usatoday--2020-09-09--Republican Rep. Andy Biggs tweets against wearing masks, gives other questionable COVID-19 advice

Rep. Andy Biggs is neither a physician nor a scientist but he continues to attack public health advice and scientific evidence on COVID-19 .
Biggs , R-Ariz. , in recent days has posted a string of pro-hydroxychloroquine and anti-mask messages on social media .
In his latest tweets , Biggs urges Arizonans to flout national and local public health guidance on COVID-19 , the respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus , or new coronavirus .
He says Arizonans should be able to use hydroxychloroquine as a preventive COVID-19 measure , though it 's not recommended for prophylactic use by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's also been urging members of the public to `` unmask . ''
Earlier this summer , Biggs challenged Arizona 's rising hospitalization numbers and suggested the COVID-19 pandemic was being blown out of proportion .
As of Tuesday , the Arizona Department of Health Services was reporting 206,045 COVID-19 cases and 5,221 known deaths from the respiratory illness .
`` There 's no medical basis for what he 's telling people do to and he has no scientific standing to make these statements , '' Dr. Lee Ann Kelley , Maricopa County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is absurd this has become a political issue instead of a public health issue , '' Kelley said .
`` There is tons of evidence that masks do work and I do believe one of the reasons Arizona 's numbers went down was because of the mask mandates . ''
There is real `` cause and effect '' evidence that masks do work and for Biggs to tell people that wearing a mask is about freedom is `` highly irresponsible , '' she said .
Arizona experienced a spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmed hospitals to a point where they canceled elective surgeries , scrambled to add COVID-19 beds and negative pressure rooms , and hired nurses and respiratory therapists from other states .
Arizona has one of the highest infection rates in the country , the CDC 's COVID tracker says .
Its death rate of 72 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people is above the U.S. average of 57 deaths per 100,000 people , the CDC says .
In his tweets , Biggs says Arizonans should `` fight the medical establishment '' to have more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has unfortunately become too politicized , including in Arizona , '' he tweeted Aug. 31 .
He has since tweeted in support of Arizonans ' `` right to try '' hydroxychloroquine five more times .
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are anti-malarial drugs that were used as a treatment for certain hospitalized COVID-19 patients early on in the pandemic under an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration .
The FDA revoked that emergency use authorization June 15 because the federal agency found that that found the medicines `` showed no benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speeding recovery . ''
On July 1 , the FDA issued a summary of safety issues with the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19 .
Those issues include reports of serious heart rhythm problems , blood and lymph system disorders , kidney injuries and liver failure .
Ducey : Hydroxychloroquine ca n't be used to prevent COVID-19 in AZ Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey on April 2 issued an executive order that says Arizona providers may prescribe hydroxychloroquine to someone who has COVID-19 .
But they ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order says .
In a Sept. 1 interview with conservative radio host Ed Martin on the Pro America Report , Biggs says that in Arizona it is `` basically illegal to fill a prescription for someone who is not getting hydroxychloroquine for lupus , rheumatoid arthritis or for malaria and that 's absurd . ''
Biggs did not mention that providers are allowed to prescribe hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 .
Biggs spokesman Daniel Stefanski confirmed Wednesday via text message that Biggs is aware of Ducey 's executive order and that in the interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inability for Arizona providers to prescribe the drug prophylactically for COVID-19 .
Biggs told Martin in the interview that hydroxychloroquine is `` a safe drug that seems to have some positive effects , so let us make that choice .
Let us as free individuals make that choice after meeting with our physician . ''
He blames restrictions on the drug that are in place in various states on `` petty tyrants . ''
The Arizona Department of Health Services does not recommend hydroxychloroquine be used prophylactically outside of a clinical trial , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email .
Elliott confirmed that Ducey 's executive order is still in effect and that Arizona providers may prescribe hydroxychloroquine to patients with COVID-19 , as long as it 's not as a preventive measure .
`` We continue to review the current medical literature and will update if appropriate , '' Elliott wrote .
'Are you going to see a politician when you get sick ? '
Biggs ' tweets also urge Arizonans to `` unmask , '' saying it is a `` path of renewed freedom . ''
`` In general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wearing a mask is so you are protecting others from what you are exhaling , '' said Dr. Ross Goldberg , a general surgeon in Phoenix who is president of the Arizona Medical Association .
`` The mask is n't to protect you from stuff coming towards you , it 's to prevent you from spreading anything that you are breathing out .
If you are wearing a mask and someone else is wearing a mask you have now both protected each other from each other . ''
Science has already shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks by the general public will significantly reduce transmission , Goldberg said , though it 's not a perfect prevention measure .
It also works best if everyone participates , he said .
`` If I 'm in a crowd of people and I 'm the only one wearing a mask , the only one who is protecting people is me , '' Goldberg said .
`` I 'm not protected ; I 'm protecting others . ''
A June 1 article in the Lancet , a top medical journal , reviewed 172 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found face mask use could largely reduce the risk of infection .
A study published June 11 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal found that COVID-19 transmission is primarily airborne and that widespread mask-wearing “ significantly reduces the number of infections.
” Without masks , social distancing is not enough , according to the article , which studied trends in Wuhan , China ; Italy ; and New York City .
`` I wear them in the operating room to protect the patient from me .
Not to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` It may protect me from a blood splatter .
But when I 'm operating I 'm operating over a sterile field .
You do n't want me breathing over that sterile field . ''
Arizonans at some point should be able to safely unmask when disease transmission levels reach a `` very low '' point , Goldberg said .
`` Are you going to go see a politician when you get sick or are you going to go see your doctor ? ''
Goldberg asked .
`` And if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go see your doctor , then why are we listening to politicians now giving medical advice when we wo n't listen to them about any other medical advice ? ''
Biggs , who also leads the conservative House Freedom Caucus on Capitol Hill , and his constituents are not under `` any mandate to subscribe to any particular health organizations or health studies , '' Stefanski wrote in a text message .
`` He does n't believe that he knows better , nor does he believe that an organization or study knows what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
`` He , along with each of his constituents , should have the freedom to choose what is best for themselves , their families , and their loved ones in any health scenario . ''
Bureaucrats , health officials and local government leaders have been wrong more than they have been right when it comes to COVID-19 , Stefanski wrote .
Kelley said that that are all kinds of existing public health rules in society to keep everyone safe , such as wearing seatbelts , following speed limits and not smoking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to breathe secondhand smoke .
`` I believe that these precautions — wearing masks and social distancing — are crucial toward eliminating the virus or at least reducing it to manageable numbers and helping us as a state survive until we get a vaccine , '' she said .
`` ... Rep. Biggs needs to stay in his lane . ''
Reach health care reporter Stephanie Innes at Stephanie.Innes @ gannett.com or at 602-444-8369 .
Follow her on Twitter @ stephanieinnes

Republican Rep. Andy Biggs tweets against wearing masks, gives other questionable COVID-19 advice
Rep. Andy Biggs is neither a physician nor a scientist but he continues to attack public health advice and scientific evidence on COVID-19.
Biggs, R-Ariz., in recent days has posted a string of pro-hydroxychloroquine and anti-mask messages on social media.
In his latest tweets, Biggs urges Arizonans to flout national and local public health guidance on COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, or new coronavirus. He says Arizonans should be able to use hydroxychloroquine as a preventive COVID-19 measure, though it's not recommended for prophylactic use by the federal or state government.
He's also been urging members of the public to "unmask."
Earlier this summer, Biggs challenged Arizona's rising hospitalization numbers and suggested the COVID-19 pandemic was being blown out of proportion.
As of Tuesday, the Arizona Department of Health Services was reporting 206,045 COVID-19 cases and 5,221 known deaths from the respiratory illness.
"There's no medical basis for what he's telling people do to and he has no scientific standing to make these statements," Dr. Lee Ann Kelley, Maricopa County Medical Society president, said of Biggs.
"It is absurd this has become a political issue instead of a public health issue," Kelley said. "There is tons of evidence that masks do work and I do believe one of the reasons Arizona's numbers went down was because of the mask mandates."
There is real "cause and effect" evidence that masks do work and for Biggs to tell people that wearing a mask is about freedom is "highly irresponsible," she said.
Arizona experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases in June and July that overwhelmed hospitals to a point where they canceled elective surgeries, scrambled to add COVID-19 beds and negative pressure rooms, and hired nurses and respiratory therapists from other states.
Arizona has one of the highest infection rates in the country, the CDC's COVID tracker says. Its death rate of 72 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 people is above the U.S. average of 57 deaths per 100,000 people, the CDC says.
Arizona should embrace President @realDonaldTrump’s call to give Americans the right to try hydroxychloroquine. pic.twitter.com/pzja9DHReC — Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) September 6, 2020
'Fight the medical establishment'
In his tweets, Biggs says Arizonans should "fight the medical establishment" to have more access to hydroxychloroquine. The drug "has unfortunately become too politicized, including in Arizona," he tweeted Aug. 31. He has since tweeted in support of Arizonans' "right to try" hydroxychloroquine five more times.
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are anti-malarial drugs that were used as a treatment for certain hospitalized COVID-19 patients early on in the pandemic under an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA revoked that emergency use authorization June 15 because the federal agency found that that found the medicines "showed no benefit for decreasing the likelihood of death or speeding recovery."
On July 1, the FDA issued a summary of safety issues with the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Those issues include reports of serious heart rhythm problems, blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries and liver failure.
Many public health officials are fighting against a patient’s right to try hydroxychloroquine, including in Arizona.
If hydroxychloroquine is effective when used early, then lives will be saved.
Arizonans must fight the medical establishment so we can have the right to try. pic.twitter.com/lmqwmaRSJH — Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) September 3, 2020
Ducey: Hydroxychloroquine can't be used to prevent COVID-19 in AZ
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on April 2 issued an executive order that says Arizona providers may prescribe hydroxychloroquine to someone who has COVID-19. But they can't prescribe it to prevent COVID-19, the order says.
In a Sept. 1 interview with conservative radio host Ed Martin on the Pro America Report, Biggs says that in Arizona it is "basically illegal to fill a prescription for someone who is not getting hydroxychloroquine for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or for malaria and that's absurd."
Biggs did not mention that providers are allowed to prescribe hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19.
Biggs spokesman Daniel Stefanski confirmed Wednesday via text message that Biggs is aware of Ducey's executive order and that in the interview with Martin he was trying to highlight the inability for Arizona providers to prescribe the drug prophylactically for COVID-19.
Biggs told Martin in the interview that hydroxychloroquine is "a safe drug that seems to have some positive effects, so let us make that choice. Let us as free individuals make that choice after meeting with our physician."
He blames restrictions on the drug that are in place in various states on "petty tyrants."
The Arizona Department of Health Services does not recommend hydroxychloroquine be used prophylactically outside of a clinical trial, department spokesman Steve Elliott wrote in an email.
Elliott confirmed that Ducey's executive order is still in effect and that Arizona providers may prescribe hydroxychloroquine to patients with COVID-19, as long as it's not as a preventive measure.
"We continue to review the current medical literature and will update if appropriate," Elliott wrote.
The Arizona mainstream media vehemently opposes the efforts to listen to science, data, and common sense to #UnMaskArizona. pic.twitter.com/3sYJp4dNSV — Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) September 8, 2020
'Are you going to see a politician when you get sick?'
Biggs' tweets also urge Arizonans to "unmask," saying it is a "path of renewed freedom."
"In general, people need to understand the point of wearing a mask is so you are protecting others from what you are exhaling," said Dr. Ross Goldberg, a general surgeon in Phoenix who is president of the Arizona Medical Association.
"The mask isn't to protect you from stuff coming towards you, it's to prevent you from spreading anything that you are breathing out. If you are wearing a mask and someone else is wearing a mask you have now both protected each other from each other."
Science has already shown that the use of cloth or surgical masks by the general public will significantly reduce transmission, Goldberg said, though it's not a perfect prevention measure.
It also works best if everyone participates, he said.
"If I'm in a crowd of people and I'm the only one wearing a mask, the only one who is protecting people is me," Goldberg said. "I'm not protected; I'm protecting others."
A June 1 article in the Lancet, a top medical journal, reviewed 172 different observational studies from 16 countries and found face mask use could largely reduce the risk of infection.
A study published June 11 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal found that COVID-19 transmission is primarily airborne and that widespread mask-wearing “significantly reduces the number of infections.” Without masks, social distancing is not enough, according to the article, which studied trends in Wuhan, China; Italy; and New York City.
"I wear them in the operating room to protect the patient from me. Not to protect me from the patient," Goldberg said. "It may protect me from a blood splatter. But when I'm operating I'm operating over a sterile field. You don't want me breathing over that sterile field."
Arizonans at some point should be able to safely unmask when disease transmission levels reach a "very low" point, Goldberg said.
"Are you going to go see a politician when you get sick or are you going to go see your doctor?" Goldberg asked.
"And if the answer is that you are going to go see your doctor, then why are we listening to politicians now giving medical advice when we won't listen to them about any other medical advice?"
Biggs, who also leads the conservative House Freedom Caucus on Capitol Hill, and his constituents are not under "any mandate to subscribe to any particular health organizations or health studies," Stefanski wrote in a text message.
"He doesn't believe that he knows better, nor does he believe that an organization or study knows what is best for him," Stefanski wrote. "He, along with each of his constituents, should have the freedom to choose what is best for themselves, their families, and their loved ones in any health scenario."
Bureaucrats, health officials and local government leaders have been wrong more than they have been right when it comes to COVID-19, Stefanski wrote.
Kelley said that that are all kinds of existing public health rules in society to keep everyone safe, such as wearing seatbelts, following speed limits and not smoking in public places where people would have to breathe secondhand smoke.
"I believe that these precautions — wearing masks and social distancing — are crucial toward eliminating the virus or at least reducing it to manageable numbers and helping us as a state survive until we get a vaccine," she said. "... Rep. Biggs needs to stay in his lane."
President Donald J. Trump has advocated for Americans to have the right to try hydroxychloroquine in the ongoing fight against COVID-19, but this drug has unfortunately become too politicized, including in Arizona. https://t.co/hW4Qbto0mK — Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) August 31, 2020
Mask mandates symbolize where we can choose to go: on a path of renewed freedom or down the path of untethered government control of every aspect of our lives, which will surely lead to ruin.#UnMaskArizona pic.twitter.com/LTGHktlFb6 — Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) September 1, 2020
Arizona Republic reporter Alison Steinbach contributed to this report.
Reach health care reporter Stephanie Innes at Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. Follow her on Twitter @stephanieinnes


usatoday--2020-09-09--Joe Biden outraises President Donald Trump by more than $150M in August

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden topped President Donald Trump in August fundraising by $ 154.5 million , likely giving the former vice president 's campaign a significant funding edge for the final two months of the race .
The Trump campaign , the Republican National Committee and their joint fundraising committees raised $ 210 million last month , they reported Wednesday .
That 's far short of the $ 364.5 million August haul the Biden campaign , the Democratic National Committee and their joint fundraising efforts announced last week .
Biden 's fundraising numbers shattered the one-month record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes as Trump confirmed Tuesday he 's considering putting his own money into the race , which would be a departure from the way most incumbent presidents operate their reelection campaigns .
Bloomberg reported Trump has discussed spending as much as $ 100 million on his own race .
`` If I have to , I would , ” Trump told reporters Tuesday .
“ But we don ’ t have to . ''
Neither campaign disclosed how much money they have left to spend before Election Day on Nov. 3 .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because both candidates had near the same balance entering August .
Last month , the Biden campaign boasted a campaign war chest of $ 294 million still to spend after August , compared to $ 300 million for Trump .
The Biden campaign said it raised a record $ 205 million from small-dollar online contributions , accounting for 57 % of the August total .
`` That figure blows me away , '' Biden said in an email to supporters last week .
`` And we raised it the right way , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own a piece of this campaign , investing in the future we want to see for our kids and grandkids.
” Biden 's online fundraising figure by itself beat the previous monthly fundraising record for a single candidate of $ 193 million , set by Barack Obama in September 2008 .
Biden 's fundraising was aided by his Aug. 11 selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice presidential running mate , a move that led to $ 48 million raised in just two days after she was picked .
The campaign said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden in August , bringing the campaign 's total number of donors to more than 4 million .
The big month for Biden comes after Trump outraised Biden by $ 25 million – $ 165 million to $ 140 million – in July , ending a stretch of back-to-back months where the Biden campaign topped the incumbent president in campaign fundraising .
Despite getting substantially outraised overall , the Trump campaign touted raising $ 76 million during the four-day Republican National Convention , topping the $ 70 million the Biden campaign raised during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign also boasted the reelection campaign 's largest online fundraising month .
In a prepared statement , Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien talked up his campaign 's `` muscular field operation and ground game '' while Biden wages `` almost exclusively an air war . ''
He also said money will not be a problem .
`` We like our strategy better , '' Stepien said .
`` The Trump campaign will have all the resources we need to spread the message of President Trump ’ s incredible record of achievement , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and define Joe Biden as a tool of the radical left . ''

Joe Biden outraises President Donald Trump by more than $150M in August
Show Caption Hide Caption Biden hits back at Trump, calls on him to stop 'fomenting' violence Joe Biden accused President Trump of playing a role in the unrest by refusing to acknowledge racial injustice during a speech delivered in Pittsburgh. USA TODAY, Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden topped President Donald Trump in August fundraising by $154.5 million, likely giving the former vice president's campaign a significant funding edge for the final two months of the race.
The Trump campaign, the Republican National Committee and their joint fundraising committees raised $210 million last month, they reported Wednesday. That's far short of the $364.5 million August haul the Biden campaign, the Democratic National Committee and their joint fundraising efforts announced last week.
Biden's fundraising numbers shattered the one-month record for any presidential candidate.
The disparity comes as Trump confirmed Tuesday he's considering putting his own money into the race, which would be a departure from the way most incumbent presidents operate their reelection campaigns. Bloomberg reported Trump has discussed spending as much as $100 million on his own race.
"If I have to, I would,” Trump told reporters Tuesday. “But we don’t have to."
Neither campaign disclosed how much money they have left to spend before Election Day on Nov. 3. Biden is believed to hold a cash-on-hand advantage because both candidates had near the same balance entering August. Last month, the Biden campaign boasted a campaign war chest of $294 million still to spend after August, compared to $300 million for Trump.
The Biden campaign said it raised a record $205 million from small-dollar online contributions, accounting for 57% of the August total.
"That figure blows me away," Biden said in an email to supporters last week. "And we raised it the right way, from people across the country stepping up to own a piece of this campaign, investing in the future we want to see for our kids and grandkids.”
Biden's online fundraising figure by itself beat the previous monthly fundraising record for a single candidate of $193 million, set by Barack Obama in September 2008.
Biden's fundraising was aided by his Aug. 11 selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice presidential running mate, a move that led to $48 million raised in just two days after she was picked. The campaign said 1.5 individuals made their first donation to Biden in August, bringing the campaign's total number of donors to more than 4 million.
The big month for Biden comes after Trump outraised Biden by $25 million – $165 million to $140 million – in July, ending a stretch of back-to-back months where the Biden campaign topped the incumbent president in campaign fundraising.
Despite getting substantially outraised overall, the Trump campaign touted raising $76 million during the four-day Republican National Convention, topping the $70 million the Biden campaign raised during the Democratic National Convention. The Trump campaign also boasted the reelection campaign's largest online fundraising month.
In a prepared statement, Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien talked up his campaign's "muscular field operation and ground game" while Biden wages "almost exclusively an air war." He also said money will not be a problem.
"We like our strategy better," Stepien said. "The Trump campaign will have all the resources we need to spread the message of President Trump’s incredible record of achievement, on the ground and on the air, and define Joe Biden as a tool of the radical left."
Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.


usatoday--2020-09-10--Biden accuses Trump of 'life and death betrayal' over Woodward book revelations

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden accused President Donald Trump on Wednesday of betraying the American people by downplaying the threat of the deadly coronavirus , based on revelations in a new book by Bob Woodward .
`` He knew and purposely played it down .
Worse , he lied to the American people , '' Biden said before a campaign speech in Warren , Michigan .
`` He knowingly and willingly lied about the threat it posed to the country for months . ''
Trump spoke with Woodward , a journalist at The Washington Post and the author of multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , 2019 , to July 21 , 2020 .
During the recorded interviews for the book “ Rage , ” Trump acknowledged COVID-19 was more deadly and contagious than the flu even as he downplayed its dangers publicly .
“ I wanted to always play it down , ” Trump told Woodward on March 19 , according to excerpts obtained by CNN .
“ I still like playing it down because I don ’ t want to create a panic.
” Before flying home to Wilmington , Delaware , from Detroit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he blamed Trump for thousands of deaths from COVID-19 that could have been avoided if the president took more action earlier .
“ I absolutely do , ” Biden said .
“ Remember what was said by the Columbia medical school .
If he had acted one week earlier in March , there would be over 37,000 people alive , according to the experts.
” Biden contrasted Trump 's leadership with that of Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , who faced huge protests for shutting down the state 's economy to hinder the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the revelations about Trump came on the day deaths nationwide topped 190,000 .
`` While this deadly disease ripped through our nation , he failed to do his job on purpose , '' Biden said .
`` It was a life and death betrayal of the American people . ''
Trump called the book “ another political hit job ” Wednesday , despite not having read it , and told reporters he sought to avoid national panic over the virus .
“ I don ’ t want people to be frightened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ panic , ” Trump said .
“ Certainly I ’ m not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy.
” Trump said his administration did an incredible job supplying ventilators to any patients who needed them , and in spurring development of vaccines and therapeutics , and by prohibiting arrivals from China .
“ If we didn ’ t do what we did , we would have had millions of people die , ” Trump said .
Asked how the American people could trust him , Trump said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to show leadership , ” Trump said .
Biden has repeatedly urged the Trump administration to take more action to combat the virus , including expanding testing and tracing the contacts of people who are infected .
Biden has urged governors to require people to wear masks for three months , in an effort to hinder the spread of the virus .
But Trump calls mask-wearing a recommendation and ridicules Biden for wearing one at his public events .
“ Since I ’ m socially distanced , I ’ m allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Biden said before his speech outside the United Auto Workers regional headquarters .
Biden 's comments came while campaigning in Michigan , a key battleground state , by proposing to raise the corporate tax rate and penalize companies that move jobs abroad .
Trump fought for the 2017 tax cut that reduced the corporate rate to 21 % from 35 % , and he vows to continue reducing taxes and regulations if reelected .
Trump won Michigan by 10,704 votes out of nearly 4.8 million cast in 2016 .
But Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor Nov. 3 , along with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania .
Biden leads Trump by an average of 7.5 percentage points in Michigan polls through Wednesday , according to the tracking site FiveThirtyEight.com .

Biden accuses Trump of 'life and death betrayal' over Woodward book revelations
Show Caption Hide Caption Pres. Trump suggests he softened COVID reaction to reduce 'panic' A new book suggests that President Trump understood the threats of the coronavirus even as he told the nation it was no worse than the seasonal flu. USA TODAY
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden accused President Donald Trump on Wednesday of betraying the American people by downplaying the threat of the deadly coronavirus, based on revelations in a new book by Bob Woodward.
"He knew and purposely played it down. Worse, he lied to the American people," Biden said before a campaign speech in Warren, Michigan. "He knowingly and willingly lied about the threat it posed to the country for months."
Trump spoke with Woodward, a journalist at The Washington Post and the author of multiple best-selling books, 18 times from Dec. 5, 2019, to July 21, 2020. During the recorded interviews for the book “Rage,” Trump acknowledged COVID-19 was more deadly and contagious than the flu even as he downplayed its dangers publicly.
“I wanted to always play it down,” Trump told Woodward on March 19, according to excerpts obtained by CNN. “I still like playing it down because I don’t want to create a panic.”
Before flying home to Wilmington, Delaware, from Detroit, Biden told reporters traveling with him that he blamed Trump for thousands of deaths from COVID-19 that could have been avoided if the president took more action earlier.
“I absolutely do,” Biden said. “Remember what was said by the Columbia medical school. If he had acted one week earlier in March, there would be over 37,000 people alive, according to the experts.”
Biden contrasted Trump's leadership with that of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who faced huge protests for shutting down the state's economy to hinder the spread of the virus. But Biden said the revelations about Trump came on the day deaths nationwide topped 190,000.
"While this deadly disease ripped through our nation, he failed to do his job on purpose," Biden said. "It was a life and death betrayal of the American people."
Trump called the book “another political hit job” Wednesday, despite not having read it, and told reporters he sought to avoid national panic over the virus.
“I don’t want people to be frightened. I don’t want to create panic,” Trump said. “Certainly I’m not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy.”
Biden supports national mask mandate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says he supports a national mask mandate to help fight COVID-19. He told Las Vegas TV station KSNV that rules could be loosened in some areas, but a mandate is needed until the virus is under control. (July 29) AP
Trump said his administration did an incredible job supplying ventilators to any patients who needed them, and in spurring development of vaccines and therapeutics, and by prohibiting arrivals from China.
“If we didn’t do what we did, we would have had millions of people die,” Trump said.
Asked how the American people could trust him, Trump said he showed leadership and avoided panic.
“We have to show leadership,” Trump said.
Biden has repeatedly urged the Trump administration to take more action to combat the virus, including expanding testing and tracing the contacts of people who are infected. Biden has urged governors to require people to wear masks for three months, in an effort to hinder the spread of the virus. But Trump calls mask-wearing a recommendation and ridicules Biden for wearing one at his public events.
“Since I’m socially distanced, I’m allowed to take it off while I speak,” Biden said before his speech outside the United Auto Workers regional headquarters.
Biden's comments came while campaigning in Michigan, a key battleground state, by proposing to raise the corporate tax rate and penalize companies that move jobs abroad. Trump fought for the 2017 tax cut that reduced the corporate rate to 21% from 35%, and he vows to continue reducing taxes and regulations if reelected.
Trump won Michigan by 10,704 votes out of nearly 4.8 million cast in 2016. But Democrats hope to flip the state in their favor Nov. 3, along with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Biden leads Trump by an average of 7.5 percentage points in Michigan polls through Wednesday, according to the tracking site FiveThirtyEight.com.


usatoday--2020-09-09--Hillary Clinton doing first 'grassroots event' with Kamala Harris on Monday

WASHINGTON – Hillary Clinton is doing her first `` grassroots event '' with Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Monday , as Democrats hope to be the first party to put a women in the White House – even as the No .
2 .
`` We 'll talk about the Biden-Harris team 's plans to get our country back on track , how all of us can help elect Democrats down-ballot , and maybe even those Chucks , '' Clinton tweeted Wednesday in reference to the low-rise Chuck Taylor All-Stars that received much social media attention when Harris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin Monday .
In May , Clinton helped raise $ 2 million for a joint fundraising committee for the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee , according to Politico .
The campaign declined to provide additional details about Monday 's virtual fundraiser .
The event link Clinton tweeted says `` most people are chipping in $ 25 ! ''
The Biden campaign outraised the Trump campaign in August .
Harris – as well as her husband – have been doing a steady stream of virtual fundraisers since joining the ticket .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month , she praised Harris ' toughness .
`` I know a thing or two about the slings and arrows coming her way , '' said Clinton , who lost her 2016 attempt to become the first female president .
`` Kamala can handle them all . ''
President Donald Trump singled Harris out during a campaign rally in North Carolina Tuesday , saying : `` People do n't like her . ''
`` She could never be the first woman president , '' Trump said .
`` That would be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's groups have said one lesson they learned from 2016 is that they need to forcefully respond to any criticism or coverage they believe is unfair .
EMILY 's List , the political action committee that elevates pro-choice Democratic women , has already run ads to `` push back against the racist and sexist attacks '' against Harris .
`` We refuse to sit by while she faces discriminatory and false attacks , '' Melissa Williams , executive director of EMILY 's List WOMEN VOTE !
, said when announcing a seven-figure advertising @ @ @ @

Hillary Clinton doing first 'grassroots event' with Kamala Harris on Monday
Show Caption Hide Caption Hillary Clinton addresses the 2020 Democratic National Convention Hillary Clinton offers a rebuke of President Donald Trump before warning about the consequences to America's democracy in her address to the DNC. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – Hillary Clinton is doing her first "grassroots event" with Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris on Monday, as Democrats hope to be the first party to put a woman in the White House – even as the No. 2.
"We'll talk about the Biden-Harris team's plans to get our country back on track, how all of us can help elect Democrats down-ballot, and maybe even those Chucks," Clinton tweeted Wednesday in reference to the low-rise Chuck Taylor All-Stars that received much social media attention when Harris wore them during a campaign trip to Wisconsin Monday.
In May, Clinton helped raise $2 million for a joint fundraising committee for the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee, according to Politico.
The campaign declined to provide additional details about Monday's virtual fundraiser. The event link Clinton tweeted says "most people are chipping in $25!"
The Biden campaign outraised the Trump campaign in August. Harris – as well as her husband – have been doing a steady stream of virtual fundraisers since joining the ticket.
When Clinton spoke at the Democratic National Convention last month, she praised Harris' toughness.
"I know a thing or two about the slings and arrows coming her way," said Clinton, who lost her 2016 attempt to become the first female president. "Kamala can handle them all."
President Donald Trump singled Harris out during a campaign rally in North Carolina Tuesday, saying: "People don't like her."
"She could never be the first woman president," Trump said. "That would be an insult to our country."
Women's groups have said one lesson they learned from 2016 is that they need to forcefully respond to any criticism or coverage they believe is unfair.
EMILY's List, the political action committee that elevates pro-choice Democratic women, has already run ads to "push back against the racist and sexist attacks" against Harris.
"We refuse to sit by while she faces discriminatory and false attacks," Melissa Williams, executive director of EMILY's List WOMEN VOTE!, said when announcing a seven-figure advertising expenditure for Harris.


usatoday--2020-09-09--Q&A: Justice Department wants to defend Trump in former columnist's defamation case

WASHINGTON – President Trump stands to gain from the Justice Department 's move late Tuesday to have the federal government defend him in a defamation lawsuit brought by an author who claims he raped her in a Manhattan department store decades ago .
By certifying that Trump was acting as president when he denied the accusation and said E. Jean Carroll was `` not my type , '' the department stands a good chance of claiming governmental immunity and having the case dismissed .
But even if that does n't happen , the case still will be moved from state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had reached the discovery phase with less than two months remaining in Trump 's reelection campaign .
`` He 'll get the delay either way , but he might even get dismissal , '' said Stephen Vladeck , a professor at the University of Texas School of Law .
`` What really smells about it is the timing . ''
Attorney General William Barr on Wednesday defended his department 's action as routine under the Westfall Act , which allows state law tort claims against federal employees to be moved to federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defendant .
`` This was a normal application of the law .
The law is clear .
It is done frequently , '' Barr said during an appearance in Chicago .
`` And the little tempest that ’ s going on is largely because of the bizarre political environment in which we live . ''
Here 's what we know about the legal wrangling over the rape allegation and defamation lawsuit : Answer : The former Elle magazine writer says Trump raped her at Bergdorf Goodman , a luxury New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She accused him of defamation in 2019 after he said the incident never occurred .
More : E. Jean Carroll , columnist who says Donald Trump raped her , fired from Elle Q : What has happened up to now ?
A : A New York state court has rejected Trump ’ s claim of immunity from the private lawsuit .
Carroll has been seeking a DNA sample as possible evidence and to have Trump deposed under oath .
`` Trump was soon going to be required to produce documents , provide a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deposition , '' Carroll 's lawyer , Roberta Kaplan , said in a statement .
A : The Justice Department 's Civil Division submitted court papers to substitute the United States as the defendant .
`` Numerous courts have recognized that elected officials act within the scope of their office or employment when speaking with the press , including with respect to personal matters , and have therefore approved the substitution of the United States in defamation actions , '' the filing by DOJ attorney Stephen Terrell said .
Q : What are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federal Tort Claims Act of 1946 allows for lawsuits to be filed against the United States in federal court for actions taken by its employees .
The Westfall Act of 1988 basically requires such a substitution of the United States as defendant and grants the employees immunity .
Q : How common is the Justice Department 's action ?
A : Very common .
Robert Loeb , a former Civil Division appellate lawyer , said it provides protection for federal workers acting in their official capacity .
The substitution usually helps plaintiffs such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeper pockets to fork over any possible court awards .
As an example , former President George W. Bush and members of his administration used the Westfall Act to avoid being sued personally in U.S. courts by victims of the Iraq war .
Q : So what 's unusual about this case ?
A : The incident that prompted the defamation lawsuit was a personal matter that allegedly occurred long before Trump was elected president .
“ That isn ’ t within the scope of his employment .
That has nothing to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But `` a lot of things are covered that would surprise people . ''
Q : Why is the Justice Department 's timing curious ?
A : It could have raised this issue at the very beginning of legal proceedings .
By waiting until now , it allowed the state court action to take up months before moving to federal court .
`` The timing is what is disturbing here , '' said Gregory Sisk , a professor at St. Thomas University School of Law and an expert on the Federal Tort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after months and months , and discovery moving forward , is odd . ''
Q : Has the Justice Department interceded on Trump 's behalf before ?
A : Many times .
Barr sought to reduce Trump associate Roger Stone 's prison sentence before it was commuted by the president .
He also tried to dismiss the department 's case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn , which a federal court has blocked .

Q&A: Justice Department wants to defend Trump in former columnist's defamation case
Show Caption Hide Caption 4 facts about E. Jean Carroll, President Trump's latest accuser These are 4 things you need to know about E. Jean Carroll. The advice columnist is the latest to accuse President Donald Trump of sexual assault. USA TODAY
WASHINGTON – President Trump stands to gain from the Justice Department's move late Tuesday to have the federal government defend him in a defamation lawsuit brought by an author who claims he raped her in a Manhattan department store decades ago.
By certifying that Trump was acting as president when he denied the accusation and said E. Jean Carroll was "not my type," the department stands a good chance of claiming governmental immunity and having the case dismissed.
But even if that doesn't happen, the case still will be moved from state to federal court, delaying a process that had reached the discovery phase with less than two months remaining in Trump's reelection campaign.
"He'll get the delay either way, but he might even get dismissal," said Stephen Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law. "What really smells about it is the timing."
More: Justice Department asks to defend Trump in rape accuser E. Jean Carroll's defamation lawsuit
Attorney General William Barr on Wednesday defended his department's action as routine under the Westfall Act, which allows state law tort claims against federal employees to be moved to federal court, with the United States as the defendant.
"This was a normal application of the law. The law is clear. It is done frequently," Barr said during an appearance in Chicago. "And the little tempest that’s going on is largely because of the bizarre political environment in which we live."
Here's what we know about the legal wrangling over the rape allegation and defamation lawsuit:
Question: What is Carroll's accusation?
Answer: The former Elle magazine writer says Trump raped her at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury New York City department store, in the mid-1990s. She accused him of defamation in 2019 after he said the incident never occurred.
More: E. Jean Carroll, columnist who says Donald Trump raped her, fired from Elle
Q: What has happened up to now?
A: A New York state court has rejected Trump’s claim of immunity from the private lawsuit. Carroll has been seeking a DNA sample as possible evidence and to have Trump deposed under oath.
"Trump was soon going to be required to produce documents, provide a DNA sample, and sit for a deposition," Carroll's lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, said in a statement.
Q: What happened on Tuesday?
A: The Justice Department's Civil Division submitted court papers to substitute the United States as the defendant.
"Numerous courts have recognized that elected officials act within the scope of their office or employment when speaking with the press, including with respect to personal matters, and have therefore approved the substitution of the United States in defamation actions," the filing by DOJ attorney Stephen Terrell said.
Q: What are the relevant statutes?
A: The Federal Tort Claims Act of 1946 allows for lawsuits to be filed against the United States in federal court for actions taken by its employees. The Westfall Act of 1988 basically requires such a substitution of the United States as defendant and grants the employees immunity.
Q: How common is the Justice Department's action?
A: Very common. Robert Loeb, a former Civil Division appellate lawyer, said it provides protection for federal workers acting in their official capacity. In private-sector tort cases, the doctrine generally helps plaintiffs, because employers have deeper pockets than their workers to pay any possible court awards.
As an example, former President George W. Bush and members of his administration used the Westfall Act to avoid being sued personally in U.S. courts by victims of the Iraq war.
Q: So what's unusual about this case?
A: The incident that prompted the defamation lawsuit was a personal matter that allegedly occurred long before Trump was elected president.
“That isn’t within the scope of his employment. That has nothing to do with his employment," Loeb said. But "a lot of things are covered that would surprise people."
Q: Why is the Justice Department's timing curious?
A: It could have raised this issue at the very beginning of legal proceedings. By waiting until now, it allowed the state court action to take up months before moving to federal court.
"The timing is what is disturbing here," said Gregory Sisk, a professor at St. Thomas University School of Law and an expert on the Federal Tort Claims Act. "To do it after months and months, and discovery moving forward, is odd."
Q: Has the Justice Department interceded on Trump's behalf before?
A: Many times. Barr sought to reduce Trump associate Roger Stone's prison sentence before it was commuted by the president. He also tried to dismiss the department's case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn, which a federal court has blocked.


usatoday--2020-09-09--Biden leads Trump 47% to 43% in new Wisconsin poll by Marquette Law School

MILWAUKEE , Wis. – Democrat candidate Joe Biden leads Republican President Donald Trump 47 % to 43 % in a new Wisconsin poll by the Marquette Law School .
Biden had led by 5 points among likely voters when Marquette last polled in early August , so the new poll released Wednesday shows little change in the race even though this was Marquette 's first survey since the two party conventions and since the turmoil and protests in Kenosha .
The poll showed little change in public views of the protest movement spawned by the death of George Floyd .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decline in support for the protests from 61 % in June to 48 % .
But in the new `` post-Kenosha '' survey , there is little movement in those numbers from a month ago : 47 % currently approve of the protests .
Marquette pollster Charles Franklin summed up the public opinion landscape in Wisconsin as `` Lots going on in the world , but it didn ’ t shift opinions very much.
” Woodward book : :Trump knew the coronavirus was 'deadly stuff ' but chose to downplay it Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consistent , and more negative than positive : 44 % of registered voters approve and 54 % disapprove of the job he is doing .
Those are identical to the president 's job ratings in early August .
In fact , since October of 2018 ( almost two years ago ) , Trump 's approval rating in Marquette 's polling has never been higher than 48 % nor lower than 44 % .
He is currently at the bottom of that very narrow range , but still only 4 points behind Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ included the Libertarian candidate , Jo Jorgensen , when asking voters about their presidential preferences .
She got 4 % .
The Marquette poll was taken Aug. 30 through Sept. 3 , meaning it was completed on Thursday night of last week – before the Labor Day weekend .
At this point four years ago , Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton led Trump by 3 points in Marquette 's polling , before going on to lose Wisconsin by less than a point .
Other recent 2020 Wisconsin polls taken in a similar time frame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CNBC and Rasmussen ) have shown a Biden lead of 6 to 8 points .
Biden 's lead among likely voters in the Marquette polling has been quite steady .
It was 4 points in May , 6 points in June , 5 points in early August , and 4 points in the poll that was just released .
The Marquette survey of 802 registered voters and 688 likely voters was conducted in the aftermath of the turmoil in Kenosha – the police shooting of Jacob Blake , the killing of two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the destruction of buildings by rioters .
Campaign 2020 : Joe Biden unveils plan to tax companies that move jobs overseas Trump ’ s Sept. 1 visit to Kenosha occurred about midway through the period in which the poll was conducted .
Biden ’ s Sept. 3 visit to Kenosha took place on the final day the poll was in the field .
Democratic Gov .
Tony Evers saw a decline in his job ratings in the new survey .
They are still positive .
But after spiking upward in recent months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were before the pandemic : 51 % approve , 43 % disapprove .
In early August , 57 % had approved of the job Evers is doing .
The survey has a margin of error of 4.3 points among likely voters and 4 points among registered voters .

Craig Gilbert, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Biden leads Trump 47% to 43% in new Wisconsin poll by Marquette Law School
Show Caption Hide Caption How polls work: The science behind gathering voter opinions The news cycle is jampacked with polls. But have you ever wondered how polls actually work and what they mean? Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Democrat candidate Joe Biden leads Republican President Donald Trump 47% to 43% in a new Wisconsin poll by the Marquette Law School.
Biden had led by 5 points among likely voters when Marquette last polled in early August, so the new poll released Wednesday shows little change in the race even though this was Marquette's first survey since the two party conventions and since the turmoil and protests in Kenosha.
The poll showed little change in public views of the protest movement spawned by the death of George Floyd. Marquette's early August survey had shown a decline in support for the protests from 61% in June to 48%. But in the new "post-Kenosha" survey, there is little movement in those numbers from a month ago: 47% currently approve of the protests.
Marquette pollster Charles Franklin summed up the public opinion landscape in Wisconsin as "Lots going on in the world, but it didn’t shift opinions very much.”
Woodward book:: Trump knew the coronavirus was 'deadly stuff' but chose to downplay it
Trump’s job ratings also remain remarkably consistent, and more negative than positive: 44% of registered voters approve and 54% disapprove of the job he is doing. Those are identical to the president's job ratings in early August. In fact, since October of 2018 (almost two years ago), Trump's approval rating in Marquette's polling has never been higher than 48% nor lower than 44%. He is currently at the bottom of that very narrow range, but still only 4 points behind Biden.
The Marquette poll for the first time included the Libertarian candidate, Jo Jorgensen, when asking voters about their presidential preferences. She got 4%.
The Marquette poll was taken Aug. 30 through Sept. 3, meaning it was completed on Thursday night of last week – before the Labor Day weekend.
At this point four years ago, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton led Trump by 3 points in Marquette's polling, before going on to lose Wisconsin by less than a point.
Other recent 2020 Wisconsin polls taken in a similar time frame by other organizations (Fox, CBS, CNBC and Rasmussen) have shown a Biden lead of 6 to 8 points.
Biden's lead among likely voters in the Marquette polling has been quite steady. It was 4 points in May, 6 points in June, 5 points in early August, and 4 points in the poll that was just released.
The Marquette survey of 802 registered voters and 688 likely voters was conducted in the aftermath of the turmoil in Kenosha – the police shooting of Jacob Blake, the killing of two protesters by an armed Illinois teenager, and the destruction of buildings by rioters.
Campaign 2020: Joe Biden unveils plan to tax companies that move jobs overseas
Trump’s Sept. 1 visit to Kenosha occurred about midway through the period in which the poll was conducted. Biden’s Sept. 3 visit to Kenosha took place on the final day the poll was in the field.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers saw a decline in his job ratings in the new survey. They are still positive. But after spiking upward in recent months, his numbers are back to where they were before the pandemic: 51% approve, 43% disapprove. In early August, 57% had approved of the job Evers is doing.
The survey has a margin of error of 4.3 points among likely voters and 4 points among registered voters.


usatoday--2020-09-09--Joe Biden unveils plan to tax companies that move jobs overseas as he courts Michigan voters

Ahead of a speech to be given in Warren , Michigan , Democratic nominee Joe Biden early Wednesday unveiled a plan to tax companies that move work overseas at a higher rate and reward those that bring jobs back into the U.S .
In any other campaign , it would be one direct from the Democratic playbook , but given that President Donald Trump has made the same claims a central part of his presidency , it comes as a frontal assault on Trump 's economic record in a state the president won by just two-tenths of 1 % four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president , was set to meet later in the day with UAW members and hold a closed-but-livestreamed campaign event in Warren a day ahead of a campaign rally in Freeland to be held by Trump .
In a release put out by the campaign , Biden sharply criticized Trump 's handling of the economy even before a steep slide caused by the coronavirus pandemic , pointing to reports that manufacturing had entered a recession even before then and that a 2017 tax bill encouraged companies to move jobs overseas .
If elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Push for legislation that would increase the top corporate tax rate from 21 % to 28 % and implement an additional surcharge on any production moved out of the U.S. on goods and services to be sold or provided back into the U.S. That would bring the rate on profits from those activities to 30.8 % .
• Ask Congress to approve a 10 % `` Made in America '' tax credit to companies making investments that would create or relocate jobs inside the U.S. , allowing them to use the credit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as it is used on activities such as reopening closed plants or investing in new equipment that leads to the jobs .
• Sign executive orders during his first week in office that would strengthen so-called Buy American provisions that encourage the purchase of American-produced goods and services in public contracts and require more transparency as to where goods and services are ultimately originating .
Throughout his 2016 campaign and four years of his presidency , Trump has made a key component of his agenda returning jobs from overseas , especially manufacturing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including automakers , who moved U.S. production out of the country .
While he can point to successes doing so in the first years of his term , there was evidence that the economy was slowing even before the coronavirus hit , and Biden noted reports saying that more jobs were returned from overseas in 2016 , the last year of President Barack Obama 's second term , than were returned in 2019 .
The Free Press reported last week that while manufacturing in Michigan had seen some gains before the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those seen during Obama 's second term and that auto and auto parts manufacturing jobs had actually declined while the average amount of U.S. content in vehicles sold by the three Detroit-based automakers had declined .
Trump also never followed through with threats during the campaign and his presidency to unilaterally impose tariffs on U.S. auto production and other manufacturing moved out of the U.S. , though he did place tariffs on certain goods and those from certain countries , including China .
There has been some evidence , however , that those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump campaigned in '16 on remaking Michigan manufacturing , Did he deliver ?
More : Trump to hold event in mid-Michigan on Thursday night , one day after Biden visits '' President Trump chooses multinational corporate interests over American workers again and again , '' the Biden campaign said in its release , repeating Democratic claims that the 2017 tax cuts , while including breaks for most taxpayers , were skewed toward helping corporations and the wealthy .
`` He promised a major infrastructure plan and policies to end outsourcing and bring jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he created a tax loophole that actually rewards companies for shipping jobs and profits overseas . ''
`` President Trump talks and talks — but he has failed to deliver results for American workers , '' the statement said .
Trump , however , clearly can point to a stock market that saw significant gains — albeit among volatile activity — during his term comparable with what was seen during Obama 's second term and to job creation in manufacturing and other sectors , especially during his first two years .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gains being reported late last week with some 1.4 million jobs being added in August as the nation continued its return from the height of the pandemic slowdown , though the overall number of jobs remains well below its pre-COVID-19 highs .
The unemployment rate nationally fell from 10.2 % in July to 8.4 % in August , but that compares to a rate of 3.7 % in August 2019 .
Despite Biden 's criticism , there have also been questions about whether the 2017 tax law encourages offshoring of jobs to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with conservative supporters arguing it actually encouraged companies to return investment to the U.S. by lowering the tax rate on those profits , rather than charging more than most other industrialized countries .
Biden 's plan , meanwhile , still lacks several details to be made public , such as how the job creation tax credit would be enforced and if companies would be forced to repay credits that were given but did n't result in the number of jobs promised .
A release on the proposal also suggested it would be strongly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as occupaions suchcall service centers — though it was unclear whether it would apply to any job being moved from overseas .
Contact Todd Spangler attspangler @ freepress.com .
Follow him on Twitter @ tsspangler .
Read more onMichigan politics and sign up for ourelections newsletter .

Todd Spangler and Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press

Joe Biden unveils plan to tax companies that move jobs overseas as he courts Michigan voters
Show Caption Hide Caption Fact check: Pres. Trump on border wall, Biden on social security cuts USA Today's "States of America" series explores two of the presidential candidates' claims during their nomination acceptance speeches. USA TODAY
Ahead of a speech to be given in Warren, Michigan, Democratic nominee Joe Biden early Wednesday unveiled a plan to tax companies that move work overseas at a higher rate and reward those that bring jobs back into the U.S.
In any other campaign, it would be one direct from the Democratic playbook, but given that President Donald Trump has made the same claims a central part of his presidency, it comes as a frontal assault on Trump's economic record in a state the president won by just two-tenths of 1% four years ago.
Biden, the former vice president, was set to meet later in the day with UAW members and hold a closed-but-livestreamed campaign event in Warren a day ahead of a campaign rally in Freeland to be held by Trump.
In a release put out by the campaign, Biden sharply criticized Trump's handling of the economy even before a steep slide caused by the coronavirus pandemic, pointing to reports that manufacturing had entered a recession even before then and that a 2017 tax bill encouraged companies to move jobs overseas.
If elected, Biden said he would:
Push for legislation that would increase the top corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% and implement an additional surcharge on any production moved out of the U.S. on goods and services to be sold or provided back into the U.S. That would bring the rate on profits from those activities to 30.8%.
Ask Congress to approve a 10% "Made in America" tax credit to companies making investments that would create or relocate jobs inside the U.S., allowing them to use the credit in advance of the actual job creation as long as it is used on activities such as reopening closed plants or investing in new equipment that leads to the jobs.
Sign executive orders during his first week in office that would strengthen so-called Buy American provisions that encourage the purchase of American-produced goods and services in public contracts and require more transparency as to where goods and services are ultimately originating.
Throughout his 2016 campaign and four years of his presidency, Trump has made a key component of his agenda returning jobs from overseas, especially manufacturing jobs, saying he would target companies, including automakers, who moved U.S. production out of the country.
While he can point to successes doing so in the first years of his term, there was evidence that the economy was slowing even before the coronavirus hit, and Biden noted reports saying that more jobs were returned from overseas in 2016, the last year of President Barack Obama's second term, than were returned in 2019.
The Free Press reported last week that while manufacturing in Michigan had seen some gains before the pandemic hit, they were far less than those seen during Obama's second term and that auto and auto parts manufacturing jobs had actually declined while the average amount of U.S. content in vehicles sold by the three Detroit-based automakers had declined.
Trump also never followed through with threats during the campaign and his presidency to unilaterally impose tariffs on U.S. auto production and other manufacturing moved out of the U.S., though he did place tariffs on certain goods and those from certain countries, including China. There has been some evidence, however, that those actions hurt the economy.
More: Trump campaigned in '16 on remaking Michigan manufacturing, Did he deliver?
More: Trump to hold event in mid-Michigan on Thursday night, one day after Biden visits
"President Trump chooses multinational corporate interests over American workers again and again," the Biden campaign said in its release, repeating Democratic claims that the 2017 tax cuts, while including breaks for most taxpayers, were skewed toward helping corporations and the wealthy. "He promised a major infrastructure plan and policies to end outsourcing and bring jobs back to the United States. Instead, he created a tax loophole that actually rewards companies for shipping jobs and profits overseas."
"President Trump talks and talks — but he has failed to deliver results for American workers," the statement said.
Trump, however, clearly can point to a stock market that saw significant gains — albeit among volatile activity — during his term comparable with what was seen during Obama's second term and to job creation in manufacturing and other sectors, especially during his first two years.
The president is also coming off strong economic gains being reported late last week with some 1.4 million jobs being added in August as the nation continued its return from the height of the pandemic slowdown, though the overall number of jobs remains well below its pre-COVID-19 highs. The unemployment rate nationally fell from 10.2% in July to 8.4% in August, but that compares to a rate of 3.7% in August 2019.
Despite Biden's criticism, there have also been questions about whether the 2017 tax law encourages offshoring of jobs to the degree he and the Democrats suggest, with conservative supporters arguing it actually encouraged companies to return investment to the U.S. by lowering the tax rate on those profits, rather than charging more than most other industrialized countries.
Biden's plan, meanwhile, still lacks several details to be made public, such as how the job creation tax credit would be enforced and if companies would be forced to repay credits that were given but didn't result in the number of jobs promised. A release on the proposal also suggested it would be strongly linked to manufacturing jobs and closed plants, as well as occupaions suchcall service centers — though it was unclear whether it would apply to any job being moved from overseas.
Contact Todd Spangler at tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler. Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter.


usatoday--2020-09-10--Coronavirus updates: Trump says he downplayed danger; Senate to vote on $300B relief bill; Los Angel

Coronavirus updates: Trump says he downplayed danger; Senate to vote on $300B relief bill; Los Angeles walks back trick-or-treat ban

The Senate will vote on a slimmed-down coronavirus relief bill Thursday that Democrats are expected to block .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the plan , which does n't include a second stimulus check , an `` emaciated bill . ''
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he was `` optimistic '' Republicans would support it .
The estimated $ 300 billion proposal , dubbed the Delivering Immediate Relief to America ’ s Families , Schools and Small Businesses Act , includes bolstered unemployment benefits , funding for schools and liability protections for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles , one day after releasing guidelines banning trick-or-treating and other Halloween activities , health officials walked back their rules on Wednesday .
They now are `` recommending that trick-or-treating not happen this year , ” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said .
And universities across the country continue to contend with COVID-19 challenges .
The University of Wyoming on Wednesday extended its fall return for the second time in a week , while the University of Wisconsin-Madison shifted to online education for two weeks .
• Navajo Nation health officials on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in three days .
No deaths were reported on Monday for the first time since March .
• President Donald Trump said he was publicly downplaying the coronavirus pandemic to not `` create a panic , '' according to an interview with veteran journalist Bob Woodward .
• New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday that New York City could resume indoor dining at the end of the month at 25 % capacity with other restrictions .
📈 Today 's numbers : The U.S. has more than 6.3 million confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Johns Hopkins University data .
Globally , there are almost 28 million cases and more than 904,000 fatalities .
📰 What we 're reading : What does it mean when a COVID-19 vaccine trial is on hold ?
🗺 Mapping coronavirus : Track the U.S. outbreak , state by state This file will be updated throughout the day .
For updates in your inbox , subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter .
World may have entered 'pandemic era ' driven by climate change COVID-19 may only be the beginning of global pandemics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change may also play a role .
A recent study in the journal Cell said , written by Dr. Anthony Fauci and medical historian Dr. David Morens , argues that the world has `` entered a pandemic era . ''
The study forecasts that pandemics could become more numerous .
“ I don ’ t have a crystal ball , but what we are seeing looks very much like an acceleration of pandemics , “ Morens told BuzzFeed News .
Causes he cited include deforestation , urban crowding and wet markets for wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was downplaying dangers of COVID-19 President Donald Trump acknowledged that he was publicly downplaying the coronavirus while privately admitting its severity to veteran Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward as early as February .
Trump told Woodward in an interview on Feb. 7 about how much `` more deadly '' COVID-19 would be than the flu , a startling juxtaposition from the president 's public remarks at the time and in the months since about COVID-19 , its lethality and its spread .
In Woodward 's book `` Rage , '' the journalist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recordings of their conversations .
`` I wanted to always play it down , '' Trump said to Woodward on March 19 , according to news outlets .
`` I still like playing it down , because I do n't want to create a panic . ''
U.S. to drop COVID-19 screenings for some international passengers The U.S. government is halting its enhanced entry screening for certain international passengers at airports starting Monday , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The current system of temperature checks and screening for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be dropped in favor of shifting responsibility to the individual passenger .
Instead , the emphasis will be placed on pre-departure , in-flight and post-arrival health education ; voluntary electronic contact information collection ; and post-arrival recommendations for self-monitoring , including staying home for 14 days if arriving from a high-risk destination .
President Donald Trump may have to find a new home for planned weekend campaign rallies in Reno and Las Vegas after local officials warned the events would violate Nevada ’ s ban on gatherings of more than 50 people during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authority confirmed it had sent a letter to rally organizers warning that Saturday 's planned 5,000-person event “ may not proceed ” after airport attorneys determined it would violate state and local COVID-containment directives .
“ This has nothing to do with politics , '' airport authority CEO Daren Griffin said in a statement .
`` The letter we sent is about directives and safety and not political campaigns.
” Earlier Wednesday , former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt , a Republican , tweeted without evidence that Trump ’ s scheduled appearances at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cirrus Aviation were scrapped in an “ outrageous ” act of “ partisan political retribution.
” Gov .
Steve Sisolak , a Democrat , later tweeted that his office had `` no involvement '' in the decision .
Most Michigan high school sports are getting a late start this fall , and now a new executive order will make sure you see sports like you 've never seen before .
Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order mandating a face covering be worn at all times by `` athletes training for , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organized sports when the athlete can not maintain six feet of social distance , except for occasional and fleeting moments . ''
Swimmers are excluded from this order , but football , soccer and volleyball players are not .
So , expect to see players on the field and on the sidelines wearing masks under their helmets when games begin Sept. 18 .
University of Wisconsin shifts to remote learning after COVID spike The University of Wisconsin-Madison has paused in-person classes because of a spike in coronavirus cases on campus .
Starting Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials canceled classes from Thursday to Saturday .
`` Unfortunately , our positive test rate among students continues to rise far too rapidly , '' officials announced Wednesday in a news release .
There 's also been a `` sharp '' increase of confirmed cases in two residence halls , and officials have asked residents to quarantine for the next two weeks .
Meanwhile , the University of Wyoming extended the pause on its fall return until Monday .
Officials said Wednesday that the extension will allow them `` to gather additional data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UW community . ''
Last week , President Edward Seidel paused the university 's fall return after seven students tested positive for the virus on Sept. 2 .
No COVID-19 deaths in Navajo Nation for second time in 3 days Navajo Nation health officials reported zero deaths for the second time in three days on Wednesday .
This comes after tribal health officials reported no additional deaths on Monday for the first time since March .
Officials also reported 12 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday , bringing the total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll remains at 527 .
About 98,000 people have been tested as of Wednesday , and 7,100 have recovered , officials said .
'Wheel of Fortune ' makes COVID-19 era changes for 38th season '' Wheel of Fortune '' fans are going to see some changes when the long-running game show returns for its 38th season on Monday .
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic , production of `` Wheel '' has been adjusted to accommodate safety protocols to slow the spread of coronavirus , according to a press release from the game show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition to following local government guidelines and rigorous testing protocol for contestants , talent , staff and crew , the upcoming season of `` Wheel of Fortune '' will see the platform surrounding the wheel redesigned , allowing for contestants and host Pat Sajak to stand six feet away from each other .
Players must spin the wheel using a personal `` spinning cap , '' which is a small cloth pocket that allows contestants to grip and spin the wheel without actually touching it .
Teachers in at least three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus since the dawn of the new school year , and a teachers ’ union leader worries that the return to in-person classes will have a deadly impact across the U.S. if proper precautions aren ’ t taken .
AshLee Marinis , a 34-year-old special education teacher in Missouri , died after being hospitalized for three weeks .
Elsewhere , a third-grade teacher died Monday in South Carolina , and two other educators died recently in Mississippi – which has reported 604 cases among school workers .
Randi Weingarten , president of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need guidelines such as mandatory face coverings and strict social distancing rules to reopen safely .
“ If community spread is too high as it is in Missouri and Mississippi , if you don ’ t have the infrastructure of testing , and if you don ’ t have the safeguards that prevent the spread of viruses in the school , we believe that you can not reopen in person , ” Weingarten said .
• On Facebook : There 's still a lot unknown about the coronavirus .
But what we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Join our Facebook group , Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19 .
• In your inbox : Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network .
Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
• Tips for coping : Every Saturday and Tuesday we 'll be in your inbox , offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times .
Sign up for Staying Apart @ @ @

Jessica Flores and John Bacon, USA TODAY

Coronavirus updates: Dr. Anthony Fauci says to 'hunker down' for the rest of the year; $300B relief bill fails in Senate; 191K US deaths
Show Caption Hide Caption Study shows Sturgis motorcycle rally was a COVID-19 'super-spreader' The study's goal was to estimate the impacts of a single "super-spreader" event on the spread of COVID-19. USA TODAY
The Senate failed to advance a slimmed-down coronavirus relief bill Thursday that senators on both sides had acknowledged was unlikely to muster the votes to pass the chamber.
The bill was defeated in a 52-47 vote, and one Republican, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., voted with Democrats in opposing the bill.
The estimated $300 billion proposal, dubbed the Delivering Immediate Relief to America's Families, Schools and Small Businesses Act, included bolstered unemployment benefits, funding for schools and liability protections for businesses and health care facilities. Its failure leaves little chance a stimulus bill will pass Congress before the November election.
Meanwhile, universities across the country also continue to contend with COVID-19 challenges. The University of Wyoming on Wednesday extended its fall return for the second time in a week, while the University of Wisconsin-Madison shifted to online education for two weeks.
Some significant developments:
📈 Today's numbers: The U.S. has more than 6.3 million confirmed cases and more than 191,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Globally, there are more than 28 million cases and more than 904,000 fatalities.
📰 What we're reading: Here's what President Donald Trump told the public about COVID-19 versus what he told veteran Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward as early as February.
🗺 Mapping coronavirus: Track the U.S. outbreak, state by state
This file will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, subscribe to The Daily Briefing newsletter.
Nearly three quarters of Americans say they see Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as more caring to those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, while less than half say the same of President Donald Trump, a new survey from the Democracy Fund + UCLA Nationscape Project finds.
Also, a combined 66% of Americans say Biden is more caring to those who have lost their jobs, compared with Trump at 53%.
Robert Griffin, the research director for the Democracy Fund, said that Biden is likely seen more empathetic because he is seen as a "relatively compassionate person," while Trump is seen as a "no nonsense deal maker."
– Rebecca Morin
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious diseases expert, offered a word of warning to Americans as summer's end approaches.
Speaking at a virtual panel with doctors from Harvard Medical School, per NBC News, Fauci said that the fight against the coronavirus pandemic will only get more strenuous as the year reaches its close. He also cautioned against downplaying the severity of the virus, knowing "what's ahead" if preventative measures are not met.
"We need to hunker down and get through this fall and winter, because it’s not going to be easy,” he said, adding that we cannot "look at the rosy side of things."
COVID-19 testing: Positivity rates and why they are so important COVID-19 widespread testing is crucial to fighting the pandemic, but is there enough testing? The answer is in the positivity rates. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Vice President Mike Pence heard early warning about seriousness of COVID
Vice President Mike Pence was at the January meeting at which President Donald Trump was warned about the severity of the novel coronavirus, he told Fox News Thursday.
"I was in the Oval Office the day that the team came in and briefed the president about what we perceived was happening in China," Pence said, when asked if he had received the same briefing Trump had from National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien. "The team came in and laid the facts as we knew them on the table to the president."
The Jan. 28 briefing included a "jarring" warning that the virus would be the "biggest national security threat" of Trump's presidency, according to a new book written by Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward.
– Maureen Groppe
University of Missouri students reported that they were blocked by the school's chancellor on Twitter this week after complaining about the lack of COVID-19 precautions on campus.
After an attorney threatened a lawsuit, Chancellor Mun Choi unblocked students, according to local outlets and Twitter.
In a letter sent to Choi, Texas lawyer and Mizzou graduate Christopher Bennett said the university's top official had violated the First Amendment by blocking students from seeing or interacting with his tweets and could face legal action in the U.S. District Court if he didn't unblock every student on Twitter.
– Elinor Aspegren
Riders who refuse to wear a mask while riding New York City's public-transit system will face a $50 fine starting Monday. The fine applies to anyone riding New York City subway trains, buses or the Metro North and Long Island Rail Road commuter lines.
MTA President and CEO Patrick Foye announced the fine Thursday on a conference call with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Sarah Feinberg, interim president of the NYC Transit Authority, who said it is meant to bolster compliance with the state's mask mandate. Under Cuomo's executive order, all riders are required to wear a mask while riding public transit as a way to limit the spread of COVID-19.
– Jon Campbell, New York State Team
Time running for airline workers as they look to October layoffs
The days are quickly counting down for thousands of pilots, flight attendants, gate agents and other airline workers who face the prospect of being laid off at the end of the month if Congress doesn't come through with a new stimulus agreement.
Why the urgency? The Department of Transportation barred airlines that accepted stimulus money from laying off employees until at least Oct. 1, when $25 billion in payroll support protection money from the CARES Act expires.
On Thursday, the Senate failed to pass a slimmed-down GOP coronavirus relief package that didn't allocate any aid for the airline industry. That leaves open the chance that airline funds could be included in a compromise measure with the House.
– Chris Woodyard
15% of cats in study test positive for COVID-19 antibodies
Nearly 15% of cats included in a Wuhan-based study tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies, providing further evidence that the virus can infect the animals.
Researchers in Wuhan sampled 102 cats from shelters, pet hospitals and COVID-19 patient households from January to March and found that 15 tested positive for antibodies, including four abandoned cats, four cats from pet hospitals and three cats with patient owners, according to the study published this month in the journal Emerging Microbes & Infections.
None of the cats showed symptoms or had an active infection. The three cats owned by COVID-19 patients who tested positive for antibodies had the highest level of neutralizing antibodies – or ability to successfully block the infection. Two of those cats had detectable antibodies for 110 days.
Researchers said that while there is no evidence of transmission from cats to humans, humans can transmit the virus to cats, and cats may transmit the virus to other cats via respiratory droplets.
Scotland has joined England in limiting social gatherings to six people after a recent spike in coronavirus cases.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Scottish lawmakers the new regulations will start Monday, along with England, and apply to gatherings in and out of the home.
Scotland’s restriction is perhaps more onerous as it applies to a maximum of two households. In England, six individuals from six different households can meet.
Senior members of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have joined a growing list of government officials, drug makers and public health experts who pledge they won’t compromise safety in the race for a coronavirus vaccine.
In a letter published Thursday in USA TODAY, eight top FDA officials and doctors affirmed the agency’s commitment that all "decisions will continue to be guided by the best science" and maintain independence from political forces.
The letter comes as the agency in recent weeks has faced criticism for approving convalescent plasma therapy for emergency use as a COVID-19 treatment based on flawed analysis.
– Adrianna Rodriguez
Although the nation is partially recovering from its steepest-ever recession amid the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses continue to lay off hundreds of thousands of workers as they grapple with fewer sales and depleted federal aid.
More than 857,000 Americans filed first-time applications for unemployment insurance – a rough measure of layoffs – last week, up about 20,000 from the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday. The figures are not seasonally adjusted.
Over 55 million workers have filed for benefits over the past six months. While the weekly figures have trended down since peaking at 6.2 million in early spring, here’s some perspective: The previous all-time high for weekly claims on a non-seasonally adjusted basis was about 1 million during a recession in 1982.
– Paul Davidson
One day after releasing guidelines banning trick-or-treating and other Halloween activities, health officials in Los Angeles walked back their rules on Wednesday. They now are just "recommending that trick-or-treating not happen this year," Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.
Halloween carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, haunted house attractions and gatherings with non-household members – even if they are conducted outdoors – are not permitted, the updated guidance says. Online parties, car parades, drive-in movies, themed meals at outdoors restaurants and more are recommended.
In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday that she does not "expect to see mass crowds trick-or-treating like we have in years past," adding that, "It's not safe for the children. It’s not safe for the adults."
America is facing a monkey shortage as demand skyrockets for COVID-19 research, experts say
The race for a coronavirus vaccine to help end the pandemic has consumed the scientific community and created an escalating demand for an essential resource: monkeys.
Before drug companies call on human volunteers, monkeys are used in preclinical trials to test a vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. But with more than 100 vaccines in development around the world, there aren’t enough monkeys to go around.
"There is a shortage," said Dr. Skip Bohm, associate director and chief veterinary medical officer of the Tulane National Primate Research Center. Read more.
– Adrianna Rodriguez
COVID-19 may only be the beginning of global pandemics – a future scenario in which climate change may also play a role. A recent study in the journal Cell said, written by Dr. Anthony Fauci and medical historian Dr. David Morens, argues that the world has "entered a pandemic era." The study forecasts that pandemics could become more numerous.
“I don’t have a crystal ball, but what we are seeing looks very much like an acceleration of pandemics,“ Morens told BuzzFeed News. Causes he cited include deforestation, urban crowding and wet markets for wild game.
Climate change has not stopped because of COVID-19, according to a United Nations report Wednesday. Emissions are heading in the direction of pre-pandemic levels following a temporary decline caused by the lockdown and economic slowdown, the report said.
– Doyle Rice
The U.S. government is halting its enhanced entry screening for certain international passengers at airports starting Monday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The current system of temperature checks and screening for COVID-19 symptoms at 15 centralized airports will be dropped in favor of shifting responsibility to the individual passenger. Instead, the emphasis will be placed on pre-departure, in-flight and post-arrival health education; voluntary electronic contact information collection; and post-arrival recommendations for self-monitoring, including staying home for 14 days if arriving from a high-risk destination.
– David Oliver
President Donald Trump may have to find a new home for planned weekend campaign rallies in Reno and Las Vegas after local officials warned the events would violate Nevada’s ban on gatherings of more than 50 people during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority confirmed it had sent a letter to rally organizers warning that Saturday's planned 5,000-person event “may not proceed” after airport attorneys determined it would violate state and local COVID-containment directives.
"This has nothing to do with politics," airport authority CEO Daren Griffin said in a statement. "The letter we sent is about directives and safety and not political campaigns.”
Earlier Wednesday, former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, a Republican, tweeted without evidence that Trump’s scheduled appearances at the Reno-Tahoe Airport and Las Vegas’ Cirrus Aviation were scrapped in an "outrageous" act of "partisan political retribution." Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, later tweeted that his office had "no involvement" in the decision.
– James DeHaven, Reno Gazette Journal
What we're reading
Most Michigan high school sports are getting a late start this fall, and now a new executive order will make sure you see sports like you've never seen before.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order mandating a face covering be worn at all times by "athletes training for, practicing for, or competing in an organized sports when the athlete cannot maintain six feet of social distance, except for occasional and fleeting moments."
Swimmers are excluded from this order, but football, soccer and volleyball players are not. So, expect to see players on the field and on the sidelines wearing masks under their helmets when games begin Sept. 18.
– Kirkland Crawford and Dave Boucher, Detroit Free Press
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has paused in-person classes because of a spike in COVID-19 cases on campus. Starting Monday, classes will be held remotely. Officials canceled classes from Thursday to Saturday. "Unfortunately, our positive test rate among students continues to rise far too rapidly," officials announced Wednesday in a news release.
There's also been a "sharp" increase of confirmed cases in two residence halls, and officials have asked residents to quarantine for the next two weeks.
Meanwhile, the University of Wyoming extended the pause on its fall return until Monday. Officials said Wednesday that the extension will allow them "to gather additional data about the prevalence of COVID-19 infection among the UW community." Last week, President Edward Seidel paused the university's fall return after seven students tested positive for the virus on Sept. 2.
COVID-19 resources from USA TODAY
On Facebook: There's still a lot unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. Join our Facebook group, Coronavirus Watch , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19.
There's still a lot unknown about the coronavirus. But what we do know, we're sharing with you. , to receive daily updates in your feed and chat with others in the community about COVID-19. In your inbox: Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. Sign up for the daily Coronavirus Watch newsletter .
Stay up-to-date with the latest news on the coronavirus pandemic from the USA TODAY Network. . Tips for coping: Every Saturday and Tuesday we'll be in your inbox, offering you a virtual hug and a little bit of solace in these difficult times. Sign up for Staying Apart, Together.
Contributing: The Associated Press