every way."
Schumer's letter repeated the same criticisms of the administration's response that he has made before.
"This is a matter of the utmost urgency for the health of every American," Schumer concluded. "Regrettably, our national response is far behind where it should be. But by acting now, there is still time to help protect our medical professionals, reduce suffering and save lives."
Trump sent a similarly nasty letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in December during the height of the impeachment crisis.
In his harangue to Pelosi, Trump wrote: “Your Speakership and your party are held hostage by your most deranged and radical representatives of the far left. Look at yourself and others. Do not take our country down with your party.”


usatoday--2020-04-03--President Trump 'won't be doing' voluntary facemasks for COVID-19 protection

Coronavirus : President Trump says he 'wo n't be doing ' voluntary masks As face masks are now being recommended @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus , President Donald Trump says he wo n't volunteering to wear one .

Coronavirus: President Trump says he 'won't be doing' voluntary masks
As face masks are now being recommended to protect against the spread of coronavirus, President Donald Trump says he won't volunteering to wear one.
Associated Press, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-04-03--Trump: Won't wear a coronavirus mask because it would interfere with foreign leader meetings

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Friday he would choose not to wear a coronavirus mask because it would interfere with his ability to meet with foreign presidents , prime ministers and `` dictators . ''
`` Somehow sitting in the Oval Office , behind that beautiful Resolute Desk , '' Trump said , indicating he thought it would be uncomfortable wearing a mask as he met with `` presidents , prime ministers , dictators , kings , queens – I don ’ t know , somehow I don ’ t see it for myself . ''
Trump made the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference in which he announced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would revise recommendations to advise people to start wearing masks in public to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
Trump stressed that the CDC is not calling for Americans wear medical-grade masks .
Medical protective gear must be preserved for health care officials on the front lines treating coronavirus patients , he said .
The president repeatedly said the guidelines are voluntary and said he would not wear one .
Trump regularly uses the `` dictator '' line to convey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign leaders , from long standing allies to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un .
Cover up : Trump recommends wide use of face masks to stem spread of coronavirus '' Leaders come in from other countries – prime ministers , presidents , kings , queens , dictators , in some cases – they just don ’ t know they ’ re dictators , '' Trump said during an official event in Florida in December .
“ You know when I meet dictators and presidents and kings and queens and prime ministers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office , ” he said weeks earlier at a rally in Pennsylvania .
But most of Trump ’ s meetings with foreign leaders have been canceled because of the coronavirus .
The White House postponed a meeting with the King of Spain that had been scheduled for mid-March .
The administration also canceled the in-person G-7 meeting of the world ’ s largest industrialized economies that had been set for June .

Trump: Won't wear a coronavirus mask because it would interfere with foreign leader meetings
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: President Trump says he 'won't be doing' voluntary masks As face masks are now being recommended to protect against the spread of coronavirus, President Donald Trump says he won't volunteering to wear one. Associated Press, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Friday that he would choose not to wear a coronavirus mask because it would interfere with his ability to meet with foreign presidents, prime ministers and "dictators."
"Somehow sitting in the Oval Office, behind that beautiful Resolute Desk," Trump said, indicating he thought it would be uncomfortable wearing a mask as he met with "presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens – I don’t know, somehow I don’t see it for myself."
Trump made the remark Friday during a White House news conference in which he announced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would revise recommendations to advise people to start wearing masks in public to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump stressed that the CDC is not calling for Americans to wear medical-grade masks. Medical protective gear must be preserved for health care officials on the front lines treating coronavirus patients, he said.
The president repeatedly said the guidelines are voluntary and said that he would not wear one.
Trump regularly uses the "dictator" line to convey that he meets with all sorts of foreign leaders, from long-standing allies to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
Cover up: Trump recommends wide use of face masks to stem spread of coronavirus
Fact check: Trump talks the escalation of tensions with Iran in speech President Donald Trump spoke after Iran launched missiles on bases in Iraq where American troops are stationed. USA Today fact-checked his assertions. USA TODAY
"Leaders come in from other countries – prime ministers, presidents, kings, queens, dictators, in some cases – they just don’t know they’re dictators," Trump said during an official event in Florida in December.
“You know when I meet dictators and presidents and kings and queens and prime ministers, they all come into the beautiful Oval Office,” he said weeks earlier at a rally in Pennsylvania.
But most of Trump’s meetings with foreign leaders have been canceled because of the coronavirus. The White House postponed a meeting with the king of Spain that had been scheduled for mid-March. The administration also canceled the in-person G-7 meeting of the world’s largest industrialized economies that had been set for June.
Contributing: Nicholas Wu and David Jackson
Fact check: What's true and what's false about coronavirus?


usatoday--2020-04-03--Senators demand probe of Navy's COVID-19 response: It has 'no idea how many potential hot spots it h

WASHINGTON – Democratic senators Friday called on the Pentagon Inspector General to investigate the Navy 's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its firing of a captain for raising concerns about its slow response to the outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt .
One of the lead authors of the letter , Sen. Richard Blumenthal , said the Navy lacks the ability to test sailors for the coronavirus on many of its ships , particularly those smaller than the Roosevelt , an aircraft carriers with more than 4,800 crew members .
`` How many other Theodore Roosevelts are out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Armed Services Committee from Connecticut , said in an interview with USA TODAY .
`` There is testing on some of the bigger ships .
The smaller ships do n't have that capability .
They just do n't .
There are potential hot spots at sea of unknown size and dimension . ''
He speculated that the Navy had `` no idea how many potential hot spots it has . ''
Big send-off : Capt .
Brett Crozier , fired for pleading for help for his sailors , bid fond farewell On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced the firing of the Roosevelt 's Capt .
Brett Crozier , who was forced out after he sent a letter Sunday raising concerns about the Navy 's response to the COVID-19 outbreak aboard his ship and stating sailors could die without prompt assistance .
Crozier had the opportunity to bring the issue to the attention of his superior officers , including one aboard the Roosevelt , but instead sent a letter copied to dozens of people , Modly said .
Medical personnel and assistance were en route when Crozier sent his letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respect the chain of command resulted in a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead , Modly said , explaining at a briefing why he stripped Crozier of command .
Adm. Michael Gilday , the chief of naval operations , agreed with the decision to fire Crozier .
On Friday , 137 sailors from the Roosevelt had tested positive for COVID-19 , according to the Navy .
The Navy has quarantined 576 crew members in hotels in Guam after they tested negatively for the disease .
Nobody has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to maintain its nuclear reactors and guard its weapons .
The first three positive cases were found March 24 .
As of Friday , 41 % of the USS Theodore Roosevelt crew were tested for COVID-19 , with 137 positive cases so far .
There have been zero hospitalizations .
Friday evening , 400 more sailors who tested negative will move into Guam hotels for quarantine , bringing the total housed there to 576 .
As testing continues , the ship will keep enough sailors on board to sustain essential services and sanitize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic and Independent senators , in their letter to acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine , asked him to evaluate whether the Navy has taken the proper steps to protect the safety of sailors aboard ships and submarines .
Dwrena Allen , a spokeswoman for the inspector general , confirmed that the letter was being evaluated by Fine 's office .
Blumenthal , in the interview , said the senators are also concerned that Crozier was fired because he embarrassed Pentagon leadership by questioning whether enough was being done to protect sailors ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about safety and health compounds the problem , he said .
`` That 's a recipe for disaster , '' Bluementhal said .

Senators demand probe of Navy's COVID-19 response: It has 'no idea how many potential hot spots it has'
Show Caption Hide Caption Navy fires captain who sought help for COVID-19 positive sailors Capt. Brett Crozier sent a letter to the Navy, seeking to evacuate his crew as cases of coronavirus infection increased on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Democratic senators Friday called on the Pentagon inspector general to investigate the Navy's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its firing of a captain for raising concerns about its slow response to the outbreak aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
One of the lead authors of the letter, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, said the Navy lacks the ability to test sailors for the coronavirus on many of its ships, particularly those smaller than the Roosevelt, an aircraft carriers with more than 4,800 crew members.
"How many other Theodore Roosevelts are out there?" Blumenthal, a member of the Armed Services Committee from Connecticut, said in an interview with USA TODAY. "There is testing on some of the bigger ships. The smaller ships don't have that capability. They just don't. There are potential hot spots at sea of unknown size and dimension."
He speculated that the Navy had "no idea how many potential hot spots it has."
Big send-off: Capt. Brett Crozier, fired for pleading for help for his sailors, bid fond farewell
On Thursday, acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly announced the firing of the Roosevelt's Capt. Brett Crozier, who was forced out after he sent a letter Sunday raising concerns about the Navy's response to the COVID-19 outbreak aboard his ship and stating sailors could die without prompt assistance. Crozier had the opportunity to bring the issue to the attention of his superior officers, including one aboard the Roosevelt, but instead sent a letter copied to dozens of people, Modly said.
Medical personnel and assistance were en route when Crozier sent his letter, Modly said.
Crozier's failure to respect the chain of command resulted in a loss of trust and confidence in his ability to lead, Modly said, explaining at a briefing why he stripped Crozier of command. Adm. Michael Gilday, the chief of naval operations, agreed with the decision to fire Crozier.
On Friday, 137 sailors from the Roosevelt had tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Navy. The Navy has quarantined 576 crew members in hotels in Guam after they tested negatively for the disease. Nobody has been hospitalized. Sailors remain aboard the ship to maintain its nuclear reactors and guard its weapons.
The first three positive cases were found March 24.
As of Friday, 41% of the USS Theodore Roosevelt crew were tested for COVID-19, with 137 positive cases so far.
There have been zero hospitalizations.
Friday evening, 400 more sailors who tested negative will move into Guam hotels for quarantine, bringing the total housed there to 576. As testing continues, the ship will keep enough sailors on board to sustain essential services and sanitize the ship in port.
The 17 Democratic and independent senators, in their letter to acting Pentagon Inspector General Glenn Fine, asked him to evaluate whether the Navy has taken the proper steps to protect the safety of sailors aboard ships and submarines.
Dwrena Allen, a spokeswoman for the inspector general, confirmed that the letter was being evaluated by Fine's office.
Blumenthal, in the interview, said the senators are also concerned that Crozier was fired because he embarrassed Pentagon leadership by questioning whether enough was being done to protect sailors' health.
Discouraging troops from raising concerns about safety and health compounds the problem, he said.
"That's a recipe for disaster," Bluementhal said.
Fact check: What's true and what's false about coronavirus?


usatoday--2020-04-03--The White House will give coronavirus tests to people who get close to Donald Trump

WASHINGTON – People who are expected to be in President Donald Trump 's immediate physical space will be given a `` quick test '' for coronavirus , the White House said Friday .
The requirement also applies to people who are expected to go near Vice President Mike Pence .
The decision was made `` as the Physician to the President and White House Operations continue to protect the health and safety of the President and Vice President , '' White House spokesman Judd Deere said .
Deere added : `` Starting today anyone who is expected to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be administered a COVID-19 test to evaluate for pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers status to limit inadvertent transmission . ''
More : Trump warns of 'very painful ' time as aides predict US coronavirus death toll could reach 240,000 During a Trump meeting Friday with energy executives , reporters asked the president about the new testing requirements .
He did n't appear to know anything about them .
This is the new `` quick test '' that Trump himself took earlier this week .
He said he got the result , a negative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I took it , really , out of curiosity to see how quickly it worked and fast it worked , and it 's a lot easier , '' said Trump , who also passed a coronvairus test in March .
Only people physically close to the president and vice president will be tested , the White House said .
The requirement is not expected to apply , for example , to members of the press pool , who are kept relatively far away from Trump and Pence at briefings and other events .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ House grounds have had to undergo temperature tests for the past three weeks .

The White House will give coronavirus tests to people who get close to Donald Trump
WASHINGTON – People who are expected to be in President Donald Trump's immediate physical space will be given a "quick test" for coronavirus, the White House said Friday.
The requirement also applies to people who are expected to go near Vice President Mike Pence.
The decision was made "as the Physician to the President and White House Operations continue to protect the health and safety of the President and Vice President," White House spokesman Judd Deere said.
Deere added: "Starting today anyone who is expected to be in close proximity to either of them will be administered a COVID-19 test to evaluate for pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic carriers status to limit inadvertent transmission."
More: Trump warns of 'very painful' time as aides predict US coronavirus death toll could reach 240,000
During a Trump meeting Friday with energy executives, reporters asked the president about the new testing requirements. He didn't appear to know anything about them.
This is the new "quick test" that Trump himself took earlier this week. He said he got the result, a negative, within 15 minutes.
"I think I took it, really, out of curiosity to see how quickly it worked and fast it worked, and it's a lot easier," said Trump, who also passed a coronvairus test in March.
Only people physically close to the president and vice president will be tested, the White House said.
The requirement is not expected to apply, for example, to members of the press pool, who are kept relatively far away from Trump and Pence at briefings and other events.
Reporters and other people entering the White House grounds have had to undergo temperature tests for the past three weeks.


usatoday--2020-04-03--Supreme Court again postpones oral arguments due to coronavirus pandemic

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Friday postponed oral arguments scheduled for later this month because of the coronavirus pandemic , marking the second consecutive month it has done so .
With oral arguments slated to wrap up for the 2019 term at the end of April , the justices now must decide how to handle the 20 cases that will not have been heard in open court .
`` The court will consider rescheduling some cases from the March and April sessions before the end of the term , if circumstances permit in light of public health and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court 's statement said .
`` The court will consider a range of scheduling options and other alternatives if arguments can not be held in the courtroom before the end of the term . ''
When the earlier postponement was announced in March , it marked the first such delay of oral arguments before the high court since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 .
The justices had several major cases scheduled for April , including : • Challenges from Washington State and Colorado on whether the 538 members of the Electoral College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidates .
• An effort by the Trump administration to let employers and universities with religious or moral objections deny women insurance coverage for contraceptives .
Among the oral arguments postponed last month were major battles over subpoenas for President Donald Trump 's tax returns and financial records from congressional committees and New York prosecutors .
Trump 's lawyers want the documents to remain shielded .
The high court clings to tradition , so it has not gone the way of many other state and federal courts by using teleconferences or offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justices could decide to use teleconferences in some cases now , or they could delay oral arguments until the fall or decide cases from written briefs only .
All nine justices participated in the court 's weekly private conference Friday morning , but it was conducted by phone , as it has been in recent weeks .
Six of the nine justices are at least 65 years old , led by Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , 87 , who has had four bouts of cancer in the past two decades .

Supreme Court again postpones oral arguments due to coronavirus pandemic
Show Caption Hide Caption Supreme Court term nears end, major decisions on divisive cases The Supreme Court enters the last phase of its term in which it hears the oral arguments of the last major cases and will start issuing decisions. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Friday postponed oral arguments scheduled for later this month because of the coronavirus pandemic, marking the second consecutive month it has done so.
With oral arguments slated to wrap up for the 2019 term at the end of April, the justices now must decide how to handle the 20 cases that will not have been heard in open court.
"The court will consider rescheduling some cases from the March and April sessions before the end of the term, if circumstances permit in light of public health and safety guidance at that time," the court's statement said. "The court will consider a range of scheduling options and other alternatives if arguments cannot be held in the courtroom before the end of the term."
When the earlier postponement was announced in March, it marked the first such delay of oral arguments before the high court since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918.
The justices had several major cases scheduled for April, including:
• Challenges from Washington State and Colorado on whether the 538 members of the Electoral College must vote for their states' winning presidential candidates.
• An effort by the Trump administration to let employers and universities with religious or moral objections deny women insurance coverage for contraceptives.
Among the oral arguments postponed last month were major battles over subpoenas for President Donald Trump's tax returns and financial records from congressional committees and New York prosecutors. Trump's lawyers want the documents to remain shielded.
The high court clings to tradition, so it has not gone the way of many other state and federal courts by using teleconferences or offering public access through video streaming. The justices could decide to use teleconferences in some cases now, or they could delay oral arguments until the fall or decide cases from written briefs only.
All nine justices participated in the court's weekly private conference Friday morning, but it was conducted by phone, as it has been in recent weeks. Six of the nine justices are at least 65 years old, led by Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87, who has had four bouts of cancer in the past two decades.


usatoday--2020-04-03--Federal judge: Coronavirus poses 'grave danger' in jails, prisons; 'swift' government action needed

WASHINGTON – Citing the “ grave danger ” the coronavirus poses to inmates in jails and prisons , a federal judge in New York weighed into growing concern for detainees , urging Congress and other government officials to take “ swift ” action to reduce the hazard to the most vulnerable .
“ The dangers of the moment ... call for more systemic action than a judge can grant in any one case , ” Manhattan U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman wrote earlier this week .
“ There are many cases when temporary release of an inmate would be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the law does not give a judge the authority to take it.
” Furman ’ s comments were contained in an order , denying release of a former Staten Island doctor , Nkanga Nkanga , who pleaded guilty last fall to prescribing opioids for no legitimate medical need .
Because Nkanga , 67 , had already been sentenced to 36 months in prison , Furman said he was “ powerless ” to intervene when he requested release last month because of the threat posed by the virus and his compromised medical condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffers from asthma and complications from a stroke .
“ Regrettably , although the balance of risk and benefits weigh heavily in favor of granting temporary release – as Dr. Nkanga does not pose a danger to the community and is no risk of flight , yet he is plainly in grave danger at the ( federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn ) and , if infected , will pose a danger to others – the court is powerless under the law as it currently stands to grant Dr. Nkanga relief , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General William Barr directed federal prison authorities to begin identifying more elderly and medically compromised inmates for home confinement to avoid a larger outbreak of the coronavirus inside the agency 's 122 institutions .
Barr 's directive came as lawmakers and civil rights advocates urged the Justice Department to follow the lead of state and local officials who have released thousands of vulnerable prisoners who would be most at risk of infection .
Lockdown : Feds to quarantine all new inmates for 14 days to try to guard against COVID-19 in prisons So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives of five federal inmates , four of whom were housed at the same low-security prison in Oakdale , Louisiana .
At least 75 inmates and 39 staffers have been infected , according to the Bureau of Prisons .
As recently as Thursday , Nkanga and his lawyers continued to push for the former doctor 's release , but the government has opposed the request and the judge had not changed his ruling .
`` The government is extremely sensitive to the very real concerns at stake , '' prosecutors argued in court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defendant again seeks release pursuant to statutes that do not provide the court authority to grant the requested relief , the defendant ’ s motion must be denied . ''

Federal judge: Coronavirus poses 'grave danger' in jails, prisons; 'swift' government action needed
WASHINGTON – Citing the “grave danger” the coronavirus poses to inmates in jails and prisons, a federal judge in New York weighed into growing concern for detainees, urging Congress and other government officials to take “swift” action to reduce the hazard to the most vulnerable.
“The dangers of the moment ... call for more systemic action than a judge can grant in any one case,” Manhattan U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman wrote earlier this week. “There are many cases when temporary release of an inmate would be the rational and just course of action, but the law does not give a judge the authority to take it.”
Furman’s comments were contained in an order, denying release of a former Staten Island doctor, Nkanga Nkanga, who pleaded guilty last fall to prescribing opioids for no legitimate medical need.
Because Nkanga, 67, had already been sentenced to 36 months in prison, Furman said he was “powerless” to intervene when he requested release last month because of the threat posed by the virus and his compromised medical condition.
According to court documents, Nkanga suffers from asthma and complications from a stroke.
“Regrettably, although the balance of risk and benefits weigh heavily in favor of granting temporary release – as Dr. Nkanga does not pose a danger to the community and is no risk of flight, yet he is plainly in grave danger at the (federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn) and, if infected, will pose a danger to others – the court is powerless under the law as it currently stands to grant Dr. Nkanga relief,” Furman wrote.
Last week, Attorney General William Barr directed federal prison authorities to begin identifying more elderly and medically compromised inmates for home confinement to avoid a larger outbreak of the coronavirus inside the agency's 122 institutions.
Barr's directive came as lawmakers and civil rights advocates urged the Justice Department to follow the lead of state and local officials who have released thousands of vulnerable prisoners who would be most at risk of infection.
Lockdown: Feds to quarantine all new inmates for 14 days to try to guard against COVID-19 in prisons
So far, the coronavirus has claimed the lives of five federal inmates, four of whom were housed at the same low-security prison in Oakdale, Louisiana.
At least 75 inmates and 39 staffers have been infected, according to the Bureau of Prisons.
As recently as Thursday, Nkanga and his lawyers continued to push for the former doctor's release, but the government has opposed the request and the judge had not changed his ruling.
"The government is extremely sensitive to the very real concerns at stake," prosecutors argued in court documents Thursday, "but because the defendant again seeks release pursuant to statutes that do not provide the court authority to grant the requested relief, the defendant’s motion must be denied."


usatoday--2020-04-03--For governors, the coronavirus is a test, from its deadly toll to dealing with Trump

For governors , too , the coronavirus has been a test .
They find themselves rallying an anxious public , bidding against one another for scarce ventilators on the open market and sometimes scrapping with the president over what the federal government should and has delivered .
More than any other elected official , governors have been making the on-the-ground decisions that will determine the lives and , in some cases , the deaths of Americans during this pandemic .
They are responsible for deciding when stay-at-home orders are issued to slow the spread of COVID-19 and have scrambled to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be available when it does spread .
That has put them in a national spotlight that has burnished the reputations of some – Mike DeWine of Ohio , Larry Hogan of Maryland , Gavin Newsom of California , Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan – and subjected others to caustic scrutiny .
Some have found themselves both praised and pilloried .
Whitmer , elected governor in 2018 , has been surprised by the limits of the federal role in the crisis .
`` COVID-19 does n't respect state boundaries ; it does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an interview with USA TODAY .
`` Having a more cohesive national strategy , I think , is something that I would have expected , and that [ lack ] is creating a unique challenge for us to get our arms around COVID-19 . ''
States vs. COVID-19 : They 're playing an outsized role , but they are far from united In responding to crises from hurricanes to mass shootings , governors are typically important figures , but they have become more central in this one because the president has chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could .
Trump has n't imposed a national shutdown order , leaving a patchwork of regulations across the country .
He has only reluctantly and narrowly triggered the Defense Production Act that would order companies to produce scarce materials .
The federal government has n't taken charge of the medical supply chain despite pleas from governors in both parties to take control of procurement and distribution .
The step back is deliberate .
Trump says he wants to give the states `` flexibility '' on whether to issue stay-at-home orders .
Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House coronavirus task force , has repeated a mantra that the administration 's approach is `` locally executed , state managed and federally supported . ''
The result : Never in modern times has any governor had to handle a bigger or more deadly crisis , one that is also stressing the global economy and straining the nation 's health care system .
More than 6,000 Americans have died , a number that does n't yet show signs of leveling off , and a record 6.6 million Americans filed this week for unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became governor , I was faced with the riots in Baltimore , where we called up 4,000 members of the National Guard and a thousand police officers , '' Hogan , who is also chair of the National Governors Association , said in an interview with USA TODAY .
`` This is like 10 times more than that every single day .
It 's like a hurricane hits all 50 states that keeps coming and keeps increasing intensity with each and every day . ''
He said some of the decisions being made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses , impose quarantines , erect emergency hospitals and blow up state budgets – would have been unimaginable only a month ago .
Is there a cost to candor ?
One of the decisions : Whether to criticize Trump .
Governors who have publicly faulted the federal government for not delivering enough help or the right help have found themselves the target of the president 's bully pulpit .
Gov .
Jay Inslee of Washington , the first state to record a coronavirus outbreak and death , in an early tweet thanked Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our work would be more successful if the Trump administration stuck to the science and told the truth . ''
Trump then labeled Inslee `` a snake '' who was `` not a good governor '' and someone he would refuse to talk to , although Pence has continued to speak with him .
Those exchanges have fueled fears in Washington State and elsewhere that a rhetorical breach could have a substantive impact – that is , could prompt federal agencies to punish a governor by sending less aid to his or her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it does n't , '' Inslee 's predecessor , Christine Gregoire , said in an interview .
The former two-term governor provides training sessions for new governors through the National Governors Association , a group she once headed , but she says she 's never encountered this particular challenge before .
`` I have to tell you , '' she said , `` I ca n't remember one where the stakes were high , let alone a matter of life and death , where there 's been public disagreements of this nature .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fine line between expressing candor and protecting their state 's interests .
`` Maybe some of them are a little more critical than they probably should be , in my opinion , and some of them maybe do n't speak up as much as they should , '' Hogan , a Republican , said of his fellow governors in an interview with USA TODAY .
`` But I just try to strike that balance of being respectful , not overly critical , but really clearly stating what the needs are . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , inaccurately , that governors were no longer expressing concerns about a shortage of testing kits .
When the federal government sent 170 ventilators to Los Angeles County , none of them operational , Newsom said he simply located a Silicon Valley firm that could refurbish them .
`` I did n't call a press conference , '' the California governor said , although he did relate the experience in an interview on CNN Wednesday .
`` Not finger-pointing ; not nail-biting . ''
Newsom said his state , which has among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , does n't expect to receive all the ventilators it needs from the federal stockpile and instead is competing with other states to buy them , a situation that has encouraged price-gouging .
`` It 's the wild , wild West , no question about it . ''
Scarce supplies : U.S. exported millions in masks and ventilators ahead of the coronavirus crisis Wrath for ' a woman governor ' who spoke out '' All she does is sit there and blame the federal government , '' the president complained last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` young , a woman governor '' in Michigan , not mentioning her name .
Whitmer responded with a tweet that included a hand-waving emoji .
`` Hi , my name is Gretchen Whitmer , and that governor is me . ''
In an appearance on Comedy Central 's `` The Daily Show with Trevor Noah , '' Whitmer sported a bright blue T-shirt that said , `` That Woman from Michigan . ''
The president and the governor did finally speak on the phone Tuesday .
`` It was an unscheduled call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I had reached out and asked for a call and it did n't happen immediately , but ultimately it did . ''
She said she thanked him for a federal shipment of protective N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile but said much more were needed .
`` When we have one hospital system in Detroit that 'll go through 12,000 masks in a shift , it tells you that 112,000 is helpful , but it 's nowhere near solving the problem , '' she said .
She dismissed questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We all have to remember right now the enemy is COVID-19 . ''
That said , Whitmer 's political stock has risen .
Former vice president Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , said this week that she had already been on his list of possible running mates .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo 's reputation has grown , too .
His daily briefing from Albany has become a Democratic counterpoint to the White House briefing later each day presided over by President Trump .
The governor 's blunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on social media that he would be a stronger presidential nominee than Biden , a notion the governor has rejected .
The coronavirus crisis could have a broader political impact as well .
For one thing , it could counter the public 's long-standing appetite for outsiders in political office .
At the moment , deep experience and an ability to direct the bureaucracy are seen as valued assets .
Among the governors who have gotten the highest marks are those with long – and sometimes familial – records in politics .
Cuomo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to multiple gubernatorial terms but also are both second-generation politicians .
( Cuomo 's father was a New York governor ; Hogan 's father was a Maryland congressman . )
Ohio Gov .
DeWine is a former lieutenant governor , state attorney general , U.S. representative and senator .
The challenges for governors wo n't end when the coronavirus crisis eases .
At that point , they 'll be dealing with the pandemic 's repercussions for the health system , for the economy and for budgets that in 49 states are mandated to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vermont . )
The governors who have gotten the most criticism are those who have been slowest to act , calculating that the threat to their citizens did n't warrant ordering the most disruptive restrictions .
Only a dozen governors , all of them Republicans , so far have n't issued statewide stay-at-home orders , a step that public health officials say is crucial to `` flatten the curve , '' to reduce transmission of the virus to avoid overloading the health system .
Those states are Alabama , Arkansas , Iowa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oklahoma , South Carolina , South Dakota , Texas , Utah and Wyoming .
( Some of those governors have ordered less far-reaching restrictions . )
Coronavirus in the US : How all 50 states are responding Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis , whose retiree-heavy population makes his state particularly susceptible to the disease , has been hammered for resisting calls to close down crowded beaches during spring break celebrations that drew thousands of young people .
Trump had praised him as a `` great governor '' who `` knows exactly what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday adopted a more somber tone and issued a sobering projected death toll , however , DeSantis did order a statewide shutdown for 30 days , starting Friday .
He acted after the U.S. surgeon general , Dr. Jerome Adams , said on NBC 's `` Today '' show that DeSantis should view the federal guidelines urging social distancing as `` a national stay-at-home order . ''
Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp also issued a statewide shelter-in-place order on Wednesday .
At a news conference , he said he had just learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be infected and pass on the virus .
Public health experts had been warning about that fact since January , the fundamental reason they had been urging everyone to stay home .
“ Well , we didn ’ t know that until the last 24 hours , ” Kemp told reporters .
“ This is a game-changer for us . ''

For governors, the coronavirus is a test, from its deadly toll to dealing with Trump
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump rips 'unappreciative' governors, tells Pence not to call them President Trump told reporters that certain governors are not appreciative enough of his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Associated Press, USA TODAY
For governors, too, the coronavirus has been a test.
They find themselves rallying an anxious public, bidding against one another for scarce ventilators on the open market and sometimes scrapping with the president over what the federal government should and has delivered.
More than any other elected official, governors have been making the on-the-ground decisions that will determine the lives and, in some cases, the deaths of Americans during this pandemic. They are responsible for deciding when stay-at-home orders are issued to slow the spread of COVID-19 and have scrambled to try to ensure adequate medical treatment is going to be available when it does spread.
That has put them in a national spotlight that has burnished the reputations of some – Mike DeWine of Ohio, Larry Hogan of Maryland, Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan – and subjected others to caustic scrutiny. Some have found themselves both praised and pilloried.
Whitmer, elected governor in 2018, has been surprised by the limits of the federal role in the crisis.
"COVID-19 doesn't respect state boundaries; it doesn't observe partisan lines," she said in an interview with USA TODAY. "Having a more cohesive national strategy, I think, is something that I would have expected, and that [lack] is creating a unique challenge for us to get our arms around COVID-19."
States vs. COVID-19: They're playing an outsized role, but they are far from united
In responding to crises from hurricanes to mass shootings, governors are typically important figures, but they have become more central in this one because the president has chosen not to exert all the authority he could.
Trump hasn't imposed a national shutdown order, leaving a patchwork of regulations across the country. He has only reluctantly and narrowly triggered the Defense Production Act that would order companies to produce scarce materials. The federal government hasn't taken charge of the medical supply chain despite pleas from governors in both parties to take control of procurement and distribution.
The step back is deliberate. Trump says he wants to give the states "flexibility" on whether to issue stay-at-home orders. Vice President Mike Pence, head of the White House coronavirus task force, has repeated a mantra that the administration's approach is "locally executed, state managed and federally supported."
The result: Never in modern times has any governor had to handle a bigger or more deadly crisis, one that is also stressing the global economy and straining the nation's health care system. More than 6,000 Americans have died, a number that doesn't yet show signs of leveling off, and a record 6.6 million Americans filed this week for unemployment insurance.
US coronavirus map: Tracking the outbreak
"Ninety days after I became governor, I was faced with the riots in Baltimore, where we called up 4,000 members of the National Guard and a thousand police officers," Hogan, who is also chair of the National Governors Association, said in an interview with USA TODAY. "This is like 10 times more than that every single day. It's like a hurricane hits all 50 states that keeps coming and keeps increasing intensity with each and every day."
He said some of the decisions being made – to close schools, shut down businesses, impose quarantines, erect emergency hospitals and blow up state budgets – would have been unimaginable only a month ago.
Enforcing the shutdown: Officials grapple with stay-at-home orders, social distancing
Is there a cost to candor?
One of the decisions: Whether to criticize Trump.
Governors who have publicly faulted the federal government for not delivering enough help or the right help have found themselves the target of the president's bully pulpit. Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington, the first state to record a coronavirus outbreak and death, in an early tweet thanked Pence for his help but added that "our work would be more successful if the Trump administration stuck to the science and told the truth."
Trump then labeled Inslee "a snake" who was "not a good governor" and someone he would refuse to talk to, although Pence has continued to speak with him. Those exchanges have fueled fears in Washington State and elsewhere that a rhetorical breach could have a substantive impact – that is, could prompt federal agencies to punish a governor by sending less aid to his or her state.
"I'm praying that it doesn't," Inslee's predecessor, Christine Gregoire, said in an interview. The former two-term governor provides training sessions for new governors through the National Governors Association, a group she once headed, but she says she's never encountered this particular challenge before.
"I have to tell you," she said, "I can't remember one where the stakes were high, let alone a matter of life and death, where there's been public disagreements of this nature."
Governors have found themselves trying walk a fine line between expressing candor and protecting their state's interests.
"Maybe some of them are a little more critical than they probably should be, in my opinion, and some of them maybe don't speak up as much as they should," Hogan, a Republican, said of his fellow governors in an interview with USA TODAY. "But I just try to strike that balance of being respectful, not overly critical, but really clearly stating what the needs are."
Hogan pushed back this week when Trump said, inaccurately, that governors were no longer expressing concerns about a shortage of testing kits.
When the federal government sent 170 ventilators to Los Angeles County, none of them operational, Newsom said he simply located a Silicon Valley firm that could refurbish them. "I didn't call a press conference," the California governor said, although he did relate the experience in an interview on CNN Wednesday. "Not finger-pointing; not nail-biting."
Newsom said his state, which has among the highest number of coronavirus patients in the country, doesn't expect to receive all the ventilators it needs from the federal stockpile and instead is competing with other states to buy them, a situation that has encouraged price-gouging. "It's the wild, wild West, no question about it."
Scarce supplies: U.S. exported millions in masks and ventilators ahead of the coronavirus crisis
Wrath for 'a woman governor' who spoke out
Whitmer also has incurred Trump's wrath.
"All she does is sit there and blame the federal government," the president complained last week, referring to her as the "young, a woman governor" in Michigan, not mentioning her name.
Whitmer responded with a tweet that included a hand-waving emoji. "Hi, my name is Gretchen Whitmer, and that governor is me." In an appearance on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah," Whitmer sported a bright blue T-shirt that said, "That Woman from Michigan."
The president and the governor did finally speak on the phone Tuesday. "It was an unscheduled call," Whitmer said in the interview. "I had reached out and asked for a call and it didn't happen immediately, but ultimately it did."
She said she thanked him for a federal shipment of protective N95 masks from the Strategic National Stockpile but said much more were needed. "When we have one hospital system in Detroit that'll go through 12,000 masks in a shift, it tells you that 112,000 is helpful, but it's nowhere near solving the problem," she said.
She dismissed questions about the political implications of the crisis: "We all have to remember right now the enemy is COVID-19."
That said, Whitmer's political stock has risen. Former vice president Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, said this week that she had already been on his list of possible running mates.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's reputation has grown, too. His daily briefing from Albany has become a Democratic counterpoint to the White House briefing later each day presided over by President Trump. The governor's blunt, measured updates have even prompted speculation on social media that he would be a stronger presidential nominee than Biden, a notion the governor has rejected.
The coronavirus crisis could have a broader political impact as well. For one thing, it could counter the public's long-standing appetite for outsiders in political office.
At the moment, deep experience and an ability to direct the bureaucracy are seen as valued assets. Among the governors who have gotten the highest marks are those with long – and sometimes familial – records in politics. Cuomo and Hogan have not only been elected to multiple gubernatorial terms but also are both second-generation politicians. (Cuomo's father was a New York governor; Hogan's father was a Maryland congressman.) Ohio Gov. DeWine is a former lieutenant governor, state attorney general, U.S. representative and senator.
The challenges for governors won't end when the coronavirus crisis eases. At that point, they'll be dealing with the pandemic's repercussions for the health system, for the economy and for budgets that in 49 states are mandated to be balanced. (The exception: Vermont.)
Fact check: What's true and what's false about coronavirus?
Spring break at the beach
The governors who have gotten the most criticism are those who have been slowest to act, calculating that the threat to their citizens didn't warrant ordering the most disruptive restrictions.
Only a dozen governors, all of them Republicans, so far haven't issued statewide stay-at-home orders, a step that public health officials say is crucial to "flatten the curve," to reduce transmission of the virus to avoid overloading the health system. Those states are Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. (Some of those governors have ordered less far-reaching restrictions.)
Coronavirus in the US: How all 50 states are responding
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose retiree-heavy population makes his state particularly susceptible to the disease, has been hammered for resisting calls to close down crowded beaches during spring break celebrations that drew thousands of young people. Trump had praised him as a "great governor" who "knows exactly what he's doing."
Once the president on Tuesday adopted a more somber tone and issued a sobering projected death toll, however, DeSantis did order a statewide shutdown for 30 days, starting Friday. He acted after the U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Jerome Adams, said on NBC's "Today" show that DeSantis should view the federal guidelines urging social distancing as "a national stay-at-home order."
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also issued a statewide shelter-in-place order on Wednesday. At a news conference, he said he had just learned that people who showed no symptoms could be infected and pass on the virus. Public health experts had been warning about that fact since January, the fundamental reason they had been urging everyone to stay home.
“Well, we didn’t know that until the last 24 hours,” Kemp told reporters. “This is a game-changer for us."
Fraud follows coronavirus: Fake vaccines, testing, scams are exacting a toll


usatoday--2020-04-03--Second Lady Karen Pence taking lead role in suicide-prevention initiative during coronavirus outbrea

WASHINGTON – Second Lady Karen Pence is promoting a suicide-prevention initiative recently created by the Trump administration to help veterans but also being used to reach out to all Americans struggling with the coronavirus pandemic .
Announcing her new role as lead ambassador for the task force Friday , Pence said that paying attention to emotional well-being is just as important as washing hands , social distancing and other measures to combat COVID-19 .
`` This isn ’ t an option ; it ’ s a necessity , '' Pence said .
President Donald Trump has said that the devastating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to increase depression and the number of suicides .
`` Take a look at what happens in a really horrible recession or worse , '' Trump said Sunday .
`` So you ’ re going to have tremendous suicides . ''
About four in ten U.S. residents have already lost a job or income due to the crisis , according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Thursday that was conducted March 25-30 .
Nearly half said that worry and stress related to coronavirus is affecting their mental health .
The administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force run out of the Veterans Affairs Department .
Pence had already made assisting military families one of her top initiatives as second lady .
On Friday , she encouraged Americans to reach out to military families but also to anyone who might be struggling , vulnerable and scared .
Pence said her own family is tending to their mental health by regularly connecting by phone or FaceTime , exercising and trying to eat right .
`` For me , art is important to my mental health and well being , so I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , '' she said .
`` Find out what works for you , whether it ’ s exercise , gardening , prayer , cooking , reading or any other activity that engages you and your family in positive acclivities and plan these activities into your day . ''
And , Pence added : `` It ’ s OK to ask for help . ''
Interview : Karen Pence talks 2020 , her views on Trump and her job at Christian school More : Pence urges churches not to worship in groups larger @ @ @

Second Lady Karen Pence taking lead role in suicide-prevention initiative during coronavirus outbreak
Show Caption Hide Caption Trump: Coronavirus economic instability may raise suicides rates President Donald Trump signaled impatience with federal social distancing guidelines intended to stem the spread of coronavirus. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Second Lady Karen Pence is promoting a suicide-prevention initiative recently created by the Trump administration to help veterans but also being used to reach out to all Americans struggling with the coronavirus pandemic.
Announcing her new role as lead ambassador for the task force Friday, Pence said that paying attention to emotional well-being is just as important as washing hands, social distancing and other measures to combat COVID-19.
"This isn’t an option; it’s a necessity," Pence said.
President Donald Trump has said that the devastating economic effects of the health crisis are going to increase depression and the number of suicides.
"Take a look at what happens in a really horrible recession or worse," Trump said Sunday. "So you’re going to have tremendous suicides."
About four in ten U.S. residents have already lost a job or income due to the crisis, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Thursday that was conducted March 25-30. Nearly half said that worry and stress related to coronavirus is affecting their mental health.
The administration last year created a suicide prevention task force run out of the Veterans Affairs Department.
Pence had already made assisting military families one of her top initiatives as second lady.
On Friday, she encouraged Americans to reach out to military families but also to anyone who might be struggling, vulnerable and scared.
Pence said her own family is tending to their mental health by regularly connecting by phone or FaceTime, exercising and trying to eat right.
"For me, art is important to my mental health and well being, so I’m working on a painting right now," she said. "Find out what works for you, whether it’s exercise, gardening, prayer, cooking, reading or any other activity that engages you and your family in positive acclivities and plan these activities into your day."
And, Pence added: "It’s OK to ask for help."
Interview: Karen Pence talks 2020, her views on Trump and her job at Christian school
More: Pence urges churches not to worship in groups larger than 10 people


usatoday--2020-04-03--Jared Kushner draws backlash for 'our stockpile' comment during coronavirus briefing

White House senior advisor Jared Kushner referred to the national stockpile of medical supplies as `` our stockpile '' and @ @ @ @ @ .

Coronavirus: Jared Kushner draws backlash for 'our stockpile' comment
White House senior advisor Jared Kushner referred to the national stockpile of medical supplies as "our stockpile" and not one belonging to states.
WHITE HOUSE, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-04-03--'I just don't understand': Anthony Fauci shows support for more state stay-at-home orders

WASHINGTON – Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said Thursday he does n't understand why all U.S. states are n't under stay-at-home orders .
Asked on CNN whether every state had to be on the `` same page '' about issuing stay-at-home orders , Fauci said , `` I just do n't understand why we 're not doing that .
We really should be . ''
At least 38 states have taken the step of declaring a stay-at-home order in an effort to mitigate the spread of coronavirus .
But Fauci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people across the country to heed the call to stay home even though President Donald Trump has n't issued a national stay-at-home order .
In a Wednesday interview with NBC 's `` Today '' show , Surgeon General Jerome Adams said the federal government 's social distancing guidelines should be interpreted as a national stay-at-home order .
`` We live in a nation that has a system of federalism , and the governors get to make the decisions , '' Adams said .
When pressed further about Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adams said , `` my advice to America would be that these guidelines are a national stay-at-home order . ''
DeSantis issued a stay-at-home order later Wednesday after Trump announced the federal social distancing guidelines would be extended through the end of April .
More : Coronavirus in the US : How all 50 states are responding – and why there is no federal stay-at-home order More : 'This will blow over ' : In states without stay-at-home orders , Americans celebrate freedom as death toll climbs In the Trump administration 's coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force leaders have demurred on issuing a national stay-at-home order .
In response to a question about issuing a national stay-at-home order on Wednesday , Trump said each state had different needs and caseloads and needed some `` flexibility . ''
`` There are some states that are different , '' Trump said .
`` There are some states that do n't have much of a problem ... you have to look at states .
You have to give a little bit of flexibility . ''
And in a Fox and Friends interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's extension of social distancing guidelines was `` on the mark '' with what states like Washington were doing in extending their own stay-at-home orders .
`` That ’ s very similar to what the president has done by extending the 30 days until the end of April .
So there ’ s not much space between those two recommendations , '' he said .

'I just don't understand': Anthony Fauci shows support for more state stay-at-home orders
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: How coronavirus COVID-19 attacks the body How does coronavirus enter the body, and why does it become fatal for some compared to just a cough or fever for others? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Thursday he doesn't understand why all U.S. states aren't under stay-at-home orders.
Asked on CNN whether every state had to be on the "same page" about issuing stay-at-home orders, Fauci said, "I just don't understand why we're not doing that. We really should be."
At least 38 states have taken the step of declaring a stay-at-home order in an effort to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. But Fauci and other top officials have called for people across the country to heed the call to stay home even though President Donald Trump hasn't issued a national stay-at-home order.
In a Wednesday interview with NBC's "Today" show, Surgeon General Jerome Adams said the federal government's social distancing guidelines should be interpreted as a national stay-at-home order.
"We live in a nation that has a system of federalism, and the governors get to make the decisions," Adams said.
When pressed further about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' comments about awaiting a stay-at-home recommendation, Adams said, "my advice to America would be that these guidelines are a national stay-at-home order."
DeSantis issued a stay-at-home order later Wednesday after Trump announced the federal social distancing guidelines would be extended through the end of April.
More: Coronavirus in the US: How all 50 states are responding – and why there is no federal stay-at-home order
More: 'This will blow over': In states without stay-at-home orders, Americans celebrate freedom as death toll climbs
In the Trump administration's coronavirus task force briefings, Trump and task force leaders have demurred on issuing a national stay-at-home order.
In response to a question about issuing a national stay-at-home order on Wednesday, Trump said each state had different needs and caseloads and needed some "flexibility."
"There are some states that are different," Trump said. "There are some states that don't have much of a problem...you have to look at states. You have to give a little bit of flexibility."
And in a Fox and Friends interview on Friday morning, Fauci said Trump's extension of social distancing guidelines was "on the mark" with what states like Washington were doing in extending their own stay-at-home orders.
"That’s very similar to what the president has done by extending the 30 days until the end of April. So there’s not much space between those two recommendations," he said.


usatoday--2020-04-03--Congress' second coronavirus package could add $192 billion to federal deficit

WASHINGTON – The second of three emergency assistance packages Congress recently approved to address the coronavirus pandemic will add $ 192 billion to the federal deficit , the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office announced Thursday .
Lawmakers last month approved both that package and a much larger one – estimated to cost at least $ 2 trillion – before the official budget scorekeeper was able to assess their costs .
The first bill passed in March , costing more than $ 8 billion , was aimed at combating the spread of coronavirus .
The second package included free testing for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , expanded food assistance and unemployment insurance , and increased Medicaid funding .
CBO has not estimated the cost of the much larger package that includes direct payments for most Americans , assistance for businesses , an additional expansion of unemployment insurance and much more .
Stimulus check : Calculate how much money you could get More : Mnuchin promises stimulus checks for many in 2 weeks after Democrats warn it could be months The office said its $ 192 billion price tag for the second package is `` extremely uncertain '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still-growing pandemic will be .
The cost also depends on `` how quickly measures to curb the pandemic begin to work . ''
CBO also said it 's difficult to assess whether the health care system can handle the surge in demand and it 's hard to know how many people will get tested , when they will be tested and whether those tested will have insurance .
`` The longer the pandemic , '' the office said , `` the greater the increase in the deficit is likely to be . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi , D-Calif. , are already talking about what should be in a fourth package to help the nation recover .
But House and Senate Republican leaders have said the three bills already passed need time to work before a fourth is considered .
'This can not be our final bill ' : Pelosi looks ahead while Republicans want to see effects of $ 2 trillion package More : 'Really overwhelmed ' : Americans are facing mounting issues filing for unemployment during COVID-19 crisis

Congress' second coronavirus package could add $192 billion to federal deficit
Show Caption Hide Caption Coronavirus: What to expect in a recession, depression The coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting the global economy and raising fears of a recession. What causes a recession and what are the signs? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – The second of three emergency assistance packages Congress recently approved to address the coronavirus pandemic will add $192 billion to the federal deficit, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office announced Thursday.
Lawmakers last month approved both that package and a much larger one – estimated to cost at least $2 trillion – before the official budget scorekeeper was able to assess their costs.
The first bill passed in March, costing more than $8 billion, was aimed at combating the spread of coronavirus.
The second package included free testing for the virus, paid sick leave for some workers, expanded food assistance and unemployment insurance, and increased Medicaid funding.
CBO has not estimated the cost of the much larger package that includes direct payments for most Americans, assistance for businesses, an additional expansion of unemployment insurance and much more.
Stimulus check: Calculate how much money you could get
More: Mnuchin promises stimulus checks for many in 2 weeks after Democrats warn it could be months
The office said its $192 billion price tag for the second package is "extremely uncertain" because it depends on how bad the still-growing pandemic will be. The cost also depends on "how quickly measures to curb the pandemic begin to work."
CBO also said it's difficult to assess whether the health care system can handle the surge in demand and it's hard to know how many people will get tested, when they will be tested and whether those tested will have insurance.
"The longer the pandemic," the office said, "the greater the increase in the deficit is likely to be."
President Donald Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., are already talking about what should be in a fourth package to help the nation recover. But House and Senate Republican leaders have said the three bills already passed need time to work before a fourth is considered.
'This cannot be our final bill': Pelosi looks ahead while Republicans want to see effects of $2 trillion package
More: 'Really overwhelmed': Americans are facing mounting issues filing for unemployment during COVID-19 crisis