washingtontimes--2020-08-19--The Latest: Pelosi says Trump disrespects facts, women

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is accusing President Donald Trump of “ disrespect for facts , for working families and for women in particular , ” disrespect she says she ’ s “ seen firsthand.
” Pelosi spoke Wednesday night during the Democratic National Convention with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop .
She said Trump ’ s disrespect is “ written into his policies toward our health and our rights , not just his conduct.
” She contrasted Joe Biden as having a “ heart full of love for America ” against Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s goodness.
” Pelosi also listed a litany of bills House Democrats have passed , including LGBTQ protections , gun violence measures and a coronavirus relief bill and charged that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Trump are “ standing in the way ” of those reforms .
She closed by predicting this fall that Democrats will increase their majority in the House and win back control of the Senate .
HERE ’ S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WEDNESDAY ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION : - Here ’ s what to watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Obama to speak at DNC from Museum of the American Revolution HERE ’ S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING : Hillary Clinton is reminding people of her 2016 loss despite winning 3 million more votes than Donald Trump as she urges Democrats not to sit the election out so he can ’ t “ sneak or steal his way to victory.
” Addressing the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday from her home in Chappaquiddick , New York , Clinton says she hoped Trump would put his ego aside and be the president America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened .
Recalling a moment when Trump asked Black voters in 2016 what they had to lose by supporting him , Clinton said : “ Now we know.
” Clinton says she knows about “ the slings and arrows ” that vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris will face as a Black woman on the ticket .
“ Believe me : This former district attorney and attorney general can handle them all , ” she added .
Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords is calling on Americans to speak out to combat gun violence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find the words.
” Struggling to speak herself , Giffords recounted her difficulty recovering from the 2011 shooting that nearly took her life .
Giffords said during brief remarks at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night : “ Confronted by paralysis and aphasia , I responded with grit and determination.
” The former congresswoman added : “ Today I struggle to speak .
But I have not lost my voice.
” Since the shooting , Giffords has become a leading gun control advocate and frequently speaks out on the issue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there for her after the shooting and that they must participate in the November election to be “ on the right side of history.
” “ We can let the shooting continue , or we can act , ” she said , adding : “ We can vote.
” Kamala Harris kicked off the third night of the virtual Democratic National Convention by saying viewers may have heard “ about obstacles and misinformation , and folks making it harder for you to cast your ballot.
” “ I think we need to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us to vote , ” Harris said Wednesday .
“ When we vote , things get better .
When we vote , we address the need for all people to be treated with dignity and respect in our country.
” She did not say what those possible obstacles were , but Democrats have accused President Donald Trump of deliberately trying to disrupt operations at the Postal Service in a year when more people are expected to vote by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Harris urged viewers to send a text message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how to vote and deadlines for obtaining mail-in ballots , which vary by state .
Later Wednesday , she is expected to accept the Democratic vice presidential nomination .
President Donald Trump is pushing back against a reproach from former President Barack Obama , who is set to speak at the Democratic National Convention .
Trump said in a Wednesday evening news conference that the reason he is now in the White House is because Obama and Joe Biden , his opponent this November , did not do a good job .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bad job that I stand before you as president.
” He said if they had done a good job , he wouldn ’ t have even run for president in 2016 .
He says , “ I would have been very happy .
I enjoyed my previous life very much.
” Excerpts of Obama ’ s remarks released ahead of Wednesday ’ s convention show he will portray his successor as having unleashed America ’ s “ worst impulses ” and treated the presidency as a reality show “ to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use her history-making speech at the virtual Democratic National Convention to say she will help Joe Biden promote “ a vision of our nation as a beloved community – where all are welcome , no matter what we look like , where we come from , or who we love.
” The California senator will become the first Black woman to accept a spot on a major party ’ s presidential ticket when she formally becomes Biden ’ s running mate with her address later Wednesday .
Her party hopes the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall campaign against President Donald Trump .
She will call on the country to elect a “ president who will bring all of us together - Black , white , Latino , Asian , Indigenous - to achieve the future we collectively want , ” according to excerpts released beforehand .
“ We must elect Joe Biden.
” Harris also plans to criticize Trump , saying , “ Right now , we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons.
” ” Joe will be a president who turns our challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Former President Barack Obama is set to implore voters to back his former vice president for the nation ’ s top job , arguing that “ our democracy ” is on the line .
Obama will address the virtual Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia .
Excerpts of his speech were released in advance .
Obama says President Donald Trump has “ shown no interest in putting in the work ” or “ treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention he craves.
” Convention organizers have titled the third night of their event “ United America , ” saying speakers will reflect Democrats ’ argument that Joe Biden and his running mate , California Sen. Kamala Harris , can unify the country after a divisive four years under Trump .
Hillary Clinton is using her return to the Democratic National Convention to issue a stark warning about the 2020 election .
According to excerpts released Wednesday , Clinton plans to reflect in her speech on her 2016 election loss to President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election ’ s outcome for granted .
She will say , “ For four years , people have said to me , ‘ I didn ’ t realize how dangerous he was.
’ ‘ I wish I could go back and do it over.
’ Or worst , ‘ I should have voted.
’ Well , this can ’ t be another woulda coulda shoulda election.
” Four years after she made history as the first woman nominated for president by a major party , Clinton will nod to another enduring legacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her 2016 bid who marched , ran for office and have become a powerful force in taking on Trump .
Her presence Wednesday night comes as California Sen. Kamala Harris becomes the first Black woman to accept a spot on a major presidential ticket and one day after the 100th anniversary of women ’ s suffrage .
President Donald Trump and the Republican Party are finalizing their plans for next week ’ s convention .
Trump and the GOP are closely watching this week ’ s Democratic National Convention to figure out what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The GOP plans a mix of live speeches , videos and virtual content .
While Democrats ’ mix of live and taped video roll call votes to officially nominate Biden drew widespread praise , Republicans will have conducted the formal vote in a small in-person session in Charlotte on Monday morning .
Still , the party plans to highlight each of its convention delegations in some format .
Trump plans to deliver his nomination acceptance speech from the South Lawn of the White House .
Former President Barack Obama will deliver his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia .
Obama is among the headliners on the convention ’ s third night and is expected to speak ahead of Kamala Harris , Joe Biden ’ s running mate .
Harris and Obama are both barrier-breaking figures , he as the nation ’ s first Black president and Harris as the first Black woman on a major party ticket .
Obama is expected to make the case that the cornerstone of American democracy is at stake in the election as he implores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama is also expected to make a personal appeal on behalf of his former vice president .
The two men forged a close personal relationship during their eight years together in the White House .
Democratic Party officials are characterizing as an “ oversight ” the appearance of uniformed military officers in a roll call as part of this year ’ s national convention .
In a video segment shown during Tuesday night ’ s virtual convention , people from U.S. states and territories participated in a roll call of the delegates allocated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nomination of Vice President Joe Biden .
During American Samoa ’ s segment , two uniformed Army soldiers were seen on either side of the territory ’ s delegates .
Personnel serving in the U.S. military are allowed to support candidates and attend political events but are not supposed to do so while in uniform .
Asked about the video during a call with reporters on Wednesday , Democratic Party spokeswoman Xochitl Hinojosa said “ the production of that was just an oversight.
” Hinojosa also said each state and territory chose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflect its area , “ and that is one that the American Samoa delegation wanted to highlight.
” The White House says Melania Trump will address the Republican National Convention next week .
Spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham says Melania Trump will speak live Tuesday night from the Rose Garden , which has been undergoing a weekslong renovation at the first lady ’ s direction .
Mrs. Trump sought to introduce herself to voters with a speech at the Republicans ’ 2016 national convention .
But the address was later found to have included lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her speech at the 2008 Democratic national convention .
A speechwriter for the Trump Organization – President Donald Trump ’ s company – ended up taking the blame .
President Trump is set to formally accept his party ’ s nomination for reelection in a speech from the White House lawn a week from Thursday .
Kamala Harris ’ husband is taking a leave of absence from his entertainment law firm as the California senator officially becomes Democrats ’ nominee for vice president .
DLA Piper says on its website Wednesday that Douglas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of absence from the firm , ” but specified no date when his leave began .
A spokeswoman for Harris did not immediately return a message seeking comment .
According to the firm , Emhoff has practiced for more than 25 years “ aggressively litigating high-stakes cases in the public glare or acting as a trusted advisor behind the scenes ” and representing “ large domestic and international corporations and some of today ’ s highest profile individuals and influencers.
” He is licensed to practice in California and Washington , D.C. During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the unofficial leader of a band of Harris supporters known as the # Khive .
The couple married in 2014 , and Emhoff ’ s two adult children call Harris “ Momala , ” a play on her name and the Yiddish word for “ little mother.
” Harris will formally accept her nomination as former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s running mate during Democrats ’ virtual convention on Wednesday , the first Black woman to join a major party ticket .
Jill Biden is pushing back against President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , lacks the stamina to serve as president and is calling a Trump campaign ad questioning his mental fitness “ ridiculous.
” Speaking on NBC ’ s “ Today ” show on Wednesday , Jill Biden defended the Democratic presidential nominee against Trump ’ s allegations .
She says Joe Biden is “ on the phone every single minute of the day ” talking to governors .
Jill Biden says her husband spends time on Zoom chats and doing fundraisers and briefings and “ he doesn ’ t stop from 9 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jill Biden taught at a northern Virginia community college while her husband served as Barack Obama ’ s vice president .
She also said Wednesday she intends to return to teaching in 2021 should he win the White House .
She told CBS she ’ ll definitely continue teaching , saying , “ Yes , yes .
I ’ m a teacher - that ’ s who I am.
” Democrats formally nominated Joe Biden as their presidential candidate on Tuesday night .
His vice presidential pick , Kamala Harris , speaks at @ @ @ @ @ @ @

WASHINGTON (AP) - Kamala Harris has made history night as the first Black woman to accept a spot on a major party’s presidential ticket.
In her highly anticipated address capping the third night of the virtual Democratic National Convention, Harris mixed her polish as a former prosecutor with deeply personal tales of her upbringing to argue that she and Joe Biden can rejuvenate a country ravaged by a pandemic and deeply divided by partisan bitterness.
Harris evoked the lessons of her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a biologist and Indian immigrant, saying Wednesday that she instilled in her a vision of “our nation as a beloved community — where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love.”
“There is no vaccine for racism,” Harris said. “We have got to do the work.”
___
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WEDNESDAY’S DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION:
- Democratic convention takeaways: Make history, pound Trump
- Harris makes history with vice presidential acceptance speech
- Obama speaks at DNC from Museum of the American Revolution
- Hillary Clinton returns to DNC championing women in politics
- Democrats use Trump’s ‘It is what it is’ to make their case
___
Follow AP’s election coverage at https://apnews.com/Election2020
___
HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:
President Donald Trump offered a running angry commentary of the Democratic convention as top party officials laced into his leadership.
In all-caps missives, Trump took to Twitter to push back as former President Barack Obama accused him of “treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves.”
“HE SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN, AND GOT CAUGHT,” Trump tweeted falsely. Federal officials surveilled associates of Trump’s 2016 campaign through legally obtained court warrants as part of a counterintelligence investigation into Russian election interference.
“WHY DID HE REFUSE TO ENDORSE SLOW JOE UNTIL IT WAS ALL OVER, AND EVEN THEN WAS VERY LATE? WHY DID HE TRY TO GET HIM NOT TO RUN?” Trump added, referencing his predecessor’s decision to wait until the Democratic primary was largely wrapped up before throwing his weight behind Joe Biden.
Trump also untruthfully characterized Kamala Harris’ criticism of Biden, saying, “BUT DIDN’T SHE CALL HIM A RACIST??? DIDN’T SHE SAY HE WAS INCOMPETENT??” Harris specifically said Biden wasn’t racist, and she didn’t call him incompetent.
___
Some of the most influential women in Kamala Harris’ life are introducing her as the Democratic vice presidential nominee.
They are Harris’ younger sister, Maya Harris; her niece, Meena Harris; and her step-daughter, Ella Emhoff. Maya Harris has long been one of Harris’ closest political advisers.
Emhoff is the daughter of Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, and affectionately calls Harris “Momala.”
At Wednesday’s Democratic National Convention, Meena Harris called her aunt a role model who taught her she could do anything she wanted, and a role model to so many women and girls of color around the world. Maya Harris says she’ll have Harris’ back the way Harris had hers as children growing up.
___
Kamala Harris has been formally nominated as Democrats’ pick for vice president, becoming the first Black woman to do so for a major political party.
The 55-year-old California senator ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic presidential primary, dropping out months before the first votes were cast.
Joe Biden emerged on top of the once-crowded primary field, clinching the nomination and tapping Harris as his running mate last week.
By joining the party’s ticket, Harris also becomes just the third woman and first Asian-American to seek the vice presidency. She is a daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants.
A former state attorney general, Harris became close to Biden’s son Beau while he was attorney general of Delaware. Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015, and Harris was elected to the Senate the following year.
___
Former President Barack Obama has delivered a searing take down of Donald Trump while presenting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the ones who will “lead this country out of these dark times.”
Obama made the case for electing his former vice president and Harris, a California senator, during a live address to the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. He implored people to vote, arguing American democracy is at stake.
“This administration has shown that it will tear our democracy down if that’s what it takes to win,” Obama said, urging voters to “leave no doubt about what this country that we love stands for.”
Obama is among the headliners on the convention’s third night and is speaking before Harris. They are both barrier-breaking figures, he as the nation’s first Black president and Harris as the first Black woman on a major party ticket.
___
Former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren says Joe Biden can hold his own on having a plan for nearly every policy challenge, large and small.
The Massachusetts senator said Wednesday night in her Democratic National Convention speech: “I love a good plan, and Joe Biden has some really good plans - plans to bring back union jobs in manufacturing and create new union jobs in clean energy.”
Warren spoke from an early education center in Springfield, Massachusetts, and said Biden will guarantee affordable, quality child care for all families.
She says the pandemic has laid bare another central theme of her presidential campaign, that the nation’s economic system “has been rigged to give bailouts to billionaires and kick dirt in the face of everyone else.”
She says, “Joe’s plan to ‘build back better’ includes making the wealthy pay their fair share, holding corporations accountable, repairing racial inequities and fighting corruption in Washington.”
___
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is accusing President Donald Trump of “disrespect for facts, for working families and for women in particular,” disrespect she says she’s “seen firsthand.”
Pelosi spoke Wednesday night during the Democratic National Convention with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop. She said Trump’s disrespect is “written into his policies toward our health and our rights, not just his conduct.”
She contrasted Joe Biden as having a “heart full of love for America” against Trump’s “heartless disregard for America’s goodness.”
Pelosi also listed a litany of bills House Democrats have passed, including LGBTQ protections, gun violence measures and a coronavirus relief bill and charged that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Trump are “standing in the way” of those reforms.
She closed by predicting this fall that Democrats will increase their majority in the House and win back control of the Senate.
___
Hillary Clinton is reminding people of her 2016 loss despite winning 3 million more votes than Donald Trump as she urges Democrats not to sit the election out so he can’t “sneak or steal his way to victory.”
Addressing the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday from her home in Chappaqua, New York, Clinton says she hoped Trump would put his ego aside and be the president America needs, but that hasn’t happened.
Recalling a moment when Trump asked Black voters in 2016 what they had to lose by supporting him, Clinton said: “Now we know.”
Clinton says she knows about “the slings and arrows” that vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris will face as a Black woman on the ticket.
“Believe me: This former district attorney and attorney general can handle them all,” she added.
___
Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords is calling on Americans to speak out to combat gun violence, “even when you have to fight to find the words.”
Struggling to speak herself, Giffords recounted her difficulty recovering from the 2011 shooting that nearly took her life.
Giffords said during brief remarks at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night: “Confronted by paralysis and aphasia, I responded with grit and determination.”
The former congresswoman added: “Today I struggle to speak. But I have not lost my voice.”
Since the shooting, Giffords has become a leading gun control advocate and frequently speaks out on the issue. She told viewers that Joe Biden was there for her after the shooting and that they must participate in the November election to be “on the right side of history.”
“We can let the shooting continue, or we can act,” she said, adding: “We can vote.”
___
Kamala Harris kicked off the third night of the virtual Democratic National Convention by saying viewers may have heard “about obstacles and misinformation, and folks making it harder for you to cast your ballot.”
“I think we need to ask ourselves why don’t they want us to vote,” Harris said Wednesday. “When we vote, things get better. When we vote, we address the need for all people to be treated with dignity and respect in our country.”
She did not say what those possible obstacles were, but Democrats have accused President Donald Trump of deliberately trying to disrupt operations at the Postal Service in a year when more people are expected to vote by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Harris urged viewers to send a text message to the Biden campaign to receive information on how to vote and deadlines for obtaining mail-in ballots, which vary by state.
Later Wednesday, she is expected to accept the Democratic vice presidential nomination.
___
President Donald Trump is pushing back against a reproach from former President Barack Obama, who is set to speak at the Democratic National Convention.
Trump said in a Wednesday evening news conference that the reason he is now in the White House is because Obama and Joe Biden, his opponent this November, did not do a good job.
Trump said, “They did such a bad job that I stand before you as president.”
He said if they had done a good job, he wouldn’t have even run for president in 2016. He says, “I would have been very happy. I enjoyed my previous life very much.”
Excerpts of Obama’s remarks released ahead of Wednesday’s convention show he will portray his successor as having unleashed America’s “worst impulses” and treated the presidency as a reality show “to get the attention he craves.”
___
Kamala Harris plans to use her history-making speech at the virtual Democratic National Convention to say she will help Joe Biden promote “a vision of our nation as a beloved community – where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love.”
The California senator will become the first Black woman to accept a spot on a major party’s presidential ticket when she formally becomes Biden’s running mate with her address later Wednesday. Her party hopes the moment can galvanize Democratic voters heading into the fall campaign against President Donald Trump.
She will call on the country to elect a “president who will bring all of us together - Black, white, Latino, Asian, Indigenous - to achieve the future we collectively want,” according to excerpts released beforehand. “We must elect Joe Biden.”
Harris also plans to criticize Trump, saying, “Right now, we have a president who turns our tragedies into political weapons.”
”Joe will be a president who turns our challenges into purpose,” Harris will say.
___
Former President Barack Obama is set to implore voters to back his former vice president for the nation’s top job, arguing that “our democracy” is on the line.
Obama will address the virtual Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night from the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Excerpts of his speech were released in advance.
Obama says President Donald Trump has “shown no interest in putting in the work” or “treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves.”
Convention organizers have titled the third night of their event “United America,” saying speakers will reflect Democrats’ argument that Joe Biden and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, can unify the country after a divisive four years under Trump.
___
Hillary Clinton is using her return to the Democratic National Convention to issue a stark warning about the 2020 election.
According to excerpts released Wednesday, Clinton plans to reflect in her speech on her 2016 election loss to President Donald Trump and urge Americans not to take the election’s outcome for granted.
She will say, “For four years, people have said to me, ‘I didn’t realize how dangerous he was.’ ‘I wish I could go back and do it over.’ Or worst, ‘I should have voted.’ Well, this can’t be another woulda coulda shoulda election.”
Four years after she made history as the first woman nominated for president by a major party, Clinton will nod to another enduring legacy: the millions of women inspired by her 2016 bid who marched, ran for office and have become a powerful force in taking on Trump.
Her presence Wednesday night comes as California Sen. Kamala Harris becomes the first Black woman to accept a spot on a major presidential ticket and one day after the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.


washingtontimes--2020-08-19--Cuomo: Earlier mask mandate could have made a difference

ALBANY , N.Y. ( AP ) - New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo made a rare acknowledgment of a misstep in his response to COVID-19 on Wednesday as he acknowledged an earlier statewide mask mandate could have made a “ dramatic difference ” in the fight against the coronavirus this spring .
Cuomo , who has gained acclaim from his party as COVID-19 infection rates have declined in New York , offered the misstep as an example of a lesson for other states in an appearance on public radio .
Cuomo ’ s executive order effective April 17 required all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a face covering - if medically tolerable - when in public and unable to maintain social distance .
By that time , several other states had announced less-restrictive mandates or advisories : New Jersey required workers and customers to wear cloth face coverings starting April 10 , and an April 10 directive in Utah urged residents to wear coverings when social distancing isn ’ t possible .
“ I was the first state in the nation to do masks .
I should have done it earlier .
I should have done masks earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That would have made a dramatic difference.
” It ’ s a rare admission for a governor who has said he doesn ’ t want a “ blame game ” but has pointed to the federal government ’ s own failing when asked whether his administration ever erred as it responded to a little-known virus that roiled the state .
Despite his acknowledgment Wednesday , Cuomo quickly repeated his central argument that it ’ s up to the federal government to look out for signs of a global pandemic and quickly come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these issues are not in control of the state , ” said Cuomo , who ’ s the new chair of the National Governors Association .
The Cuomo administration says at least 25,270 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died in hospitals and nursing homes - an undercount that excludes at least 4,600 deaths of people who likely had COVID-19 in New York City alone .
Researchers are still studying why the virus - which may have spread to New York as early as February - took hold so swiftly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounding states .
By the end of March , U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials told reporters they were weighing whether to change their recommendations for who should wear masks in light of early research that suggested people without symptoms were spreading COVID-19 .
Cuomo had expressed initial skepticism about mandating the widespread use of masks , at a time of widespread concern over leaving health care workers bereft .
Cuomo claimed Wednesday that he is now aware of those studies .
“ And by the way , I did the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There were articles written in the New England Journal of Medicine that went back to January , February saying there was asymptomatic spread.
” Cuomo and New York ’ s top health official initially downplayed the need for a mask mandate at an April 3 press conference , when The Associated Press asked about New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ’ s call for New Yorkers to wear masks in light of a Singapore study on asymptomatic spread .
State health commissioner Howard Zucker said “ there ’ s no clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloth face masks , or of face coverings in general among the public .
And Cuomo - who had at times jabbed at fellow Democrat and political rival de Blasio for his efforts to combat the virus - said face coverings couldn ’ t hurt unless they provide someone a false sense of security .
“ But could it hurt ?
” Cuomo said at the time .
“ Might it help ?
I think it ’ s fair to say , yes , but don ’ t get a false sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to social distance and you don ’ t have to take the normal precautions because you ’ re wearing a bandana.
” Cuomo has a book coming out on Oct. 13 about the state ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the lessons he ’ s learned so far .
He told reporters earlier Wednesday he ’ ll make a donation to a “ COVID-related entity ” with book proceeds , but didn ’ t disclose further details .

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made a rare acknowledgment of a misstep in his response to COVID-19 on Wednesday as he acknowledged an earlier statewide mask mandate could have made a “dramatic difference” in the fight against the coronavirus this spring.
Cuomo, who has gained acclaim from his party as COVID-19 infection rates have declined in New York, offered the misstep as an example of a lesson for other states in an appearance on public radio.
Cuomo’s executive order effective April 17 required all individuals over two years old to wear a face covering - if medically tolerable - when in public and unable to maintain social distance. By that time, several other states had announced less-restrictive mandates or advisories: New Jersey required workers and customers to wear cloth face coverings starting April 10, and an April 10 directive in Utah urged residents to wear coverings when social distancing isn’t possible.
“I was the first state in the nation to do masks. I should have done it earlier. I should have done masks earlier,” Cuomo said on WAMC. “That would have made a dramatic difference.”
It’s a rare admission for a governor who has said he doesn’t want a “blame game” but has pointed to the federal government’s own failing when asked whether his administration ever erred as it responded to a little-known virus that roiled the state.
Despite his acknowledgment Wednesday, Cuomo quickly repeated his central argument that it’s up to the federal government to look out for signs of a global pandemic and quickly come up with clear recommendations.
“Most of these issues are not in control of the state,” said Cuomo, who’s the new chair of the National Governors Association.
The Cuomo administration says at least 25,270 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died in hospitals and nursing homes - an undercount that excludes at least 4,600 deaths of people who likely had COVID-19 in New York City alone.
Researchers are still studying why the virus - which may have spread to New York as early as February - took hold so swiftly and fatally in the densely populated metropolis and surrounding states.
By the end of March, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials told reporters they were weighing whether to change their recommendations for who should wear masks in light of early research that suggested people without symptoms were spreading COVID-19.
Cuomo had expressed initial skepticism about mandating the widespread use of masks, at a time of widespread concern over leaving health care workers bereft.
Cuomo claimed Wednesday that he is now aware of those studies.
“And by the way, I did the research now,” Cuomo said. “There were articles written in the New England Journal of Medicine that went back to January, February saying there was asymptomatic spread.”
Cuomo and New York’s top health official initially downplayed the need for a mask mandate at an April 3 press conference, when The Associated Press asked about New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s call for New Yorkers to wear masks in light of a Singapore study on asymptomatic spread.
State health commissioner Howard Zucker said “there’s no clear evidence” to support the use of cloth face masks, or of face coverings in general among the public. And Cuomo - who had at times jabbed at fellow Democrat and political rival de Blasio for his efforts to combat the virus - said face coverings couldn’t hurt unless they provide someone a false sense of security.
“But could it hurt?” Cuomo said at the time. “Might it help? I think it’s fair to say, yes, but don’t get a false sense of security that now you don’t have to social distance and you don’t have to take the normal precautions because you’re wearing a bandana.”
Cuomo has a book coming out on Oct. 13 about the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the lessons he’s learned so far. He told reporters earlier Wednesday he’ll make a donation to a “COVID-related entity” with book proceeds, but didn’t disclose further details.


washingtontimes--2020-08-19--Texas COVID-19 hospitalizations fall below 6,000

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - The number of coronavirus patients in Texas hospitals fell below 6,000 Wednesday for the first time since June , but newly reported deaths topped 300 for the fourth time this month .
Texas also reported 6,000 new cases as the number of total deaths pushed past 10,500 since tracking began in March , the fourth-most in the U.S .
But one large suburban county near Dallas expressed concerns about the accuracy of testing figures .
The reservations over testing data comes a week after the rate of positive cases in Texas climbed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four coronavirus tests were coming back positive - before quickly dropping after state health officials attributed the spike to a backlog of cases and lab errors .
By Wednesday , the rate of positive cases was back below 11 percent for the first time since June , another encouraging sign as local health officials in cities including Dallas and Austin say trends are moving in the right direction .
But Collin County officials Wednesday warned residents that it had “ no confidence in data currently being provided ” by the state .
Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that caused the backlogs have been resolved and that the figures should level off by week ’ s end .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The number of coronavirus patients in Texas hospitals fell below 6,000 Wednesday for the first time since June, but newly reported deaths topped 300 for the fourth time this month.
Texas also reported 6,000 new cases as the number of total deaths pushed past 10,500 since tracking began in March, the fourth-most in the U.S.
But one large suburban county near Dallas expressed concerns about the accuracy of testing figures. The reservations over testing data comes a week after the rate of positive cases in Texas climbed to record highs - suggesting that one in four coronavirus tests were coming back positive - before quickly dropping after state health officials attributed the spike to a backlog of cases and lab errors.
By Wednesday, the rate of positive cases was back below 11 percent for the first time since June, another encouraging sign as local health officials in cities including Dallas and Austin say trends are moving in the right direction.
But Collin County officials Wednesday warned residents that it had “no confidence in data currently being provided” by the state. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said the issues that caused the backlogs have been resolved and that the figures should level off by week’s end.


washingtontimes--2020-08-19--Kamala Harris urges Democrats to make 'voting plan'

Sen. Kamala D. Harris of California on Wednesday helped kick off the third night of the modified Democratic National Convention before she officially becomes the party ’ s vice presidential nominee later in the evening .
She said amid the excitement and enthusiasm for the election , people also might have heard about “ obstacles ” and “ misinformation ” about voting .
“ I think we need to ask ourselves : why don ’ t they want us to vote ?
” she said .
“ The answer is because when we vote , things change .
When we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each of us needs a plan - a voting plan , ” she said .
Ms. Harris , a 55-year-old former attorney general of California , is the first woman of color to be on a major-party presidential ticket .
She spoke ahead of planned speeches from a number of female Democratic luminaries , including 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts .
Former President Barack Obama is also expected to tear into President Trump and make the case for Joseph R. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats ’ presidential nominee this year .

Sen. Kamala D. Harris of California on Wednesday helped kick off the third night of the modified Democratic National Convention before she officially becomes the party’s vice presidential nominee later in the evening.
She said amid the excitement and enthusiasm for the election, people also might have heard about “obstacles” and “misinformation” about voting.
“I think we need to ask ourselves: why don’t they want us to vote?” she said. “The answer is because when we vote, things change. When we vote, things get better.”
“Each of us needs a plan - a voting plan,” she said.
Ms. Harris, a 55-year-old former attorney general of California, is the first woman of color to be on a major-party presidential ticket.
She spoke ahead of planned speeches from a number of female Democratic luminaries, including 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
Former President Barack Obama is also expected to tear into President Trump and make the case for Joseph R. Biden, his former right-hand man and Democrats’ presidential nominee this year.


washingtontimes--2020-08-19--IRS says enhanced unemployment benefits is taxable income

They may be raking in the cash from Uncle Sam now , but those collecting enhanced unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic will be in for a massive shock at the end of the year when they realize they have to pay taxes on that income , the IRS warned this week .
Millions of people who have never collected unemployment benefits before got checks this spring and summer , in some cases reaching more than $ 1,000 a week — far exceeding what some of them made in their jobs .
But the cash comes with strings .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income .
Because taxes aren ’ t automatically withheld , the way they would be from a paycheck , those who collect unemployment benefits are liable to face unexpected bills at the end of the year , the agency said .
“ By law , unemployment compensation is taxable and must be reported on a 2020 federal income tax return , ” the tax agency said in a memo issued Tuesday .
The warning was issued as Congress debated whether to keep the enhanced unemployment benefits flowing .
As the pandemic hit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal benefit , added to whatever states already pay in unemployment insurance benefits .
Some states pay a couple hundred dollars a week while a few pay a maximum of more than $ 700 .
Massachusetts tops the list at a maximum of more than $ 800 a week , meaning that , combined with the federal plus-up , a jobless person in that state could rake in more than $ 1,400 a week , which works out to an annual salary rate of more than $ 72,000 .
That ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes the hefty tax bill they could face at the end of this year all the more tricky .
“ There ’ s going to be a big crunch , ” said Ross Marchand , vice president of policy at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance .
Making matters worse , if the amount they owe is too high , they might also pay a penalty for not having paid estimated taxes during the year , Mr. Marchand said .
Adding to the confusion , the coronavirus stimulus checks that went out several months ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bishop-Henchman , vice president of policy at the National Taxpayers Union .
Unemployment benefits are — but are subject only to income tax , not the payroll tax .
The IRS says those collecting benefits can sign up to have money withheld so they don ’ t face an unexpected bill later , but it ’ s not clear how many people are doing that .
IRS officials didn ’ t respond to a request for more information .
Taxpayer groups said the agency ’ s warning memo is welcome but is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done to make sure those affected are aware .
“ They need to communicate better , and they need to make sure people know what they ’ re getting into when they receive unemployment insurance , ” Mr. Marchand said .
Added Mr. Bishop-Henchman : “ It really should be on every check they send out , every payment — a reminder that this is taxable.
” Congress could also come back later and waive the taxes .
In 2009 , when lawmakers boosted federal unemployment benefits during the Great Recession , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
So far , though , there has been no concerted move to provide relief .
That could still come .
Congress has been attempting to write another round of coronavirus relief , and what to do with unemployment benefits is a major hurdle .
The expanded federal assistance expired at the end of July , and Democrats and most Republicans say an extension is warranted .
But they disagree on the level .
Democrats want to continue at $ 600 a week , figuring the generosity will prevent people from rushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
Republicans say $ 600 is too much .
They point to data from economists who say most unemployed people were getting more money with the enhanced federal benefits than they did from their paychecks from work .
Employers have told horror stories of being unable to find workers , or even to rehire their own former employees , who say they make more at home than they did on the job .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , California Democrat , is calling the House back this week to pass a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
Postal Service to cover its massive financial problems .
On Wednesday , a group of Democrats begged Mrs. Pelosi to add an unemployment benefits bill to the agenda .
The New Democrat Coalition wants the House to pass a bill that would automatically extend the $ 600-a-week payments as long as the economy is struggling .
“ Since the $ 600 supplement has expired , countless constituents have reached out to our offices , expressing heartbreaking stories , in which they must choose between paying for groceries or their car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump has acted unilaterally by issuing a memo offering federal money to states that want to pay extra benefits , though only at a $ 300-a-week level .
Some Republican-led states have signaled that they will take the offer , though Democratic governors have been slower to accept .
A senior administration official told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday that there is room to negotiate a new round of coronavirus relief .
The official said they should be able to reach agreement on a new round of payments to businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on money to help schools reopen .
The official put the price tag at about $ 500 billion .
That would rule out Mrs. Pelosi ’ s demands for $ 1 trillion to be sent directly to states and localities , the official said .

They may be raking in the cash from Uncle Sam now, but those collecting enhanced unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic will be in for a massive shock at the end of the year when they realize they have to pay taxes on that income, the IRS warned this week.
Millions of people who have never collected unemployment benefits before got checks this spring and summer, in some cases reaching more than $1,000 a week — far exceeding what some of them made in their jobs.
But the cash comes with strings. The IRS said unemployment benefits count as taxable income.
Because taxes aren’t automatically withheld, the way they would be from a paycheck, those who collect unemployment benefits are liable to face unexpected bills at the end of the year, the agency said.
“By law, unemployment compensation is taxable and must be reported on a 2020 federal income tax return,” the tax agency said in a memo issued Tuesday.
The warning was issued as Congress debated whether to keep the enhanced unemployment benefits flowing.
As the pandemic hit, Capitol Hill approved an unheard-off $600-a-week federal benefit, added to whatever states already pay in unemployment insurance benefits.
Some states pay a couple hundred dollars a week while a few pay a maximum of more than $700. Massachusetts tops the list at a maximum of more than $800 a week, meaning that, combined with the federal plus-up, a jobless person in that state could rake in more than $1,400 a week, which works out to an annual salary rate of more than $72,000.
That’s a massive raise for some, and it makes the hefty tax bill they could face at the end of this year all the more tricky.
“There’s going to be a big crunch,” said Ross Marchand, vice president of policy at the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
Making matters worse, if the amount they owe is too high, they might also pay a penalty for not having paid estimated taxes during the year, Mr. Marchand said.
Adding to the confusion, the coronavirus stimulus checks that went out several months ago are not taxable income, said Joe Bishop-Henchman, vice president of policy at the National Taxpayers Union. Unemployment benefits are — but are subject only to income tax, not the payroll tax.
The IRS says those collecting benefits can sign up to have money withheld so they don’t face an unexpected bill later, but it’s not clear how many people are doing that.
IRS officials didn’t respond to a request for more information.
Taxpayer groups said the agency’s warning memo is welcome but is not enough. They said more needs to be done to make sure those affected are aware.
“They need to communicate better, and they need to make sure people know what they’re getting into when they receive unemployment insurance,” Mr. Marchand said.
Added Mr. Bishop-Henchman: “It really should be on every check they send out, every payment — a reminder that this is taxable.”
Congress could also come back later and waive the taxes. In 2009, when lawmakers boosted federal unemployment benefits during the Great Recession, they waived some tax, Mr. Bishop-Henchman said.
So far, though, there has been no concerted move to provide relief.
That could still come.
Congress has been attempting to write another round of coronavirus relief, and what to do with unemployment benefits is a major hurdle.
The expanded federal assistance expired at the end of July, and Democrats and most Republicans say an extension is warranted. But they disagree on the level.
Democrats want to continue at $600 a week, figuring the generosity will prevent people from rushing back into the labor force and spreading the virus.
Republicans say $600 is too much. They point to data from economists who say most unemployed people were getting more money with the enhanced federal benefits than they did from their paychecks from work. Employers have told horror stories of being unable to find workers, or even to rehire their own former employees, who say they make more at home than they did on the job.
Unable to reach a deal, lawmakers fled Capitol Hill earlier this month.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, is calling the House back this week to pass a bill to give $25 billion to the U.S. Postal Service to cover its massive financial problems. On Wednesday, a group of Democrats begged Mrs. Pelosi to add an unemployment benefits bill to the agenda.
The New Democrat Coalition wants the House to pass a bill that would automatically extend the $600-a-week payments as long as the economy is struggling.
“Since the $600 supplement has expired, countless constituents have reached out to our offices, expressing heartbreaking stories, in which they must choose between paying for groceries or their car payment,” the lawmakers wrote.
President Trump has acted unilaterally by issuing a memo offering federal money to states that want to pay extra benefits, though only at a $300-a-week level.
Some Republican-led states have signaled that they will take the offer, though Democratic governors have been slower to accept.
A senior administration official told reporters aboard Air Force One on Tuesday that there is room to negotiate a new round of coronavirus relief.
The official said they should be able to reach agreement on a new round of payments to businesses to keep their payrolls intact, and on money to help schools reopen.
The official put the price tag at about $500 billion. That would rule out Mrs. Pelosi’s demands for $1 trillion to be sent directly to states and localities, the official said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com. • Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-19--Netflix announces cast for 'Pinocchio' animated musical film

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - The cast for Netflix ’ s new “ Pinocchio ” film has been chosen .
The streaming service announced Wednesday that newcomer Gregory Mann will assume the title role along with Ewan McGregor as Cricket and David Bradley as Geppetto .
Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro will direct the stop-motion animated musical .
“ After years of pursuing this dream project , I found my perfect partner in Netflix , ” del Toro said in a statement .
“ We have spent a long time curating a remarkable cast and crew and have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quietly and carefully soldier on , barely missing a beat.
” Other cast members include Oscar winners Christoph Waltz , Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett .
Finn Wolfhard , John Turturro , Tim Blake Nelson and Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman will have roles in the film .
“ Pinocchio ” will based on Carlo Collodi ’ s tale .
The musical will follow the journey of a wooden boy who is magically brought life by a puppet-maker ’ s wish .
The story will be set during the rise of fascism in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is set to debut in theaters and on Netflix .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The cast for Netflix’s new “Pinocchio” film has been chosen.
The streaming service announced Wednesday that newcomer Gregory Mann will assume the title role along with Ewan McGregor as Cricket and David Bradley as Geppetto. Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro will direct the stop-motion animated musical.
“After years of pursuing this dream project, I found my perfect partner in Netflix,” del Toro said in a statement. “We have spent a long time curating a remarkable cast and crew and have been blessed by continuous support from Netflix to quietly and carefully soldier on, barely missing a beat.”
Other cast members include Oscar winners Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton and Cate Blanchett. Finn Wolfhard, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson and Golden Globe winner Ron Perlman will have roles in the film.
“Pinocchio” will based on Carlo Collodi’s tale. The musical will follow the journey of a wooden boy who is magically brought life by a puppet-maker’s wish.
The story will be set during the rise of fascism in Mussolini’s Italy. The film is set to debut in theaters and on Netflix.


washingtontimes--2020-08-19--Qantas expects global travel won't resume until mid-2021

CANBERRA , Australia ( AP ) - Qantas Airways said Thursday the pandemic cost it 4 billion Australian dollars ( $ 2.9 billion ) in revenue in the last fiscal year and warned that international travel won ’ t resume before mid-2021 .
The Australian airline reported an underlying profit before tax of AU $ 124 million ( $ 89 million ) for the fiscal year that ended on June , a 90.6 % decline from the AU $ 1.33 billion profit posted a year before .
The carrier ’ s statutory net loss for the latest year was AU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said international routes would not reopen until the middle of next year and U.S. services might depend on a COVID-19 vaccine becoming widely available .
Routes would be reopened country by country , depending on virus spread .
“ New Zealand is an obvious example that should potentially open up relatively fast compared to the other countries around the world , ” Joyce said .
“ The U.S. , with the level of prevalence there , is probably going to take some time .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before we could see that happening , ” he said .
“ We potentially could see a vaccine by the middle or the end of next year and countries like the U.S. may be the first country to have widespread use of that vaccine , so that could mean that the U.S. is seen as a market by the end of ‘ 21 , ” he added .
The first six months of 2019 had been the toughest conditions in Qantas ’ 100-year history , Joyce said .
The airline recorded a AU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) pre-tax profit in the first half of the fiscal year before the pandemic struck .
Joyce said Qantas was in a better financial position than many airlines to survive the pandemic .
“ We have the lowest cash burn , we believe , of any major airline group in the world , ” Joyce said .
“ AU $ 40 million ( $ 29 million ) a week is still a big number , but that is a lot lower than other airlines in North America and Europe and that gives us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there , well through to ’ 21 and into ’ 22 and we may need that , ” he added .

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Qantas Airways said Thursday the pandemic cost it 4 billion Australian dollars ($2.9 billion) in revenue in the last fiscal year and warned that international travel won’t resume before mid-2021.
The Australian airline reported an underlying profit before tax of AU$124 million ($89 million) for the fiscal year that ended on June, a 90.6% decline from the AU$1.33 billion profit posted a year before.
The carrier’s statutory net loss for the latest year was AU$1.96 billion ($141 billion).
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said international routes would not reopen until the middle of next year and U.S. services might depend on a COVID-19 vaccine becoming widely available.
Routes would be reopened country by country, depending on virus spread.
“New Zealand is an obvious example that should potentially open up relatively fast compared to the other countries around the world,” Joyce said.
“The U.S., with the level of prevalence there, is probably going to take some time. It’s probably going to need a vaccine before we could see that happening,” he said.
“We potentially could see a vaccine by the middle or the end of next year and countries like the U.S. may be the first country to have widespread use of that vaccine, so that could mean that the U.S. is seen as a market by the end of ‘21,” he added.
The first six months of 2019 had been the toughest conditions in Qantas’ 100-year history, Joyce said.
The airline recorded a AU$771 million ($554 million) pre-tax profit in the first half of the fiscal year before the pandemic struck.
Joyce said Qantas was in a better financial position than many airlines to survive the pandemic.
“We have the lowest cash burn, we believe, of any major airline group in the world,” Joyce said.
“AU$40 million ($29 million) a week is still a big number, but that is a lot lower than other airlines in North America and Europe and that gives us the longest runway of any airline group out there, well through to ’21 and into ’22 and we may need that,” he added.


washingtontimes--2020-08-19--US deports 127  recovered coronavirus detainees to Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY ( AP ) - The Guatemalan government said Wednesday that the Unites States has deported 127 detained migrants @ @ @ @ @ but recovered .
Previous U.S. deportation flights were criticized for deporting people with apparently active @ @ @ @ @ Central America .
But Guatemala ’ s Immigration Institute said the migrants who arrived Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ Alexandria , Louisiana , had medical certificates saying they no longer had the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ all would be housed at a hotel for a two-day observation period .
Since April @ @ @ @ @ been deported from the United States and kept in preventative quarantine upon arrival .

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) - The Guatemalan government said Wednesday that the Unites States has deported 127 detained migrants who had suffered from COVID-19 but recovered.
Previous U.S. deportation flights were criticized for deporting people with apparently active cases of the disease to Central America.
But Guatemala’s Immigration Institute said the migrants who arrived Wednesday aboard a deportation flight from Alexandria, Louisiana, had medical certificates saying they no longer had the virus.
Still, Guatemala announced that all would be housed at a hotel for a two-day observation period.
Since April 1, 4,392 Guatemalans have been deported from the United States and kept in preventative quarantine upon arrival.