truepundit--2020-04-23--States Made Risky Bets with Pensions Before Coronavirus. Now They Want a Bailout.

Staring down the coronavirus ’ s effect on their budgets , states like New Jersey and Illinois are calling on federal leaders to backstop public pensions as part of future coronavirus relief .
Democratic leaders in those states are pushing the federal government for billions in funding to shore up underfunded public pensions .
Democrats in Congress have made bailouts for state and local governments a major priority for the next round of coronavirus stimulus , even allowing a major small business loan program to run dry as Republicans refused to package a renewal with more cash for states .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a product of the bear market , experts tell the Washington Free Beacon .
Some states now seeking bailouts are in part covering for more than a decade of economic mismanagement , having chased increasingly risky investments to fund generous benefits at low up-front costs .
Bailouts would allow states to dodge hard questions about the viability of excessively generous public pensions .
Illinois state senate president Don Harmon ( D. ) over the weekend sent a letter to the state ’ s congressional delegation asking for $ 10 billion for the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , New Jersey state senate president Stephen Sweeney ( D. ) expanded on Illinois ’ s request , asking for $ 500 billion in federal loans to buckling state pensions across the nation .
The National Governors Association has called for $ 500 billion for fiscal relief generally , some of which would undoubtedly go to state pensions .
Andrew Biggs , a pension expert at the American Enterprise Institute , told the Washington Free Beacon that a bailout for Illinois could break the dam of federal funding : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to ask for it , because all of these pensions have some level of funding problems .
I think this is the feeler to see what happens.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Staring down the coronavirus’s effect on their budgets, states like New Jersey and Illinois are calling on federal leaders to backstop public pensions as part of future coronavirus relief.
Democratic leaders in those states are pushing the federal government for billions in funding to shore up underfunded public pensions. Democrats in Congress have made bailouts for state and local governments a major priority for the next round of coronavirus stimulus, even allowing a major small business loan program to run dry as Republicans refused to package a renewal with more cash for states.
But the pension shortfalls are not just a product of the bear market, experts tell the Washington Free Beacon. Some states now seeking bailouts are in part covering for more than a decade of economic mismanagement, having chased increasingly risky investments to fund generous benefits at low up-front costs. Bailouts would allow states to dodge hard questions about the viability of excessively generous public pensions.
Illinois state senate president Don Harmon (D.) over the weekend sent a letter to the state’s congressional delegation asking for $10 billion for the state’s chronically underfunded public pension system. On Tuesday, New Jersey state senate president Stephen Sweeney (D.) expanded on Illinois’s request, asking for $500 billion in federal loans to buckling state pensions across the nation. The National Governors Association has called for $500 billion for fiscal relief generally, some of which would undoubtedly go to state pensions.
Andrew Biggs, a pension expert at the American Enterprise Institute, told the Washington Free Beacon that a bailout for Illinois could break the dam of federal funding: “If Illinois got money, then everybody’s going to ask for it, because all of these pensions have some level of funding problems. I think this is the feeler to see what happens.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-23--WATCH: Idaho Mom Arrested In Front Of Her Kids At ‘Closed’ Playground; Angered Residents Protest Arr

WATCH: Idaho Mom Arrested In Front Of Her Kids At ‘Closed’ Playground; Angered Residents Protest Arrest

On Tuesday , an Idaho mother was arrested in front of her children for refusing to leave a playground that was apparently closed by the city due to the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 .
Video of the confrontation shows a woman later identified as Sarah Brady , 40 , being cuffed for refusing to leave an area playground .
“ Do it , ” Brady dared an officer threatening to arrest her .
“ Her kids are here !
Her kids are here !
What is going to happen ?
Who ’ s got her kids ?
” another woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Brady is taken away in handcuffs .
“ After receiving several calls to Ada County Dispatch , Meridian Police responded to Kleiner Park on April 21 2020 at around 3:50PM , ” said a press release from Meridian Police Department .
“ Upon arrival , officers saw that metal signage and caution tape announcing the playground closure due to COVID-19 , was removed , ” the department continued , adding , “ Officers informed those gathered several times that the play structure was closed , and that they were welcome to utilize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chose.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

On Tuesday, an Idaho mother was arrested in front of her children for refusing to leave a playground that was apparently closed by the city due to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
Video of the confrontation shows a woman later identified as Sarah Brady, 40, being cuffed for refusing to leave an area playground. “Do it,” Brady dared an officer threatening to arrest her.
“Her kids are here! Her kids are here! What is going to happen? Who’s got her kids?” another woman at the playground can be heard saying as Brady is taken away in handcuffs.
This is getting out of hand. This is unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/l7LNi4nZfm — Joel Fischer (@JFNYC1) April 22, 2020
“After receiving several calls to Ada County Dispatch, Meridian Police responded to Kleiner Park on April 21 2020 at around 3:50PM,” said a press release from Meridian Police Department.
“Upon arrival, officers saw that metal signage and caution tape announcing the playground closure due to COVID-19, was removed,” the department continued, adding, “Officers informed those gathered several times that the play structure was closed, and that they were welcome to utilize other areas of the park if they chose.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-23--New York state rescinds DNR order for cardiac patients amid coronavirus crisis

New York state rescinded a blanket do-not-resuscitate order on Wednesday , that instructed first-responders not to revive patients without a pulse , in an effort to preserve resources during the novel coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) outbreak .
The order initially was deemed “ necessary during the COVID-19 response to protect the health and safety of EMS providers by limiting their exposure , conserve resources , and ensure optimal use of equipment to save the greatest number of lives , ” according to a memo issued last week by the state Department of Health .
“ This guidance , proposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control Systems and the State Advisory Council – in accordance with American Heart Association guidance and based on standards recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians and adopted in multiple other states – was issued April 17 , 2020 at the recommendation of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services , and reflected nationally recognized minimum standards , ” the state health department ’ s spokeswoman , Jill Montag , said .
“ However , they don ’ t reflect New York ’ s standards and for that reason DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she continued .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

New York state rescinded a blanket do-not-resuscitate order on Wednesday, that instructed first-responders not to revive patients without a pulse, in an effort to preserve resources during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The order initially was deemed “necessary during the COVID-19 response to protect the health and safety of EMS providers by limiting their exposure, conserve resources, and ensure optimal use of equipment to save the greatest number of lives,” according to a memo issued last week by the state Department of Health.
“This guidance, proposed by physician leaders of the EMS Regional Medical Control Systems and the State Advisory Council – in accordance with American Heart Association guidance and based on standards recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians and adopted in multiple other states – was issued April 17, 2020 at the recommendation of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, and reflected nationally recognized minimum standards,” the state health department’s spokeswoman, Jill Montag, said.
“However, they don’t reflect New York’s standards and for that reason DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker has ordered them to be rescinded,” she continued. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-23--Pelosi: Next Stimulus Will ‘Enable the American People to Vote by Mail’

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated she already knows which Democratic agenda item she would like to attach to the next coronavirus relief bill in Congress .
Citing a Senate Intelligence Committee report confirming Russia used misinformation to interfere in the 2016 election , Pelosi said it is imperative Democrats demand more people be allowed to vote by mail in the 2020 presidential election .
“ No matter what the president says , it can not be denied , ” Pelosi said Wednesday on MSNBC .
“ But it takes us to the next step .
They have also told us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to undermine our election .
That ’ s why we have to have an important chunk of money in this next bill that will enable us to protect the integrity of our elections , as well as enable the American people to vote by mail , especially at this time of a health danger in going to the polls.
” The Senate passed a nearly $ 500 billion aid package Tuesday that will appropriate funds to small businesses struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic , among other measures .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later this week .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated she already knows which Democratic agenda item she would like to attach to the next coronavirus relief bill in Congress.
Citing a Senate Intelligence Committee report confirming Russia used misinformation to interfere in the 2016 election, Pelosi said it is imperative Democrats demand more people be allowed to vote by mail in the 2020 presidential election.
“No matter what the president says, it cannot be denied,” Pelosi said Wednesday on MSNBC. “But it takes us to the next step. They have also told us 24/7 the Russians are still at work trying to undermine our election. That’s why we have to have an important chunk of money in this next bill that will enable us to protect the integrity of our elections, as well as enable the American people to vote by mail, especially at this time of a health danger in going to the polls.”
The Senate passed a nearly $500 billion aid package Tuesday that will appropriate funds to small businesses struggling to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic, among other measures. It is expected to pass in the House later this week. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-23--Florida principal lines high school’s driveway with 2020 class photos

Comin ’ through — it ’ s the class of 2020 , down a new kind of memory lane .
@ @ @ @ @ gone the extra mile to celebrate the high school ’ s graduating seniors amid the @ @ @ @ @ upended time-honored teenage traditions like proms and graduations .
Though the Poplar Springs High School @ @ @ @ @ closed during the COVID-19 crisis , Principal Farica West felt compelled to celebrate the 30 @ @ @ @ @ a big way .
“ They ’ re missing a lot of the memorable moments @ @ @ @ @ and dear to our hearts throughout our whole lives , ” West told WMBB .
@ @ @ @ @ the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Comin’ through — it’s the class of 2020, down a new kind of memory lane.
One principal in Florida has gone the extra mile to celebrate the high school’s graduating seniors amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has upended time-honored teenage traditions like proms and graduations.
Though the Poplar Springs High School building in Graceville has been closed during the COVID-19 crisis, Principal Farica West felt compelled to celebrate the 30 students graduating this year in a big way.
“They’re missing a lot of the memorable moments that we all hold near and dear to our hearts throughout our whole lives,” West told WMBB. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-23--’37 Minutes Later’: Inmates Released From Jail Due To Coronavirus Fears Keep Getting Arrested Again

Inmates getting out of jail early due to coronavirus fears keep getting arrested again on new charges after their release @ @ @ @ @ officials have pushed for the mass release of inmates to prevent them from contracting coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ crowded corrections facilities .
But the mass releases have been followed by a pattern of @ @ @ @ @ getting out of jail .
Oakland , California , police officers arrested 32-year-old Rocky Music @ @ @ @ @ out one carjacking and attempting another .
Music ’ s alleged crime spree came less @ @ @ @ @ was released in relation to another alleged car theft , thanks to an emergency court @ @ @ @ @ from being booked into county jails due to coronavirus fears .
It took him just @ @ @ @ @ to start committing crimes again , according to local authorities .
– READ MORE Listen @ @ @ @ @ Podcast Below --

Inmates getting out of jail early due to coronavirus fears keep getting arrested again on new charges after their release.
Left-wing activists and elected officials have pushed for the mass release of inmates to prevent them from contracting coronavirus, which has spread throughout crowded corrections facilities. But the mass releases have been followed by a pattern of inmates getting re-arrested shortly after getting out of jail.
Oakland, California, police officers arrested 32-year-old Rocky Music on Sunday for allegedly carrying out one carjacking and attempting another.
Music’s alleged crime spree came less than an hour after he was released in relation to another alleged car theft, thanks to an emergency court order forbidding so-called low-level offenders from being booked into county jails due to coronavirus fears. It took him just 37 minutes after his release to start committing crimes again, according to local authorities. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-23--Kudlow: Businesses shouldn’t be held liable if employees, customers contract coronavirus

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said he supports protecting businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits as the Trump administration eyes reopening @ @ @ @ @ the director of the National Economic Council , said on CNBC Wednesday that companies and @ @ @ @ @ to deal with “ trial lawyers putting on false lawsuits.
” “ You ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ some confidence here that if something happens , and it may not be their fault @ @ @ @ @ infectious disease — if something happens , you can ’ t take them out of @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You can ’ t throw big lawsuits at them .
And I think @ @ @ @ @ going to be a very important part of it , ” he continued .
– @ @ @ @ @ insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said he supports protecting businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits as the Trump administration eyes reopening the economy.
Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, said on CNBC Wednesday that companies and small businesses should not have to deal with “trial lawyers putting on false lawsuits.”
The whole point of making employers liable for risking the lives of their staff is to prevent them from exposing their staff to undue risk. Businesses are asking for the right to expose their workers to fatal risks with no consequences. It’s bad economics and bad policy. pic.twitter.com/YX5zGJZ8xX — Justin Wolfers (@JustinWolfers) April 16, 2020
“You’ve got to give the businesses some confidence here that if something happens, and it may not be their fault — the disease is an infectious disease — if something happens, you can’t take them out of business,” Kudlow said.
“You can’t throw big lawsuits at them. And I think liability reforms and safeguards are going to be a very important part of it,” he continued. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-23--‘Where are the strokes and the heart attacks?’ Doctors worry as patients avoid ERs

Before the coronavirus hit , tens of thousands of people across the state sought emergency help each day .
But in the weeks since the virus began its spread throughout the U.S. , those numbers have plummeted by a third to a half , according to physicians overseeing emergency departments in hospitals across Los Angeles County and elsewhere in California .
The steep decline comes amid drastic measures hospitals have put in place to prepare for what health officials fear could be a wave of patients infected by the coronavirus like the ones that have overwhelmed hospitals in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the numbers of people sickened by the virus in California have been manageable .
But now doctors and health officials are increasingly worried that steps taken to keep hospitals at the ready , along with a widespread public fear the virus is rife in emergency rooms , have left people who are in immediate need of lifesaving help unwilling to seek treatment .
“ Where are the strokes and the heart attacks ?
Where are the diabetics having complications ?
” said Dr. Larry Stock , an emergency physician at Antelope Valley Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just vaporize with the virus .
I worry people are suffering at home because they ’ re afraid our emergency rooms are radioactive.
” Physicians and health officials are amending their urgent warnings about the virus to stress that emergency departments are not overrun and can treat people safely .
The full effect of what Stock dubbed “ corona collateral damage syndrome , ” and another emergency physician called “ a virus of fear , ” has not yet been tallied as hospitals and state agencies begin to gather comprehensive figures .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physicians working in rural and urban hospitals around the state , a portrait emerges of how emergency care in California has been upended by the virus .
They worry people are dying at home from conditions that could have been treated and others who survive will now suffer from serious , chronic conditions resulting from their failure to seek help .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Before the coronavirus hit, tens of thousands of people across the state sought emergency help each day. But in the weeks since the virus began its spread throughout the U.S., those numbers have plummeted by a third to a half, according to physicians overseeing emergency departments in hospitals across Los Angeles County and elsewhere in California.
The steep decline comes amid drastic measures hospitals have put in place to prepare for what health officials fear could be a wave of patients infected by the coronavirus like the ones that have overwhelmed hospitals in New York City and elsewhere.
So far, the numbers of people sickened by the virus in California have been manageable. But now doctors and health officials are increasingly worried that steps taken to keep hospitals at the ready, along with a widespread public fear the virus is rife in emergency rooms, have left people who are in immediate need of lifesaving help unwilling to seek treatment.
“Where are the strokes and the heart attacks? Where are the diabetics having complications?” said Dr. Larry Stock, an emergency physician at Antelope Valley Hospital. “These cases didn’t just vaporize with the virus. I worry people are suffering at home because they’re afraid our emergency rooms are radioactive.”
Physicians and health officials are amending their urgent warnings about the virus to stress that emergency departments are not overrun and can treat people safely. The full effect of what Stock dubbed “corona collateral damage syndrome,” and another emergency physician called “a virus of fear,” has not yet been tallied as hospitals and state agencies begin to gather comprehensive figures.
But from interviews with more than a dozen physicians working in rural and urban hospitals around the state, a portrait emerges of how emergency care in California has been upended by the virus. They worry people are dying at home from conditions that could have been treated and others who survive will now suffer from serious, chronic conditions resulting from their failure to seek help. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-23--American billionaires have gotten $280 billion richer since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

Though the coronavirus itself may not discriminate in terms of who can be infected , the COVID-19 pandemic is far from a great equalizer .
In the same month that 22 million Americans lost their jobs , the American billionaire class ’ s total wealth increased about 10 % —or $ 282 billion more than it was at the beginning of March .
They now have a combined net worth of $ 3.229 trillion .
The initial stock market crash may have dented some net worths at first—for instance , that of Jeff Bezos , which dropped down to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But his riches have rebounded : As of April 15 , his net worth has increased by $ 25 billion .
Eric Yuan , founder and CEO of Zoom , was one of the few to see an increase in net worth even as the markets crashed , and he ’ s now up $ 2.58 billion .
These “ pandemic profiteers , ” as a new report from the Institute for Policy Studies , a progressive think tank , calls them , is just one piece of the wealth inequality puzzle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that since 1980 , the taxes paid by billionaires , measured as a percentage of their wealth , dropped 79 % .
“ We ’ re reading about benevolent billionaires sharing .0001 % of their wealth with their fellow humans in this crisis , but in fact they ’ ve been rigging the tax rules to reduce their taxes for decades—money that could have been spent building a better public health infrastructure , ” says Chuck Collins , director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new report , titled “ Billionaire Bonanza 2020 : Wealth Windfalls , Tumbling Taxes , and Pandemic Profiteers.
” The Institute for Policy Studies put out its first Billionaire Bonanza report in 2015 ; since then , the report has continued to quantify the state of wealth inequality in the country , though each iteration may focus on different specifics ( the 2018 report highlighted the issue of wealth dynasties ) .
That this report could highlight billionaires profiting from the coronavirus pandemic was , in part , due to good timing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his coauthors refer to Forbes ’ s annual World ’ s Billionaire List , as well as daily trackers from both Forbes and Bloomberg .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Though the coronavirus itself may not discriminate in terms of who can be infected, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from a great equalizer. In the same month that 22 million Americans lost their jobs, the American billionaire class’s total wealth increased about 10%—or $282 billion more than it was at the beginning of March. They now have a combined net worth of $3.229 trillion.
The initial stock market crash may have dented some net worths at first—for instance, that of Jeff Bezos, which dropped down to a mere $105 billion on March 12. But his riches have rebounded: As of April 15, his net worth has increased by $25 billion. Eric Yuan, founder and CEO of Zoom, was one of the few to see an increase in net worth even as the markets crashed, and he’s now up $2.58 billion.
These “pandemic profiteers,” as a new report from the Institute for Policy Studies, a progressive think tank, calls them, is just one piece of the wealth inequality puzzle in America. In the background is the fact that since 1980, the taxes paid by billionaires, measured as a percentage of their wealth, dropped 79%.
“We’re reading about benevolent billionaires sharing .0001% of their wealth with their fellow humans in this crisis, but in fact they’ve been rigging the tax rules to reduce their taxes for decades—money that could have been spent building a better public health infrastructure,” says Chuck Collins, director of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at the Institute for Policy Studies and coauthor of the new report, titled “Billionaire Bonanza 2020: Wealth Windfalls, Tumbling Taxes, and Pandemic Profiteers.”
The Institute for Policy Studies put out its first Billionaire Bonanza report in 2015; since then, the report has continued to quantify the state of wealth inequality in the country, though each iteration may focus on different specifics (the 2018 report highlighted the issue of wealth dynasties). That this report could highlight billionaires profiting from the coronavirus pandemic was, in part, due to good timing. To compile the report, Collins and his coauthors refer to Forbes’s annual World’s Billionaire List, as well as daily trackers from both Forbes and Bloomberg. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-23--U.S. inches toward meat shortage. Prices are getting weird

The clock is ticking for the U.S. to avoid a meat shortage as sick workers force more slaughterhouses to shut down .
Tyson Foods Inc. on Wednesday said it was idling its largest pork plant , making it at least the sixth major U.S. meat facility to shutter in the last few weeks .
Currently , about 15 % of hog-slaughtering capacity is completely offline , and there are also additional slowdowns at pork , beef and poultry companies across the nation .
Meat prices are starting to surge on the disruptions .
But with slaughterhouses closing , farmers don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals .
That ’ s causing hog futures to drop , potentially creating a situation where pigs get euthanized and buried as supplies back up .
Meanwhile , retail costs may rise as grocery stores mandate rationing on pork chops .
Things are so dire that Iowa , the biggest hog state , activated the National Guard to help protect supplies .
“ Meat shortages will be occurring two weeks from now in the retail outlets , ” Dennis Smith , a senior account executive at Archer Financial Services , said , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no spot pork available .
The big box stores will get their needs met , many others will not.
” Much has been made of the frozen inventories that are kept in warehouses , which could help cushion the blow of plant closures — as long as they don ’ t last very long .
While there are hundreds of millions of pounds of frozen meat in U.S. warehouses , the supplies account for only a fraction of what ’ s typically produced in any given month .
In March , frozen pork @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. government data showed on Wednesday .
It was biggest drop for the month of March since 2014 , and the decline came before the major slaughterhouse shutdowns that started in April .

The clock is ticking for the U.S. to avoid a meat shortage as sick workers force more slaughterhouses to shut down.
Tyson Foods Inc. on Wednesday said it was idling its largest pork plant, making it at least the sixth major U.S. meat facility to shutter in the last few weeks. Currently, about 15% of hog-slaughtering capacity is completely offline, and there are also additional slowdowns at pork, beef and poultry companies across the nation.
Meat prices are starting to surge on the disruptions. But with slaughterhouses closing, farmers don’t have a market for their animals. That’s causing hog futures to drop, potentially creating a situation where pigs get euthanized and buried as supplies back up. Meanwhile, retail costs may rise as grocery stores mandate rationing on pork chops.
Things are so dire that Iowa, the biggest hog state, activated the National Guard to help protect supplies.
“Meat shortages will be occurring two weeks from now in the retail outlets,” Dennis Smith, a senior account executive at Archer Financial Services, said, citing industry sources. “There is simply no spot pork available. The big box stores will get their needs met, many others will not.”
Much has been made of the frozen inventories that are kept in warehouses, which could help cushion the blow of plant closures — as long as they don’t last very long. While there are hundreds of millions of pounds of frozen meat in U.S. warehouses, the supplies account for only a fraction of what’s typically produced in any given month.
In March, frozen pork inventories dropped 4.2% from February, U.S. government data showed on Wednesday. It was biggest drop for the month of March since 2014, and the decline came before the major slaughterhouse shutdowns that started in April.
“For all the talk of cold-storage supplies, it’s just never a lot,” Bob Brown, an independent market consultant in Edmond, Okla., said about supplies of pork, beef and poultry. “It’s roughly a week’s worth of production in the freezer.” – READ MORE


truepundit--2020-04-23--At Beleaguered U.S. Meat Plants, Inspectors Are Getting Sick Too

One hundred U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors have tested positive for the coronavirus as the illness ravages the nation ’ s meat processing plants .
The workers are part of the Food Safety and Inspection Service , which employs about 6,500 inspectors , a spokesperson for the agency confirmed Thursday .
USDA is taking measures to supply masks to workers , though they currently may need to find them on their own .
The infections among inspectors add to the growing concerns about the safety and viability of the nation ’ s meat supply after several major U.S. factories closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USDA inspectors need to be physically present in processing plants to make sure standards for cleanliness and worker protection are being met .
Inspectors have been traveling between plants with known infections to other plants .
“ A traveling inspector bringing in the disease is our biggest worry , ” said Mike Callicrate , a rancher , processor and advocate in Kansas .
The agency “ must maintain inspection of all meat , poultry , and egg products to ensure Americans continue to have a safe food supply during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ To achieve this , we are minimizing the movement of our inspection personnel .
However , there are times where it is necessary to move inspection personnel to fulfill our legal mandate to provide inspection.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

One hundred U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors have tested positive for the coronavirus as the illness ravages the nation’s meat processing plants.
The workers are part of the Food Safety and Inspection Service, which employs about 6,500 inspectors, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed Thursday. USDA is taking measures to supply masks to workers, though they currently may need to find them on their own.
The infections among inspectors add to the growing concerns about the safety and viability of the nation’s meat supply after several major U.S. factories closed in recent weeks due to outbreaks. USDA inspectors need to be physically present in processing plants to make sure standards for cleanliness and worker protection are being met.
Inspectors have been traveling between plants with known infections to other plants.
“A traveling inspector bringing in the disease is our biggest worry,” said Mike Callicrate, a rancher, processor and advocate in Kansas.
The agency “must maintain inspection of all meat, poultry, and egg products to ensure Americans continue to have a safe food supply during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic,” the USDA said in a statement. “To achieve this, we are minimizing the movement of our inspection personnel. However, there are times where it is necessary to move inspection personnel to fulfill our legal mandate to provide inspection.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-23--Virus pushes US unemployment toward highest since Depression: 5 Weeks, 26 Million Claims

Unemployment in the U.S. has swelled to levels last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s , with 1 in 6 American workers thrown out of a job by the coronavirus .
More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week , the government said Thursday .
In all , roughly 26 million people — more than the population of the six biggest U.S. cities combined — have now filed for jobless aid in five weeks , an epic collapse that has raised the stakes in the debate over how and when to lift the state-ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other businesses from coast to coast .
Abroad , there was mixed news about the epidemic .
Some countries , including Greece , Bangladesh and Malaysia , announced extensions of their lockdowns .
Vietnam , New Zealand and Croatia were among those moving to end or ease such measures .
In Africa , COVID-19 cases rose 43 % in the past week , up from 16,000 to 26,000 cases , according to John Nkengasong , director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The figures underscored a recent warning from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could kill more than 300,000 people in Africa and push 30 million into desperate poverty .
Huge lines have formed at food banks from El Paso , Texas , to the Paris suburbs , and food shortages are hitting Africa especially hard .
The European Union has pledged 20 billion euros ( $ 22 billion ) to help vulnerable communities globally .
EU leaders scheduled a virtual summit Thursday to take stock of the damage the crisis has inflicted on the bloc ’ s own citizens and to work out an economic rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 184,000 people worldwide , including about 47,000 in the United States , according to a tally compiled by John Hopkins University from official government figures .
The true numbers are almost certainly far higher .
In the U.S. , the economic consequences of the shutdowns have sparked angry rallies in state capitals by protesters demanding that businesses reopen , and President Donald Trump has expressed impatience over the restrictions .
Some governors have begun easing up despite warnings from health authorities that it may be too soon to do so without sparking new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hair salons and bowling alleys can reopen Friday .
Texas has reopened its state parks .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Unemployment in the U.S. has swelled to levels last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s, with 1 in 6 American workers thrown out of a job by the coronavirus.
More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, the government said Thursday. In all, roughly 26 million people — more than the population of the six biggest U.S. cities combined — have now filed for jobless aid in five weeks, an epic collapse that has raised the stakes in the debate over how and when to lift the state-ordered stay-at-home restrictions that have closed factories and other businesses from coast to coast.
Abroad, there was mixed news about the epidemic. Some countries, including Greece, Bangladesh and Malaysia, announced extensions of their lockdowns. Vietnam, New Zealand and Croatia were among those moving to end or ease such measures.
In Africa, COVID-19 cases rose 43% in the past week, up from 16,000 to 26,000 cases, according to John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The figures underscored a recent warning from the World Health Organization that the virus could kill more than 300,000 people in Africa and push 30 million into desperate poverty.
Huge lines have formed at food banks from El Paso, Texas, to the Paris suburbs, and food shortages are hitting Africa especially hard.
The European Union has pledged 20 billion euros ($22 billion) to help vulnerable communities globally. EU leaders scheduled a virtual summit Thursday to take stock of the damage the crisis has inflicted on the bloc’s own citizens and to work out an economic rescue plan.
The coronavirus has killed over 184,000 people worldwide, including about 47,000 in the United States, according to a tally compiled by John Hopkins University from official government figures. The true numbers are almost certainly far higher.
In the U.S., the economic consequences of the shutdowns have sparked angry rallies in state capitals by protesters demanding that businesses reopen, and President Donald Trump has expressed impatience over the restrictions. Some governors have begun easing up despite warnings from health authorities that it may be too soon to do so without sparking new infections. In Georgia, gyms, hair salons and bowling alleys can reopen Friday. Texas has reopened its state parks. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-23--565 Americans Have Lost Their Job For Every Confirmed COVID-19 Death In The US

In the last week 4.427 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits for the first time .
That brings the four-week @ @ @ @ @ which is over 10 times the prior worst five-week period in the last 50-plus years @ @ @ @ @ last week ’ s “ initial ” claims and this week ’ s “ continuing @ @ @ @ @ of continuing claims ever But , hey , there ’ s good news… well optimistic @ @ @ @ @ Mnuchin said he anticipates most of the economy will restart by the end of August @ @ @ @ @ notable , we have lost 565 jobs for every confirmed US death from COVID-19 ( @ @ @ @ @ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

In the last week 4.427 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits for the first time.
That brings the four-week total to 26.5 million, which is over 10 times the prior worst five-week period in the last 50-plus years.
And of course, last week’s “initial” claims and this week’s “continuing” claims… the highest level of continuing claims ever
(…)
But, hey, there’s good news… well optimistic headlines as Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he anticipates most of the economy will restart by the end of August.
Finally, it is notable, we have lost 565 jobs for every confirmed US death from COVID-19 (46,785) . – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-23--Amazon sued for ‘price gouging as cost of essential items soared by up to 1,000%’ during coronavirus

Amazon sued for ‘price gouging as cost of essential items soared by up to 1,000%’ during coronavirus pandemic

In documents filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California , Amazon.com Inc is accused of “ unlawful price increases during the COVID-19 pandemic ” .
California ’ s Unfair Competition Law prohibits raising the price of some consumer goods and services by more than 10 per cent after an emergency has been declared .
Goods include food and drink , cleaning products , personal hygiene products – such as toilet paper – medical supplies , and emergency supplies , such as water , candles and batteries .
Face masks : Amazon is accused of selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ price hike , increasing from less than $ 20 to $ 120 ; Pain reliever : Amazon is accused of hiking prices of pain reliever from $ 18.75 to $ 62.40 , an increase of 233 per cent .
Flour : Flour allegedly increased up to 400 per cent , from $ 22 to $ 110 , according to the suit .
Black beans : The price rose from $ 4.65 up to $ 35.99 , an increase of up to 674 per cent , the suit alleges .
Disinfectants : Amazon is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent , from $ 14.99 to $ 29.99 .
Consumers who believe they may have paid unfair prices can sign up for potential compensation .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

In documents filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, Amazon.com Inc is accused of “unlawful price increases during the COVID-19 pandemic”.
California’s Unfair Competition Law prohibits raising the price of some consumer goods and services by more than 10 per cent after an emergency has been declared.
Goods include food and drink, cleaning products, personal hygiene products – such as toilet paper – medical supplies, and emergency supplies, such as water, candles and batteries.
Face masks: Amazon is accused of selling face masks at a 500 per cent price hike, increasing from less than $20 to $120;
Pain reliever: Amazon is accused of hiking prices of pain reliever from $18.75 to $62.40, an increase of 233 per cent.
Flour: Flour allegedly increased up to 400 per cent, from $22 to $110, according to the suit.
Black beans: The price rose from $4.65 up to $35.99, an increase of up to 674 per cent, the suit alleges.
Disinfectants: Amazon is accused of hiking prices by 100 per cent, from $14.99 to $29.99.
Consumers who believe they may have paid unfair prices can sign up for potential compensation. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-23--Las Vegas mayor wants to reopen the city, offered to be ‘a control group’ (VIDEO)

The mayor of Las Vegas is all in on reopening during the coronavirus pandemic .
In a contentious CNN interview Wednesday , Mayor Carolyn Goodman said she wants to get Sin City back to work — and that she offered it as a “ control group ” in lifting lockdown restrictions for the country .
“ I want us open in the city of Las Vegas so our people can go back to work and that ’ s it because we ’ re putting children and families back out on the street , ” Goodman told host Anderson Cooper .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ open up casinos and bring conventions back to the Vegas Strip to help the “ close to 900,000 ” unemployed Nevadans make a living and provide for their families .
She said the almost 150 who ’ ve died in Vegas from the virus is a “ tragic loss , ” but compared with the state ’ s more than 2-million residents “ you have to say , we have to open up.
” A combative Cooper argued that that toll was so low because of social distancing .
“ How do you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” she shot back .
“ We offered to be a control group … it was turned down.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

The mayor of Las Vegas is all in on reopening during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a contentious CNN interview Wednesday, Mayor Carolyn Goodman said she wants to get Sin City back to work — and that she offered it as a “control group” in lifting lockdown restrictions for the country.
“I want us open in the city of Las Vegas so our people can go back to work and that’s it because we’re putting children and families back out on the street,” Goodman told host Anderson Cooper.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman calls for businesses to reopen, while saying she won’t provide social distancing guidelines on how to do so safely. “They better figure it out. That’s their job. That’s not the mayor’s job.” https://t.co/lx4A6WuB0P pic.twitter.com/fEedR19LYX — CNN (@CNN) April 22, 2020
Goodman said it’s imperative to open up casinos and bring conventions back to the Vegas Strip to help the “close to 900,000” unemployed Nevadans make a living and provide for their families.
She said the almost 150 who’ve died in Vegas from the virus is a “tragic loss,” but compared with the state’s more than 2-million residents “you have to say, we have to open up.”
A combative Cooper argued that that toll was so low because of social distancing.
“How do you know until we have a control group?” she shot back. “We offered to be a control group … it was turned down.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-23--‘Constitutionalist sheriffs’ won’t enforce coronavirus restrictions

In Snohomish County , Washington , Sheriff Adam Fortney is refusing to enforce the governor ’ s stay-at-home order .
He claims the order “ intrudes on our right to life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
” On April 22 , he told constituents via a Facebook post that “ along with other elected Sheriffs around our state , the Snohomish County Sheriff ’ s Office will not be enforcing an order preventing religious freedoms or constitutional rights.
” These Washington sheriffs are far from alone .
They ’ re part of a nationwide group of sheriffs who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .
As they have on issues such as immigration and gun regulations , they will lead rebellions against higher levels of government – in this case , undermining public health efforts in the name of their interpretation of the U.S. Constitution .
Here ’ s how .
Unlike police chiefs or commissioners who are generally appointed , sheriffs are law enforcement officials elected by residents of their counties .
While research finds that police generally try to carry out their responsibilities in a nonpartisan manner , sheriffs are influenced by the desire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office in the same way that members of Congress or the president do : they run on campaign platforms they believe will win a majority of votes .
Sheriffs ’ campaign platforms consist of their political and law enforcement records , personal philosophies and policy priorities .
What sheriffs promise to do is quite likely to come true , because they have much more autonomy than do other elected officials .
Legislators can ’ t do much without first going through lengthy and involved policymaking efforts that involve collaborating with their fellow legislators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the legislative branch of government .
Because sheriffs don ’ t have these constraints , their personal attitudes are quite likely to affect how they carry out their jobs .
For example , research finds that sheriffs choose whether and how they cooperate with federal immigration authorities .
On one end of the spectrum is a group of sheriffs in North Carolina who campaigned on the promise to cut ties between their offices and Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) .
Since their elections , they have refused to honor immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take custody of someone who has been arrested ; these sheriffs no longer allow ICE into county jails .
On the other end of the spectrum was Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County , Ariz. , well known for relentlessly policing immigration status , at the expense of civil rights and neglecting other aspects of his job .
Now combine that popular mandate from being directly elected with law enforcement power .
What you get are sheriffs willing and able to lead local rebellions against the government – something that for decades has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ constitutionalist sheriffs.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

In Snohomish County, Washington, Sheriff Adam Fortney is refusing to enforce the governor’s stay-at-home order. He claims the order “intrudes on our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” On April 22, he told constituents via a Facebook post that “along with other elected Sheriffs around our state, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office will not be enforcing an order preventing religious freedoms or constitutional rights.”
These Washington sheriffs are far from alone. They’re part of a nationwide group of sheriffs who feel beholden to no one but their voters. As they have on issues such as immigration and gun regulations, they will lead rebellions against higher levels of government – in this case, undermining public health efforts in the name of their interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Here’s how.
Unlike police chiefs or commissioners who are generally appointed, sheriffs are law enforcement officials elected by residents of their counties. While research finds that police generally try to carry out their responsibilities in a nonpartisan manner, sheriffs are influenced by the desire to be reelected. Sheriffs run for office in the same way that members of Congress or the president do: they run on campaign platforms they believe will win a majority of votes. Sheriffs’ campaign platforms consist of their political and law enforcement records, personal philosophies and policy priorities.
What sheriffs promise to do is quite likely to come true, because they have much more autonomy than do other elected officials. Legislators can’t do much without first going through lengthy and involved policymaking efforts that involve collaborating with their fellow legislators. Governors and presidents have to work with the legislative branch of government. Because sheriffs don’t have these constraints, their personal attitudes are quite likely to affect how they carry out their jobs.
For example, research finds that sheriffs choose whether and how they cooperate with federal immigration authorities. On one end of the spectrum is a group of sheriffs in North Carolina who campaigned on the promise to cut ties between their offices and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Since their elections, they have refused to honor immigration detainers, which are official ICE requests to take custody of someone who has been arrested; these sheriffs no longer allow ICE into county jails. On the other end of the spectrum was Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz., well known for relentlessly policing immigration status, at the expense of civil rights and neglecting other aspects of his job.
Now combine that popular mandate from being directly elected with law enforcement power. What you get are sheriffs willing and able to lead local rebellions against the government – something that for decades has been happening from a group known as “constitutionalist sheriffs.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-23--Another Big Meat Plant Shutters With U.S. on Brink of Shortages

Another huge meat plant has been closed indefinitely in the U.S. , with experts saying the country is just weeks away from shortages .
Tyson Foods Inc. said Thursday it was shutting its beef facility in Pasco , Washington , while team members undergo testing for Covid-19 .
That ’ s adding to an avalanche of news that ’ s hit in just the past day .
Tyson closed two of its key pork plants .
Case counts continued to mount , including in Canada , where industry groups are saying they ’ ll probably hold back some of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , the head of JBS SA , the world ’ s top meat producer , warned of shortfalls .
At least eight major U.S. meat facilities have seen halts in the space of a few weeks .
The Tyson plant in Washington produces enough beef in one day to feed four million people , according to the company .
It ’ s one of the few facilities in the northwestern U.S. , with capacity of 2,300 cattle a day .
Resuming operations is dependent on a variety of factors , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how long it takes to get results back .
“ We ’ re working with local health officials to bring the plant back to full operation as soon as we believe it to be safe , ” Steve Stouffer , head of Tyson Fresh Meats , said in the company ’ s statement .
“ Unfortunately , the closure will mean reduced food supplies and presents problems to farmers who have no place to take their livestock .
It ’ s a complicated situation across the supply chain.
” – READ MORE Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ --

Another huge meat plant has been closed indefinitely in the U.S., with experts saying the country is just weeks away from shortages.
Tyson Foods Inc. said Thursday it was shutting its beef facility in Pasco, Washington, while team members undergo testing for Covid-19. That’s adding to an avalanche of news that’s hit in just the past day. Tyson closed two of its key pork plants. Case counts continued to mount, including in Canada, where industry groups are saying they’ll probably hold back some of what’s usually exported to the U.S. Meanwhile, the head of JBS SA, the world’s top meat producer, warned of shortfalls.
At least eight major U.S. meat facilities have seen halts in the space of a few weeks.
The Tyson plant in Washington produces enough beef in one day to feed four million people, according to the company. It’s one of the few facilities in the northwestern U.S., with capacity of 2,300 cattle a day. Resuming operations is dependent on a variety of factors, including the outcome of team member testing and how long it takes to get results back.
“We’re working with local health officials to bring the plant back to full operation as soon as we believe it to be safe,” Steve Stouffer, head of Tyson Fresh Meats, said in the company’s statement. “Unfortunately, the closure will mean reduced food supplies and presents problems to farmers who have no place to take their livestock. It’s a complicated situation across the supply chain.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-23--LISTEN: PAINE in the Morning — News Scoops & Analysis for Friday 4.24.20

There is also a full video podcast of this broadcast available on True Pundit ’ s Patreon Page for our subscribers to help us do what we do .
Virus pushes US unemployment toward highest since Depression : 5 Weeks , 26 Million Claims – Unemployment in the U.S. has swelled to levels last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s , with 1 in 6 American workers thrown out of a job by the coronavirus .
More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week , the government said Thursday .
In all , roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population of the six biggest U.S. cities combined — have now filed for jobless aid in five weeks , an epic collapse that has raised the stakes in the debate over how and when to lift the state-ordered stay-at-home restrictions that have closed factories and other businesses from coast to coast .
– READ MORE Another Big Meat Plant Shutters With U.S. on Brink of Shortages – Another huge meat plant has been closed indefinitely in the U.S. , with experts saying the country is just weeks away from shortages .
Tyson Foods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beef facility in Pasco , Washington , while team members undergo testing for Covid-19 .
That ’ s adding to an avalanche of news that ’ s hit in just the past day .
Tyson closed two of its key pork plants .
Case counts continued to mount , including in Canada , where industry groups are saying they ’ ll probably hold back some of what ’ s usually exported to the U.S .
Meanwhile , the head of JBS SA , the world ’ s top meat producer , warned of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Number That Makes Even Naysayers Worry About Shortages – The U.S. is edging closer to possible meat shortages with another major plant taken off line .
About a quarter of American pork production and 10 % of beef output has now been shuttered , according to the United Food & Commercial Workers , which estimates that 13 U.S. plants are down .
– READ MORE American billionaires have gotten $ 280 billion richer since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – Though the coronavirus itself may not discriminate in terms of who can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far from a great equalizer .
In the same month that 22 million Americans lost their jobs , the American billionaire class ’ s total wealth increased about 10 % —or $ 282 billion more than it was at the beginning of March .
They now have a combined net worth of $ 3.229 trillion .
The initial stock market crash may have dented some net worths at first—for instance , that of Jeff Bezos , which dropped down to a mere $ 105 billion on March 12 .
But his riches have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his net worth has increased by $ 25 billion .
Eric Yuan , founder and CEO of Zoom , was one of the few to see an increase in net worth even as the markets crashed , and he ’ s now up $ 2.58 billion .
– READ MORE Amazon sued for ‘ price gouging as cost of essential items soared by up to 1,000 % ’ during coronavirus pandemic – In documents filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California , Amazon.com Inc is accused of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
California ’ s Unfair Competition Law prohibits raising the price of some consumer goods and services by more than 10 per cent after an emergency has been declared .
– READ MORE Cuomo to struggling unemployed : ‘ You want to go to work ?
Go take a job as an essential worker ’ ( VIDEO ) – New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ( D ) was asked Wednesday for his response to unemployed New Yorkers protesting against the state ’ s coronavirus lockdown , and he suggested those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ go take a job as an essential worker.
” – READ MORE ‘ Constitutionalist sheriffs ’ won ’ t enforce coronavirus restrictions – In Snohomish County , Washington , Sheriff Adam Fortney is refusing to enforce the governor ’ s stay-at-home order .
He claims the order “ intrudes on our right to life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
” On April 22 , he told constituents via a Facebook post that “ along with other elected Sheriffs around our state , the Snohomish County Sheriff ’ s Office will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedoms or constitutional rights.
” These Washington sheriffs are far from alone .
They ’ re part of a nationwide group of sheriffs who feel beholden to no one but their voters .
As they have on issues such as immigration and gun regulations , they will lead rebellions against higher levels of government – in this case , undermining public health efforts in the name of their interpretation of the U.S. Constitution .
Here ’ s how .
– READ MORE Las Vegas mayor wants to reopen the city , offered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VIDEO ) – The mayor of Las Vegas is all in on reopening during the coronavirus pandemic .
In a contentious CNN interview Wednesday , Mayor Carolyn Goodman said she wants to get Sin City back to work — and that she offered it as a “ control group ” in lifting lockdown restrictions for the country .
– READ MORE Nearly all NY coronavirus patients suffered underlying health issue , study finds – A new study by a medical journal revealed that most of the people in New York City who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more underlying health issues .
Health records from 5,700 patients hospitalized within the Northwell Health system — which housed the most patients in the country throughout the pandemic — showed that 94 percent of patients had more than one disease other than COVID-19 , according to the Journal of the American Medical Association ( JAMA ) .
– READ MORE ‘ Where are the strokes and the heart attacks ?
’ Doctors worry as patients avoid ERs – Before the coronavirus hit , tens of thousands of people across the state sought emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks since the virus began its spread throughout the U.S. , those numbers have plummeted by a third to a half , according to physicians overseeing emergency departments in hospitals across Los Angeles County and elsewhere in California .
The steep decline comes amid drastic measures hospitals have put in place to prepare for what health officials fear could be a wave of patients infected by the coronavirus like the ones that have overwhelmed hospitals in New York City and elsewhere .
– READ MORE Bill Gates Continues To Push ‘ Immunity Passports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID – Bill Gates has inserted himself into the national dialogue as a self-proclaimed coronavirus sage who will lead the world out of dark times through a digitally-assisted brave new world of testing , contact tracing , and of course – a vaccine .
Of course , some of this might not be such a bad idea if it wasn ’ t coming from Gates , who ’ s written an op-ed in the Washington Post to elaborate on his thoughts – which makes the whole thing seem even more nefarious .
– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus to Destroy American Jobs , Fatten Profits Union Representing 30,000 Pork Workers Slams Pork Industry Effort to Manipulate Outbreak , Push Americans Out of Jobs , and Further Weaken Economy WASHINGTON , D.C. – Today , the United Food and Commercial Workers ( UFCW ) International Union condemned a new effort by the National Pork Producers Council to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to cut jobs for American workers through a needless expansion of the U.S. guest worker program .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

There is also a full video podcast of this broadcast available on True Pundit’s Patreon Page for our subscribers to help us do what we do.
Virus pushes US unemployment toward highest since Depression: 5 Weeks, 26 Million Claims – Unemployment in the U.S. has swelled to levels last seen during the Great Depression of the 1930s, with 1 in 6 American workers thrown out of a job by the coronavirus.
More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, the government said Thursday. In all, roughly 26 million people — more than the population of the six biggest U.S. cities combined — have now filed for jobless aid in five weeks, an epic collapse that has raised the stakes in the debate over how and when to lift the state-ordered stay-at-home restrictions that have closed factories and other businesses from coast to coast. – READ MORE
Another Big Meat Plant Shutters With U.S. on Brink of Shortages – Another huge meat plant has been closed indefinitely in the U.S., with experts saying the country is just weeks away from shortages.
Tyson Foods Inc. said Thursday it was shutting its beef facility in Pasco, Washington, while team members undergo testing for Covid-19. That’s adding to an avalanche of news that’s hit in just the past day. Tyson closed two of its key pork plants. Case counts continued to mount, including in Canada, where industry groups are saying they’ll probably hold back some of what’s usually exported to the U.S. Meanwhile, the head of JBS SA, the world’s top meat producer, warned of shortfalls. – READ MORE
The Meat Number That Makes Even Naysayers Worry About Shortages – The U.S. is edging closer to possible meat shortages with another major plant taken off line.
About a quarter of American pork production and 10% of beef output has now been shuttered, according to the United Food & Commercial Workers, which estimates that 13 U.S. plants are down. – READ MORE
American billionaires have gotten $280 billion richer since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – Though the coronavirus itself may not discriminate in terms of who can be infected, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from a great equalizer. In the same month that 22 million Americans lost their jobs, the American billionaire class’s total wealth increased about 10%—or $282 billion more than it was at the beginning of March. They now have a combined net worth of $3.229 trillion.
The initial stock market crash may have dented some net worths at first—for instance, that of Jeff Bezos, which dropped down to a mere $105 billion on March 12. But his riches have rebounded: As of April 15, his net worth has increased by $25 billion. Eric Yuan, founder and CEO of Zoom, was one of the few to see an increase in net worth even as the markets crashed, and he’s now up $2.58 billion. – READ MORE
Amazon sued for ‘price gouging as cost of essential items soared by up to 1,000%’ during coronavirus pandemic – In documents filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, Amazon.com Inc is accused of “unlawful price increases during the COVID-19 pandemic”.
California’s Unfair Competition Law prohibits raising the price of some consumer goods and services by more than 10 per cent after an emergency has been declared. – READ MORE
Cuomo to struggling unemployed: ‘You want to go to work? Go take a job as an essential worker’ (VIDEO) –
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) was asked Wednesday for his response to unemployed New Yorkers protesting against the state’s coronavirus lockdown, and he suggested those who are struggling to pay their bills should “go take a job as an essential worker.” – READ MORE
‘Constitutionalist sheriffs’ won’t enforce coronavirus restrictions – In Snohomish County, Washington, Sheriff Adam Fortney is refusing to enforce the governor’s stay-at-home order. He claims the order “intrudes on our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” On April 22, he told constituents via a Facebook post that “along with other elected Sheriffs around our state, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office will not be enforcing an order preventing religious freedoms or constitutional rights.”
These Washington sheriffs are far from alone. They’re part of a nationwide group of sheriffs who feel beholden to no one but their voters. As they have on issues such as immigration and gun regulations, they will lead rebellions against higher levels of government – in this case, undermining public health efforts in the name of their interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Here’s how. – READ MORE
Las Vegas mayor wants to reopen the city, offered to be ‘a control group’ (VIDEO) – The mayor of Las Vegas is all in on reopening during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a contentious CNN interview Wednesday, Mayor Carolyn Goodman said she wants to get Sin City back to work — and that she offered it as a “control group” in lifting lockdown restrictions for the country. – READ MORE
Nearly all NY coronavirus patients suffered underlying health issue, study finds – A new study by a medical journal revealed that most of the people in New York City who were hospitalized due to coronavirus had one or more underlying health issues.
Health records from 5,700 patients hospitalized within the Northwell Health system — which housed the most patients in the country throughout the pandemic — showed that 94 percent of patients had more than one disease other than COVID-19, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). – READ MORE
‘Where are the strokes and the heart attacks?’ Doctors worry as patients avoid ERs – Before the coronavirus hit, tens of thousands of people across the state sought emergency help each day. But in the weeks since the virus began its spread throughout the U.S., those numbers have plummeted by a third to a half, according to physicians overseeing emergency departments in hospitals across Los Angeles County and elsewhere in California.
The steep decline comes amid drastic measures hospitals have put in place to prepare for what health officials fear could be a wave of patients infected by the coronavirus like the ones that have overwhelmed hospitals in New York City and elsewhere. – READ MORE
Bill Gates Continues To Push ‘Immunity Passports’ And Tech-Enabled Surveillance State To Combat COVID – Bill Gates has inserted himself into the national dialogue as a self-proclaimed coronavirus sage who will lead the world out of dark times through a digitally-assisted brave new world of testing, contact tracing, and of course – a vaccine.
Of course, some of this might not be such a bad idea if it wasn’t coming from Gates, who’s written an op-ed in the Washington Post to elaborate on his thoughts – which makes the whole thing seem even more nefarious. – READ MORE
UFCW: Pork Industry Exploits Coronavirus to Destroy American Jobs, Fatten Profits Union Representing 30,000 Pork Workers Slams Pork Industry Effort to Manipulate Outbreak, Push Americans Out of Jobs, and Further Weaken Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International Union condemned a new effort by the National Pork Producers Council to exploit the coronavirus outbreak to cut jobs for American workers through a needless expansion of the U.S. guest worker program. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-24--Biden Suggests Trump Is Going to Try to Delay the Presidential Election

Former Vice President Joe Biden ( D ) is predicting President Donald Trump will try to push the presidential election @ @ @ @ @ his chances of winning .
“ Mark my words , I think he is gon @ @ @ @ @ the election somehow , come up with some rationale why it can ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday .
“ That ’ s the only way he thinks he can possibly @ @ @ @ @ his own sentiment as he has said delaying the election is not an option , @ @ @ @ @ “ The idea of postponing an election is not possible , it should not happen @ @ @ @ @ – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) is predicting President Donald Trump will try to push the presidential election back in order to increase his chances of winning.
“Mark my words, I think he is gonna try to kick back the election somehow, come up with some rationale why it can’t be held,” Biden said on Thursday. “That’s the only way he thinks he can possibly win.”
Biden is echoing his own sentiment as he has said delaying the election is not an option, as IJR previously reported.
“The idea of postponing an election is not possible, it should not happen,” Biden said. – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-24--Renowned Microbiologist Claims Wuhan Lab ‘Did Absolutely Crazy Things’ With Coronavirus

A world renowned Russian microbiologist says that the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic was the result of Wuhan scientists doing “ absolutely crazy things ” in their laboratory .
Dr. Peter Chumakov of the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology and Russian Academy of Sciences claims that while the Wuhan scientists ’ goal in creating the coronavirus was not malicious – instead , they were trying to study the pathogenicity of the virus , according to the Daily Mail .
“ In China , scientists at the Wuhan Laboratory have been actively involved in the development of various coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ Moreover , they did this , supposedly not with the aim of creating pathogenic variants , but to study their pathogenicity.
” “ They did absolutely crazy things , in my opinion , ” he said , adding ” For example , inserts in the genome , which gave the virus the ability to infect human cells .
Now all this has been analyzed.
” ‘ The picture of the possible creation of the current coronavirus is slowly emerging.
‘ He told Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper : ‘ There are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the natural sequence of the genome , which gave it special properties .
‘ It is interesting that the Chinese and Americans who worked with them published all their works in the open ( scientific ) press .
‘ I even wonder why this background comes to people very slowly .
‘ I think that an investigation will nevertheless be initiated , as a result of which new rules will be developed that regulate the work with the genomes of such dangerous viruses .
Chumakov suggested that Chinese scientists were possibly searching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

A world renowned Russian microbiologist says that the novel coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic was the result of Wuhan scientists doing “absolutely crazy things” in their laboratory.
Dr. Peter Chumakov of the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology and Russian Academy of Sciences claims that while the Wuhan scientists’ goal in creating the coronavirus was not malicious – instead, they were trying to study the pathogenicity of the virus, according to the Daily Mail.
“In China, scientists at the Wuhan Laboratory have been actively involved in the development of various coronavirus variants for over ten years,” he said. “Moreover, they did this, supposedly not with the aim of creating pathogenic variants, but to study their pathogenicity.”
“They did absolutely crazy things, in my opinion,” he said, adding ” For example, inserts in the genome, which gave the virus the ability to infect human cells. Now all this has been analyzed.”
‘The picture of the possible creation of the current coronavirus is slowly emerging.‘
He told Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper: ‘There are several inserts, that is, substitutions of the natural sequence of the genome, which gave it special properties.
‘It is interesting that the Chinese and Americans who worked with them published all their works in the open (scientific) press.
‘I even wonder why this background comes to people very slowly.
‘I think that an investigation will nevertheless be initiated, as a result of which new rules will be developed that regulate the work with the genomes of such dangerous viruses.
‘It’s too early to blame anyone.’
Chumakov suggested that Chinese scientists were possibly searching for an HIV vaccine. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--Behar Calls Lockdown Protesters That Bring Guns to Rallies ‘Terrorists’

Monday on ABC ’ s “ The View , ” co-host Joy Behar said lockdown protesters who brought guns to rallies were “ terrorists.
” Behar said , “ Well , you know , let me first say that we are lucky to be working from home , all of us .
I feel for these people who are losing their jobs .
I really do .
But they have to understand that they can infect other people .
You know to paraphrase Patrick Henry , give me liberty and give me death is what they are basically proposing because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die because of this behavior .
It has already been shown that self-quarantining , whatever you want to call it , besides distancing and PPE ’ s , has been working .
It works .
She added , “ These people are being egged on by right-wing media and people like Alex Jones , like Rush Limbaugh .
Why are you bringing guns to a rally ?
You want to call yourself protesters leave your guns home .
Those are terrorists that bring guns to rallies .
I don ’ t trust that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to these people.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Monday on ABC’s “The View,” co-host Joy Behar said lockdown protesters who brought guns to rallies were “terrorists.”
Behar said, “Well, you know, let me first say that we are lucky to be working from home, all of us. I feel for these people who are losing their jobs. I really do. But they have to understand that they can infect other people. You know to paraphrase Patrick Henry, give me liberty and give me death is what they are basically proposing because a lot of people are going to die because of this behavior. It has already been shown that self-quarantining, whatever you want to call it, besides distancing and PPE’s, has been working. It works.
(…)
She added, “These people are being egged on by right-wing media and people like Alex Jones, like Rush Limbaugh. Why are you bringing guns to a rally? You want to call yourself protesters leave your guns home. Those are terrorists that bring guns to rallies. I don’t trust that at all. Don’t listen to these people.” – READ MORE
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-04-24--The Indomitable Pat Sajak Lances Celebrityhood And Coronavirus With One Tweet

On Friday , Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak , who at the age of 73 is among the population @ @ @ @ @ threat of the coronavirus COVID-19 , showed that even that threat was not enough to @ @ @ @ @ again that his sense of humor is indomitable .
Taking aim at celebrityhood , an @ @ @ @ @ , Sajak tweeted , “ No one was recognizing me when I went out wearing @ @ @ @ @ to resort to carrying an 8×10 glossy of myself .
Celebrityhood can be challenging.
” @ @ @ @ @ , Sajak was lampooning the self-importance celebrities display .
After President Trump was elected and @ @ @ @ @ inaugurated in a period where some celebrities had threatened to leave the country because Trump @ @ @ @ @ tweeted , “ I wonder if the celebrities who moved out of the country will @ @ @ @ @ ” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

On Friday, Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak, who at the age of 73 is among the population more at risk from the threat of the coronavirus COVID-19, showed that even that threat was not enough to stop him from displaying once again that his sense of humor is indomitable.
Taking aim at celebrityhood, an art that Sajak has mastered, Sajak tweeted, “No one was recognizing me when I went out wearing a face mask. Had to resort to carrying an 8×10 glossy of myself. Celebrityhood can be challenging.”
No one was recognizing me when I went out wearing a face mask. Had to resort to carrying an 8×10 glossy of myself. Celebrityhood can be challenging. — Pat Sajak (@patsajak) April 24, 2020
As far back as 2017, Sajak was lampooning the self-importance celebrities display. After President Trump was elected and just before President Trump was inaugurated in a period where some celebrities had threatened to leave the country because Trump had been elected, he tweeted, “I wonder if the celebrities who moved out of the country will return for the demonstrations?” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--Bernie Sanders’ press secretary hints that Biden may be replaced as the nominee at the convention be

Bernie Sanders’ press secretary hints that Biden may be replaced as the nominee at the convention because of Tara Reade allegations

In a move that is strongly reminiscent of the 2016 campaign , a prominent staffer for Bernie Sanders ’ presidential campaign is declaring unequivocally that that she is not endorsing or helping the Democratic Party ’ s presumptive nominee , former Vice President Joe Biden , and further is suggesting that the sexual assault allegations raised by Tara Reade may lead to Biden being replaced as the nominee at the Democratic convention .
In a Thursday interview with The Atlantic , former Sanders press secretary Briahna Joy Gray — who has been vocal on Twitter about her disagreement with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained that Biden has not done enough to win her vote , or the votes of many other progressive voters .
Gray also hinted that Biden may not even end up being the nominee at the Democratic convention , noting in particular that the sexual assault allegations raised by Tara Reade against Biden haven ’ t been thoroughly examined yet , and could present a problem .
“ There ’ s a lot of reasons why Democrats might want to substitute a different person for Joe Biden as the nominee .
The Tara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press .
If anyone looks at this closely , then they will see reason for concern , ” according to Gray .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

In a move that is strongly reminiscent of the 2016 campaign, a prominent staffer for Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign is declaring unequivocally that that she is not endorsing or helping the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden, and further is suggesting that the sexual assault allegations raised by Tara Reade may lead to Biden being replaced as the nominee at the Democratic convention.
In a Thursday interview with The Atlantic, former Sanders press secretary Briahna Joy Gray — who has been vocal on Twitter about her disagreement with her former boss about his Biden endorsement — explained that Biden has not done enough to win her vote, or the votes of many other progressive voters.
(…)
Gray also hinted that Biden may not even end up being the nominee at the Democratic convention, noting in particular that the sexual assault allegations raised by Tara Reade against Biden haven’t been thoroughly examined yet, and could present a problem.
“There’s a lot of reasons why Democrats might want to substitute a different person for Joe Biden as the nominee. The Tara Reade allegation has been handled abysmally by the press. If anyone looks at this closely, then they will see reason for concern,” according to Gray. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--CNN Tells Staff Not To Come Back To Offices Until At Least September

CNN network chief Jeff Zucker sent an email to staff telling them the vast majority would not be returning to the office until the end of summer .
The email , obtained by The Daily Beast , said the staff would “ not be returning to the office in any significant way ” until at least September and said production would continue from home as it has been done during the coronavirus shutdown .
“ Our expectation is that the rest of you will not return before early September , with a few exceptions in July for newsgathering and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conventions , ” Zucker wrote , adding that these dates could change .
“ But , to be clear , production of our programs will continue from home , as is it is now , until the end of summer.
” The Beast went on to report that “ many news outlets have begun to plan out what a physical return to company offices would look like ” over the past few weeks .
For example , the Beast reported , “ Fox News set May 4 as a target to reopen its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City is closed down until May 15 , the network will almost certainly push back this deadline.
” CNN recently came under fire for staging opinion anchor Chris Cuomo ’ s alleged emergence from quarantine .
Cuomo had claimed publicly that he had been diagnosed with the coronavirus and was quarantined in his basement , yet a police report from the week before stated Cuomo had been involved in an altercation with a cyclist while visiting his home in the Hamptons – 60 miles from the basement in which he was allegedly quarantined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

CNN network chief Jeff Zucker sent an email to staff telling them the vast majority would not be returning to the office until the end of summer.
The email, obtained by The Daily Beast, said the staff would “not be returning to the office in any significant way” until at least September and said production would continue from home as it has been done during the coronavirus shutdown.
“Our expectation is that the rest of you will not return before early September, with a few exceptions in July for newsgathering and some in August, depending on the political conventions,” Zucker wrote, adding that these dates could change. “But, to be clear, production of our programs will continue from home, as is it is now [sic], until the end of summer.”
The Beast went on to report that “many news outlets have begun to plan out what a physical return to company offices would look like” over the past few weeks. For example, the Beast reported, “Fox News set May 4 as a target to reopen its offices, though given that New York City is closed down until May 15, the network will almost certainly push back this deadline.”
CNN recently came under fire for staging opinion anchor Chris Cuomo’s alleged emergence from quarantine. Cuomo had claimed publicly that he had been diagnosed with the coronavirus and was quarantined in his basement, yet a police report from the week before stated Cuomo had been involved in an altercation with a cyclist while visiting his home in the Hamptons – 60 miles from the basement in which he was allegedly quarantined. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--Pence says coronavirus could be ‘largely’ behind us by Memorial Day weekend

Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that he thinks the coronavirus pandemic could “ largely ” be “ behind us ” by Memorial Day Weekend .
“ Am I going to be on my boat and fishing in early June , Mr. Vice President ?
” Fox News ’ Geraldo Rivera asked Pence on his radio show .
“ If you look at the trends today , I think by Memorial Day Weekend we will largely have this coronavirus epidemic behind us , ” said Pence , who is chair of the White House coronavirus task force .
“ State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities , you ’ re going to see states ahead here begin to do that.
” Some states are making quick moves to get businesses up and running as quickly as possible .
On Friday , Georgia ’ s Republican Gov .
Brian Kemp will reopen some businesses in the state , including gyms , barbershops and nail salons .
President Trump on Wednesday said he “ disagrees strongly ” with Kemp ’ s decision to reopen so soon , saying that his plan was in “ violation of the Phase I guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday that he thinks the coronavirus pandemic could “largely” be “behind us” by Memorial Day Weekend.
“Am I going to be on my boat and fishing in early June, Mr. Vice President?” Fox News’ Geraldo Rivera asked Pence on his radio show.
“If you look at the trends today, I think by Memorial Day Weekend we will largely have this coronavirus epidemic behind us,” said Pence, who is chair of the White House coronavirus task force. “State and local officials will begin to reopen activities, you’re going to see states ahead here begin to do that.”
Some states are making quick moves to get businesses up and running as quickly as possible. On Friday, Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp will reopen some businesses in the state, including gyms, barbershops and nail salons.
President Trump on Wednesday said he “disagrees strongly” with Kemp’s decision to reopen so soon, saying that his plan was in “violation of the Phase I guidelines” that the administration has laid out. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--The CDC sent tests contaminated with the coronavirus to states in February

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention botched the crucial rollout of COVID-19 tests in February , sending tests contaminated with the coronavirus to states at a time when the virus could ’ ve potentially been better contained without widespread lockdowns , the New York Times reported .
“ It was just tragic , ” said Scott Becker , executive director of the Association of Public Health Laboratories , according to the Times .
“ All that time when we were sitting there waiting , I really felt like , here we were at one of the most critical junctures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest tool in our toolbox was missing.
” How did this happen ?
The tests were contaminated due to “ sloppy laboratory practices , ” the Times reported , including employees entering and exiting labs without changing their coats , and tests being assembled in the same room where other researchers were working on positive coronavirus samples .
The CDC has admitted that it did not follow its own manufacturing standards with the tests , and said enhanced quality control measures have been put in place since the errors .
– READ MORE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Below --

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention botched the crucial rollout of COVID-19 tests in February, sending tests contaminated with the coronavirus to states at a time when the virus could’ve potentially been better contained without widespread lockdowns, the New York Times reported.
“It was just tragic,” said Scott Becker, executive director of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, according to the Times. “All that time when we were sitting there waiting, I really felt like, here we were at one of the most critical junctures in public health history, and the biggest tool in our toolbox was missing.”
How did this happen? The tests were contaminated due to “sloppy laboratory practices,” the Times reported, including employees entering and exiting labs without changing their coats, and tests being assembled in the same room where other researchers were working on positive coronavirus samples.
The CDC has admitted that it did not follow its own manufacturing standards with the tests, and said enhanced quality control measures have been put in place since the errors. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--Chinese-Made Drones Enforcing Social Distancing in U.S., Raises Concerns About Spying (VIDEO)

An MSNBC segment from late last week raised some eyebrows after it uncovered a program that some municipalities across the U.S. are partaking in , using Chinese-made drones to enforce social distancing among Americans .
“ The drones make it easier for police to see into certain areas where access by patrol cars is more difficult , ” MSNBC reported .
“ That includes tight spaces between buildings , behind schools , and in backyards .
Failure to comply could lead to a summons or a thousand dollar fine.
” “ If these drones save one life , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the drones are sending , ” said Democrat Mayor J. Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth , New Jersey .
The network said the drones were donated by DJI , a Chinese company that has distributed its product to “ 43 agencies in 22 states ” to enforce social distancing rules .
Local officials say the drones are not collecting evidence or taking pictures of people , and say the drones are just a high-tech way to enforce a warning against catching a deadly virus .
But federal law enforcement officials had knowledge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal information and sending it to the Chinese government .
The New York Times reported in 2017 that officials said they had “ moderate confidence ” that DJI ’ s drones were “ providing U.S. critical infrastructure and law enforcement data to the Chinese government.
” – READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

An MSNBC segment from late last week raised some eyebrows after it uncovered a program that some municipalities across the U.S. are partaking in, using Chinese-made drones to enforce social distancing among Americans.
“The drones make it easier for police to see into certain areas where access by patrol cars is more difficult,” MSNBC reported. “That includes tight spaces between buildings, behind schools, and in backyards. Failure to comply could lead to a summons or a thousand dollar fine.”
“The drones, donated by DJI, a Chinese company, have gone to 43 agencies in 22 states, all to help enforce social distancing rules.” US using Chinese drones to spy on and lecture Americans about a virus caused by communist China Oh, and DJI “may be sending data to China” pic.twitter.com/LqH6VzonzH — Elizabeth Harrington (@LizRNC) April 17, 2020
“If these drones save one life, it is clearly worth the activity and the information that the drones are sending,” said Democrat Mayor J. Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The network said the drones were donated by DJI, a Chinese company that has distributed its product to “43 agencies in 22 states” to enforce social distancing rules.
Local officials say the drones are not collecting evidence or taking pictures of people, and say the drones are just a high-tech way to enforce a warning against catching a deadly virus.
But federal law enforcement officials had knowledge in the past that these drones were collecting personal information and sending it to the Chinese government.
The New York Times reported in 2017 that officials said they had “moderate confidence” that DJI’s drones were “providing U.S. critical infrastructure and law enforcement data to the Chinese government.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--Top DHS Official: Coronavirus Dies Fastest In Sunlight, Heat, Humidity

Bill Bryan , an undersecretary at the Homeland Security Department , said during the White House Coronavirus Task Force news @ @ @ @ @ the fastest when exposed to sunlight , heat , and humidity .
“ Our most @ @ @ @ @ the powerful effect that solar light appears to have on killing the virus , both @ @ @ @ @ , ” Bryan said .
“ We ’ ve seen a similar effect with both @ @ @ @ @ , where increasing the temperature and humidity , or both , is generally less favorable @ @ @ @ @ showed a variety of results that DHS researchers found when looking at the half-life of @ @ @ @ @ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Bill Bryan, an undersecretary at the Homeland Security Department, said during the White House Coronavirus Task Force news conference that the coronavirus dies the fastest when exposed to sunlight, heat, and humidity.
“Our most striking observation to date is the powerful effect that solar light appears to have on killing the virus, both surfaces and in the air,” Bryan said. “We’ve seen a similar effect with both temperature and humidity as well, where increasing the temperature and humidity, or both, is generally less favorable to the virus.”
Bleach & isopropyl alcohol will kill the virus in 30-seconds to a few minutes on its own even w/o rubbing. Disinfectants are critical to limiting virus spread. pic.twitter.com/XK51ErU58K — Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) April 23, 2020
Bryan showed a variety of results that DHS researchers found when looking at the half-life of the coronavirus. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--Biden: Coronavirus ‘A Wake-Up Call’ To Act On Climate Change, Push ‘Climate Justice’

During a fundraiser on Wednesday night , Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said that the COVID-19 pandemic that has devastated @ @ @ @ @ wake up call ” to take action on climate change .
Edward-Isaac Dovere , a @ @ @ @ @ , reported Biden ’ s remarks : “ COVID is shining a bright light on @ @ @ @ @ our laws , our institutions and our culture .
And it ’ s a wake @ @ @ @ @ up call to action to climate change overall and to climate justice.
” Biden has @ @ @ @ @ as he attempts to appeal to the far-left segment of the Democratic Party , voters @ @ @ @ @ socialist Bernie Sanders .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below @

During a fundraiser on Wednesday night, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said that the COVID-19 pandemic that has devastated the world is a “wake up call” to take action on climate change.
Edward-Isaac Dovere, a staff writer at The Atlantic, reported Biden’s remarks: “COVID is shining a bright light on the structural racism that plagues our laws, our institutions and our culture. And it’s a wake up call, a wake up call to action to climate change overall and to climate justice.”
Biden at fundraiser tonight, continuing a theme: “COVID is shining a bright light on the structural racism that plagues our laws, our institutions and our culture. And it’s a wake up call, a wake up call to action to climate change overall and to climate justice.“ — Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) April 22, 2020
Biden has drifted further and further left as he attempts to appeal to the far-left segment of the Democratic Party, voters that typically support candidates like socialist Bernie Sanders. – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--Meghan McCain Hints She’ll Vote For Biden: ‘I Love Him Dearly’ (VIDEO)

Meghan McCain , daughter of late Senator John McCain , strongly hinted that she will be voting for Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ .
During an interview on “ Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen , ” @ @ @ @ @ t take “ rocket science ” to figure out which candidate she supports more as @ @ @ @ @ So I just had a really long conversation with him a few days ago , @ @ @ @ @ I love him dearly , I keep telling everyone , I will promise you you @ @ @ @ @ m voting for , ” she told viewers .
McCain went on to complain that @ @ @ @ @ rivalry with Senator McCain helped make her life “ a living hell.
” – READ @ @ @ @ @ Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Meghan McCain, daughter of late Senator John McCain, strongly hinted that she will be voting for Joe Biden in the upcoming presidential election.
During an interview on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” McCain said it doesn’t take “rocket science” to figure out which candidate she supports more as a human being.
Meghan McCain says it isn’t rocket science who she’s backing in 2020 (Joe Biden) and says he should pick someone like Kamala to be vp. pic.twitter.com/xLtvgPNfOG — Daryon Jackson (@DaryonnJackson) April 23, 2020
“So I just had a really long conversation with him [Biden] a few days ago, like on Saturday, and I love him dearly, I keep telling everyone, I will promise you you will know who I’m voting for,” she told viewers.
McCain went on to complain that President Trump’s political rivalry with Senator McCain helped make her life “a living hell.” – READ MORE
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truepundit--2020-04-24--Factory workers lived at their plant for 28 days straight to make PPE materials in coronavirus fight

A team of 43 Pennsylvania factory workers clocked out from a 28-day shift on Sunday , after voluntarily living on-site @ @ @ @ @ to produce raw materials for making N95 masks and surgical gowns for medical workers in @ @ @ @ @ The men are being hailed as heroes and were even recognized by the White House @ @ @ @ @ as America continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic .
WPVI-TV reported that the employees at @ @ @ @ @ Delaware County “ unanimously decided to leave their families , agreeing to eat , sleep @ @ @ @ @ where they make equipment for health care workers.
” The factory operated around the clock @ @ @ @ @ daily shifts for nearly a month straight making polypropylene , a raw material used to @ @ @ @ @ for health care workers amid nationwide shortages .
– READ MORE Listen to the insightful @ @ @ @ @

A team of 43 Pennsylvania factory workers clocked out from a 28-day shift on Sunday, after voluntarily living on-site at their plant in order to produce raw materials for making N95 masks and surgical gowns for medical workers in the fight against COVID-19.
The men are being hailed as heroes and were even recognized by the White House for their selflessness and patriotism as America continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
WPVI-TV reported that the employees at a Braskem America plant in Delaware County “unanimously decided to leave their families, agreeing to eat, sleep and live at the facility where they make equipment for health care workers.”
The factory operated around the clock, with workers taking 12-hour daily shifts for nearly a month straight making polypropylene, a raw material used to make critical personal protection equipment for health care workers amid nationwide shortages. – READ MORE
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