truthout--2020-04-24--Georgia Reopens Nonessential Businesses Despite Public Health Warnings

We go to Georgia , which is reopening nonessential businesses today — hair and nail salons , tattoo parlors and massage therapists — despite a rising number of COVID-19 deaths .
The governor is opening the state over the objections of mayors in Savannah , Atlanta and Augusta .
“ This order has nothing to do with public health .
It has everything to do with the financial health of the state , ” says George Chidi , columnist for Decaturish , and public policy director for PadSplit , an Atlanta-based affordable housing organization .
This is a rush transcript @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final form .
AMY GOODMAN : This is Democracy Now !
, democracynow.org , The War and Peace Report , as we turn right now to Georgia .
That ’ s right , Georgia .
Georgia is opening up for business today .
It ’ s reopening nonessential businesses despite a rising number of COVID-19-related deaths in the state and the objections of the mayors of Savannah , Atlanta , Augusta and many more .
As Georgia ’ s death toll passes 900 , the number of confirmed coronavirus cases hits 22,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Abrams ] in the election , has ordered hair salons , tattoo shops , nail parlors , gyms , barbershops , bowling alleys to reopen .
Restaurants and movie theaters are set to reopen Monday .
Public health officials warn lifting strict social distancing measures will lead to more deaths .
This is Governor Kemp speaking earlier this week .
AMY GOODMAN : The Associated Press reports President Trump and Vice President Pence told Governor Kemp on Tuesday they approved of his aggressive plan to reopen businesses — just one day before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed the plan .
On Thursday , the Southern Christian Leadership Conference issued a strong warning to the governors of Georgia , Texas and other states who are considering reopening their economies .
SCLC President Dr. Charles Steele Jr. said in a statement , “ We can not use poor people as sacrificial lambs like they did to people during the Tuskegee Experiment .
The businesses that are being reopened are the ones where poor people have to work and put their lives at risk.
” Well , for more , we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where we ’ re joined by George Chidi .
He is a public policy director for PadSplit , an Atlanta-based affordable housing organization , former city councilperson for Pine Lake , former reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
George , thanks so much for joining us .
Can you explain what is happening ?
If you were going to make a list of the businesses that should not be open right now , I mean , if you asked the public health officials all over this country , including Georgia , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nonessential businesses that the governor is opening today in Georgia .
Why is this happening ?
Please explain .
GEORGE CHIDI : So , my sense of it is that it doesn ’ t really have to do with public health at all , because I can ’ t imagine somebody really needs a mani-pedi right now .
And let me preface this by saying that even though massage parlors and bowling alleys are supposed to be able to be open , nobody ’ s going .
There ’ s widespread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this .
I think that this is about reducing the potential unemployment insurance costs to the state .
The order to open these businesses supersedes an order that he made to close these specific businesses a few weeks ago .
But earlier this week , we started to see projections about what the budget shortfall is going to look like in Georgia .
We ’ re looking at $ 4 billion that we weren ’ t going to have before .
And the unemployment fund has about $ 2.6 billion in it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crisis in about a year .
And I think the governor is trying to act now to avert that crisis later .
AMY GOODMAN : But explain what the connection is .
Are you saying that if he says you can go back to work , then those people who work in these places can ’ t file for unemployment ; they can ’ t say , “ No , I just decided to stay home , ” once he said they can go back to work ?
GEORGE CHIDI : So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated than that , because people can file .
The question is whether or not their filing will be accepted , whether or not they ’ ll actually get money and how .
If your restaurant reopens — and some restaurants are going to reopen — and they call back their employees and say , “ Hey , we need you to be a server , ” but the employees don ’ t believe that they ’ ve got enough personal protective equipment or whatever , like , or they just believe that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , well , they ’ ll file for unemployment , but then they ’ ve got to make the case for their unemployment before the Department of Labor .
It ’ s not a slam dunk .
If the business is closed , of course they ’ re going to get unemployment insurance .
But if the business is open , well , according to the Department of Labor ’ s standards right now , fear of infection alone is not a sufficient cause for unemployment coverage .
Basically , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might take two weeks , three weeks , four weeks , longer , and , frankly , some people are going to give up .
And I think that ’ s what they want .
They want people to give up their attempt to get unemployment , find a job that might be substandard relative to their skills , and keep from hitting the public dime .
AMY GOODMAN : So , can you give us a breakdown , George Chidi , of the people who work in these businesses , an economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : So , let ’ s start with nail salons , because nail salons ?
I mean , really , nail salons .
AMY GOODMAN : How do you do that without touching people ?
And , of course , people can wear gloves , but you have to be so close .
When we talk about arm ’ s length , that is far less than six feet .
GEORGE CHIDI : So , the nail technicians , like , there are health and safety guidelines that have been released .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technician into a licensed practical nurse .
There ’ s no way they ’ re going to be — everybody gets a mask .
Everybody needs a new mask for each new person .
Basically , everything — AMY GOODMAN : That ’ s more than doctors and nurses get in this country right now .
GEORGE CHIDI : Right , right .
There ’ s no way they ’ re going to be able to get their hands on that kind of equipment , that everything ’ s got to be covered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person comes through the nail salon , temperature checks for everybody who walks through the door .
It ’ s absurd .
Like , nobody ’ s actually going to be able to open under — AMY GOODMAN : So , can you talk about the governor ’ s relationship — he ’ s a close ally of President Trump .
AP is reporting that both Trump and Pence told Kemp that this is a good idea , and then reversed course after enormous pressure from the top government scientists on President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is making the wrong decision .
Is it possible Kemp will go back , since you haven ’ t even hit the peak in Georgia right now ?
The deaths are vastly increasing each day .
GEORGE CHIDI : So , people are arguing that we peaked a week or two ago .
I don ’ t believe that that ’ s true .
Like , our numbers are increasing , and they ’ re — you know , like , that slope doesn ’ t look like it ’ s anything like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to Trump .
I mean , it ’ s about — Trump is about what is good for Trump .
And honestly , I think he put his finger in the wind .
There is massive skepticism of the governor in Georgia right now .
Nobody wants to do this .
There ’ s no upswelling of desire to go bowling right now .
And frankly , I think he got feedback from the ground and said , “ It ’ s better for me , Trump , to throw Kemp under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t look dumb.
” Shock .
AMY GOODMAN : So , can you talk about the scheduled protest that was called off to reopen the state , because the governor said , “ Don ’ t worry , I am reopening the state ” ?
You have spent much of your time , George Chidi , following the “ alt-right ” in Georgia .
Talk about the people who make up this pressure group and how powerful they are .
GEORGE CHIDI : So , there are a bunch of yahoos who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ alt-right ” in Georgia .
Let ’ s start with that .
We had a terrorist cell of “ alt-right ” terrorists arrested about two months or so ago , just about an hour west of Atlanta .
They were planning to attempt to assassinate people who were aligned with the antifa movement .
It ’ s astroturf , though , mostly .
This isn ’ t — the protest movement here in Georgia was being pushed primarily by political groups that have an agenda .
And those political groups weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump started to come out and say , “ Oh , yeah , no , this isn ’ t a good idea , ” they — like , I could see the pullback happening .
Some of the protest groups — some of the folks who were protesting were anti-vaxxers in Georgia .
Like , one of the main protest leaders is an anti-vax person .
But the rest were “ Three Percent ” militia people .
And they ’ re a real problem .
AMY GOODMAN : Very quickly , the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention , is headquartered in Georgia , right ?
In Atlanta .
GEORGE CHIDI : Yes , it is .
And , yeah .
GEORGE CHIDI : We know better .
Just this — whatever you ’ re seeing from our governor , the people of Georgia know better than this .
Like , we ’ re staying home .
Like , we ’ re not just social distancing ; we ’ re shaming other people who aren ’ t social distancing .
This order is — has nothing to do with public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the financial health of the state .
And I ’ m sensitive to that .
Like , we ’ re going to have a real problem in about a year .
But I think it ’ s important right now to deal with the health crisis that we ’ re looking at right now .
AMY GOODMAN : George Chidi , I want to thank you for being with us , public policy director for PadSplit , an Atlanta-based affordable housing organization , former city councilperson for Pine Lake , former reporter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a columnist for Decaturish .
There you go .
Thank you .
AMY GOODMAN : And a columnist for Decaturish .
Thank you so much .
This is Democracy Now !
When we come back , it ’ s been described as an “ open-air prison.
” So what does it mean when COVID makes its way there ?
We ’ re talking about Gaza .
Stay with us .
AMY GOODMAN : The choir of Roedean School in South Africa singing Leonard Cohen ’ s “ Hallelujah , ” virtually .

We go to Georgia, which is reopening nonessential businesses today — hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors and massage therapists — despite a rising number of COVID-19 deaths. The governor is opening the state over the objections of mayors in Savannah, Atlanta and Augusta. “This order has nothing to do with public health. It has everything to do with the financial health of the state,” says George Chidi, columnist for Decaturish, and public policy director for PadSplit, an Atlanta-based affordable housing organization.
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report, as we turn right now to Georgia. That’s right, Georgia. Georgia is opening up for business today. It’s reopening nonessential businesses despite a rising number of COVID-19-related deaths in the state and the objections of the mayors of Savannah, Atlanta, Augusta and many more. As Georgia’s death toll passes 900, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases hits 22,000. Governor Brian Kemp, who beat Stacey [Abrams] in the election, has ordered hair salons, tattoo shops, nail parlors, gyms, barbershops, bowling alleys to reopen. Restaurants and movie theaters are set to reopen Monday. Public health officials warn lifting strict social distancing measures will lead to more deaths. This is Governor Kemp speaking earlier this week.
GOV. BRIAN KEMP: When we have more people moving around, we’re probably going to have — see our cases continue to go up. But we’re a lot better prepared for that now than we were over a month ago. We have the hospital bed capacity.
AMY GOODMAN: The Associated Press reports President Trump and Vice President Pence told Governor Kemp on Tuesday they approved of his aggressive plan to reopen businesses — just one day before Trump reversed course and publicly said he opposed the plan.
On Thursday, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference issued a strong warning to the governors of Georgia, Texas and other states who are considering reopening their economies. SCLC President Dr. Charles Steele Jr. said in a statement, “We cannot use poor people as sacrificial lambs like they did to people during the Tuskegee Experiment. The businesses that are being reopened are the ones where poor people have to work and put their lives at risk.”
Well, for more, we’re going to Pine Lake, Georgia, where we’re joined by George Chidi. He is a public policy director for PadSplit, an Atlanta-based affordable housing organization, former city councilperson for Pine Lake, former reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
George, thanks so much for joining us. Can you explain what is happening? If you were going to make a list of the businesses that should not be open right now, I mean, if you asked the public health officials all over this country, including Georgia, I dare say they would make the list of the nonessential businesses that the governor is opening today in Georgia. Why is this happening? Please explain.
GEORGE CHIDI: So, my sense of it is that it doesn’t really have to do with public health at all, because I can’t imagine somebody really needs a mani-pedi right now. And let me preface this by saying that even though massage parlors and bowling alleys are supposed to be able to be open, nobody’s going. There’s widespread skepticism here in Georgia about doing any of this.
I think that this is about reducing the potential unemployment insurance costs to the state. The order to open these businesses supersedes an order that he made to close these specific businesses a few weeks ago. But earlier this week, we started to see projections about what the budget shortfall is going to look like in Georgia. We’re looking at $4 billion that we weren’t going to have before. And the unemployment fund has about $2.6 billion in it. That’s going to be a crisis in about a year. And I think the governor is trying to act now to avert that crisis later.
AMY GOODMAN: But explain what the connection is. Are you saying that if he says you can go back to work, then those people who work in these places can’t file for unemployment; they can’t say, “No, I just decided to stay home,” once he said they can go back to work?
GEORGE CHIDI: So, it’s a little more complicated than that, because people can file. The question is whether or not their filing will be accepted, whether or not they’ll actually get money and how.
If your restaurant reopens — and some restaurants are going to reopen — and they call back their employees and say, “Hey, we need you to be a server,” but the employees don’t believe that they’ve got enough personal protective equipment or whatever, like, or they just believe that they’re going to be sick, well, they’ll file for unemployment, but then they’ve got to make the case for their unemployment before the Department of Labor. It’s not a slam dunk. If the business is closed, of course they’re going to get unemployment insurance. But if the business is open, well, according to the Department of Labor’s standards right now, fear of infection alone is not a sufficient cause for unemployment coverage.
Basically, it’s setting people up for a fight that might take two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, longer, and, frankly, some people are going to give up. And I think that’s what they want. They want people to give up their attempt to get unemployment, find a job that might be substandard relative to their skills, and keep from hitting the public dime.
AMY GOODMAN: So, can you give us a breakdown, George Chidi, of the people who work in these businesses, an economic and racial demographic breakdown?
GEORGE CHIDI: So, let’s start with nail salons, because nail salons? I mean, really, nail salons.
AMY GOODMAN: How do you do that without touching people? And, of course, people can wear gloves, but you have to be so close. When we talk about arm’s length, that is far less than six feet.
GEORGE CHIDI: So, the nail technicians, like, there are health and safety guidelines that have been released. And like, it essentially turns a nail technician into a licensed practical nurse. There’s no way they’re going to be — everybody gets a mask. Everybody needs a new mask for each new person. Basically, everything —
AMY GOODMAN: That’s more than doctors and nurses get in this country right now.
GEORGE CHIDI: Right, right. There’s no way they’re going to be able to get their hands on that kind of equipment, that everything’s got to be covered in plastic and then re-covered after every person comes through the nail salon, temperature checks for everybody who walks through the door. It’s absurd. Like, nobody’s actually going to be able to open under —
AMY GOODMAN: So, can you talk about the governor’s relationship — he’s a close ally of President Trump. AP is reporting that both Trump and Pence told Kemp that this is a good idea, and then reversed course after enormous pressure from the top government scientists on President Trump, and now are saying that Kemp is making the wrong decision. Is it possible Kemp will go back, since you haven’t even hit the peak in Georgia right now? The deaths are vastly increasing each day.
GEORGE CHIDI: So, people are arguing that we peaked a week or two ago. I don’t believe that that’s true. Like, our numbers are increasing, and they’re — you know, like, that slope doesn’t look like it’s anything like a decline yet. Trump’s going to Trump. I mean, it’s about — Trump is about what is good for Trump. And honestly, I think he put his finger in the wind. There is massive skepticism of the governor in Georgia right now. Nobody wants to do this. There’s no upswelling of desire to go bowling right now. And frankly, I think he got feedback from the ground and said, “It’s better for me, Trump, to throw Kemp under the bus, so that I don’t look dumb.” Shock.
AMY GOODMAN: So, can you talk about the scheduled protest that was called off to reopen the state, because the governor said, “Don’t worry, I am reopening the state”? You have spent much of your time, George Chidi, following the “alt-right” in Georgia. Talk about the people who make up this pressure group and how powerful they are.
GEORGE CHIDI: So, there are a bunch of yahoos who are — we have a problem with the “alt-right” in Georgia. Let’s start with that. We had a terrorist cell of “alt-right” terrorists arrested about two months or so ago, just about an hour west of Atlanta. They were planning to attempt to assassinate people who were aligned with the antifa movement.
It’s astroturf, though, mostly. This isn’t — the protest movement here in Georgia was being pushed primarily by political groups that have an agenda. And those political groups weren’t — you know, when Trump started to come out and say, “Oh, yeah, no, this isn’t a good idea,” they — like, I could see the pullback happening.
Some of the protest groups — some of the folks who were protesting were anti-vaxxers in Georgia. Like, one of the main protest leaders is an anti-vax person. But the rest were “Three Percent” militia people. And they’re a real problem.
AMY GOODMAN: Very quickly, the CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is headquartered in Georgia, right? In Atlanta.
GEORGE CHIDI: Yes, it is. And, yeah.
AMY GOODMAN: Final comment?
GEORGE CHIDI: We know better. Just this — whatever you’re seeing from our governor, the people of Georgia know better than this. Like, we’re staying home. Like, we’re not just social distancing; we’re shaming other people who aren’t social distancing. This order is — has nothing to do with public health. It has everything to do with the financial health of the state. And I’m sensitive to that. Like, we’re going to have a real problem in about a year. But I think it’s important right now to deal with the health crisis that we’re looking at right now.
AMY GOODMAN: George Chidi, I want to thank you for being with us, public policy director for PadSplit, an Atlanta-based affordable housing organization, former city councilperson for Pine Lake, former reporter for The —
GEORGE CHIDI: And a columnist for Decaturish. There you go. Thank you.
AMY GOODMAN: And a columnist for Decaturish. Thank you so much.
This is Democracy Now! When we come back, it’s been described as an “open-air prison.” So what does it mean when COVID makes its way there? We’re talking about Gaza. Stay with us.
[break]
AMY GOODMAN: The choir of Roedean School in South Africa singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” virtually.


truthout--2020-04-24--News Networks Must Provide Equal Time to Rebut Trump’s Daily Campaign Events

The long U.S. tradition of providing equal time to the opposition party after a president ’ s yearly State of the Union ( SOTU ) address must now apply to Trump ’ s daily COVID-19 “ briefings.
” These chaotic , embarrassing , deeply disturbing displays of presidential dishonesty and incompetence define Trump ’ s “ state of the pandemic ” addresses .
Some networks have considered suspending their coverage entirely .
Others have simply switched away in the midst of Trump ’ s broadcasts .
But that ’ s a major dereliction of duty .
The American people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in its fullest reality .
What ’ s really missing is equal time being provided for rebuttal , perhaps by opposition Democrats or progressive political leaders and actual experts who are not aligned with the Democratic Party .
There ’ s deep precedent for this .
The 1966 State of the Union address by President Lyndon Johnson was immediately followed with a programmed rebuttal from Republican leaders Sen. Everett Dirksen and Rep. Gerald Ford .
Various forms of response followed each SOTU address until 1987 .
The protocol then settled into a nationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the opposition party , which was aired immediately after the president ’ s speech .
The concept of such “ equal time ” dates back to the Fairness Doctrine officially adopted by Congress in 1949 .
With the spread of radio came worries that wealthy owners would use their licensed stations to impose their political point of view .
So , they were required to provide equal time to someone with a balancing opinion .
The Doctrine was extended to television in 1959 .
But it was trashed in the Reagan ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended ownership restrictions , feeding the formation of Fox and other mega-networks that blare out their unanswered bias non-stop .
Trump ’ s briefings are clearly not official State of the Union addresses .
And a lawsuit demanding equal time based on federal license requirements would likely fail .
But Trump has in essence turned these briefings into campaign events .
He continually pronounces his catastrophic failure to cope with the pandemic as “ perfect , ” portraying himself as blameless in relation to the mass death and financial devastation that are underway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touted “ cures ” for COVID-19 that are unproven or harmful .
He continually attempts to shift blame for his shortcomings to people in China , immigrants , Democrats , governors and previous staffers he has fired .
Experts and journalists have repeatedly documented how Trump ’ s self-aggrandizing rants are filled with inaccuracies .
But there is no regular , programmed response on which the public can rely .
Refusing to air Trump ’ s updates in the midst of a global crisis is not a responsible option .
But especially without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans are simply left to accept Trump ’ s version of things without an effective fact-check or rebuttal .
The virtual silence of Joe Biden , the Democrats ’ presumptive nominee , has left a painful vacuum where a balancing opinion has been desperately needed .
The public must now demand that any news organization carrying a Trump briefing must follow it with independent counter-balancing comment .
The “ equal time ” slot should be filled with experts and commentators , doctors , epidemiologists , climatologists and others with the professional ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what Trump has just said about it .
Though they may now be dropping , public ratings for Trump ’ s performance through this pandemic have been surprisingly stable .
Part of the reason for this is surely the lack of regular critiques coming from the opposition party or its apparent presidential candidate ; without contextualization or pushback against Trump ’ s daily briefings , many members of the public apparently see little reason to doubt Trump ’ s word .
No commander-in-chief should be spared from scrutiny in the midst of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be seen regularly by the American people , up front and personal , so we can all remain fully aware of who and what we ’ re dealing with .
But the public should rest assured that he ’ ll be followed by reliable experts who know what they ’ re talking about and can provide a realistic counter-balance to what has just been said .
In keeping with our nation ’ s long-standing tradition of providing a balanced response to a partisan point of view , the networks that provide this free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( currently posing as crisis briefings ) have a vital obligation to give equal time to those who can correct and counter-balance what he says — immediately after he says it .

No commander-in-chief should be spared from scrutiny in the midst of such a crisis.
Part of the Series Despair and Disparity: The Uneven Burdens of COVID-19
The long U.S. tradition of providing equal time to the opposition party after a president’s yearly State of the Union (SOTU) address must now apply to Trump’s daily COVID-19 “briefings.”
These chaotic, embarrassing, deeply disturbing displays of presidential dishonesty and incompetence define Trump’s “state of the pandemic” addresses.
They demand a regular immediate rebuttal.
Some networks have considered suspending their coverage entirely. Others have simply switched away in the midst of Trump’s broadcasts.
But that’s a major dereliction of duty. The American people and the world must witness the Trump catastrophe in its fullest reality.
What’s really missing is equal time being provided for rebuttal, perhaps by opposition Democrats or progressive political leaders and actual experts who are not aligned with the Democratic Party.
There’s deep precedent for this. The 1966 State of the Union address by President Lyndon Johnson was immediately followed with a programmed rebuttal from Republican leaders Sen. Everett Dirksen and Rep. Gerald Ford.
Various forms of response followed each SOTU address until 1987. The protocol then settled into a nationally televised talk from one or two members of the opposition party, which was aired immediately after the president’s speech.
The concept of such “equal time” dates back to the Fairness Doctrine officially adopted by Congress in 1949. With the spread of radio came worries that wealthy owners would use their licensed stations to impose their political point of view. So, they were required to provide equal time to someone with a balancing opinion.
The Doctrine was extended to television in 1959. But it was trashed in the Reagan ‘80s. The 1996 Clinton-Gore Telecommunications Act ended ownership restrictions, feeding the formation of Fox and other mega-networks that blare out their unanswered bias non-stop.
Trump’s briefings are clearly not official State of the Union addresses. And a lawsuit demanding equal time based on federal license requirements would likely fail.
But Trump has in essence turned these briefings into campaign events. He continually pronounces his catastrophic failure to cope with the pandemic as “perfect,” portraying himself as blameless in relation to the mass death and financial devastation that are underway. He has a number of times touted “cures” for COVID-19 that are unproven or harmful. He continually attempts to shift blame for his shortcomings to people in China, immigrants, Democrats, governors and previous staffers he has fired.
Experts and journalists have repeatedly documented how Trump’s self-aggrandizing rants are filled with inaccuracies. But there is no regular, programmed response on which the public can rely.
Refusing to air Trump’s updates in the midst of a global crisis is not a responsible option. But especially without a regular, effective response, many Americans are simply left to accept Trump’s version of things without an effective fact-check or rebuttal. The virtual silence of Joe Biden, the Democrats’ presumptive nominee, has left a painful vacuum where a balancing opinion has been desperately needed.
The public must now demand that any news organization carrying a Trump briefing must follow it with independent counter-balancing comment. The “equal time” slot should be filled with experts and commentators, doctors, epidemiologists, climatologists and others with the professional ability to evaluate how the administration has performed, and what Trump has just said about it.
Though they may now be dropping, public ratings for Trump’s performance through this pandemic have been surprisingly stable. Part of the reason for this is surely the lack of regular critiques coming from the opposition party or its apparent presidential candidate; without contextualization or pushback against Trump’s daily briefings, many members of the public apparently see little reason to doubt Trump’s word.
No commander-in-chief should be spared from scrutiny in the midst of such a crisis. Trump needs to be seen regularly by the American people, up front and personal, so we can all remain fully aware of who and what we’re dealing with. But the public should rest assured that he’ll be followed by reliable experts who know what they’re talking about and can provide a realistic counter-balance to what has just been said.
In keeping with our nation’s long-standing tradition of providing a balanced response to a partisan point of view, the networks that provide this free airtime to Trump’s campaign events (currently posing as crisis briefings) have a vital obligation to give equal time to those who can correct and counter-balance what he says — immediately after he says it.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-04-24--Postal Union Slams Trump for Holding Funds Hostage to Force “Draconian Cuts”

The 200,000-member American Postal Workers Union accused President Donald Trump of plotting to “ sacrifice our public Postal Service at the altar of private profit ” after the Washington Post reported late Thursday that the White House is considering using a $ 10 billion relief loan approved by Congress last month to impose long-sought changes on the popular agency .
“ It ’ s a power grab to destroy the public Postal Service .
Shame on them , ” Mark Dimondstein , president of the APWU , said in a statement .
According to the Post , “ officials working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must approve the $ 10 billion loan , have told senior officials at the USPS in recent weeks that he could use the loan as leverage to give the administration influence over how much the agency charges for delivering packages and how it manages its finances.
” The $ 10 billion loan was authorized by the CARES Act , which President Trump signed into law last month after threatening to veto the bill if it included a $ 13 billion direct grant that Democratic lawmakers proposed .
The loan is a fraction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has requested to avert total collapse by September .
Trump has openly dismissed calls to prioritize emergency funding for the Postal Service , whose finances have been shaken by a precipitous decline in mail volume caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Analysts have stressed that Congress is largely responsible for the popular agency ’ s financial troubles : In 2006 , lawmakers approved legislation that requires USPS to prefund its retirees ’ health benefits through the year 2056 .
Dimondstein said Thursday that the Post ’ s reporting confirms that the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 crisis to fundamentally transform USPS and force “ draconian cuts.
” In 2018 , a White House task force released a proposal that , if implemented , would eventually privatize the Postal Service and roll back postal workers ’ collective bargaining rights .
As the Post noted , “ if Mnuchin were to gain greater control through the new loan , a slew of Postal Service management decisions , including the terms of major contracts and collective bargaining strategy , could require Treasury ’ s approval.
” “ Postal workers provide an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country — no matter how rich or poor we are or where we live , ” said Dimondstein .
“ During this pandemic , postal workers have continued to bind the nation together and deliver essential medicine , supplies , and information to a public that is confined to their homes.
” “ At a time when the country needs us now more than ever , ” Dimondstein added , “ Mnuchin and his Wall Street cronies are attempting to exploit the crisis to raise prices , demonize heroic postal workers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies can profit.
” Rep. Gerry Connolly ( D-Va. ) told the Post that he hopes USPS will tell Mnuchin that “ they ’ re not going to agree to unacceptable conditions , and that means Mnuchin will have on his hands the disruption of services this fall.
” “ I think it ’ s time to stare him down and this White House down , and for Congress to decide [ if we are ] going to stand with the Postal Service as we know it , ” Connolly said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be treated as such .
My hope would be that the Postal will stare him down .
If they don ’ t , it ’ s tantamount to handing over day-to-day management to the Treasury Department.
” In an email to supporters on Thursday , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) said that if Congress “ can bail out large corporations , we can damn well help the Postal Service — the most popular government agency in America — from going bankrupt because of this horrific pandemic.
” “ The USPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its revenue due to a loss of mail volume during the pandemic .
And what most people do not know is that the USPS does not run on taxpayer dollars — it relies completely on revenue created by postage and postal services , ” Sanders wrote .
“ If the Postal Service goes under , universal and affordable delivery would no longer be a guaranteed public service .
”

The 200,000-member American Postal Workers Union accused President Donald Trump of plotting to “sacrifice our public Postal Service at the altar of private profit” after the Washington Post reported late Thursday that the White House is considering using a $10 billion relief loan approved by Congress last month to impose long-sought changes on the popular agency.
“It’s a power grab to destroy the public Postal Service. Shame on them,” Mark Dimondstein, president of the APWU, said in a statement.
According to the Post, “officials working under Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who must approve the $10 billion loan, have told senior officials at the USPS in recent weeks that he could use the loan as leverage to give the administration influence over how much the agency charges for delivering packages and how it manages its finances.”
The $10 billion loan was authorized by the CARES Act, which President Trump signed into law last month after threatening to veto the bill if it included a $13 billion direct grant that Democratic lawmakers proposed. The loan is a fraction of the $75 billion the Postal Service has requested to avert total collapse by September.
Trump has openly dismissed calls to prioritize emergency funding for the Postal Service, whose finances have been shaken by a precipitous decline in mail volume caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Analysts have stressed that Congress is largely responsible for the popular agency’s financial troubles: In 2006, lawmakers approved legislation that requires USPS to prefund its retirees’ health benefits through the year 2056.
Dimondstein said Thursday that the Post’s reporting confirms that the Trump administration is attempting to take advantage of the Covid-19 crisis to fundamentally transform USPS and force “draconian cuts.” In 2018, a White House task force released a proposal that, if implemented, would eventually privatize the Postal Service and roll back postal workers’ collective bargaining rights.
As the Post noted, “if Mnuchin were to gain greater control through the new loan, a slew of Postal Service management decisions, including the terms of major contracts and collective bargaining strategy, could require Treasury’s approval.”
“Postal workers provide an absolutely essential service to everyone in the country — no matter how rich or poor we are or where we live,” said Dimondstein. “During this pandemic, postal workers have continued to bind the nation together and deliver essential medicine, supplies, and information to a public that is confined to their homes.”
“At a time when the country needs us now more than ever,” Dimondstein added, “Mnuchin and his Wall Street cronies are attempting to exploit the crisis to raise prices, demonize heroic postal workers, and cut service, all so private delivery companies can profit.”
An explosive report in @washingtonpost tonight shows that while postal workers are literally putting their lives on the line, the White House is coming after their jobs.
We need EVERYONE to take action to #SaveThePostOffice #SaveTheUSPS https://t.co/z4xxdrmmFH — APWU National (@APWUnational) April 23, 2020
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) told the Post that he hopes USPS will tell Mnuchin that “they’re not going to agree to unacceptable conditions, and that means Mnuchin will have on his hands the disruption of services this fall.”
“I think it’s time to stare him down and this White House down, and for Congress to decide [if we are] going to stand with the Postal Service as we know it,” Connolly said. “This is an essential service and it needs to be treated as such. My hope would be that the Postal will stare him down. If they don’t, it’s tantamount to handing over day-to-day management to the Treasury Department.”
In an email to supporters on Thursday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said that if Congress “can bail out large corporations, we can damn well help the Postal Service — the most popular government agency in America — from going bankrupt because of this horrific pandemic.”
“The USPS is expected to lose about 50% of its revenue due to a loss of mail volume during the pandemic. And what most people do not know is that the USPS does not run on taxpayer dollars — it relies completely on revenue created by postage and postal services,” Sanders wrote. “If the Postal Service goes under, universal and affordable delivery would no longer be a guaranteed public service.”


truthout--2020-04-24--Disinfectant Manufacturers Warn Consumers Not to Heed Trump’s “Injection” Remark

President Donald Trump on Thursday made alarming comments about the possibility of using disinfectants in order to treat the coronavirus that were immediately dismissed by both medical professionals and the companies that create such products .
During a White House press briefing , William N. Bryan , head of the Department of Homeland Security ’ s science and technology division , said that he had seen evidence that the disease doesn ’ t live as long in tropical climates and humid temperatures .
That led to Trump making speculations of his own , suggesting that it might be possible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which you can do either through the skin or some other way ” in order to treat coronavirus .
The president then discussed the possibility of his science team looking into disinfectants as well , and whether injecting such chemicals into the human body would be beneficial .
“ I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute , one minute , ” Trump said .
“ And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning ?
As you see , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tremendous number on the lungs , so it would be interesting to check that.
” Later , Lysol and Dettol maker Reckitt Benckiser released a statement regarding proper use of their products and discouraged the ideas proposed by the president .
“ As with all products , our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines , ” the statement from Reckitt said .
The company added that “ under no circumstances ” should their products be ingested or injected , or otherwise administered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
A number of disinfectants are toxic when ingested or injected into the human body .
Drinking bleach , for example , which a number of people have already done errantly believing it can help cure the coronavirus , can result in a number of distressing outcomes , including burns in the esophagus and stomach , vomiting and shock within a few hours .
Depending on how much is consumed , a person can even die from drinking it .
Medical experts , including CNN ’ s Sanjay Gupta , dismissed Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether disinfectants might work against the disease might need to be studied .
“ Actually it doesn ’ t , ” Gupta said .
“ I mean , we know the answer to this one .
There ’ s a lot of things out there that we don ’ t know the answers to and we need to investigate.
” The comments from Trump provide further proof for why most people in the U.S. might not trust the president when it comes to matters relating to the coronavirus pandemic .
Indeed , data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affairs Research poll released earlier this week found that the majority of Americans don ’ t put much faith in what he has to say about the crisis at all .
Only 23 percent of Americans have “ a great deal ” or “ quite a bit ” of trust in Trump ’ s words on the virus , while 21 percent said they have a “ moderate amount ” of trust in him , according to the poll .
Meanwhile , 54 percent said they only trust Trump a “ little ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to COVID-19 matters .
Trump ’ s comments on scientific topics have been dubious , to say the least , oftentimes at odds with what researchers have said on a number of topics .
One organization even detailed how the president has “ attacked ” science in hundreds of ways since taking office , censoring or outright ignoring findings on a number of important issues impacting the nation .
His comments regarding coronavirus have been demonstrably misinformative , too .
Trump has frequently compared the virus to the flu , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much deadlier than influenza .
He has also peddled the drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for coronavirus , despite lacking scientific evidence demonstrating as much , and has dismissed studies that have suggested that medication might be dangerous for use against the disease .

President Donald Trump on Thursday made alarming comments about the possibility of using disinfectants in order to treat the coronavirus that were immediately dismissed by both medical professionals and the companies that create such products.
During a White House press briefing, William N. Bryan, head of the Department of Homeland Security’s science and technology division, said that he had seen evidence that the disease doesn’t live as long in tropical climates and humid temperatures.
“The virus dies quickest in sunlight,” Bryan explained.
That led to Trump making speculations of his own, suggesting that it might be possible to bring light “inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or some other way” in order to treat coronavirus.
The president then discussed the possibility of his science team looking into disinfectants as well, and whether injecting such chemicals into the human body would be beneficial.
“I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute, one minute,” Trump said. “And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning? As you see, it gets in the lungs, it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that.”
Later, Lysol and Dettol maker Reckitt Benckiser released a statement regarding proper use of their products and discouraged the ideas proposed by the president.
“As with all products, our disinfectant and hygiene products should only be used as intended and in line with usage guidelines,” the statement from Reckitt said. The company added that “under no circumstances” should their products be ingested or injected, or otherwise administered to the human body in an improper way.
A number of disinfectants are toxic when ingested or injected into the human body. Drinking bleach, for example, which a number of people have already done errantly believing it can help cure the coronavirus, can result in a number of distressing outcomes, including burns in the esophagus and stomach, vomiting and shock within a few hours. Depending on how much is consumed, a person can even die from drinking it.
Medical experts, including CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, dismissed Trump’s claims that an investigation into whether disinfectants might work against the disease might need to be studied.
“Actually it doesn’t,” Gupta said. “I mean, we know the answer to this one. There’s a lot of things out there that we don’t know the answers to and we need to investigate.”
The comments from Trump provide further proof for why most people in the U.S. might not trust the president when it comes to matters relating to the coronavirus pandemic. Indeed, data from an Associated Press/NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released earlier this week found that the majority of Americans don’t put much faith in what he has to say about the crisis at all.
Only 23 percent of Americans have “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of trust in Trump’s words on the virus, while 21 percent said they have a “moderate amount” of trust in him, according to the poll. Meanwhile, 54 percent said they only trust Trump a “little” or “not at all” when it comes to COVID-19 matters.
Trump’s comments on scientific topics have been dubious, to say the least, oftentimes at odds with what researchers have said on a number of topics. One organization even detailed how the president has “attacked” science in hundreds of ways since taking office, censoring or outright ignoring findings on a number of important issues impacting the nation.
His comments regarding coronavirus have been demonstrably misinformative, too. Trump has frequently compared the virus to the flu, even though COVID-19 has been found to be much deadlier than influenza. He has also peddled the drug hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for coronavirus, despite lacking scientific evidence demonstrating as much, and has dismissed studies that have suggested that medication might be dangerous for use against the disease.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.


truthout--2020-04-24--“Grim Reaper” Mitch McConnell Is Using COVID-19 Crisis to Punish Blue States

Thursday ’ s White House coronavirus rally will go down in history as the day the president directed the scientists to investigate whether ultraviolet light can somehow be put inside COVID-19 patients to kill the virus , or whether disinfectant can be injected into their lungs to clean them .
He was very proud of himself , obviously believing that he ’ d discovered some kind of breakthrough after hearing a briefing about how ordinary people can kill the virus in their homes .
One shudders to think what it must be like to be in meetings with this person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of State Rex Tillerson ’ s famous quote after trying to teach him some basics about international relations : “ He ’ s a fucking moron.
” Katherine Eban ’ s reporting for Vanity Fair about the White House hydroxychloroquine debacle reveals that Trump sent government health agencies into a tailspin trying to fulfill his desire for a miracle cure .
So if anyone was thinking that these “ directives ” from Dr. Trump are ignored , we now know better .
We can only imagine what kind of “ trials ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are scrambling to set up as we speak .
But that wasn ’ t the only disturbing thing Trump had to say .
One might have thought he ’ d spend the entire rally patting himself on the back for Thursday ’ s passage of the CARE Act extension to help small business , but he seemed uninterested in that .
When asked about the desperately needed help for state and local government , which he ’ d previously said he favored , this was the president ’ s response : Senate Majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this crisis to break the backs of public employee pension funds in liberal states and punish people who vote for Democrats .
On Wednesday , McConnell told right-wing radio personality Hugh Hewitt that state and local governments facing revenue shortfalls from this crisis , some of which are forced by law to balance their budgets , may have to go bankrupt because he has no plans to allow the federal government to help them out .
He said these states and cities can use this crisis to solve their “ pension problem , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s saving future generations from their fiscal irresponsibility .
He later made clear just exactly which states he was talking about by putting out a memorandum in which he described the states requesting help as “ Blue State Bailouts.
” Of course the man who blithely passed massive tax cuts for the rich and allowed military spending to grow to unprecedented levels over the past three years , without batting an eye , is now deeply concerned about budget deficits in Democratic states .
This announcement was met with a sharp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cuomo , who will be faced with even more devastation if he ’ s forced to lay off first responders , firefighters , teachers and other state and municipal employees in the epicenter of the pandemic .
Cuomo said : Rep. Peter King , a Republican from a suburban district on Long Island — where many of New York City ’ s police officers , firefighters and other public-sector workers live — was equally unamused : It ’ s hard to see what Trump and the Republicans have to gain by this outrageous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it isn ’ t only blue states that are affected by this virus .
States that Trump needs to win the election — and that McConnell needs to hold the Senate — are also in dire need .
Any hope of an economic upturn will be out of the question if half the country is in a state of financial ruin .
But this is McConnell ’ s style , and a reflection of his nihilistic worldview in general .
He and his fellow travelers have decided that the coronavirus is mainly a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are going to seize the opportunity to kick them when they ’ re down .
It ’ s hitting cities and black and brown people especially hard , and those people in those places don ’ t vote for Republicans .
Cuomo said it plainly on Wednesday : In fact , under current law state governments are unable to declare bankruptcy , and they can ’ t easily borrow money due to constitutional budgetary constraints .
So the federal government is their only hope .
If McConnell holds firm , vast numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the states will simply be unable to pay them .
Of course , for the likes of McConnell , that ’ s a feature not a bug .
If services for vulnerable citizens have to be eliminated in the middle of a global catastrophe , that ’ s just fine too .
As for McConnell ’ s alleged worries about where the money will come from , as New York Times columnist Paul Krugman pointed out last week , this is the time for federal borrowing : Anyway , we know for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about deficits or borrowing .
After all , he had no qualms about offering “ bailouts ” to big companies with virtually no oversight just two weeks ago when he insisted , “ We have an obligation to the American people to deal with this emergency.
” It ’ s unclear exactly how McConnell hopes to thread the needle of only helping red states while leaving the blue states twisting in the wind .
But he ’ ll have to find a way , because plenty of red states are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perhaps he thinks he can hold any further aid hostage until blue-state governors agree to eliminate public employee pensions , but that ’ s a tricky business when his own voters will be hostages as well .
But McConnell doesn ’ t gleefully call himself “ the Grim Reaper ” for nothing .
If anyone ’ s willing to risk his own constituents ’ lives to score political points , it ’ s him .
This upcoming campaign should be one for the books .
The incumbent president and his party have decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country during an unprecedented crisis will be too give as much money as possible to big business , force states into bankruptcy and destroy the pensions of cops , firefighters and teachers as the pile of dead bodies gets higher and higher .
McConnell famously said back in 2009 that his job was to make Barack Obama a one-term president .
He failed .
It looks as though he may get the job done for Donald Trump instead — while destroying the country in the process .

Thursday’s White House coronavirus rally will go down in history as the day the president directed the scientists to investigate whether ultraviolet light can somehow be put inside COVID-19 patients to kill the virus, or whether disinfectant can be injected into their lungs to clean them. He was very proud of himself, obviously believing that he’d discovered some kind of breakthrough after hearing a briefing about how ordinary people can kill the virus in their homes.
“The disinfectant, where it knocks it out in a minute, and is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside, or almost a cleaning. It gets in the lungs” — Trump seems to suggests that injecting disinfectant inside people could be a treatment for the coronavirus pic.twitter.com/amis9Rphsm — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 23, 2020
One shudders to think what it must be like to be in meetings with this person. It brings to mind former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s famous quote after trying to teach him some basics about international relations: “He’s a fucking moron.”
Katherine Eban’s reporting for Vanity Fair about the White House hydroxychloroquine debacle reveals that Trump sent government health agencies into a tailspin trying to fulfill his desire for a miracle cure. So if anyone was thinking that these “directives” from Dr. Trump are ignored, we now know better. We can only imagine what kind of “trials” for internal UV light and Clorox cures they are scrambling to set up as we speak.
But that wasn’t the only disturbing thing Trump had to say. One might have thought he’d spend the entire rally patting himself on the back for Thursday’s passage of the CARE Act extension to help small business, but he seemed uninterested in that. When asked about the desperately needed help for state and local government, which he’d previously said he favored, this was the president’s response:
He’s indicating that he sees political advantage in following Mitch McConnell’s scheme to use the crisis to bankrupt blue states. https://t.co/6r5juASK2Z — digby (@digby56) April 24, 2020
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is planning to use this crisis to break the backs of public employee pension funds in liberal states and punish people who vote for Democrats. On Wednesday, McConnell told right-wing radio personality Hugh Hewitt that state and local governments facing revenue shortfalls from this crisis, some of which are forced by law to balance their budgets, may have to go bankrupt because he has no plans to allow the federal government to help them out.
He said these states and cities can use this crisis to solve their “pension problem,” and that he’s saving he’s saving future generations from their fiscal irresponsibility. He later made clear just exactly which states he was talking about by putting out a memorandum in which he described the states requesting help as “Blue State Bailouts.”
Of course the man who blithely passed massive tax cuts for the rich and allowed military spending to grow to unprecedented levels over the past three years, without batting an eye, is now deeply concerned about budget deficits in Democratic states.
This announcement was met with a sharp retort from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who will be faced with even more devastation if he’s forced to lay off first responders, firefighters, teachers and other state and municipal employees in the epicenter of the pandemic. Cuomo said:
It really is offensive. You talk about one issue where you think you can get past partisanship and pettiness, and now you talk about helping communities where people are dying, and you say they are blue states? If there was ever a time for humanity and decency … and a time to stop your obsessive political bias and anger, now is the time.
Rep. Peter King, a Republican from a suburban district on Long Island — where many of New York City’s police officers, firefighters and other public-sector workers live — was equally unamused:
McConnell’s dismissive remark that States devastated by Coronavirus should go bankrupt rather than get the federal assistance they need and deserve is shameful and indefensible. To say that it is “free money” to provide funds for cops, firefighters and healthcare workers makes McConnell the Marie Antoinette of the Senate.
It’s hard to see what Trump and the Republicans have to gain by this outrageous abdication of responsibility. After all, it isn’t only blue states that are affected by this virus. States that Trump needs to win the election — and that McConnell needs to hold the Senate — are also in dire need. Any hope of an economic upturn will be out of the question if half the country is in a state of financial ruin.
But this is McConnell’s style, and a reflection of his nihilistic worldview in general. He and his fellow travelers have decided that the coronavirus is mainly a problem for their political enemies, and they are going to seize the opportunity to kick them when they’re down. It’s hitting cities and black and brown people especially hard, and those people in those places don’t vote for Republicans. Cuomo said it plainly on Wednesday:
What he’s saying is the blue states are the states that have the coronavirus problem. They are Democrats — so why should he bail out the blue areas?
In fact, under current law state governments are unable to declare bankruptcy, and they can’t easily borrow money due to constitutional budgetary constraints. So the federal government is their only hope. If McConnell holds firm, vast numbers of public employees will lose their jobs since the states will simply be unable to pay them. Of course, for the likes of McConnell, that’s a feature not a bug. If services for vulnerable citizens have to be eliminated in the middle of a global catastrophe, that’s just fine too.
As for McConnell’s alleged worries about where the money will come from, as New York Times columnist Paul Krugman pointed out last week, this is the time for federal borrowing:
Right now, the economy is awash in excess savings with nowhere to go. The interest rate on inflation-protected federal bonds is minus 0.56 percent; in effect, investors are willing to pay our government to make use of their money. Financing economic relief just isn’t a problem.
Anyway, we know for sure that Mitch McConnell has no real concerns about deficits or borrowing. After all, he had no qualms about offering “bailouts” to big companies with virtually no oversight just two weeks ago when he insisted, “We have an obligation to the American people to deal with this emergency.”
It’s unclear exactly how McConnell hopes to thread the needle of only helping red states while leaving the blue states twisting in the wind. But he’ll have to find a way, because plenty of red states are going to need the same kind of help. Perhaps he thinks he can hold any further aid hostage until blue-state governors agree to eliminate public employee pensions, but that’s a tricky business when his own voters will be hostages as well. But McConnell doesn’t gleefully call himself “the Grim Reaper” for nothing. If anyone’s willing to risk his own constituents’ lives to score political points, it’s him.
This upcoming campaign should be one for the books. The incumbent president and his party have decided that their best bet to win over the country during an unprecedented crisis will be too give as much money as possible to big business, force states into bankruptcy and destroy the pensions of cops, firefighters and teachers as the pile of dead bodies gets higher and higher.
McConnell famously said back in 2009 that his job was to make Barack Obama a one-term president. He failed. It looks as though he may get the job done for Donald Trump instead — while destroying the country in the process.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-04-24--Group Promoting COVID-19 “Liberate” Protests Tied to Hydroxychloroquine Push

A prominent Koch network group that is helping to organize protests calling for states to reopen is tied to a campaign that promoted misleadingly optimistic information about a drug it claimed could effectively treat Covid-19 .
FreedomWorks , a nonprofit that grew out of the David Koch-founded Citizens for a Sound Economy , has employed its social media , email and text message lists to promote the protests , according to the New York Times .
The group ’ s website features a prominent call to “ Urge the States to Reopen America !
, ” and it hosts a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is conducting polling to show that reopening the economy is popular in suburban swing districts , which it is sharing with the Trump administration .
The protests ’ calls for people to begin gathering again in schools , churches , businesses , and other places increase pressure for officials to take action that contradicts the advice of medical experts .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said this week in a press conference , “ The one way not to reopen the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t take care of.
” Furthermore , the individuals who attend the protests often do not follow the social distancing guidelines that are important for limiting the spread of the coronavirus , as can be seen in numerous photographs that show protesters gathering in packed crowds .
While it pushes out word of the protests , FreedomWorks is also tied to a campaign that promoted the idea that people who contract the virus can be effectively treated with a malaria drug .
“ There is clear and ever-mounting evidence that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who contract coronavirus , ” reads a petition that was widely circulated through text messages and social media advertisements by a group called Physicians for Reform that partners with FreedomWorks on deregulatory health care campaigns .
Hydroxychloroquine , which has been frequently mentioned by President Trump , may help some coronavirus patients , but there is not “ clear and ever-mounting evidence ” of its effectiveness , as the petition states .
In fact , recent studies have found that the drug may be associated with increased fatalities among patients who take it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Affairs found that death rates among patients treated with hydroxychloroquine or a combination of hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin were worse than among those not treated with the drugs .
In Brazil , a clinical trial of treating Covid-19 with chloroquine , a drug closely related to hydroxychloroquine , was suspended after patients developed dangerous heart rhythm conditions .
“ It is a truly bizarre state of affairs when an organization promotes protests that put people — their own supporters — in danger of contracting coronavirus while simultaneously promoting medically dubious and potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very people they have put in jeopardy .
We ’ re through the looking glass , ” said Kyle Herrig , president of Accountable.US .
The petition was co-hosted by a conservative nonprofit called Job Creators Network , which counts FreedomWorks as a partner .
Both FreedomWorks and the Job Creators Network have received funding from pharmaceutical industry lobbying group PhRMA , as Sludge has previously reported .
FreedomWorks and Physicians for Reform formed a formal partnership on health care issues in 2015 .
“ [ Physicians for Reform President ] Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a patient-centered , free market health care system , and the intersection of his organization ’ s network of physicians and FreedomWorks ’ vast network of grassroots activists make for a natural collaboration , ” FreedomWorks wrote on its website .
Tax documents reviewed by Sludge show that Tea Party Patriots , a group that FreedomWorks helps run , has donated to Physicians for Reform .
FreedomWorks is listed as a coalition member on the Healthcare For You website , the joint project of Job Creators Network and Physicians for Reform that hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy and counting on hydroxychloroquine has been expressed on protest signs .
“ Hydroxychloroquine is the cure , ” reads a sign displayed in Arizona .
FreedomWorks does not disclose its donors , but according to the Center for Media and Democracy ’ s review of donors ’ documents it has received funding from prominent conservative foundations including Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation , the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation , and the Sarah Scaife Foundation .
FreedomWorks is not the only Koch-linked group that is pushing for businesses and other places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As reported by The Intercept , the Charles Koch-founded and funded group Americans for Prosperity , as well as its state affiliates , is opposing shutdowns .
“ Rather than blanket shutdowns , the government should allow businesses to continue to adapt and innovate to produce the goods and services Americans need , while continuing to do everything they can to protect the public health , ” Americans for Prosperity CEO Emily Seidel said in a statement .
At ExposedbyCMD , journalist Alex Kotch described more links between Freedomworks and Koch network groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior economic contributor to FreedomWorks , is a Trump ally and on temporary leave from the conservative Heritage Foundation .
The New York Times reported that Fox News star Laura Ingraham met with President Trump in the Oval Office in early April to pitch hydroxychloroquine ’ s effectiveness , but has since dropped mention of the drug on her nightly show .

“Hydroxychloroquine is the cure!” reads a sign displayed at one of the protests.
This article was produced by Sludge, an independent, ad-free investigative news site covering money in politics. Click here to support Sludge.
A prominent Koch network group that is helping to organize protests calling for states to reopen is tied to a campaign that promoted misleadingly optimistic information about a drug it claimed could effectively treat Covid-19.
FreedomWorks, a nonprofit that grew out of the David Koch-founded Citizens for a Sound Economy, has employed its social media, email and text message lists to promote the protests, according to the New York Times. The group’s website features a prominent call to “Urge the States to Reopen America!,” and it hosts a calendar of the protest on its website and is conducting polling to show that reopening the economy is popular in suburban swing districts, which it is sharing with the Trump administration.
The protests’ calls for people to begin gathering again in schools, churches, businesses, and other places increase pressure for officials to take action that contradicts the advice of medical experts. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said this week in a press conference, “The one way not to reopen the economy is to have a rebound that we can’t take care of.” Furthermore, the individuals who attend the protests often do not follow the social distancing guidelines that are important for limiting the spread of the coronavirus, as can be seen in numerous photographs that show protesters gathering in packed crowds.
While it pushes out word of the protests, FreedomWorks is also tied to a campaign that promoted the idea that people who contract the virus can be effectively treated with a malaria drug.
“There is clear and ever-mounting evidence that the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine can significantly help patients who contract coronavirus,” reads a petition that was widely circulated through text messages and social media advertisements by a group called Physicians for Reform that partners with FreedomWorks on deregulatory health care campaigns.
Hydroxychloroquine, which has been frequently mentioned by President Trump, may help some coronavirus patients, but there is not “clear and ever-mounting evidence” of its effectiveness, as the petition states. In fact, recent studies have found that the drug may be associated with increased fatalities among patients who take it.
An observational study conducted by Veterans Affairs found that death rates among patients treated with hydroxychloroquine or a combination of hydroxychloroquine and the antibiotic azithromycin were worse than among those not treated with the drugs. In Brazil, a clinical trial of treating Covid-19 with chloroquine, a drug closely related to hydroxychloroquine, was suspended after patients developed dangerous heart rhythm conditions.
“It is a truly bizarre state of affairs when an organization promotes protests that put people — their own supporters — in danger of contracting coronavirus while simultaneously promoting medically dubious and potentially harmful treatments for the same disease to the very people they have put in jeopardy. We’re through the looking glass,” said Kyle Herrig, president of Accountable.US.
The petition was co-hosted by a conservative nonprofit called Job Creators Network, which counts FreedomWorks as a partner. Both FreedomWorks and the Job Creators Network have received funding from pharmaceutical industry lobbying group PhRMA, as Sludge has previously reported.
FreedomWorks and Physicians for Reform formed a formal partnership on health care issues in 2015. “[Physicians for Reform President] Dr. Gray and FreedomWorks’ shared vision of a patient-centered, free market health care system, and the intersection of his organization’s network of physicians and FreedomWorks’ vast network of grassroots activists make for a natural collaboration,” FreedomWorks wrote on its website.
Tax documents reviewed by Sludge show that Tea Party Patriots, a group that FreedomWorks helps run, has donated to Physicians for Reform. FreedomWorks is listed as a coalition member on the Healthcare For You website, the joint project of Job Creators Network and Physicians for Reform that hosted the petition.
The link between reopening the economy and counting on hydroxychloroquine has been expressed on protest signs. “Hydroxychloroquine is the cure,” reads a sign displayed in Arizona.
FreedomWorks does not disclose its donors, but according to the Center for Media and Democracy’s review of donors’ documents it has received funding from prominent conservative foundations including Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, and the Sarah Scaife Foundation.
FreedomWorks is not the only Koch-linked group that is pushing for businesses and other places where people gather to stay open. As reported by The Intercept, the Charles Koch-founded and funded group Americans for Prosperity, as well as its state affiliates, is opposing shutdowns.
“Rather than blanket shutdowns, the government should allow businesses to continue to adapt and innovate to produce the goods and services Americans need, while continuing to do everything they can to protect the public health,” Americans for Prosperity CEO Emily Seidel said in a statement.
At ExposedbyCMD, journalist Alex Kotch described more links between Freedomworks and Koch network groups:
FreedomWorks recently registered at least two websites, reopenoureconomy.com and reopensociety.com, concerned with ending the business closures. Reopenoureconomy.com is the site of “Save Our Country,” a joint initiative of FreedomWorks, the Tea Party Patriots, and ALEC that has advised the White House on a strategy to reopen the economy. A communications agency launched by Koch, In Pursuit Of, registered the site reopenmississippi.com on April 16.
White House adviser Stephen Moore, a senior economic contributor to FreedomWorks, is a Trump ally and on temporary leave from the conservative Heritage Foundation.
The New York Times reported that Fox News star Laura Ingraham met with President Trump in the Oval Office in early April to pitch hydroxychloroquine’s effectiveness, but has since dropped mention of the drug on her nightly show.
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