usatoday--2020-03-25--States are playing an outsized role in fighting coronavirus, but they are far from united

WASHINGTON – In the absence of federal rules , the coronavirus pandemic has become a tale of 50 states – but they are far from united .
If you live in Louisiana , the governor says stay home .
In neighboring Arkansas , you can go out and gather together without restrictions .
Kansas closed its public schools a week ago for the remainder of the school year .
Next door in Nebraska and nearby in Iowa , no statewide orders were given .
In Kentucky , bars , restaurants , gyms , spas , theaters , sports arenas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered shut .
But those decisions are left to local officials in Tennessee .
And while at least 11 states have moved their presidential primary elections , Wisconsin still plans to vote April 7 , and hard-hit New York three weeks later .
Governors and municipal government officials are playing an outsized role in the coronavirus crisis for at least two reasons : States enjoy broad autonomy under the Constitution – and the Trump administration has left most of the decision-making to them .
`` We 're a country not based on nationalizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday in defending his decision not to use the Defense Production Act to order that companies produce medical supplies .
Is it all up to Trump ?
: President wants to scale back coronavirus restrictions Across the country , states have taken actions big and small , early and only recently , by regulation and recommendation , by executive fiat and through legislative action .
As a result , the health and safety of Americans depends on where they live .
`` We ’ re all taking different steps based on what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan , who chairs the National Governors Association , said on CNN Tuesday .
`` We ’ re just trying to take the best advice we can from the scientists and all of the experts and making the decisions that we believe are necessary . ''
But that means 50-plus decisions , from Alaska 's restrictions on food trucks to Puerto Rico 's help for the homeless .
`` The harm is public understanding and public confusion , '' says Trish Riley , executive director of the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Multiple rules for the same thing can be translated into no rule . ''
Coronavirus , explained : Everything to know about COVID-19 as it spreads in US States have gone their own ways in most of their responses to COVID-19 : • Disaster declarations : Seven states have been approved : California , New York , Washington , Florida , Texas , Louisiana and Iowa .
At least four others are pending for Maryland , Missouri , New Jersey and North Carolina .
• Stay at home orders : More than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay at home except for designated purposes , such as buying groceries or picking up medicine .
Most of the others have directed residents not to gather in groups larger than 10 or 50 people .
• Public schools : They have been closed nearly everywhere , including in three states – Iowa , Maine and Nebraska – where the decisions were not made statewide .
But while Kansas and Virginia have nixed the entire school year , others have shut down for just a few weeks and have plans to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half the states have required or recommended that restaurants and bars be closed except for takeout service ; some states allow takeout beer and wine .
Far fewer states have sought to shut down gyms , theaters , casinos , shopping malls or places of worship .
• Elections : About half the states held primaries or caucuses before the pandemic hit .
The others are almost equally split between those that have postponed voting and those that plan to vote on schedule .
• National Guard : By late Tuesday , 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the District of Columbia had activated their National Guard units .
Coronavirus lockdowns : These states are ordering residents to stay home or shelter in place Differences among states are n't all bad , experts say .
States , after all , are the laboratories of democracy .
“ There are different situations in different states , ” says Michael Leavitt , former U.S. secretary of health and human services and Utah governor .
`` In New York , they have a different problem than they do in Wichita .
And they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 'An unprecedented situation ' : Coronavirus clamps down on statehouses as legislatures scramble to adapt '' The advantage of state variation is that when you ’ re not exactly sure what ’ s best , you can have different states taking different approaches , and hopefully we learn from that , '' says Alan Weil , editor-in-chief of Health Affairs .
`` Here , we better learn fast . ''
When it comes to public health practices , states often have acted in concert : suspending elective surgeries , encouraging telemedicine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prescriptions beyond 30 days , and more .
Some states have been activist , such as California , New York , Ohio and Washington .
But there are differences among them : While New York began clinical drug trials with the anti-malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine , Ohio limited their use .
Other states were slower to the starting line , as evidenced by widespread photographs of spring break vacationers on Florida 's beaches .
The state did not clamp down on restaurants , bars and nightclubs until last week , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on the other hand , Hogan asked returning spring break travelers to quarantine themselves for 14 days and avoid anyone over 60 .
More : How some states hunkered down the day Trump promoted going back to normal More rural states , including many in the West , have resisted imposing government regulations such as those adopted in more urban states .
Among the actions taken in some but not all states : curfews , relieving mortgage and student debt , blocking evictions and utility cutoffs , and closing tattoo parlors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as to suspend its ban against online marijuana sales .
When his agency developed the nation 's plan to fight pandemics in 2005 , Leavitt says , officials recognized that `` it will not roll out uniformly . ''
`` It will occur in a way that you have a hot spot in New York , and then that will begin to cool down , and you ’ ll have a hot spot somewhere else , '' he says .
`` This is a highly local emergency , and you have to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Richard Wolf and Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY

States are playing an outsized role in fighting coronavirus, but they are far from united
Show Caption Hide Caption How to slow the spread of Coronavirus in under 60 seconds Got a minute? Here's how you can help slow the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 in under 60 seconds. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – In the absence of federal rules, the coronavirus pandemic has become a tale of 50 states – but they are far from united.
If you live in Louisiana, the governor says stay home. In neighboring Arkansas, you can go out and gather together without restrictions.
Kansas closed its public schools a week ago for the remainder of the school year. Next door in Nebraska and nearby in Iowa, no statewide orders were given.
In Kentucky, bars, restaurants, gyms, spas, theaters, sports arenas, even hair and nail salons have been ordered shut. But those decisions are left to local officials in Tennessee.
And while at least 11 states have moved their presidential primary elections, Wisconsin still plans to vote April 7, and hard-hit New York three weeks later.
Governors and municipal government officials are playing an outsized role in the coronavirus crisis for at least two reasons: States enjoy broad autonomy under the Constitution – and the Trump administration has left most of the decision-making to them.
"We're a country not based on nationalizing our business," the president said Sunday in defending his decision not to use the Defense Production Act to order that companies produce medical supplies.
Is it all up to Trump?: President wants to scale back coronavirus restrictions
Across the country, states have taken actions big and small, early and only recently, by regulation and recommendation, by executive fiat and through legislative action. As a result, the health and safety of Americans depends on where they live.
"We’re all taking different steps based on what we think is right for our states," Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who chairs the National Governors Association, said on CNN Tuesday. "We’re just trying to take the best advice we can from the scientists and all of the experts and making the decisions that we believe are necessary."
State maps: How states differ on protecting Americans against coronavirus
But that means 50-plus decisions, from Alaska's restrictions on food trucks to Puerto Rico's help for the homeless.
"The harm is public understanding and public confusion," says Trish Riley, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy. "Multiple rules for the same thing can be translated into no rule."
Coronavirus, explained: Everything to know about COVID-19 as it spreads in US
'We better learn fast'
States have gone their own ways in most of their responses to COVID-19:
Disaster declarations : Seven states have been approved: California, New York, Washington, Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Iowa. At least four others are pending for Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey and North Carolina.
: Seven states have been approved: California, New York, Washington, Florida, Texas, Louisiana and Iowa. At least four others are pending for Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey and North Carolina. Stay at home orders: More than a dozen states have issued orders for residents to stay at home except for designated purposes, such as buying groceries or picking up medicine. Most of the others have directed residents not to gather in groups larger than 10 or 50 people.
More than a dozen states have issued orders for residents to stay at home except for designated purposes, such as buying groceries or picking up medicine. Most of the others have directed residents not to gather in groups larger than 10 or 50 people. Public schools : They have been closed nearly everywhere, including in three states – Iowa, Maine and Nebraska – where the decisions were not made statewide. But while Kansas and Virginia have nixed the entire school year, others have shut down for just a few weeks and have plans to reopen.
: They have been closed nearly everywhere, including in three states – Iowa, Maine and Nebraska – where the decisions were not made statewide. But while Kansas and Virginia have nixed the entire school year, others have shut down for just a few weeks and have plans to reopen. Non-essential businesses : More than half the states have required or recommended that restaurants and bars be closed except for takeout service; some states allow takeout beer and wine. Far fewer states have sought to shut down gyms, theaters, casinos, shopping malls or places of worship.
: More than half the states have required or recommended that restaurants and bars be closed except for takeout service; some states allow takeout beer and wine. Far fewer states have sought to shut down gyms, theaters, casinos, shopping malls or places of worship. Elections: About half the states held primaries or caucuses before the pandemic hit. The others are almost equally split between those that have postponed voting and those that plan to vote on schedule.
About half the states held primaries or caucuses before the pandemic hit. The others are almost equally split between those that have postponed voting and those that plan to vote on schedule. National Guard: By late Tuesday, 45 of the 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia had activated their National Guard units.
Coronavirus lockdowns: These states are ordering residents to stay home or shelter in place
Differences among states aren't all bad, experts say. States, after all, are the laboratories of democracy.
“There are different situations in different states,” says Michael Leavitt, former U.S. secretary of health and human services and Utah governor. "In New York, they have a different problem than they do in Wichita. And they will also happen at different times.”
Statehouses: 'An unprecedented situation': Coronavirus clamps down on statehouses as legislatures scramble to adapt
"The advantage of state variation is that when you’re not exactly sure what’s best, you can have different states taking different approaches, and hopefully we learn from that," says Alan Weil, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs. "Here, we better learn fast."
'A highly local emergency'
When it comes to public health practices, states often have acted in concert: suspending elective surgeries, encouraging telemedicine, closing nursing homes to visitors, extending prescriptions beyond 30 days, and more.
Some states have been activist, such as California, New York, Ohio and Washington. But there are differences among them: While New York began clinical drug trials with the anti-malaria drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, Ohio limited their use.
Other states were slower to the starting line, as evidenced by widespread photographs of spring break vacationers on Florida's beaches. The state did not clamp down on restaurants, bars and nightclubs until last week, when the schools also were closed.
In Maryland, on the other hand, Hogan asked returning spring break travelers to quarantine themselves for 14 days and avoid anyone over 60.
More: How some states hunkered down the day Trump promoted going back to normal
Fact check: What's true and what's false about coronavirus?
More rural states, including many in the West, have resisted imposing government regulations such as those adopted in more urban states. Among the actions taken in some but not all states: curfews, relieving mortgage and student debt, blocking evictions and utility cutoffs, and closing tattoo parlors and tanning facilities. Colorado went so far as to suspend its ban against online marijuana sales.
When his agency developed the nation's plan to fight pandemics in 2005, Leavitt says, officials recognized that "it will not roll out uniformly."
"It will occur in a way that you have a hot spot in New York, and then that will begin to cool down, and you’ll have a hot spot somewhere else," he says. "This is a highly local emergency, and you have to have the ability to respond locally."
Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook


usatoday--2020-03-25--Stimulus check: What we know (and don't)

The Senate agreed on a stimulus bill in the early hours of Wednesday of a roughly $ 2 trillion measure in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
This third measure on a stimulus package is said to include direct payments and jobless benefits for individuals , money for states and a huge bailout fund for businesses .
While the final language of the bill is still being crafted and is expected to be enacted in the coming day , the package reportedly includes : one-time payments of $ 1,200 per adult and $ 500 per child , $ 367 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for loans to larger industries , $ 100 billion for hospitals and the health care system , $ 600 more per week in unemployment benefits for those out of work .
Here 's what we know – and do n't .
Details are subject to change .
We will update , as needed .
What we know : How the $ 2T coronavirus stimulus will affect you and the economy Your money is important : All the money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox .
Sign up here How much would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest proposal , individuals would receive up to $ 1,200 ( $ 2,400 for joint returns ) and no less than $ 600 ( $ 1,200 for joint returns ) .
Families would receive an additional $ 500 for each qualifying child .
The check would have an income limitation starting at $ 75,000 for individuals and $ 150,000 for joint return .
The amount that individuals would receive would be reduced by 5 % of the amount of a taxpayer 's income that exceeds $ 75,000 and ending for those earning more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely going to utilize tax filings as a deciding factor on who qualifies for a stimulus check .
People are encouraged to file their 2019 taxes and if you 're owed a refund ( or owe money to the Internal Revenue Service ) it will ostensibly not affect the stimulus check .
The current proposal is for a one-time lump sum payment .
Previously , officials floated the idea of a second stimulus check , which could still be on the table if economic conditions do not improve .
And Democrats are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals more regular checks .
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin last week said on Fox Business that `` as soon as Congress passes this , we will get this out in three weeks . ''
However , specific dates would most likely change during the appropriations process in Congress .
Individuals who have set up a direct deposit with the IRS can expect the sum quicker than those who have to wait for a check in the mail .
The last time the federal government sent checks to Americans was in 2008 , under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stimulus Act was signed into law on Feb. 13 , 2008 , and provided individual tax relief in the form of tax rebates – as much as $ 600 for individuals , $ 1,200 for married couples , and additional rebates for families with children .
But the money did n't start going out until late April .
Where is this money coming from ?
The previous bill signed by Trump on is known as `` phase two . ''
The stimulus checks come as part of the $ 2-trillion `` phase three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts is the government putting forward ?
The Senate agreed to an expansion of unemployment benefits that would extend jobless insurance by 13 weeks and include a four-month enhancement of benefits and include freelancers , furloughed employees and the self-employed .
The previous aid bill signed by Trump provides paid sick and family leave , offers free coronavirus testing and bolsters unemployment insurance .
As reported by USA TODAY 's Chris Quitana : The federal government will no longer withhold portions of borrowers ' tax returns and Social Security payments , the Education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paychecks were garnished will be entitled to their full wage — although their employers must make the change to their paycheck .
McConnell added last week that the Department of Housing and Urban Development would suspend foreclosures and evictions on FHA-insured mortgages .

Stimulus check: What we know (and don't)
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
President Donald Trump has signed a $2 trillion relief package that aims to soften the blow of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy.
Now the Trump administration must rapidly pump hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy in the form of direct payments, loans and grants to hard-hit industries such as the airlines.
The stimulus package will provide $1,200 checks to many Americans – and more for families – while making available hundreds of billions of dollars for companies to maintain payroll through the crisis. It significantly expands the nation’s unemployment safety net and it directs a huge infusion of cash to hospitals and other medical facilities on the front line of fighting the pandemic.
Here's what we know – and don't. Details are subject to change. We will update, as needed.
What we know: How the $2T coronavirus stimulus will affect you and the economy
Your money is important: All the money tips and advice delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here
How much would each person get?
Individuals with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will be eligible for up to $1,200 ($2,400 for joint tax returns) and $500 for each qualifying child. Those with little or no tax liability also will get $1,200 ($2,400 for joint returns).
The payments will start to phase out for Americans who earn more than $75,000, or $150,000 for a joint return. The amount you receive will be decreased by 5% of the amount your income exceeds $75,000. For example, a single person with an $85,000 salary would get $700 after subtracting 5% of $10,000, or $500.
The payments will phase out completely for single filers with incomes exceeding $99,000, $136,500 for head of household filers with one child, and $198,000 for joint filers with no children.
If you've already filed your 2019 taxes, the IRS will use those returns to determine your rebate. If not, your 2018 returns will be used to calculate your check.
When would checks arrive?
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin last week said on Fox Business that "as soon as Congress passes this, we will get this out in three weeks."
However, specific dates would most likely change during the appropriations process in Congress.
Individuals who have set up a direct deposit with the IRS can expect the sum quicker than those who have to wait for a check in the mail.
The last time the federal government sent checks to Americans was in 2008, under President George W. Bush. The Economic Stimulus Act was signed into law on Feb. 13, 2008, and provided individual tax relief in the form of tax rebates – as much as $600 for individuals, $1,200 for married couples, and additional rebates for families with children. But the money didn't start going out until late April.
Where is this money coming from?
Taxes, in short.
The previous bill signed by Trump on is known as "phase two." The stimulus checks come as part of the $2-trillion "phase three" package.
What other financial assistance efforts is the government putting forward?
The Senate agreed to an expansion of unemployment benefits that would extend jobless insurance by 13 weeks and include a four-month enhancement of benefits and include freelancers, furloughed employees and the self-employed.
The previous aid bill signed by Trump provides paid sick and family leave, offers free coronavirus testing and bolsters unemployment insurance.
As reported by USA TODAY's Chris Quitana: The federal government will no longer withhold portions of borrowers' tax returns and Social Security payments, the Education Department said Wednesday. And borrowers whose paychecks were garnished will be entitled to their full wage — although their employers must make the change to their paycheck.
McConnell added last week that the Department of Housing and Urban Development would suspend foreclosures and evictions on FHA-insured mortgages.
Contributing: Nicholas Wu
Follow Josh Rivera on Twitter: @Josh1Rivera


usatoday--2020-03-25--Federal prison officials failed to monitor communications of 28 terror inmates, DOJ investigation fi

Federal prison officials failed to monitor communications involving at least 28 prisoners linked to domestic and international terrorism , an internal Justice Department investigation concluded .
The federal Bureau of Prisons requires the communications of all high-risk inmates be tracked , but the Justice Department 's inspector general found that other federal agencies often provided `` insufficient '' information about the prisoners ' terror connections .
Investigators also concluded that prison officials lack the ability to confirm that communications are being fully monitored , which left `` thousands of terrorist inmate communications '' only partially covered .
In cases where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison authorities could not prevent inmates from sharing sensitive information , including photographs , videos and other documents that could be used `` to help radicalize other inmates , '' the Justice Department inspector general found .
Since 2005 , prison officials have been providing the FBI with lists of terror inmates preparing for release , but investigators found that prison officials `` did not take appropriate steps to ensure that information about all formerly incarcerated terrorists was provided to the FBI . ''
`` Further , between January 2015 and December 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not review thousands of inmate emails , some of which contained potentially concerning language ; and permitted terrorist inmates to communicate with unknown or un-vetted contacts , '' the inspector general found .
Prison officials agreed with the inspector general 's findings and pledged to create `` a complete universe '' of previously unidentified terrorists in its custody while boosting monitoring , from emails and other written correspondence to conversations on the cellblocks .
From 2006 to 2018 , the number of inmates with known links to international or domestic terrorism increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 500 .
But prison officials told investigators they often relied on media reports and internet searches – rather that intelligence from other government agencies – to identify up 90 % of arriving inmates .
In two recent cases , according to the inspector general report , prison officials identified the inmates ' ties to Hezbollah through media accounts .

Federal prison officials failed to monitor communications of 28 terror inmates, DOJ investigation finds
Federal prison officials failed to monitor communications involving at least 28 prisoners linked to domestic and international terrorism, an internal Justice Department investigation concluded.
The federal Bureau of Prisons requires the communications of all high-risk inmates be tracked, but the Justice Department's inspector general found that other federal agencies often provided "insufficient" information about the prisoners' terror connections.
Investigators also concluded that prison officials lack the ability to confirm that communications are being fully monitored, which left "thousands of terrorist inmate communications" only partially covered.
In cases where terror suspects were preparing for trial, prison authorities could not prevent inmates from sharing sensitive information, including photographs, videos and other documents that could be used "to help radicalize other inmates," the Justice Department inspector general found.
Since 2005, prison officials have been providing the FBI with lists of terror inmates preparing for release, but investigators found that prison officials "did not take appropriate steps to ensure that information about all formerly incarcerated terrorists was provided to the FBI."
"Further, between January 2015 and December 2017, we found that the BOP ... did not review thousands of inmate emails, some of which contained potentially concerning language; and permitted terrorist inmates to communicate with unknown or un-vetted contacts," the inspector general found.
Prison officials agreed with the inspector general's findings and pledged to create "a complete universe" of previously unidentified terrorists in its custody while boosting monitoring, from emails and other written correspondence to conversations on the cellblocks.
From 2006 to 2018, the number of inmates with known links to international or domestic terrorism increased by about 250%, to more than 500.
But prison officials told investigators they often relied on media reports and internet searches – rather that intelligence from other government agencies – to identify up 90% of arriving inmates.
In two recent cases, according to the inspector general report, prison officials identified the inmates' ties to Hezbollah through media accounts.


usatoday--2020-03-25--The coronavirus stimulus deal reaches trillions of dollars after Senate announces deal

The third coronavirus stimulus deal reaches trillions of dollars .
A third coronavirus stimulus package was announced by the Senate @ @ @ @ @ and including direct payments to individuals and hospitals .

The third coronavirus stimulus deal reaches trillions of dollars .
A third coronavirus stimulus package was announced by the Senate, reaching $2 trillion and including direct payments to individuals and hospitals.
Alexis Arnold, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-04-17--Putting the economy back to work: Who has the power, states or Trump?

The 10th Amendment protects state powers and puts a hamper on presidential powers .
Here 's how the fight for @ @ @ @ @ .

States rights on reopening businesses over President Trump, explained
The 10th Amendment protects state powers and puts a hamper on presidential powers. Here's how the fight for control is playing out today.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY


usatoday--2020-04-16--Newsom: California to grant two weeks of paid sick leave for all food sector workers

Food sector workers — from farmers to delivery drivers — will now be granted at least two weeks of paid sick leave , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said during his daily briefing on Thursday .
“ The people who grow our food , the people who pick our food , who pack our food , deliver our food , cook , serve and sell our food , ” Newsom said , will be granted the supplemental pay if they contract COVID-19 or if quarantine orders inhibit them from going to work .
The move , he said , will ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's food supply chain stays safe .
The governor acknowledged how hard-hit the sector has been during the pandemic and championed the workers who have continued to serve their communities , often putting themselves at greater risk .
`` You are not disposable , '' he said .
`` You are essential and you are valued .
I want to extend my deep appreciation to you . ''
The executive order also will help ensure workers will stay home when they are sick , and wo n't be forced to make the difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or forgoing pay .
`` It is in all of our interest that we prioritize the interests of these essential workers , '' he added .
Newsom also announced that , though California 's coronavirus curve is beginning to flatten , Wednesday marked the state 's most deadly day since the crisis began — 69 people passed away in 24 hours .
The daily death toll beat out a record total from the day before when 63 people lost their lives .
`` Eight-hundred-ninety souls have been lost since the beginning of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are not out of the woods . ''
The number of individuals receiving intensive care , however , continued to slow .
As of Wednesday night , there were 1,191 people in intensive care units in California and 3,131 hospitalized — a 0.9 % decline from the day before .
`` That is good news but I caution everybody that one day 's data point does not make a trend , '' Newsom said , explaining that he wants to see the numbers continue to drop before he will consider lifting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared that he is coordinating with the federal government on that decision and was in discussions with President Donald Trump before the briefing began .
Trump had expressed vitriol toward governors who opted to go their own way , incorrectly asserting early this week that he alone has the power to reopen states , but has since drastically shifted his tone to accommodate state-specific strategies .
At a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing Thursday evening , Trump announced his three-phase plan to reopen the country , noting that “ governors will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the situation they are seeing on the ground .
“ If they need to remain closed we will allow them to do that , ” the President said , adding that the federal government is “ also encouraging states to work together to harmonize their regional efforts.
” Three regional pacts are already in place , including the West Coast framework made between California , Oregon and Washington , announced on Monday .
The timeline for the federal government 's plan , White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator , Dr. Deborah Birx said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left to the discretion of governors .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , also emphasized the dynamic nature of the plan , which will enable response and recovery to meet local needs .
The phases will be staggered , he said , and each will require certain checkpoints without rebound at each level .
`` We are a very large country and we have different dynamics , '' Fauci said , emphasizing that safety remains the top priority .
`` We feel confident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get back to some form of normality , '' he added .
Newsom said the Trump administration has issued booklets to each state that detail guidelines for a phased reopening — but the California governor has not yet been able to review it .
Newsom added that he was encouraged by Trump 's call for more testing .
`` The federal government will be doing much more still in that space , '' Newsom said .
`` We are not attaching ourselves to the federal efforts but we are encouraged to hear more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a California reporter for the USA Today Network .
You can reach her at gcanon @ gannett.com or on Twitter @ GabrielleCanon

Newsom: California to grant two weeks of paid sick leave for all food sector workers
Show Caption Hide Caption Gov. Newsom details plan to reopen California California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a detailed plan for lifting virus restrictions. AP
Food sector workers — from farmers to delivery drivers — will now be granted at least two weeks of paid sick leave, Gov. Gavin Newsom said during his daily briefing on Thursday.
“The people who grow our food, the people who pick our food, who pack our food, deliver our food, cook, serve and sell our food,” Newsom said, will be granted the supplemental pay if they contract COVID-19 or if quarantine orders inhibit them from going to work. The move, he said, will ensure these workers are supported and the state's food supply chain stays safe.
The governor acknowledged how hard-hit the sector has been during the pandemic and championed the workers who have continued to serve their communities, often putting themselves at greater risk.
"You are not disposable," he said. "You are essential and you are valued. I want to extend my deep appreciation to you."
Stay safe and informed with news from one of the country's most dynamic places. Subscribe to the In California newsletter today.
The executive order also will help ensure workers will stay home when they are sick, and won't be forced to make the difficult and dangerous decision of going to work or forgoing pay.
"It is in all of our interest that we prioritize the interests of these essential workers," he added.
Newsom also announced that, though California's coronavirus curve is beginning to flatten, Wednesday marked the state's most deadly day since the crisis began — 69 people passed away in 24 hours. The daily death toll beat out a record total from the day before when 63 people lost their lives.
"Eight-hundred-ninety souls have been lost since the beginning of this pandemic," Newsom said. "We are not out of the woods."
Ag Secretary: US food supply is strong, safe
The number of individuals receiving intensive care, however, continued to slow. As of Wednesday night, there were 1,191 people in intensive care units in California and 3,131 hospitalized — a 0.9% decline from the day before. "That is good news but I caution everybody that one day's data point does not make a trend," Newsom said, explaining that he wants to see the numbers continue to drop before he will consider lifting the state's stay-at-home order.
The governor shared that he is coordinating with the federal government on that decision and was in discussions with President Donald Trump before the briefing began. Trump had expressed vitriol toward governors who opted to go their own way, incorrectly asserting early this week that he alone has the power to reopen states, but has since drastically shifted his tone to accommodate state-specific strategies.
At a White House Coronavirus Task Force briefing Thursday evening, Trump announced his three-phase plan to reopen the country, noting that “governors will be empowered to tailor their approach” to the situation they are seeing on the ground.
“If they need to remain closed we will allow them to do that,” the President said, adding that the federal government is “also encouraging states to work together to harmonize their regional efforts.”
Three regional pacts are already in place, including the West Coast framework made between California, Oregon and Washington, announced on Monday.
The timeline for the federal government's plan, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx said, will depend on data and trends, left to the discretion of governors.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also emphasized the dynamic nature of the plan, which will enable response and recovery to meet local needs. The phases will be staggered, he said, and each will require certain checkpoints without rebound at each level.
"We are a very large country and we have different dynamics," Fauci said, emphasizing that safety remains the top priority.
"We feel confident that sooner or later, we will get back to some form of normality," he added.
Newsom said the Trump administration has issued booklets to each state that detail guidelines for a phased reopening — but the California governor has not yet been able to review it.
Newsom added that he was encouraged by Trump's call for more testing.
"The federal government will be doing much more still in that space," Newsom said. "We are not attaching ourselves to the federal efforts but we are encouraged to hear more is being done."
Gabrielle Canon is a California reporter for the USA Today Network. You can reach her at gcanon@gannett.com or on Twitter @GabrielleCanon


usatoday--2020-04-16--Sen. Mitt Romney was the only GOP senator not invited on Trump's new coronavirus advisory group

WASHINGTON – Sen. Mitt Romney , the sole Republican who voted to convict President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial , was the only GOP senator not invited to serve on the president 's new panel to advise on reopening the country during the coronavirus pandemic .
Of the 53 Senate Republicans , 52 now serve in the `` Opening Up America Again Congressional Group , '' which even includes a dozen Senate Democrats – but not Romney .
The Utah senator , who was the Republican party 's nominee for president in 2012 , has been a frequent critic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has felt the sting of Trump 's attacks – which included the president calling him a `` pompous a** '' in a tweet .
Romney also was not welcomed on a Thursday phone call in which the president spoke with senators of both parties about the coronavirus and the potential for reopening the country for business , according to a senior administration official .
Asked about why Romney was left out , the official simply said , `` he was n't invited . ''
Mitt Romney : :A solitary GOP voice battling Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The panel , which was rolled out Thursday , includes 65 senators and 32 House members .
It aims to offer guidance and ideas for ways to safely reopen the economy once the coronavirus slows its spread across the country .
On calls with members of the group Thursday , Trump heard questions about increased testing for COVID-19 and options for how the country could safely reopen without risking a resurgence in cases .
While Republicans make up the majority of the group , it also includes 12 Democratic senators , one independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Romney have a complicated history and relationship .
In 2016 , Romney held a news conference to denounce the future president as a `` phony '' and a `` fraud . ''
But after Trump was elected , they were photographed at dinner together discussing Romney potentially serving as secretary of state .
More : Trump meets with Romney , Collins , other Republican senators at White House during impeachment hearing More : Gingrich : Trump-Romney dinner was out of 'Pretty Woman' Since coming to the Senate in 2018 , Romney has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican critic .
He has voiced opposition and concerns on many of the issues his colleagues typically attempt to shy away from discussing .
In an interview with USA TODAY in October , Romney said he 's had a long career and is no longer at the point of worrying about the political ramifications of his actions .
`` I 'm not going to worry so much about the political consequence , or praise or lack thereof , '' he said when asked about his legacy .
`` And I hope that my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you know our dad , our grandfather our great-grandfather was a person of integrity and honored his oath of office . '
'' Mitt Romney : A solitary GOP voice battling Trump for the soul of the Republican Party In February , Romney joined Senate Democrats in voting to convict Trump on an article accusing the president of abusing his power by trying to pressure Ukraine into announcing investigations of political rivals , including former Vice President Joe Biden , in exchange for releasing nearly $ 400 million in military aid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump with obstruction of Congress .
Trump was acquitted on both articles .

Sen. Mitt Romney was the only GOP senator not invited on Trump's new coronavirus advisory group
Show Caption Hide Caption Mitt Romney chokes up explaining his impeachment vote to convict Trump Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, gives emotional explanation of his decision to vote to convict President Trump in impeachment trial USA TODAY, Associated Press
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mitt Romney, the sole Republican who voted to convict President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial, was the only GOP senator not invited to serve on the president's new panel to advise on reopening the country during the coronavirus pandemic.
Of the 53 Senate Republicans, 52 now serve in the "Opening Up America Again Congressional Group," which even includes a dozen Senate Democrats – but not Romney.
The Utah senator, who was the Republican party's nominee for president in 2012, has been a frequent critic of Trump and, in turn, has felt the sting of Trump's attacks – which included the president calling him a "pompous a**" in a tweet.
Romney also was not welcomed on a Thursday phone call in which the president spoke with senators of both parties about the coronavirus and the potential for reopening the country for business, according to a senior administration official.
Asked about why Romney was left out, the official simply said, "he wasn't invited."
Mitt Romney:: A solitary GOP voice battling Trump for the soul of the Republican Party
More: GOP Sen. Romney faces awkwardness, 'abuse' for defying Trump on impeachment
The panel, which was rolled out Thursday, includes 65 senators and 32 House members. It aims to offer guidance and ideas for ways to safely reopen the economy once the coronavirus slows its spread across the country. On calls with members of the group Thursday, Trump heard questions about increased testing for COVID-19 and options for how the country could safely reopen without risking a resurgence in cases.
While Republicans make up the majority of the group, it also includes 12 Democratic senators, one independent and 10 House Democrats.
Trump and Romney have a complicated history and relationship. In 2016, Romney held a news conference to denounce the future president as a "phony" and a "fraud." But after Trump was elected, they were photographed at dinner together discussing Romney potentially serving as secretary of state.
More: Trump meets with Romney, Collins, other Republican senators at White House during impeachment hearing
More: Gingrich: Trump-Romney dinner was out of 'Pretty Woman'
Since coming to the Senate in 2018, Romney has taken on the role of Trump's chief Republican critic. He has voiced opposition and concerns on many of the issues his colleagues typically attempt to shy away from discussing.
In an interview with USA TODAY in October, Romney said he's had a long career and is no longer at the point of worrying about the political ramifications of his actions.
"I'm not going to worry so much about the political consequence, or praise or lack thereof," he said when asked about his legacy. "And I hope that my kids down the road will say 'Yeah, you know our dad, our grandfather our great-grandfather was a person of integrity and honored his oath of office.'"
Mitt Romney: A solitary GOP voice battling Trump for the soul of the Republican Party
In February, Romney joined Senate Democrats in voting to convict Trump on an article accusing the president of abusing his power by trying to pressure Ukraine into announcing investigations of political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden, in exchange for releasing nearly $400 million in military aid. Romney voted against the second article charging Trump with obstruction of Congress. Trump was acquitted on both articles.
Contributing: David Jackson and Ledge King


usatoday--2020-04-16--'Naming and shaming': States stepping up enforcement of stay-at-home orders

Most every day for the past few weeks , New Jersey officials have been disclosing the names of dozens of people whose alleged transgressions would have meant little , if not for a virus cutting a deadly path across the state .
On Easter Sunday , a 21-year-old man was charged with disorderly conduct at a closed local beach for reading a book on a lifeguard stand .
Six men in search of a place to work out were cited last week for opening their local tennis and fitness club .
Six people were cited for hosting a large backyard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police found kids “ playing in a bouncy castle ” while a chef and two waiters readied a catered meal .
These are the new crimes of a pandemic .
“ This is certainly about sending a message of deterrence , because compliance is the only way we can slow the spread and save lives , ” state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal told USA TODAY .
“ We want to name and shame people , and it ’ s working.
” Civil liberties : Governments have intruded during the pandemic , raising risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are getting coronavirus , that could be bad for public safety Just how effective the strategy proves to be may not be fully known until well after the coronavirus abates .
Yet in the month since governors issued a flurry of stay-at-home orders , several states and local governments are stepping up enforcement campaigns that threaten hefty fines and jail time – all in the name of slowing the coronavirus .
Coronavirus in the US : How all 50 states are responding From warnings to citations and arrests In Maryland , police have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violations of state orders aimed at controlling the virus while authorities have conducted more than 20,000 compliance checks across the state .
Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer this week announced charges against 10 businesses , including five tobacco shops , that have allegedly defied state orders prohibiting the operation of nonessential businesses .
“ The sooner we achieve maximum compliance – from businesses and residents alike – the sooner all Angelenos can get back to work and resume our normal routines , ” Feuer said .
The actions appear to run counter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other law enforcement officials , who in the early days of the health emergency sought local compliance with simple warnings to those who strayed from bans on large gatherings , nonessential business operations and in-person religious services .
In Greenville , Mississippi , local church officials sued police , claiming that officers were dispatched to an April 8 drive-in service where members of the congregation had gathered in their cars , windows rolled up , to listen to a pre-Easter sermon .
Police , according to court documents , responded by `` knocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licenses and writing citations with $ 500 fines . ''
The service took place a day after the city issued a prohibition against drive-in services , an order that appeared to conflict with a state action designating churches and religious activities as essential operations as long as they complied with social distancing guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mississippi Department of Health .
The citations have since been rescinded , but the incident prompted the intervention this week of the Justice Department , which has sided with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the city .
Elizabeth Goitein , director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice , said that while states have the authority to issue emergency orders and enforce them , `` it does n't mean that it 's always a good idea . ''
`` Taking a hands-on approach can spark a backlash , '' Goitein said .
`` People are already protesting , and you are likely to see more of that if officials move too aggressively . ''
This week , protests have erupted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ohio , Utah and Virginia , where demonstrators have expressed frustration with continuing restrictions adopted to contain the virus ' spread .
`` What seems to work best is a cooperative approach , where you encourage a sense of people doing their civic duty , '' Goitein said .
`` Enforcement of these orders represents the kind of power that we would n't want the government to exercise at any other time ; it behooves the government to take a light touch . ''
In New Jersey , Attorney General Grewal makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ describing it in terms of a life and death struggle in a state ravaged by the virus .
More than 75,000 residents have been infected and 3,518 have died as of Thursday , Gov .
Phil Murphy said .
`` We are going to use every lever and tool available to us , '' Grewal said , referring to local policing of the stay-at-home restrictions and other state orders aimed at slowing the spread of the virus .
`` In the midst of this pandemic , we need to make sure ( people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , 1,700 people have been charged in COVID-19 related incidents in New Jersey .
Of that number , officials said , 156 cases rose to felony offenses ; 1,544 were direct violations of emergency orders that carried a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a $ 1,000 fine .
Most disturbing , Grewal said , are the 18 cases in which people have been charged with terroristic threats .
In those cases , suspects claimed to be infected with the virus and either coughed or spit in the direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the disease .
If convicted , each faces maximum punishments of 10 years in prison and $ 150,000 in fines .
`` We have had cops who have contracted the virus who were exposed like this , '' Grewal said , adding that it is not known whether the encounters could be traced to the actual transmission of the virus .
In one of the cases , a 31-year-old Camden man who had been arrested last week in connection with a domestic dispute allegedly spit on officers as they attempted to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a police car .
`` He allegedly stated that he had the coronavirus and that the officers were going to get it , '' police said , adding that he spit on a third officer while the suspect was waiting to be tested at a local hospital .
The result of the suspect 's test was not immediately known .
`` This is particularly disturbing , '' Grewal said .
`` These are certainly unique times . ''
While the threats of virus transmission to police represented the most serious incidents on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a 21-year-old Manchester man appeared among the most benign – and cooperative .
Charged with `` defiant trespass and violating the emergency orders , '' Seaside Park police said the man had been reading a book Easter Sunday atop a local lifeguard stand .
`` He admitted , '' according to the report , `` that he knew the beach was closed . ''

'Naming and shaming': States stepping up enforcement of stay-at-home orders
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
Most every day for the past few weeks, New Jersey officials have been disclosing the names of dozens of people whose alleged transgressions would have meant little, if not for a virus cutting a deadly path across the state.
On Easter Sunday, a 21-year-old man was charged with disorderly conduct at a closed local beach for reading a book on a lifeguard stand. Six men in search of a place to work out were cited last week for opening their local tennis and fitness club. Six people were cited for hosting a large backyard party of adults and children, where police found kids “playing in a bouncy castle” while a chef and two waiters readied a catered meal.
These are the new crimes of a pandemic.
“This is certainly about sending a message of deterrence, because compliance is the only way we can slow the spread and save lives,” state Attorney General Gurbir Grewal told USA TODAY. “We want to name and shame people, and it’s working.”
Civil liberties: Governments have intruded during the pandemic, raising risks, rewards
Infecting cops: More police are getting coronavirus, that could be bad for public safety
Just how effective the strategy proves to be may not be fully known until well after the coronavirus abates. Yet in the month since governors issued a flurry of stay-at-home orders, several states and local governments are stepping up enforcement campaigns that threaten hefty fines and jail time – all in the name of slowing the coronavirus.
Coronavirus in the US: How all 50 states are responding
From warnings to citations and arrests
In Maryland, police have charged at least three dozen people with violations of state orders aimed at controlling the virus while authorities have conducted more than 20,000 compliance checks across the state. Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer this week announced charges against 10 businesses, including five tobacco shops, that have allegedly defied state orders prohibiting the operation of nonessential businesses.
“The sooner we achieve maximum compliance – from businesses and residents alike – the sooner all Angelenos can get back to work and resume our normal routines,” Feuer said.
Enforcing the shutdown: Officials grapple with stay-at-home orders, social distancing
The actions appear to run counter to a collective stance by police and other law enforcement officials, who in the early days of the health emergency sought local compliance with simple warnings to those who strayed from bans on large gatherings, nonessential business operations and in-person religious services.
In Greenville, Mississippi, local church officials sued police, claiming that officers were dispatched to an April 8 drive-in service where members of the congregation had gathered in their cars, windows rolled up, to listen to a pre-Easter sermon.
Police, according to court documents, responded by "knocking on car windows, demanding drivers' licenses and writing citations with $500 fines."
The service took place a day after the city issued a prohibition against drive-in services, an order that appeared to conflict with a state action designating churches and religious activities as essential operations as long as they complied with social distancing guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mississippi Department of Health.
Reducing the risk: Jails releasing hundreds of prisoners amid coronavirus fears
The citations have since been rescinded, but the incident prompted the intervention this week of the Justice Department, which has sided with the church in its religious liberty claim against the city.
Elizabeth Goitein, director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, said that while states have the authority to issue emergency orders and enforce them, "it doesn't mean that it's always a good idea."
"Taking a hands-on approach can spark a backlash," Goitein said. "People are already protesting, and you are likely to see more of that if officials move too aggressively."
This week, protests have erupted in Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah and Virginia, where demonstrators have expressed frustration with continuing restrictions adopted to contain the virus' spread.
"What seems to work best is a cooperative approach, where you encourage a sense of people doing their civic duty," Goitein said. "Enforcement of these orders represents the kind of power that we wouldn't want the government to exercise at any other time; it behooves the government to take a light touch."
No apology for enforcement effort
In New Jersey, Attorney General Grewal makes no apology for the enforcement effort, describing it in terms of a life and death struggle in a state ravaged by the virus. More than 75,000 residents have been infected and 3,518 have died as of Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy said.
"We are going to use every lever and tool available to us," Grewal said, referring to local policing of the stay-at-home restrictions and other state orders aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. "In the midst of this pandemic, we need to make sure (people) stay home."
As of this week, 1,700 people have been charged in COVID-19 related incidents in New Jersey. Of that number, officials said, 156 cases rose to felony offenses; 1,544 were direct violations of emergency orders that carried a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Most disturbing, Grewal said, are the 18 cases in which people have been charged with terroristic threats. In those cases, suspects claimed to be infected with the virus and either coughed or spit in the direction of officers, threatening to expose them to the disease. If convicted, each faces maximum punishments of 10 years in prison and $150,000 in fines.
"We have had cops who have contracted the virus who were exposed like this," Grewal said, adding that it is not known whether the encounters could be traced to the actual transmission of the virus.
In one of the cases, a 31-year-old Camden man who had been arrested last week in connection with a domestic dispute allegedly spit on officers as they attempted to speak with him through the open window of a police car.
"He allegedly stated that he had the coronavirus and that the officers were going to get it," police said, adding that he spit on a third officer while the suspect was waiting to be tested at a local hospital. The result of the suspect's test was not immediately known.
"This is particularly disturbing," Grewal said. "These are certainly unique times."
While the threats of virus transmission to police represented the most serious incidents on the New Jersey police blotter, the plight of a 21-year-old Manchester man appeared among the most benign – and cooperative.
Charged with "defiant trespass and violating the emergency orders," Seaside Park police said the man had been reading a book Easter Sunday atop a local lifeguard stand.
"He admitted," according to the report, "that he knew the beach was closed."


usatoday--2020-04-16--Poll: Trump's approval rating drops as coronavirus pandemic, economic crisis continue

WASHINGTON — With Americans going on a month of hunkering down in response to the coronavirus and growing economic concerns , President Donald Trump 's approval rating has dropped six points since last month , according to a Gallup poll released Thursday .
Trump 's new 43 % approval rating marks the steepest decline between two Gallup polls since the start of his presidency .
It 's down from last month 's 49 % approval rating — a rating he also held in early 2020 — when the White House began implementing coronavirus distancing measures .
His disapproval rating from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up from 45 % in March .
Ninety-three percent of Republicans , 39 % of independents and 7 % of Democrats said they approved of the job the president is doing in the recent poll .
The drop in approval was seen among Democrats and independents , while approval among stayed roughly the same .
Gallup last surveyed Americans on Trump 's job approval March 13-22 .
Americans surveyed are also less satisfied with the direction of the country than they were last month .
Thirty percent said they are satisfied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12-point drop from the last time Gallup asked in early March .
Sixty-eight percent are dissatisfied , up from 57 % in a March 2-13 Gallup poll .
After coronavirus : A class war ?
A global power shift ?
A world isolated ?
How experts see the future .
The April poll surveyed 1,017 American adults and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points .
The results come as the president is preparing to gradually ease up on distancing guidelines implemented one month ago that are aimed at preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to staggering unemployment numbers .
In the last month , the president has sparred with governors , reporters and Democratic leaders over the coronavirus response .
The death toll in the U.S. stands at more than 30,000 with more than 650,000 cases of the coronavirus .
Coronavirus updates : Unemployment claims boom , small biz stimulus fund goes bust - but optimism from New York Early in March , Trump touted Gallup polling data from a Feb. 3-16 survey that showed Americans were largely confident in the government 's preparedness to handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying they were very or somewhat confident .
An Associated Press fact check found he misrepresented those findings in tweets claiming they were representative of public approval even though the poll was conducted weeks earlier .
He saw a majority approval for his handling of the virus response in a previous Gallup poll taken just as he declared a national emergency .
A mid-March poll by Gallup , when the organization most recently released information about this question , found 60 % of Americans approved of Trump 's handling of the crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 94 % of Republicans , 60 % of independents and 27 % of Democrats .
Congress saw an eight-point increase in support since last month , which comes after a show of bipartisanship in passing a sweeping coronavirus stimulus package .
Thirty percent said they approve of the job Congress is doing , a number not seen in over a decade of Gallup polling .

Poll: Trump's approval rating drops as coronavirus pandemic, economic crisis continue
Show Caption Hide Caption President Donald Trump gets defensive at coronavirus briefing President Donald Trump turned a coronavirus White House briefing into a defense of his response actions to the deadly pandemic and confronted media. USA TODAY, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — With Americans going on a month of hunkering down in response to the coronavirus and growing economic concerns, President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped six points since last month, according to a Gallup poll released Thursday.
Trump's new 43% approval rating marks the steepest decline between two Gallup polls since the start of his presidency. It's down from last month's 49% approval rating — a rating he also held in early 2020 — when the White House began implementing coronavirus distancing measures. His disapproval rating from the April 1-14 poll was 54%, up from 45% in March.
Ninety-three percent of Republicans, 39% of independents and 7% of Democrats said they approved of the job the president is doing in the recent poll. The drop in approval was seen among Democrats and independents, while approval among stayed roughly the same. Gallup last surveyed Americans on Trump's job approval March 13-22.
Americans surveyed are also less satisfied with the direction of the country than they were last month. Thirty percent said they are satisfied with the way things are going, a 12-point drop from the last time Gallup asked in early March. Sixty-eight percent are dissatisfied, up from 57% in a March 2-13 Gallup poll.
After coronavirus: A class war? A global power shift? A world isolated? How experts see the future.
The April poll surveyed 1,017 American adults and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points.
The results come as the president is preparing to gradually ease up on distancing guidelines implemented one month ago that are aimed at preventing the spread of the virus but have led to staggering unemployment numbers.
In the last month, the president has sparred with governors, reporters and Democratic leaders over the coronavirus response. The death toll in the U.S. stands at more than 30,000 with more than 650,000 cases of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus updates: Unemployment claims boom, small biz stimulus fund goes bust - but optimism from New York
Early in March, Trump touted Gallup polling data from a Feb. 3-16 survey that showed Americans were largely confident in the government's preparedness to handle the coronavirus outbreak, with 77% saying they were very or somewhat confident. An Associated Press fact check found he misrepresented those findings in tweets claiming they were representative of public approval even though the poll was conducted weeks earlier.
He saw a majority approval for his handling of the virus response in a previous Gallup poll taken just as he declared a national emergency. A mid-March poll by Gallup, when the organization most recently released information about this question, found 60% of Americans approved of Trump's handling of the crisis. The support of his coronavirus response included 94% of Republicans, 60% of independents and 27% of Democrats.
Congress saw an eight-point increase in support since last month, which comes after a show of bipartisanship in passing a sweeping coronavirus stimulus package. Thirty percent said they approve of the job Congress is doing, a number not seen in over a decade of Gallup polling.


usatoday--2020-04-16--'Work conquers all': Protests erupt in state capitals nationwide over coronavirus restrictions

In Frankfort , Kentucky , a small-business owner wielded a microphone to accuse Gov .
Andy Beshear of stifling free enterprise by shuttering businesses and ordering people to stay home .
In Raleigh , North Carolina , a protester was arrested while a crowd urged Gov .
Roy Cooper to ease his restrictions .
In Oklahoma City , motorists circled the capitol decorated with signs imploring Gov .
Kevin Stitt to put the state back to work .
“ We ’ re hoping to inspire other folks , ” said Lori Gracey , a business consultant who organized the Oklahoma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arrow .
Rallies organized through social media such as Facebook and Twitter cropped up this week across the country with a common message to governors : relax the strict stay-at-home orders deployed to combat the novel coronavirus .
Thousands of motorists gridlocked Lansing , Mich. , on Wednesday in perhaps the largest protest so far .
More protests are planned , with one outside Indiana Gov .
Eric Holcomb 's mansion on Saturday .
Two more are set for April 24 in Madison , Wis. , and in Richmond , Va .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended the state 's stay-at-home order to May 26 .
And Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam announced Wednesday he was extending business closures two weeks , to May 8 and leaving a stay-at-home order in effect until June 10 .
The protests roiled statehouse grounds as local , state and federal officials grapple with how and when to ease restrictions the began in mid-March .
President Donald Trump is consulting with hundreds of business leaders and political officials to chart a path for federal guidance that prompted states to close schools , non-essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
Attorney General William Barr told Fox News on April 8 that federal authorities would review “ draconian ” state measures beyond the isolation period scheduled to end April 30 .
The peril to the economy was reinforced Thursday .
Workers filed another 5.2 million jobless claims .
An emergency federal loan program providing $ 350 billion to small businesses ran out of funding as Congress haggles over providing more .
But health officials have warned against relaxing restrictions too soon , for lack of adequate testing to track where the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governors – who are consulting with Trump and other federal officials , business leaders and health officials – will be key figures deciding how and when to begin to reopen .
Gracey said she and a few friends organized the Oklahoma protest under the slogan OKBack2Work on Facebook .
The friends wanted to let people eager to return to work know they aren ’ t alone .
And they wanted to demonstrate their urgency to Stitt and the legislature .
Besides the statewide restrictions , scattered cities have begun imposing $ 500 fines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to protect those who are vulnerable .
We get that .
Let them choose to stay in their house , ” said Gracey , whose 85- and 93-year-old parents live with her .
“ Why are you forcing us who are healthy not to work ?
” She drove 90 minutes for the hour-long protest Wednesday .
Participants stayed in their cars to maintain social distancing , but circled the capitol with posters and messages written on their windows saying : “ Every job is essential ” or “ Stop the tyranny.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ City , ” Gracey said .
“ We don ’ t need the same lockdowns.
” The protesters were disappointed to learn their message went unheeded .
Later that afternoon , Stitts announced that he was extending his order for the elderly and those with serious medical conditions to remain “ safer at home ” until May 6 .
But he said elective surgeries could resume when the current order expires April 24 .
“ There is light at the end of the tunnel , and we will get through this together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little while longer – stay home , stay safe , stay strong.
” 'People are fed up ' in Kentucky Erika Calihan , a small-business owner , helped organize a rally in Frankfort loud enough to disrupt Beshear ’ s daily news conference .
She argued that the vulnerable could stay home , but that the state shouldn ’ t smother people and businesses who want to operate .
“ All I know is that people are fed up .
People want to work , ” Calihan said .
“ I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stifle that .
People can work safe and people can work smart .
I think we deserve the right to try.
” Protesters walked around the capitol chanting “ open up Kentucky ” and “ no more fear from Beshear.
” State GOP Rep. Savannah Maddox said the governor was jeopardizing liberty and choosing winners and losers among businesses .
“ He ’ s hanging our small and locally owned businesses out to dry , all the while big chain stores are thriving , ” Maddox said .
Beshear signed an order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t life-sustaining to in-person traffic , while allowing grocery stores , pharmacies and key agriculture or manufacturing businesses to remain open .
He bolstered enforcement March 26 by asking mayors and county judge-executives to monitor public gatherings to discourage crowds .
Beshear acknowledged the protest during his briefing and said everybody had a right to their opinion , but that opening up the state too quickly risked public health .
`` Folks , that would kill people , ” Beshear said .
“ That would absolutely kill people.
” In Raleigh , State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 100 people gathered downtown to protest Cooper ’ s stay-at-home order .
The Raleigh Police Department issued a statement that during “ these unprecedented times and unusual circumstances , ” the governor and Wake County had each declared states of emergency that meant “ protesting is not listed as an essential function.
” Dueling groups organized on Facebook on both sides of the debate .
The private Facebook Reopen NC , boasted 45,000 members , called for the state to reopen no later than April 29 because “ the shutdown is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be isolated or protected in other ways.
” But the group Facebook Stay Home NC warned that infections would continue to rise through mid-May .
The group said restrictions would help protect elderly neighbors and those with autoimmune disease or cancer .
Cooper told a news conference Wednesday that progress must be made in testing , tracing and trends in order to reduce restrictions .
But he said the new way of doing things may include wearing masks more , taking a person ’ s temperature more often , spacing tables in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowds .
“ Experts tell us it would be dangerous to lift our restrictions all at once , ” Cooper said .
“ Rather than an on-off light switch , think about it more as a dimmer switch , which can be adjusted incrementally as we slowly bring the lights back up .
”

'Work conquers all': Protests erupt in state capitals nationwide over coronavirus restrictions
Show Caption Hide Caption Stay-at-home order protested with massive gridlock in Michigan Thousands of cars jammed streets surrounding Michigan's state capitol in protest of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home order. USA TODAY
In Frankfort, Kentucky, a small-business owner wielded a microphone to accuse Gov. Andy Beshear of stifling free enterprise by shuttering businesses and ordering people to stay home.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, a protester was arrested while a crowd urged Gov. Roy Cooper to ease his restrictions.
In Oklahoma City, motorists circled the capitol decorated with signs imploring Gov. Kevin Stitt to put the state back to work.
“We’re hoping to inspire other folks,” said Lori Gracey, a business consultant who organized the Oklahoma protest with a few friends in Broken Arrow.
Rallies organized through social media such as Facebook and Twitter cropped up this week across the country with a common message to governors: relax the strict stay-at-home orders deployed to combat the novel coronavirus. Thousands of motorists gridlocked Lansing, Mich., on Wednesday in perhaps the largest protest so far.
More protests are planned, with one outside Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb's mansion on Saturday. Two more are set for April 24 in Madison, Wis., and in Richmond, Va.
But Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday extended the state's stay-at-home order to May 26. And Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday he was extending business closures two weeks, to May 8 and leaving a stay-at-home order in effect until June 10.
The protests roiled statehouse grounds as local, state and federal officials grapple with how and when to ease restrictions the began in mid-March. President Donald Trump is consulting with hundreds of business leaders and political officials to chart a path for federal guidance that prompted states to close schools, non-essential businesses and gatherings of more than 10 people.
States rights on reopening businesses over President Trump, explained The 10th Amendment protects state powers and puts a hamper on presidential powers. Here's how the fight for control is playing out today. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Attorney General William Barr told Fox News on April 8 that federal authorities would review “draconian” state measures beyond the isolation period scheduled to end April 30.
The peril to the economy was reinforced Thursday. Workers filed another 5.2 million jobless claims. An emergency federal loan program providing $350 billion to small businesses ran out of funding as Congress haggles over providing more.
But health officials have warned against relaxing restrictions too soon, for lack of adequate testing to track where the disease spreads and continue to contain it. Governors – who are consulting with Trump and other federal officials, business leaders and health officials – will be key figures deciding how and when to begin to reopen.
'Work conquers all' in Oklahoma
Gracey said she and a few friends organized the Oklahoma protest under the slogan OKBack2Work on Facebook. The friends wanted to let people eager to return to work know they aren’t alone. And they wanted to demonstrate their urgency to Stitt and the legislature. Besides the statewide restrictions, scattered cities have begun imposing $500 fines for violating stay-at-home orders.
“We want to protect those who are vulnerable. We get that. Let them choose to stay in their house,” said Gracey, whose 85- and 93-year-old parents live with her. “Why are you forcing us who are healthy not to work?”
She drove 90 minutes for the hour-long protest Wednesday. Participants stayed in their cars to maintain social distancing, but circled the capitol with posters and messages written on their windows saying: “Every job is essential” or “Stop the tyranny.”
Gracey’s sign quoted the state’s Latin motto: “Labor omnia vincit,” which means “work conquers all.”
“Oklahoma is not New York City,” Gracey said. “We don’t need the same lockdowns.”
The protesters were disappointed to learn their message went unheeded. Later that afternoon, Stitts announced that he was extending his order for the elderly and those with serious medical conditions to remain “safer at home” until May 6.
But he said elective surgeries could resume when the current order expires April 24.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel, and we will get through this together,” Stitt said. “For just a little while longer – stay home, stay safe, stay strong.”
'People are fed up' in Kentucky
Erika Calihan, a small-business owner, helped organize a rally in Frankfort loud enough to disrupt Beshear’s daily news conference. She argued that the vulnerable could stay home, but that the state shouldn’t smother people and businesses who want to operate.
“All I know is that people are fed up. People want to work,” Calihan said. “I don’t know why we would want to stifle that. People can work safe and people can work smart. I think we deserve the right to try.”
Protesters walked around the capitol chanting “open up Kentucky” and “no more fear from Beshear.” State GOP Rep. Savannah Maddox said the governor was jeopardizing liberty and choosing winners and losers among businesses.
“He’s hanging our small and locally owned businesses out to dry, all the while big chain stores are thriving,” Maddox said.
Beshear signed an order March 24 closing businesses that weren’t life-sustaining to in-person traffic, while allowing grocery stores, pharmacies and key agriculture or manufacturing businesses to remain open. He bolstered enforcement March 26 by asking mayors and county judge-executives to monitor public gatherings to discourage crowds.
Beshear acknowledged the protest during his briefing and said everybody had a right to their opinion, but that opening up the state too quickly risked public health.
"Folks, that would kill people,” Beshear said. “That would absolutely kill people.”
'A dimmer switch' for North Carolina
In Raleigh, State Capitol Police arrested a protester Tuesday after more than 100 people gathered downtown to protest Cooper’s stay-at-home order. The Raleigh Police Department issued a statement that during “these unprecedented times and unusual circumstances,” the governor and Wake County had each declared states of emergency that meant “protesting is not listed as an essential function.”
Dueling groups organized on Facebook on both sides of the debate. The private Facebook Reopen NC, boasted 45,000 members, called for the state to reopen no later than April 29 because “the shutdown is not warranted” and “the vulnerable can be isolated or protected in other ways.”
But the group Facebook Stay Home NC warned that infections would continue to rise through mid-May. The group said restrictions would help protect elderly neighbors and those with autoimmune disease or cancer.
Cooper told a news conference Wednesday that progress must be made in testing, tracing and trends in order to reduce restrictions. But he said the new way of doing things may include wearing masks more, taking a person’s temperature more often, spacing tables in restaurants and playing sports and concerts without crowds.
“Experts tell us it would be dangerous to lift our restrictions all at once,” Cooper said. “Rather than an on-off light switch, think about it more as a dimmer switch, which can be adjusted incrementally as we slowly bring the lights back up.”


usatoday--2020-04-16--DNC Milwaukee Host Committee reduces staff by more than half through layoffs and transfers

MILWAUKEE – In the latest sign of trouble for the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee this summer , the host committee announced Thursday that it is cutting its staff by more than half by reassigning some employees and laying off others .
The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee — the nonprofit tasked with raising $ 70 million for the event and recruiting thousands of volunteers — said it will slash its total staff from 31 to 14 employees .
Eleven staffers have been offered positions with either the 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee or as organizers for the party .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Six host committee employees have been laid off .
Committee officials did not identify those individuals , who they said will receive health insurance through August .
“ The entire nation is facing the unprecedented challenge of responding to the coronavirus pandemic , and unfortunately , the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee is no different , '' said Raquel Filmanowicz , CEO of the host committee .
`` In this climate of uncertainty , we must adjust our plans to match the new reality we ’ re facing as a nation . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in its commitment to hold the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee this August .
Joe Solmonese , CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee , said his organization will do what it can to help while these changes take place .
`` We are committed to doing everything we can to support the employees who are transitioning as the host committee makes adjustments to continue their important work in light of this unprecedented global pandemic , '' Solmonese said in a statement .
Solmonese said recently that the host committee has raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to host the convention .
Thursday 's announcement marks the latest hurdle faced by those trying to organize the massive Milwaukee event .
Earlier this month , Democratic officials announced that they were moving the convention from July to the week of Aug.17 over concerns of the coronavirus pandemic .
The hope was that the extra time would allow the global pandemic to abate and for the party to conduct a robust event in Milwaukee .
Still , that marked a dramatic shift for Democrats , who had spent months planning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on July 13-16 and attract up to 50,000 people to Milwaukee .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic nominee , said more recently that the 2020 national convention might need to be done virtually because of coronavirus concerns .
`` Well , we 're going to have to do a convention — may have to do a virtual convention , '' Biden said .
`` I think we should be thinking about that right now . ''
Then this week , former Virginia Gov .
Terry McAuliffe , the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said he considered it `` very unlikely '' there would be a convention in Milwaukee this summer .
McAuliffe , who oversaw the 2000 Democratic convention , called on Democrats to consider `` creative '' alternatives to a traditional convention .
He said he has been in talks with current DNC Chairman Tom Perez about contingency plans for the August event .
`` The TV networks are going to give you the equal time that you would have at the convention , so come up with something clever around the country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure , '' McAuliffe told Susan Page of USA TODAY .
`` You can build , obviously , a stage anywhere you want , but there are a lot of creative ( things ) that you need to do . ''
As for the host committee itself , the board fired its former president , Liz Gilbert , and her chief of staff , Adam Alonso , in February amid allegations of a toxic work environment .
A group of female senior staffers at the host committee had complained of a `` toxic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two top managers discouraged `` honest feedback and discourse . ''
Two others who have worked with the host committee also expressed workplace concerns to the Journal Sentinel .
Gilbert and Alonso denied the allegations .
The host committee board hired a law firm to look into the allegations but never released the final report .
Filmanowicz and Paula Penebaker , former chief executive officer of the YWCA Southeast Wisconsin , were named as the new leaders of the host committee .
Contact Daniel Bice at ( 414 ) 224-2135 or dbice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice .

DNC Milwaukee Host Committee reduces staff by more than half through layoffs and transfers
Show Caption Hide Caption How the DNC changed its rules since Sanders, Clinton in 2016 The primaries are here! How does one get elected in the first place and what is in store for the Democratic National Convention in 2020? We explain. Just the FAQs
MILWAUKEE – In the latest sign of trouble for the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee this summer, the host committee announced Thursday that it is cutting its staff by more than half by reassigning some employees and laying off others.
The Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee — the nonprofit tasked with raising $70 million for the event and recruiting thousands of volunteers — said it will slash its total staff from 31 to 14 employees.
Eleven staffers have been offered positions with either the 2020 Democratic National Convention Committee or as organizers for the party. That committee is responsible for running the convention.
Six host committee employees have been laid off. Committee officials did not identify those individuals, who they said will receive health insurance through August.
“The entire nation is facing the unprecedented challenge of responding to the coronavirus pandemic, and unfortunately, the Milwaukee 2020 Host Committee is no different," said Raquel Filmanowicz, CEO of the host committee. "In this climate of uncertainty, we must adjust our plans to match the new reality we’re facing as a nation."
Filmanowicz said her team "remains steadfast" in its commitment to hold the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee this August.
Joe Solmonese, CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee, said his organization will do what it can to help while these changes take place.
"We are committed to doing everything we can to support the employees who are transitioning as the host committee makes adjustments to continue their important work in light of this unprecedented global pandemic," Solmonese said in a statement.
Solmonese said recently that the host committee has raised about half of the $70 million needed to host the convention.
Thursday's announcement marks the latest hurdle faced by those trying to organize the massive Milwaukee event.
Earlier this month, Democratic officials announced that they were moving the convention from July to the week of Aug.17 over concerns of the coronavirus pandemic. The hope was that the extra time would allow the global pandemic to abate and for the party to conduct a robust event in Milwaukee.
Still, that marked a dramatic shift for Democrats, who had spent months planning to hold the event at the Fiserv Forum on July 13-16 and attract up to 50,000 people to Milwaukee.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, said more recently that the 2020 national convention might need to be done virtually because of coronavirus concerns.
"Well, we're going to have to do a convention — may have to do a virtual convention," Biden said. "I think we should be thinking about that right now."
Then this week, former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic National Committee chairman from 2001 to 2005, said he considered it "very unlikely" there would be a convention in Milwaukee this summer.
McAuliffe, who oversaw the 2000 Democratic convention, called on Democrats to consider "creative" alternatives to a traditional convention. He said he has been in talks with current DNC Chairman Tom Perez about contingency plans for the August event.
"The TV networks are going to give you the equal time that you would have at the convention, so come up with something clever around the country to do it to get the same media exposure," McAuliffe told Susan Page of USA TODAY. "You can build, obviously, a stage anywhere you want, but there are a lot of creative (things) that you need to do."
As for the host committee itself, the board fired its former president, Liz Gilbert, and her chief of staff, Adam Alonso, in February amid allegations of a toxic work environment.
A group of female senior staffers at the host committee had complained of a "toxic and insular" work environment and that the two top managers discouraged "honest feedback and discourse."
Two others who have worked with the host committee also expressed workplace concerns to the Journal Sentinel.
Gilbert and Alonso denied the allegations. The host committee board hired a law firm to look into the allegations but never released the final report.
Filmanowicz and Paula Penebaker, former chief executive officer of the YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, were named as the new leaders of the host committee.
Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.


usatoday--2020-04-16--DOJ team will review conditions at coronavirus-plagued federal prisons, with assist from inspector g

DOJ team will review conditions at coronavirus-plagued federal prisons, with assist from inspector general

A Justice Department team has been reviewing conditions at coronavirus-plagued federal prisons where 18 inmates have died in the past month and as infections of inmates and officers continue to mount throughout the system , a Justice official said Thursday .
A group of senior advisers to Attorney General William Barr have conducted in-person inspections of the hardest hit units in Louisiana , Ohio and North Carolina .
A virtual inspection was scheduled at the facility in Lompoc , Calif. , where 69 inmates and 22 staffers have been infected , said the official who is not authorized to comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's inspector general , Michael Horowitz , to assist in the review , which was launched late last week .
The low-security facility in Oakdale , Louisiana , has reported seven deaths so far ; six inmates assigned to the Elkton , Ohio prison have died ; there have been four deaths in Butner , North Carolina ; and one at San Pedro , Calif. At least 473 inmates and 279 staffers have been infected across the bureau 's system of 122 facilities .
Infected inmates sue : 'People are falling sick every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'slow-walking ' releases at troubled Louisiana prison There was no immediate timeline for when the review would be completed , and the official said that Barr remained confident in the current leadership at the agency long troubled staffing shortages .
Michael Carvajal , the current director of the federal Bureau of Prisons , was appointed by Barr just two months ago as part of a continuing leadership makeover following the August suicide of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein .
Carvajal , a career prison official who had been serving as an assistant director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to succeed Kathleen Hawk Sawyer .
Barr had appointed Hawk Sawyer to serve as director in the days after Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell , prompting a bureau-wide shakeup of the nation 's largest prison system .
As part of Barr 's review , the inspection team met with local health officials from surrounding communities in each of the locations to assess the broader impact of the outbreaks .
Earlier this month , Barr ordered an expedited release of prisoners to home confinement at the troubled facilities in Oakdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where infections had been spiking .
`` We have to move with dispatch in using home confinement when appropriate to move vulnerable inmates out these institutions , '' Barr said .
Attorneys for Oakdale inmates have sued for the release of hundreds of prisoners there , claiming that the government has not moved fast enough .

DOJ team reviewing conditions at virus-plagued federal prisons; IG leading separate probe
Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 pandemic myths debunked There is a lot of misinformation out there about coronavirus. We sort the facts from falsehoods. USA TODAY, Wochit
A Justice Department team has been reviewing conditions at coronavirus-plagued federal prisons where 18 inmates have died in the past month and as infections of inmates and officers continue to mount throughout the system, a Justice official said Thursday.
A group of senior advisers to Attorney General William Barr have conducted in-person inspections of the hardest hit units in Louisiana, Ohio and North Carolina. A virtual inspection was scheduled at the facility in Lompoc, Calif., where 69 inmates and 22 staffers have been infected, said the official who is not authorized to comment publicly.
Justice's inspector general, Michael Horowitz, also is conducting a separate inquiry into conditions at the agency.
The low-security facility in Oakdale, Louisiana, has reported seven deaths so far; six inmates assigned to the Elkton, Ohio prison have died; there have been four deaths in Butner, North Carolina; and one at San Pedro, Calif.
At least 473 inmates and 279 staffers have been infected across the bureau's system of 122 facilities.
Infected inmates sue: 'People are falling sick every day:' Lawsuit accuses feds of 'slow-walking' releases at troubled Louisiana prison
Lockdown: Federal prison officials order system-wide lockdown in bid to limit coronavirus spread
There was no immediate timeline for when the review would be completed, and the official said that Barr remained confident in the current leadership at the agency long troubled staffing shortages.
Michael Carvajal, the current director of the federal Bureau of Prisons, was appointed by Barr just two months ago as part of a continuing leadership makeover following the August suicide of accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Carvajal, a career prison official who had been serving as an assistant director, was elevated to the top spot to succeed Kathleen Hawk Sawyer. Barr had appointed Hawk Sawyer to serve as director in the days after Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell, prompting a bureau-wide shakeup of the nation's largest prison system.
As part of Barr's review, the inspection team met with local health officials from surrounding communities in each of the locations to assess the broader impact of the outbreaks.
Earlier this month, Barr ordered an expedited release of prisoners to home confinement at the troubled facilities in Oakdale, Elkton and at Danbury, Connecticut, where infections had been spiking.
"We have to move with dispatch in using home confinement when appropriate to move vulnerable inmates out these institutions," Barr said.
Attorneys for Oakdale inmates have sued for the release of hundreds of prisoners there, claiming that the government has not moved fast enough.