Coronavirus Update

This page will be constantly updated with the most up-to-date information available .
Last Updated : 3/12/20 • Novel Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) emerged from the Wuhan Province of China on December 1 , 2019 .
• The virus ’ genome was completely sequenced on Jan 3 , 2020 , and named ‘ 2019-nCoV ’ – later referred to as COVID-19 , Novel Coronavirus or Wuhan Coronavirus • On January 8 , Chinese scientists announced the discovery of a new coronavirus .
• Thailand reported the first case of COVD-19 on January 13 .
The patient was a Chinese woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bangkok on Jan 8 .
• On Jan 20 , Chinese scientists announced that they had discovered two additional strains of 2019-nCoV ( COVID-19 ) demonstrating that the virus had already mutated into additional strains .
• The United States reported its first case of 2019-nCoV on January 21st • January 27 : U.S. CDC raises travel advisory to China to level 3 “ Avoid All Non-Essential Travel ” • January 30 : U.S. CDC raises travel advisory for China to level 4 “ Do not travel ” .
The State Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State declared a Level 1 Health Emergency as the deal with 9 patients under investigation for COVID-19 • Jan 31 : U.S. Declares Public Health Emergency – anyone arriving from the Hubei province is to be quarantined for 14 days .
• Feb 29 : U.S. announced travel ban from Iran due to COVID-19 and a travel warning for Italy • March 11 : United States bans all travel , effective 12:00 AM 3/13/20 , from the European Union with the exclusion of the United Kingdom and Ireland .
For comparison , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influenza ) has infected at least 34 million , hospitalized more than 350,000 and killed at least 20,000 people in the 2019-2020 season .
The intensity of constant coverage of COVID-19 has caused people , companies , markets and organizations to panic and likely overreact .
Seasonal influenza has been responsible for the infection and deaths of far more Americans than novel coronavirus , but the economic damage is significant .
The U.S. Stock Market officially entered bear market territory on March 11 , 2020 , having lost 20 % of its value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruises have suspended operations indefinitely .
to cut international capacity by 25 % and domestic seats by 10 % , instituted hiring freeze and suspending stock repurchase .
to cut international capacity by 10 % and domestic by 7.5 % .
will cut 20 % of flights .
The NCAA Men ’ s and Women ’ s Basketball Tournaments will be held without fans in the arenas Basketball Tournament Canceled Basketball Tournament Canceled Season suspended No announcement Some games will be postponed/canceled Several teams stop air travel for scouts/coaches during off-season Postponed from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canceled • The U.S. Government will hold the G7 meeting virtually instead of in Pittsburgh .
• Universities move to online classes , keep students at home Wake up Right !
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freedomdaily--2020-03-12--Chinese Official Blames US For Introducing Coronavirus To Wuhan, Says US ‘Owes Us An Explanation’

A Chinese official suggested Thursday that the United States officials introduced the coronavirus into China ’ s Wuhan region as the virus makes its way to the West from the communist nation .
“ The director of the US Centers for Disease Control was arrested , ” Lijian Zhao , deputy director of China ’ s Foreign Ministry Information Department , said in a tweet suggesting Centers For Disease Control Robert Redfield was apprehended by authorities .
Redfield was not arrested .
Zhao went on to accuse the U.S. of starting the pandemic .
He added : “ When did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
How many people are infected ?
What is the name of the hospital ?
It may be that the US military brought the epidemic to Wuhan .
America needs to be transparent !
The United States owes us an explanation !
” The first case of COVID-19 is believed to have appeared December 2019 in Wuhan , China .
The virus has spread since February to 36 other countries and territories and has a global death toll of 3,041 , according to the CDC ‘ s numbers .
Deaths from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , surpassing the number of patients who died from SARS , China ’ s National Health Commission noted at the time .
China has reported roughly 80,000 cases since February , though the number of cases in the country appears to be declining .
Meanwhile , the number of confirmed COVID-19 ccases in the U.S. is growing , with more than 1,000 in 39 states as the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic Wednesday .
A global pandemic is defined as a virus that spreads across the world , and declaring an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and economic consequences .
China found its own way to deal with the initial outbreak .
Zhao ’ s government ’ s censors reportedly worked to suppress information about the virus as health professionals in the country spread their concern on a Chinese app called WeChat .
They even punished officials who discretely warned superiors before it became a pandemic .
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freedomdaily--2020-03-12--Sanctuary Hell: Twice-Deported Illegal Alien Accused Of Rape In Montgomery County

An illegal alien , who has already been deported twice from the U.S. and is believed to associated with MS-13 , is accused of forcibly raping a woman in Montgomery County , Maryland .
A police officer was forced to pry Jose Lopez-Gonzalez , a 35-year-old man from El Salvador , off a half-naked , semi-conscious woman , Montgomery County Police are alleging in court documents obtained by ABC 7 News .
Law enforcement was called to the scene after dispatchers put out a call of a rape taking place in a stairwell in Wheaton , Maryland .
“ Lopez-Gonzalez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] who was naked from the waist down , ” read court documents filed by police in Montgomery County District Court .
“ [ The officer ] advised that he initially yelled at Lopez-Gonzalez to get off [ the victim ] but that he had to physically pull him off her because he was still engaging in sexual intercourse.
” The woman was very inebriated on the night of the attack , and Lopez-Gonzalez allegedly said he figured she wouldn ’ t be able to remember what happened , according to ABC 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so intoxicated after leaving the bar that she fell down three times and he had to help her up , ” court documents read .
Immigration and Custom Enforcement ( ICE ) confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation that Lopez-Gonzalez is an illegal alien , and an immigration detainer has been placed on him .
“ On March 6 , U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) Enforcement and Removal Operations ( ERO ) lodged a detainer with Montgomery County Detention Center for unlawfully present Salvadoran national Jose Geremias Lopez-Gonzalez following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rape and assault , ” read a statement from ICE spokeswoman Kaitlyn Pote .
The agency also believes he is affiliated with MS-13 , a transnational criminal organization that is known for its brutality .
“ Lopez was previously removed to El Salvador on Nov. 9 , 2007 and Feb. 3 , 2010 .
He is believed to be associated with the transnational criminal street gang known as Mara Salvatrucha ‘ MS-13 , ’ ” Pote added .
Montgomery County — a sanctuary jurisdiction that restricts law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a string of rapes and sexual assaults by undocumented aliens living in the area .
The widespread coverage , and subsequent criticism , prompted county leaders to backpedal somewhat on their sanctuary policy .
However , it ’ s not clear if this policy reversal has been followed through on by local law enforcement .
The DCNF reached out to the Montgomery County Detention Center and asked if the ICE detainer placed on Lopez-Gonzalez would be honored — meaning that he would be handed over to ICE , but a spokesperson did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center also did not respond to the DCNF in February when asked if they would honor an ICE detainer placed on Jonathan Coreas-Salamanca , an illegal alien accused of raping an 11-year-old girl .


freedomdaily--2020-03-12--How does the coronavirus test work? 5 questions answered

The U.S. government is fighting to contain and slow down the spread of the coronavirus .
Testing is central to these efforts .
Molecular biologist and viral researcher Maureen Ferran answers some basic questions about how these diagnostic tests work – and if there are enough to go around .
Who gets tested for the virus ?
Currently there are two main reasons someone would be tested for the coronavirus : having symptoms or exposure to an infected person .
The main symptoms of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 , are fever , dry cough and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot like the flu and the common cold , so it takes a physician to determine if testing for the virus is necessary .
Initially , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended testing only people with symptoms and who had potentially been exposed to the virus .
But to the surprise of public health officials , several of the first people in the U.S. who tested positive for the virus had no obvious exposure .
This development suggested that the virus was being transmitted locally , meaning it was spreading from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have been transmitting the virus without experiencing serious symptoms .
In response , on March 4 the CDC changed its recommendations to allow anyone with COVID-19-like symptoms to be tested as long as a doctor approved the request .
Since the number of available tests is limited , the CDC is encouraging physicians to minimize unnecessary testing and consider a patient ’ s exposure risks before ordering tests .
As of writing this , there are no specific treatments available for COVID-19 , but that does not mean testing is pointless .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that infected patients can be quarantined and the spread of the virus slowed .
Another benefit of testing is that it lets public health workers build a more accurate picture of the number of cases and how the virus is spreading in the population .
What it is like to get tested ?
For a patient , the process of being tested for the virus is easy and can potentially be done almost anywhere .
It typically involves taking a swab from deep in a patient ’ s nasal cavity to collect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The sample is then sent to a lab , where it will be tested to determine if the patient ’ s cells are infected with the virus .
The same process is used to collect a sample from a patient who is tested for flu .
How does the test work ?
While collecting a sample is easy , actually determining whether a person is infected with the coronavirus is much more complicated .
The current method looks for the virus ’ s genetic material ( RNA ) in a patient ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presence of RNA in the patient ’ s sample , labs perform a test called reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction .
This method first converts any viral RNA to DNA .
Then the DNA is replicated millions of times until there are enough copies to detect using a specialized piece of equipment called a quantitative PCR instrument .
If genetic material from the virus is found in the sample , then the patient is infected with the virus .
It takes 24-72 hours to get the results of a test .
During the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some concerns about the test ’ s accuracy after one study found 3 % of tests in China came back negative when the samples were actually positive .
But this type of genetic test is generally very accurate – more so even than rapid flu tests – and the benefits of testing outweigh the risk of an error .
Does the US have enough tests ?
The availability of tests has been a big issue .
Prior to Feb. 29 , the CDC was the only place approved by the FDA to develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as the number of suspected cases climbed and doctors approved more people for testing , demand to be tested soared .
The test for the coronavirus requires a kit , specialized equipment and specially trained personnel .
Faulty and slow development of test kits and the initial requirement that all tests be processed at the CDC contributed to the slow rollout across the U.S. As pressure on the federal government to make tests available increased , the FDA announced a new policy on Feb. 29 that made it easier for commercial and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allowed other certified labs to test patient samples .
Integrated DNA Technologies , a CDC contractor , shipped 700,000 tests to commercial , academic and health care laboratories on March 6 .
Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp , two large commercial test manufacturers , started making their own test kits , which became available on March 9 .
Many companies , hospitals and other institutions are now racing to develop more tests to diagnose COVID-19 .
On March 10 , Alex Azar , secretary of Health and Human Services , announced that 2.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1 million have shipped to certified labs for testing .
Millions more are expected to ship out this week .
Does everyone really need to be tested ?
Realistically , it isn ’ t feasible to test everyone who is sick in the U.S .
Therefore , most health officials believe it is important to prioritize the testing of people who need it the most : those at high risk such as health care workers who have been in contact with COVID-19 patients ; symptomatic people in areas with high infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age and older with chronic health issues , such as heart disease , lung disease or diabetes .
As more tests become available , it will be possible to test more people .
There ’ s also a need to develop faster tests that do not require special equipment and personnel .
Testing allows experts to better understand how the outbreak is progressing and try to predict the impact the virus will have on society .
As with all outbreaks , this pandemic will end .
In the meantime , however , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to minimize their risk of exposure .
There is much to be learned about this novel coronavirus .
Only time will tell if it disappears from the human population , as SARS did in 2004 , or becomes a seasonal disease like flu .
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Maureen Ferran does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-03-12--How coronavirus is upsetting the blood supply chain

The coronavirus , which causes the disease COVID-19 , has created enormous anxiety , uncertainty , and disruption to our lives .
Much has already been written about potential shortages of medicines and face masks , but little has been said about something only you and I can provide – lifesaving blood .
Our nation ’ s blood supply is essential to our health care security .
Blood transfusions are integral parts of major surgeries .
Blood is used in the treatment of diseases , particularly sickle cell anemia and some cancers .
Blood is needed for victims who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Every day , the U.S. needs 36,000 units of red blood cells , 7,000 units of platelets , and 10,000 units of plasma .
I am a professor and director of the Virtual Center for Supernetworks at the University of Massachusetts Amherst .
Because of the escalating coronavirus health care crisis , I am deeply concerned the U.S. blood supply chain is under stress .
The timing could hardly be worse ; the COVID-19 outbreak coincides with our seasonal flus and colds .
Patients need blood in many states Many states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pennsylvania , the Carolinas , Massachusetts and Rhode Island , are now calling for blood donations .
At the same time , some states are closing schools and other sites that typically host mobile blood drives ; even prior to the coronavirus , some events had been canceled .
In Massachusetts , the Red Cross announced last September it would no longer be hosting blood drives in the central and western parts of the state .
Obviously , this makes it even harder for people to donate .
Even in the best of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. population donates blood in a given year , although 38 % are eligible .
And these are not the best of times .
Other than donations , there is no way to maintain a sufficient supply of blood .
It can not be manufactured , and no substitute for it has yet been invented .
What ’ s more , it ’ s perishable .
Red blood cells last 42 days , and platelets only five .
Regular replenishment of the supply is imperative .
On top of that , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges before COVID-19 ; the U.S. supply chain is now undergoing major economic transformations .
This includes increased competition among blood service organizations .
Our blood supply chain is stunningly complex .
It requires altruistic donations , collection , testing , processing and distribution to hospitals and medical centers .
All along the way , the coronavirus can disrupt any of these essential steps .
If donors are ill , they can not donate ; if the staff is ill , they can not collect , test and process .
If our health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not transfuse .
Our recent study on the blood supply chain offers some possible solutions .
We developed a multi-tiered , competitive supply chain network model for the industry , focused on the United States .
The model addressed the very relevant scenario of a major disease outbreak accompanied by significant donor drops and decreased capacity due to limited testing , processing and storage .
Our computer-based tool reveals that blood service organizations may gain by cooperating rather than competing .
Another study of ours also supports this conclusion .
To avoid shortages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy , eligible individuals to schedule a blood or platelet donation at Redcrossblood.org .
Donating blood is safe , and there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted by blood transfusion .
This was also the case for other major coronaviruses , SARS and MERS-CoV .
That said , blood service organizations may implement donation deferrals for those who have traveled to certain countries or been in contact with someone with the coronavirus .
These extra efforts ensure the environment is safe for donors .
In China , where the coronavirus originated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its medical professionals , already under major stress , are trying to take up the slack themselves by donating their own blood .
Let ’ s make certain that doesn ’ t happen in the United States .
Instead , as blood service organizations recognize the need to cooperate , let ’ s make an appointment to donate .
Do that , and we can battle this outbreak together .
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Anna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-03-11--Here’s How Long Coronavirus Can Live In The Air And On Surfaces: Study

Coronavirus , which has caused more than 4,500 deaths across the globe , can remain viable in the air for up to three hours , and on plastic and stainless steel for up to three days , according to a study conducted by a team of U.S. government researchers released Wednesday .
The lead author of the study cautioned that the findings do not prove that coronavirus can be transmitted through the air , only that it is “ theoretically possible.
” “ We ’ re not by any way saying there is aerosolized transmission of the virus , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease , told The Associated Press .
The virus , referred to as both COVID-19 and HCoV-19 , is being transmitted rapidly in some way , either through person-to-person contact , or through particles in the air or on surfaces .
U.S. health experts have urged the public to take precautions to avoid becoming infected and transmitting coronavirus .
Frequent hand-washing , avoiding handshakes , and large crowds in certain areas is recommended .
As of Wednesday , more than 120,000 people across the globe — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for the virus .
Thirty-three people have died in the U.S. , and more than 4,500 in all .
The number of cases in the U.S. has more than tripled since March 6 .
The patients who succumb to the virus tend to be older or have underlying health conditions .
As part of the study , scientists dispensed coronavirus through a nebulizer into a device that recreated an open-air environment .
Coronavirus particles were also put onto a variety of surfaces common in homes and hospitals , including cardboard , plastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that coronavirus remained viable for the longest on plastic and stainless steel .
“ We found that viable virus could be detected in aerosols up to 3 hours post aerosolization , up to 4 hours on copper , up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel , ” the study says .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and a member of the White House coronavirus task force , told Congress on Wednesday that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get worse ” with respect to the virus .
He said that the virus has spread to far to contain , and that the public has to take mitigation steps , such as improving personal hygiene and avoiding large crowds .
Fauci also said that he estimates that the mortality rate for coronavirus patients is around 1 % , making it 10 times as lethal as the common flu .
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freedomdaily--2020-03-11--WINNING: Supreme Court Allows Trump’s Remain In Mexico Program To Stay In Place

The Supreme Court delivered a win for the Trump administration ’ s immigration agenda , blocking a federal court injunction that would have limited a program that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico .
The nation ’ s highest court on Wednesday ruled that the White House ’ s Remain in Mexico program , also known as Migrant Protection Protocols , can remain effective for the entire southern border while a legal challenge continues on .
The decision allows the administration to continue fully implementing an initiative that , it contends , has monumentally helped control the border crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier in March declared that it would block Migrant Protection Protocols in Arizona and California — two states within its jurisdiction — on March 12 unless the Supreme Court weighed in .
The Supreme Court justices did intervene with just one day left , granting the administration ’ s application for a stay .
“ We are gratified that the Supreme Court granted a stay , which prevents a district court injunction from impairing the security of our borders and the integrity of our immigration system , ” a Department of Justice spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protocols , implemented pursuant to express authority granted by Congress decades ago , have been critical to restoring the government ’ s ability to manage the Southwest border and to work cooperatively with the Mexican government to address illegal immigration , ” the spokesperson continued .
Since launching Remain in Mexico in January 2019 , the program has become President Donald Trump ’ s most effective tool at controlling the U.S immigration crisis .
The program requires most non-Mexican nationals who claim asylum at the U.S. southern border to wait in Mexico for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since its inception , Migrant Protection Protocols has sent around 60,000 asylum seekers across the border to wait in Mexico , mostly eliminating the possibility for them to be released into the interior of the U.S .
The decision on Wednesday marks the latest back-and-forth between the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court .
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals — which has proven hostile to Trump ’ s immigration agenda — blocked the Remain in Mexico program for the entire southern border in February .
However , the court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration filed an emergency motion requesting a stay .
The appeals court then declared this month it would block it Arizona and California , but the nation ’ s highest court — once again — put a stop to that order Wednesday .
However , the legality of the program itself has not been ruled on by the Supreme Court .
The order on Wednesday simply allows it to remain in place as the legal challenge against it runs through the court system .


freedomdaily--2020-03-11--Coronavirus control measures aren’t pointless – just slowing down the pandemic could save millions o

Coronavirus control measures aren’t pointless – just slowing down the pandemic could save millions of lives

Anywhere from 20 % to 60 % of the adults around the world may be infected with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes the disease COVID-19 .
That ’ s the estimate from leading epidemiological experts on communicable disease dynamics .
Even the best-case scenario using those numbers means nearly 40,000,000 adults will be infected in the United States alone .
Some people may start to feel fatalistic in the face of those kinds of statistics .
There are no vaccines and no specific treatments for people who get sick .
What ’ s the point of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen anyway ?
Why not just let the epidemic run its course ?
But public health officials and medical professionals have been advocating for rapid and decisive efforts to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as much and as early as possible .
The goal is to “ flatten the curve.
” Rather than letting the virus quickly rampage through the population and burn itself out fast , the idea is to spread all those infections out over a longer period of time .
Yes , it would potentially prolong the epidemic .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the health care infrastructure gain invaluable time to respond to the crisis .
Most importantly , “ flattening the curve ” provides an opportunity to significantly reduce deaths from COVID-19 .
On the steep rise of the epidemic curve , especially when testing capacity is lacking , there is a tremendous burden on health care providers – many of whom will fall ill themselves and be forced to self-isolate , becoming unable to provide care for those in need .
At the same time , there is immense pressure placed on health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will outpace capacity – things like the number of hospital beds , ventilators and so on – for a significant amount of time .
So yes , even if every person on Earth eventually comes down with COVID-19 , there are real benefits to making sure it doesn ’ t all happen in the next few weeks .
How , then , can people “ flatten the curve ” via reducing transmission of the coronavirus ?
At present , with many regions of the United States and other countries seeing community members spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a phase of mitigation to complement efforts to contain its spread .
As a result , we ’ re left with an old but quite effective strategy : social distancing .
It means staying out of close contact in crowded public places , avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining space – approximately six feet – between yourself and others when possible .
Social distancing requires changes in how people work , live and interact with each other .
It may require canceling or avoiding big events , limiting nonessential travel and rescheduling conferences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to online delivery – already happening in some colleges and universities , though less easy to do for K-12 schools .
To be clear , social distancing comes with a substantial economic cost as people aren ’ t engaged in the same work and life activities that fuel the economy as they were just a month or two ago .
As a result , public health and government officials are faced with balancing the public health push to “ flatten the curve ” with desires to minimize the impact on the economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health experts across the world are collecting data and communicating information as fast as possible in an attempt to provide health care providers , research laboratories , public health agencies and policymakers with the knowledge they need to respond to the emerging threat .
In the meantime , one of the most important things individuals can do for our collective public health is to listen to the experts and follow their advice .
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom recently commented that “ We need to remember that with decisive , early action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prevent infections.
” We ’ re not going to stamp out COVID-19 .
But by not just throwing up our hands and giving up , people can help address the crisis early , preventing COVID-19 from overwhelming the health care system ’ s capacity to respond effectively .
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Matthew McQueen does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-03-11--ICE Chief Shuts Down Idea That Enforcement Would Stop During Census Counting

Matthew Albence , the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) , didn ’ t pull punches when asked if the agency would consider pausing its operations while the U.S. Census Bureau begins knocking on doors .
Albence appeared before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on Wednesday to discuss ICE ’ s budget .
Throughout the hearing , the acting director was pressed on a number of concerns from Democratic members , particularly concerning the agency ’ s role in apprehending and deporting illegal aliens .
At one point during Albence ’ s testimony , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him if the agency would consider putting a hold on enforcement operations while U.S. Census Bureau employees engage the public in their task to count the U.S. population .
“ Is there any possibility to consider halting raids and making any public statements … and halting them so that we can pause such enforcement efforts in our communities so that Census Bureau won ’ t be seen as coordinating with law enforcement , ” Meng asked .
The New York lawmaker contended that “ the average person ” might not be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a Census employee walking door to door .
Albence , however , immediately shut down this narrative , and then issued a response that largely rebuked most defenses for sanctuary policies .
“ First , our officers are clearly marked to define who they are , ” he said , noting that other law enforcement officers , like the NYPD , wear identifying markers such as badges when they are out on the filed enforcing the law .
“ There should be no confusion with regard to who we are when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m sure the Census individuals have Census IDs when they go up to a door , saying ‘ this is a Census worker , this is who I am.
’ So I don ’ t know where there should be any confusion with regard to what we ’ re going to do , ” he continued .
Albence then made clear who would be left to roam freely in the community if ICE agents were to simply stop doing their job .
“ When you look at the public safety threats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are arresting , we ’ re certainly not in a position where I can say ‘ we ’ re going to stop enforcing the immigration laws so that the Census can be done.
’ That means that murders , rapists , human traffickers , and gang members alike are going to be able to walk with impunity among us , ” he said .
“ That ’ s our job to get them off the street and we do it everyday , ” Albence said , adding that ICE arrests “ thousands ” @ @ @ @ @ @


freedomdaily--2020-03-13--Sen Ron Johnson Shifts Gears, Will Now Subpoena Consulting Firm Linked To Burisma And Hunter Biden

Sen. Ron Johnson , the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee , plans to directly subpoena a consulting firm linked to Hunter Biden and Burisma Holdings , he said in a letter on Thursday .
Johnson initially planned to subpoena a former consultant for the firm , Blue Star Strategies , but he altered his strategy after recent briefings from the FBI and protest from Democrats on the committee .
The Wisconsin Republican said in a letter to Sen. Gary Peters , the top Democrat on the committee , that he now plans to subpoena Blue Star for records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews with the firm ’ s co-founders , Karen Tramontano and Sally Painter .
Johnson said he will issue the subpoena “ to address the many unanswered questions ” about possible conflicts of interest involving Burisma .
The subpoena is also aimed at answering whether Blue Star “ used individuals with close personal connections to high-level officials within the Obama administration to gain access to and potentially influence U.S. government agencies.
” He is seeking Blue Star ’ s records related to Burisma Holdings since Jan. 1 , 2013 .
He also wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , who joined Burisma ’ s board in April 2014 , reportedly put Blue Star in touch with the Ukrainian company in 2015 to help it fight corruption allegations .
Biden served through last year on the board of the Truman National Security Project with Painter , who served in the Clinton administration .
Hunter Biden ’ s position on Burisma ’ s board has drawn attention because of his lack of experience in Ukraine , or in the energy business .
He took the job just as his father took over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man on Ukraine-related issues .
Painter and Tramontano both had contact in 2016 with State Department officials regarding Burisma , according to communications released by the agency .
Tramontano , who was deputy chief of staff to Bill Clinton , emailed one official on Feb. 24 , 2016 seeking a meeting with the agency regarding corruption allegations against Burisma .
She also mentioned that Hunter Biden was affiliated with the company .
Painter sought a meeting in June 2016 with Tony Blinken , who then served as deputy secretary of state , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Painter wrote in the email that she spoke briefly with Blinken at an event for the Truman National Security Project , the think tank on whose board she and Hunter Biden served .
Blinken now serves as a top foreign policy adviser to Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaign .
Johnson initially wanted to subpoena Andrii Telizhenko , a former Ukrainian embassy official who served as a Blue Star consultant from 2016 to 2017 .
Peters , the ranking Democrat , opposed the subpoena , claiming that Telizhenko was spreading disinformation about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
Telizhenko began working last year with Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani , who has accused Joe Biden Tramontano told The New York Times on Wednesday that her firm had turned over 89 pages worth of documents to the Senate panel .


freedomdaily--2020-03-13--Social distancing: What it is and why it’s the best tool we have to fight the coronavirus

As the coronavirus spreads into more and more communities , public health officials are placing responsibility on individuals to help slow the pandemic .
Social distancing is the way to do it .
Geriatrician Thomas Perls explains how this crucial tool works .
Social distancing is a tool public health officials recommend to slow the spread of a disease that is being passed from person to person .
Simply put , it means that people stay far enough away from each other so that the coronavirus – or any pathogen – can not spread from one person to another .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ describes social distancing as staying away from mass gatherings and keeping a distance of 6 feet or 2 meters – about one body length – away from other people .
In New York City , for example , theaters have closed temporarily , many conventions around the world are being canceled and schools are closing all across the U.S.
I ’ ve stopped taking the train during rush hour .
Now I either work from home or drive in with my wife , or I take the train during off-hours so I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also means not touching other people , and that includes handshakes .
Physical touch is the most likely way a person will catch the coronavirus and the easiest way to spread it .
Remember , keep that 6-foot distance and don ’ t touch .
Social distancing can never prevent 100 % of transmissions , but by following these simple rules , individuals can play a critical role in slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
If the number of cases isn ’ t kept below what the health care system can handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the curve – hospitals could become overwhelmed , leading to unnecessary deaths and suffering .
There are a few other terms besides social distancing that you are likely to hear .
One is “ self-quarantine.
” This means staying put , isolating yourself from others because there is a reasonable possibility you have been exposed to someone with the virus .
Another is “ mandatory quarantine.
” A mandatory quarantine occurs when government authorities indicate that a person must stay in one place , for instance their home or a facility , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered for people who test negative for the virus , but have likely been exposed .
Officials have imposed mandatory quarantines in the U.S. for people on cruise ships and those traveling from Hubei province , China .
If done correctly and on a large scale , social distancing breaks or slows the chain of transmission from person to person .
People can spread the coronavirus for at least five days before they show symptoms .
Social distancing limits the number of people an infected person comes into contact with – and potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even realize they have the coronavirus .
It ’ s very important to take a possibility of exposure seriously and quarantine yourself .
According to recently published research , self-quarantine should last 14 days to cover the period of time during which a person could reasonably present with symptoms of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
If after two weeks they still don ’ t have symptoms , then it ’ s reasonable to end the quarantine .
Shorter quarantine periods could happen for asymptomatic people as tests to rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why is social distancing so crucial ?
At the moment , it ’ s the only tool available to fight the spread of the coronavirus .
Experts estimate that a vaccine is 12 to 18 months away .
For now , there are no drugs available that can slow down a coronavirus infection .
Without a way to make people better once they fall sick or make them less contiguous , the only effective tactic is making sure hospital-level care is available to those who need it .
The way to do that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus and decrease the number of cases at any one time .
Who should do it ?
Everyone must practice social distancing in order to prevent a tidal wave of cases .
I am a geriatrician who cares for the most vulnerable people : frail older adults .
Certainly , such individuals should be doing all they can to protect themselves , diligently practicing social distancing and significantly changing their public ways until this pandemic blows over .
People who are not frail need to do all they can to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimize their exposure to COVID-19 .
If the public as a whole takes social distancing seriously , overwhelming the medical system could be avoided .
Much of how the coronavirus pandemic unfolds in the U.S. will come down to individuals ’ choices .
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Thomas Perls does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond @ @ @ @


freedomdaily--2020-03-13--America’s poorest children won’t get nutritious meals with school cafeterias closed due to the coron

America’s poorest children won’t get nutritious meals with school cafeterias closed due to the coronavirus

Schools aren ’ t only places where kids learn .
They are also places where kids eat .
Thanks to the National School Lunch Program , 30 million U.S. children – some 60 % of all school-aged kids – regularly eat some combination of breakfast , lunch and afternoon snacks at school .
Federal subsidies ensure that school meals are affordable for all children to stave off hunger and malnutrition .
But what is happening to meals provided by the nation ’ s largest child nutrition program as schools close to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic ?
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 7 million or more children , including both public and private ones , had decided to shut their doors at least temporarily .
That included announcements by Ohio , Oregon , Kentucky , Maryland , Michigan and New Mexico that all of their public schools would soon be closed for weeks .
Based on my research on how schools provide meals for poor children , I worry that these closures might leave some of the nation ’ s poorest children without access to nutritious meals .
Despite persistent concerns about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cafeteria food , serving school meals clearly improves students ’ consumption of calcium , meat and vegetables and a wide array of essential vitamins and minerals .
This nutritional boost is particularly vital for the 18 % of U.S. kids whose parents sometimes or frequently can ’ t afford enough nutritious food for the whole family .
These children get approximately a quarter of the calories they consume from school meals .
Empty cupboards and missed meals substantially threaten children ’ s healthy development .
Research tracking the long-term effects of 1960s-era policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Program indicates that when kids regularly eat lunch , they ’ re more likely to finish high school and perhaps go on to college .
Further , over the last few years a new federal program designed to provide free lunches to all students in schools that enroll large proportions of low-income children appears to be working .
Test scores are rising and student behavior is improving at the schools taking part in it .
Under federal law , no student pays more than US $ 2.90 for their lunch .
But about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less .
Families whose household income is less than 185 % of the poverty line , currently about $ 48,000 per year for a family of four , pay up to 40 cents for each meal .
Students whose families of the same size get by on less than 130 % of that same mark , or below $ 34,000 , pay nothing at all .
More than two-thirds of the children who eat school meals get them for free or at a steep discount .
How to feed kids when schools close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some additional help through other kinds of federal aid .
That includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program .
But SNAP ’ s complex eligibility requirements exclude many Americans who are are having trouble getting food on their tables .
What ’ s more , SNAP benefits are limited .
For example , a family of four can get no more than $ 646 in this aid per month , typically falling short of covering the full cost of all nutritional needs .
Absent fundamental changes to the nation ’ s safety net , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that schools keep playing an important role in student nutrition – even when schools are closed to protect public health .
And schools are indeed looking for ways to provide meals to students whose schools are closed due to the pandemic .
The USDA has identified one path .
It is letting schools that participate in a summer meals program for kids from low-income areas to serve meals even if they close due to this pandemic .
While this strikes me as a helpful step , I don ’ t think that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the schools eligible to take part in the summertime program serve just a tenth of the children who participate in the school lunch program .
Unless Congress acts to provide emergency funds to cover the cost of feeding students whose schools have closed – and fast – it will be up to local communities and their food banks to fill the nutritional gap .
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Thurston “ Thad ” Domina receives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health and Development .


freedomdaily--2020-03-13--Why don’t viruses make their original hosts sick? 5 questions answered

Editor ’ s note : The coronavirus that has claimed more than 4,000 lives worldwide and sickened more than 113,000 most likely originated in bats , most experts believe .
From bats , the virus “ jumped ” to another species , likely pangolins , and then to humans .
Why didn ’ t the virus make bats or pangolins sick ?
As it turns out , viruses are complicated – in addition to sometimes being deadly .
1 .
How does this new virus differ from other coronaviruses ?
The family Coronaviridae contains about 39 different species of coronaviruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been reported to infect and cause disease in people .
Four coronaviruses cause mild symptoms similar to the common cold , but three coronaviruses cause severe and possibly deadly infections : the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ( SARS-CoV ) , the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus ( MERS-CoV ) , and now , SARS-CoV2 , which is responsible for the current coronavirus disease COVID-19 .
SARS-CoV2 is a cousin of the coronavirus that caused SARS , having about 79 % similarity in its genetic makeup .
Though similar , these two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their disease manifestations are different .
SARS was recognized at the end of February 2003 in China .
Worldwide , 8,098 people became sick with SARS and 774 died , with the disease having a mortality rate of 10 % .
MERS-CoV was first identified in Saudi Arabia in September 2012 .
Globally , MERS-CoV was responsible for 2,494 MERS cases and 858 deaths , with a mortality rate of 37 % .
The ongoing SARS-CoV2 epidemic and the rate of infection and mortality seem different than both SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 866 COVID-19 cases with 28 deaths , while 45 cases have been reported in Canada .
It seems that SARS-CoV2 is less deadly than the other two coronavirus strains , but it is more contagious .
2 .
Some people are saying COVID might become endemic .
What does this mean ?
Aggressive diseases like SARS give rise to epidemics – outbreaks where the number of new cases flares up rapidly in a region .
Effective , evidence-based public health measures reduce the number of new patients infected , until these aggressive diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endemic disease is constantly present in a certain geographic region .
A good example of an endemic disease is malaria , which is constantly present in tropical regions of Africa , Asia and Latin America .
The 2003 SARS epidemic was controlled by a combination of effective international surveillance methods and local , evidence-based public health measures .
International surveillance systems alerted the authorities of the emergence of a novel disease , helping set up guidance for travelers , airlines and crew .
It also set in motion a global response that prevented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped the local public health efforts to identify and quarantine infected people .
Effectively , this combined response prevented SARS from becoming endemic .
By July 2003 , four months from the onset of the outbreak , human-to-human transmission of SARS had stopped .
3 .
How do these viruses jump to humans ?
The majority of new diseases affecting humans are zoonotic , meaning that they originate in wild animals ( mostly mammals ) and then cross over to people .
Among mammals , bats have a higher number of zoonotic viruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no symptoms in bats .
People and animals interacting with bats ( or their urine , feces or saliva ) might catch these zoonotic viruses and then spread them to other animals or people .
The trapping of wild animals for pets , food or medicinal purposes puts wild animals like bats in close contacts with other animals and people .
That is what happened in the previous two coronavirus outbreaks .
In the 2003 outbreak , the SARS coronavirus jumped from bats to civets being sold as food in a market , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the MERS outbreak , the MERS coronavirus jumped from bats to camels and from camels to people .
As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic , China placed a permanent ban on wild animal markets .
4 .
Why don ’ t bats get sick from the virus ?
Bats are pretty incredible animals .
They are the only mammals that fly .
Scientists have linked the genetic modifications associated with flight with beneficial modifications to the bat ’ s immune system .
For example , the bat ’ s immune system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them , preventing bats from falling ill from the many viruses they have .
5 .
How do organisms reach a ‘ truce ’ with a virus ?
The outcome of a virus infecting an animal depends on two general factors : The first is how strong , or virulent , is the strain of the virus .
The second is the effectiveness of the infected animal ’ s immune defenses .
Initially , a virus might be highly lethal to animals .
Rapidly killing its host is not beneficial to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s capacity to spread to other animals .
Therefore , the virus become less virulent with time .
On the other hand , animals sensitive to the virus die quickly , while animals with inherited resistance to the virus survive , passing that resistance to their offspring .
This combination of events , over a large period of time , results in an equilibrium where the animal ’ s immune system is able to control a virus infection without completely eradicating it .
In people , this type of equilibrium could be observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , daily .
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Marcos E. García-Ojeda does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .


freedomdaily--2020-03-13--Coronavirus could hit homeless hard, and that could hit everyone hard

As the number of cases of COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus , continues to grow , the nation is on edge .
Doctors and scientists do not know what percentage of the general population has been infected and what percentage of the infected develops symptoms .
State and local governments and the federal public health system are deploying strategies to contain the spread of the virus and consider ways to mitigate the effects of the disease on vulnerable groups , the health care system and the economy .
But amid all the planning , and a growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of COVID-19 among homeless people is not being widely discussed .
It should , however , be of special concern to local officials .
I am a professor of preventive medicine and health policy at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California .
USC is in Los Angeles , which has one of the largest homeless populations in the nation .
I am concerned about how infectious disease could undermine our efforts to provide humane care to homeless people and assist them to get off the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also deeply concerned about infection rates and mortality more generally among vulnerable populations .
A vulnerable group , even when the economy is humming Over half a million people are homeless in the U.S. Their living conditions and poor health may place them at higher risk for contracting the disease and dying from it , although as of this writing , there have been no reported cases among homeless people .
High rates of infectious diseases among people experiencing homelessness is hardly new .
Since those of us who work with the homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that homeless people have a higher risk of tuberculosis , hepatitis , HIV and pneumonia .
This should give government officials and health providers cause for concern that coronavirus may also spread among the homeless .
While it ’ s too early for specific studies , the conditions of homelessness may increase the risk of transmitting the coronavirus to homeless people and ultimately its spread to others in the community .
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness .
People get it when an infected person sneezes or coughs , spreading droplets in the air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended staying away from others who are sick , avoiding crowds and proper hand-washing .
The agency also suggests that since the virus lives on surfaces for at least several hours , people should avoid touching surfaces that others may have touched .
These practices , however , are nearly impossible for those living on the streets who have no way to bathe or wash hands .
Few encampments have portable toilets or sinks .
People eat , sleep and congregate close to each other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little better , if the shelter does frequent cleaning or provides access to bathrooms and hot water and hand sanitizers , which many do not .
Even so , in many shelters , people sleep , eat and participate in activities in groups , which increases the risk of an exposed person transmitting the virus to those nearby .
In addition , many shelters are large spaces with cots or beds placed in close proximity .
In the winter months , homeless people are often transported by bus to winter shelters .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed to spread airborne droplets putting guests and those whom work there at risk for transmission .
Those working in shelters may have limited training in prevention , or a way to identify and isolate an individual showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 .
Many homeless people who do not stay in shelters may sleep in train or bus stations , ride subways or buses or go the waiting room of a hospital emergency department for the evening .
These are places where an exposed person could contaminate doors and bathroom fixtures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for spreading the infection to others .
Once exposed , homeless people may have mortality risk due to other health conditions they may already have , such as diabetes , hypertension , cardiovascular disease and increased age .
Many people living on the street already have diminished health , have higher rates of chronic illnesses or have compromised immune systems , all of which are risk factors for developing a more serious manifestation of the coronavirus infection .
Those who suffer from mental illness may have difficulty recognizing and responding to the threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to health care providers who could otherwise order diagnostic testing and , if confirmed , isolate them from others in coordination with local health departments .
Without access , ill homeless people may be living on the streets and virtually unknown to the health care system and possibly exposing others to the virus .
Homeless persons showing symptoms of COVID-19 may go to a crowded hospital emergency department , which even before coronavirus , is where many homeless people go to for health care services .
But if the epidemic continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more crowded , and wait times will increase potentially exposing more people to an infected individual who has come seeking care .
Too important to be ignored Prudent action to contain the virus that targets this population makes sense , given the risk that this population poses for the spread of the virus and the impact on the health care system .
A few communities are just beginning to put in place efforts to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus among the homeless population .
In Seattle , officials are distributing hygiene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevention to shelter operators .
Many of these activities are core public health functions that any local and state government agencies should be doing routinely as a part of their core surveillance and health assurance efforts .
But most localities do not have the resources available for new and widespread screening among homeless people or ways to locate and respond to an outbreak unless patients present in the hospital emergency department .
Public health agencies at all levels of government have a role to play in mitigating the effects of coronavirus .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CDC do not have capacity because of budget cuts or a lack of commitment , local jurisdictions will not have the tools necessary to reach out to those at risk that will be necessary to contain the virus and mitigate its effects on our most vulnerable groups .
Also contributing to this are Gary Blasi , Paul Gregerson , Michelle Levander and Fareed Dibazar .
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freedomdaily--2020-03-13--Coronavirus, kids and school closings: A public health expert answers 4 questions

Editor ’ s note : The World Health Organization has declared a coronoavirus pandemic , and more cases have been announced in several states .
School closings , such as the statewide closure of schools in Ohio , Oregon , Maryland , New Mexico and Michigan announced March 12 , are often one of the actions that officials consider .
Public health scholar Aubree Gordon explains why .
Children can catch the virus , SARS-CoV-2 , which causes COVID-19 , the disease that has infected more than 121,000 and caused more than 4,000 deaths .
However , for reasons that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not understand , most children do not seem to get very sick from the infection .
In fact , some children may not display any symptoms at all .
In China , where the best clinical data are available , fewer infections were documented in children and teenagers than in older people .
This same pattern was seen during the 2002-2003 outbreaks of SARS coronavirus , a virus that is closely related to SARS-CoV-2 .
It is not clear whether children may be less susceptible to the virus , meaning that they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they just have milder symptoms than adults on average , and thus are less likely to be detected as cases .
It ’ s also important to note that there have been no reports of fatal cases of COVID-19 in children under the age of 10 .
In older children and teenagers , there has only been a single documented death to my knowledge .
So , kids are much less likely to get COVID-19 than adults and if they do catch it , they typically have mild illness .
Respiratory viral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with one another .
This means that any place where people gather in close proximity can lead to viral transmission .
One of the best ways that we have to help control epidemics or pandemics of viruses like influenza is to close schools .
This is because children tend to be very susceptible to common human respiratory viruses .
They shed , or pass on , virus at higher levels and for longer than adults , which makes them more likely to transmit the disease .
And they typically have poorer hygiene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries ’ pandemic plans include plans for school closures .
But , it ’ s important to note that school closures are not guaranteed to reduce transmission .
Timing of the closure is very important .
Closures early in the epidemic are more likely to be effective , and they may be ineffective if children just gather in other locations .
3 .
Why close schools if children do not get very sick with COVID-19 ?
While SARS-CoV-2 appears to rarely cause severe disease in children , it is still possible that children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is important to note that people who have symptoms of respiratory diseases , such as coughing and sneezing , are generally considered to be more infectious than those who are not showing symptoms .
That is because the virus spreads when a person coughs or sneezes .
COVID-19 transmits very efficiently , and people do not have pre-existing immunity .
Without controls , a large proportion of the population will become infected in any area where the virus circulates .
And because of the severity of this virus in older adults , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
In areas where large outbreaks occur , the health system may become overwhelmed , leading to an increasing fatality rate for COVID-19 and an increase in deaths from all causes .
The severity of the situation thus requires communities to do what they can to limit transmission .
4 .
If closing schools might help , why not just close them all now ?
It is important to remember that there are a lot of economic and social costs that come with school closures .
When schools are closed , children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may lead to children falling behind .
They also cause an increase in worker absenteeism when parents have to stay home with their kids .
That in turn affects the economy as a whole and may undermine key services , such as health care and law enforcement .
From a social perspective , low-income and single-parent households are particularly affected .
Employers may not grant paid sick time to workers , leaving parents to choose between leaving children in less-than-ideal care or unsupervised , or not being able to pay for basic needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important social support , providing hot meals and needed services to low-income and homeless children .
Indeed , for this exact reason , New York City leaders have announced that they see school closures as a last resort .
Thus , the decision to close schools and when to close them is very complicated and will depend on a number of factors .
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freedomdaily--2020-03-14--Four Primaries To Take Place Tuesday Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Tuesday ’ s upcoming presidential primary contests with a combined 577 delegates up for grabs will move forward as planned despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Top election officials in Arizona , Florida , Illinois and Ohio issued a joint statement Friday assuring voters that they can “ safely and securely ” cast their ballots , saying polling locations don ’ t produce the same level of exposure as other types of mass gatherings that have been canceled across the country .
“ Unlike concerts , sporting events or other mass gatherings where large groups of people travel long distances to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended period of time , polling locations see people from a nearby community coming in and out of the building for a short duration , ” read the joint statement from Illinois Elections Board Chairman Charles Sholz and secretaries of state Kathy Hobbs of Arizona , Laurel Lee of Florida and Frank LaRose of Ohio .
“ We are confident that voters in our states can safely and securely cast their ballots in this election , and that otherwise healthy poll workers can and should carry out their patriotic duties on Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reassurance from the election officials comes as institutions across the country are shutting down to stem the spread of coronavirus , which has infected 145,000 and killed 5,400 worldwide .
The announcement came the same day Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said he will postpone his state ’ s presidential primary election from April 4 to June 20 to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said at a press conference Friday that he was concerned that some prospective voters will avoid the polls on Tuesday due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say whether he believed the contests should be postponed .
“ If child care centers are being shut down , and they are , if schools are being shut down , and they are , what are parents supposed to do ?
” Sanders said .
“ Can you go out and vote if you ’ re staying home and taking care of your kids ?
The answer is you can ’ t. ” “ Rescheduling elections is not something we do lightly or should do lightly , ” Sanders said .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants to vote has the right to vote , and that may not be the case today.
” Former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s campaign did not immediately respond when asked if Tuesday ’ s upcoming primaries should be delayed due to coronavirus .
The Arizona Democratic Party agreed full-heartedly with the state ’ s decision to move forward with Tuesday ’ s primary as scheduled .
“ We have seen high volumes of mail-in ballots sent in and are on track to potentially exceed 2016 PPE results on the Democratic side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Daily Caller News Foundation .
“ Ultimately , the State Party does not make decisions on when to hold contests but we have every reason to believe this should move forward and we are confident in the safety precautions being made at our voting locations.
” Democratic parties of Florida and Ohio did not immediately return requests for comment , but both parties have issued messages of reassurance to voters who wish to participate in Tuesday ’ s election without being exposed to voting crowds .
The chairman of the Ohio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday that voters can avoid crowds by voting early or by casting a ballot by mail .
Florida voters concerned about voting in person can pick up a vote-by-mail ballot at their county elections office , the Florida Democratic Party tweeted Friday .
But Illinois voters seeking to avoid the polls on Tuesday appear to be out of luck .
Vote by mail applications were due by midnight Thursday , according to the Illinois State Board of Elections .
The Illinois Democratic Party did not immediately return a request for comment .


freedomdaily--2020-03-13--Rhode Island Official Admits State’s Climate Lawsuit Is Meant To Wring Money Out Of Big Oil: Court D

Rhode Island Official Admits State’s Climate Lawsuit Is Meant To Wring Money Out Of Big Oil: Court Docs

A Rhode Island official acknowledged in 2019 that the state ’ s climate lawsuit against Exxon Mobil is partially designed to secure a steady stream of income for the state , court documents show .
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit told attendees at a meeting in New York that the state sued the industry to find a “ sustainable funding stream , ” nonprofit group Energy Policy Advocates noted in court documents filed Wednesday .
Energy Policy Advocates discovered a memo through a public information request that revealed handwritten notes from Carla Frisch of the Rocky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her state ’ s General Assembly is refusing to take decisive action on climate change .
Energy Policy Advocates , a conservative nonprofit , filed an amicus brief Wednesday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit , the court responsible for adjudicating Rhode Island ’ s case against Exxon .
The group believes the memos it obtained suggest the case should be heard in federal court .
“ This entry on its face represents a senior official confessing that Rhode Island ’ s climate litigation is in fact a product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lacking enthusiasm for politically enacting policies , including revenue measures , ” Energy Policy Advocates wrote in the court filing .
“ ( P ) laintiffs seek to use the courts in this manner to seek billions of dollars in revenues , for distribution toward political uses and constituencies , raising of which is properly attempted through the political process , ” Energy Policy Advocates added .
The nonprofit ’ s legal fight comes after Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin sued the energy industry in 2018 , arguing oil companies are contributing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office , Coit , nor the Rocky Mountain Institute have responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment about the nature of Energy Policy Advocates ’ court filing or the documents the nonprofit obtained .
Rhode Island is among the several states and cities to take on Exxon in recent years with mixed results .
A federal judge in California threw out two lawsuits June 25 that sought to do effectively the same thing Rhode Island is trying to do now : punishing oil companies for supposedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oakland were among a handful of California cities that sued Chevron in February for supposedly contributing to climate change .
Boulder , Colorado , joined the climate lawsuit shortly thereafter , claiming the company was partially to blame for wildfires .
Class action firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP handled San Francisco , Oakland and New York City ’ s lawsuit .
Cities pay law firms no upfront cost in exchange for a percentage of any winnings or settlement .
Hagens Berman could have earned millions , possibly billions , of dollars in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the cities won their case .
All told , these three cities are asking oil companies to hand over many billions of dollars .
Hagens is not the only major law firm involved in such legal pursuits .
Sher Edling is representing Rhode Island and Honolulu , which filed a similar lawsuit Tuesday against the energy industry .


freedomdaily--2020-03-14--COMRADE?: De Blasio Lays Out His Case For Nationalizing ‘Crucial Factories And Industries’ Amid Viru

COMRADE?: De Blasio Lays Out His Case For Nationalizing ‘Crucial Factories And Industries’ Amid Virus Pandemic

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio suggested Saturday morning that the coronavirus pandemic might be justification enough to begin nationalizing what the Democrat believes are “ crucial industries.
” It ’ s up to the federal government to assure that there is a steady supply of hand sanitizer and ventilators for people who ’ ve contracted the virus , according to de Blasio , who discussed President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic with MSNBC ’ s Joe Reid .
“ Here ’ s reality : This is a war-like situation , ” de Blasio said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenario with a Mar-a-Lago attitude being used by the federal government.
” De Blasio added : “ This is a case for nationalization of crucial factories and industries that could produce the medical supplies to prepare this country for what we need .
People are going crazy trying to get hand sanitizer.
” De Blasio went on to clarify his position , telling Reid that industries responsible for providing medical supplies like ventilators should be brought under the yoke of the federal government .
New York state officials are taking a similar position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ ll be providing this to governmental agencies , schools , the MTA , prisons , etc.
, because you can ’ t get it on the market , and when you get it it ’ s very , very expensive , ” New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said at a March 9 press conference .
New York has 142 cases of Coronavirus , or COVID-19 , which is the most of any state in the U.S .
The total number of confirmed cases in the U.S. surpassed 500 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in the U.S. is growing , with more than 1,000 in 39 states as the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic Wednesday .
A global pandemic is a virus that spreads across the world such that tens of thousands of people are infected .


freedomdaily--2020-03-14--House Passes Coronavirus Bill That Provides Free Testing, Sick Leave Benefits

The House voted overwhelmingly early Saturday morning to pass a bill that provides coronavirus testing at no cost to patients , and extends paid sick leave to workers who come down with the virus or have to go into self-quarantine .
President Trump expressed his support for the bill , the Families First Coronavirus Response Act , Friday night as House Democrats negotiated the details of the law with Treasury Sec .
Steve Mnuchin .
It passed by a vote of 363-40 , with all dissenting votes coming from Republicans .
Trump ’ s backing is seen as key to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the aid package .
The bill requires the federal government to cover the cost of diagnostic testing for coronavirus , or COVID-19 .
That includes testing done by a primary care physician , at an urgent care center , or at a hospital emergency room .
The federal government has been slow to ramp up testing for COVID-19 , which began spreading from Wuhan , China late last year .
The first infection in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21 .
As of Saturday , nearly 2,200 Americans have tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 5,500 have succumbed to the virus across the globe .
The possibility for a rapid increase in cases has prompted concerns of a possible recession .
The bill , if approved , will extend unemployment benefits for workers in states that are hardest hit by layoffs .
The bill also provides emergency paid leave benefits for workers who have to take two or more weeks off work either because they become infected with COVID-19 , or because they are required to self-quarantine or care for sick family members .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to three months , will guarantee workers are paid two-thirds of their average monthly earnings , up to $ 4,000 .
The Trump administration is enacting other measures to limit any economic downturn stemming from COVID-19 .
The Treasury Department extended the April 15 deadline to file taxes , and Trump on Friday waived interest payments on student loan debt .


freedomdaily--2020-03-14--Guatemala Bans Americans Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

Guatemala , a Central American country home to a vast number of migrants attempting to cross the U.S. southern border , is banning all arrivals from the U.S. in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
The Guatemalan government announced on Friday it will be soon ban arrivals from the U.S. and Canada to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The ban will go into effect on Monday , and any arriving flights from the U.S. and Canada before then will be subject to quarantine .
“ We are therefore announcing that everyone who arrives from Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midnight on Monday will be subject to quarantining , ” Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said during a televised address on Friday , according to Reuters .
Giammattei has also asked Mexico to stop deportations by land to his country .
The Mexican government — under pressure from the Trump administration — has heavily fortified its own southern border in recent time , and repatriation of Guatemalan nationals from Mexico has become a more common occurrence .
It ’ s not immediately clear how this order will effect deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached an asylum cooperative cooperative agreement with the Guatemalan government in July 2019 .
This deal went into effect in November , and the U.S. has since deported many Central American asylum seekers who arrive at the southern border back to Guatemala .
Will the upcoming ban have an effect on deportation flights ?
The Daily Caller News Foundation asked this question to Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) , but did not receive a response in time for publication .
More than 265,000 Guatemalan nationals were apprehended by U.S. officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Customs and Border Protection ( CBP ) .
Border officials apprehended more Guatemalans than any other nationality last year , surpassing both Mexico and Honduras .
Guatemala on Friday confirmed its first case of coronavirus within its country , from a man who had traveled from Madrid , Spain .
The Guatemalan government has already banned arrivals from China , South Korea , North Korea , and European countries .
Guatemala is the first country in the world to ban U.S. arrivals due to the coronavirus .
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freedomdaily--2020-03-15--Ronna McDaniel Received Coronavirus Test After Spiking a Fever, Awaiting Results

Ronna McDaniel , Who Was With Trump Earlier This Week , Takes Coronavirus Test After Coming Down With Fever RNC Chairwoman Took Coronavirus Test After Coming Down With Fever , Is Awaiting Results Ronna McDaniel , the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee , is awaiting the results of a coronavirus test she took Friday after experiencing flu-like symptoms , a spokesman for the party said on Saturday .
“ Last night , Chairman McDaniel began experiencing a fever and flu like symptoms , ” RNC Communications Director Michael Ahrens said in a statement .
President Donald Trump announced at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he took a test for coronavirus , or COVID-19 , on Friday night .
At least three members of a delegation from Brazil who met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago earlier this month have tested positive for COVID-19 , which has caused more than 5,000 worldwide .
Trump said that he is not feeling any symptoms .
McDaniel had several interactions with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence last and earlier this week .
An RNC official told reporters that she was with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Friday , March 6 .
She attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Monday , March 9 , she flew back with Trump on Air Force One .
She returned to her home in Michigan on Tuesday .
McDaniel ’ s doctor ordered her to take a coronavirus test after she tested negative at a Michigan hospital for flu and strep , according to Ahrens .
“ Her doctor determined a test for COVID-19 was necessary given her symptoms , ” he said .
Ahrens said that “ out of an abundance of caution , ” the RNC is contacting everyone McDaniel had contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advice of doctors , she and her family are self-quarantining at Washington DC 20036 Ronna McDaniel Received Coronavirus Test After Spiking a Fever , Awaiting Results is original content from Conservative Daily News – Where Americans go for news , current events and commentary they can trust – Conservative News Website for U.S. News , Political Cartoons and more .


freedomdaily--2020-03-15--France, Israel Shut Down All Non-Essential Stores, Restaurants, Cafes

France and Israel shut down all non-essential stores , restaurants and cafes Saturday to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from spreading .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that all restaurants , cafes and movie theaters will shut down beginning Sunday , Fox News reported .
France also declared that all non-essential stores , restaurants , movie theaters and cafes will shut down beginning Sunday , but French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said banks , grocery stores , pharmacies and other public services may remain open .
The entire country of Italy shut down after the Italian government closed all nonessential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pharmacies .
The country has been harder hit by the coronavirus than any other country except China , where the outbreak has reportedly begun to ease up .
The government in Beijing is sending teams of doctors and specialists to Italy to aid Italian outbreaks .
President Donald Trump declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency in the United States during a Friday press conference .
His declaration will allow the federal government to aid state and local governments in fighting the coronavirus through up to $ 50 billion in additional aid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared a near total travel ban from Europe to the United States .
France , Israel Shut Down All Non-Essential Stores , Restaurants , Cafes is original content from Conservative Daily News – Where Americans go for news , current events and commentary they can trust – Conservative News Website for U.S. News , Political Cartoons and more .


freedomdaily--2020-03-15--POLL: Nearly 60% Of Dems Say Coronavirus Outbreak Has Made Them More Supportive Of Universal Health

POLL: Nearly 60% Of Dems Say Coronavirus Outbreak Has Made Them More Supportive Of Universal Health Care

More than half of Democrats say the coronavirus outbreak is making them more supportive of universal health care coverage , according to a Morning Consult poll published Sunday .
Universal coverage is gaining steam with moderates and partisans alike as cases of people infected with the virus increase , the poll notes .
Meanwhile , 30 % of Democrats don ’ t appear to have changed their position on the issue .
The poll shows that 39 % of Democrats are “ much more likely ” to support universal coverage as they weigh concerns related to coronavirus , or COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December .
It killed more than 3,000 people in the communist nation as of Sunday .
Another 20 % of Democrats said they are “ somewhat more likely ” to support such health care policies , the poll notes .
Even Republicans saw an increase in support , with 14 % of President Donald Trump ’ s party saying they are now “ much more likely ” to support a policy where all Americans would have a public heath care option .
Sen. Bernie Sanders is using the virus as a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In the last few days , we have seen the crisis of the coronavirus continue to grow exponentially here in the United States and around the world , and we have witnessed a global economic meltdown which will impact millions of workers in our own country , ” Sanders said Thursday at a rally in Vermont .
He added : “ In terms of potential deaths and in terms of the economic impact on our economy , the crisis we face from the coronavirus is on the scale of a major war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist , reiterated his support for Medicare-For-All , telling rally goers that “ the United States government today must make it clear that in the midst of this emergency , everyone in our country , regardless of income or where they live , must be able to get health care.
” The poll was conducted March 12-13 and contains a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points .
Morning Consult interviewed more than 2,000 participants online .


freedomdaily--2020-03-16--Cuomo Paints Dire Picture Of Coronavirus In New York, Expects ‘Wave’ Of Patients To Flood Hospitals

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo painted a dire picture Sunday of the state ’ s fight against coronavirus , saying he expects a “ wave ” of patients to overwhelm hospitals there .
“ Assume the wave breaks at a higher level than the hospital system can accommodate , ” Cuomo said at a press conference .
“ I believe that ’ s what ’ s going to happen.
” Cuomo , a Democrat , called for increased testing for coronavirus , more social distancing , and authorization from President Donald Trump to activate the Army Corps of Engineers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are looking at a new war that nobody has seen before , ” said Cuomo .
“ We have never fought a virus before like this with this potential consequence.
” Cuomo said that 729 people have tested positive in New York as of Sunday for coronavirus , the most of any state .
Of those , 19 percent , or 137 , are in the hospital .
Sixty-five are in intensive care units , and 47 require intubation .
At least 59 people have died across the U.S. from the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York .
Health experts have said that the number of coronavirus cases will rise dramatically over the next few weeks , as testing improves , and as more people become infected with the virus .
“ It ’ s going to get worse , ” Dr. Anthony Fauci , an expert on infectious disease who is on the White House coronavirus task force , told Congress on Wednesday .
Cuomo said that the biggest concern is the lack of ICU hospital beds in the state .
He said that ICU beds are equipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with viruses that hit the respiratory system , as coronavirus does .
Only around 600 of the state ’ s 3,000 ICU beds are currently available for use , Cuomo said .
“ The overwhelming crush is going to be on the ICU beds.
” Cuomo also discussed the trajectory of the spread of coronavirus , which public health experts have dubbed “ the curve.
” The goal , Cuomo said , is to “ flatten ” the curve — or slow down the transmission of coronavirus — in order to blunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hospitals .
“ The curve is a wave , and the wave could break on the hospital system , the governor said .
“ If you have too high a number of people sick at the same time , when they descend on the hospital system , you will overwhelm the hospital system .
That ’ s the issue here.
” Cuomo said he , like other state and local leaders , is grappling with whether to mandate closures of non-essential businesses , such as bars and restaurants .
The mayor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close , and mayors in other cities have put restrictions on crowd sizes allowed to gather at businesses and other venues .
Cuomo stopped short Sunday of saying he will order them shut down entirely , but he said that he is not taking the option off the table .
“ I will get more aggressive on the mandatory regulations , ” Cuomo said , urging proprietors to “ voluntarily close down your bar , your restaurant , your gymnasium.
” “ If nobody does it , then we can take more @ @ @


freedomdaily--2020-03-16--All Bars And Restaurants In Ohio, Illinois To Close Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

The governors of Ohio and Illinois announced Sunday that they will sign orders closing all bars and restaurants in their states to curb the spread of coronavirus .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine announced that his order will close all bars and restaurants in the state indefinitely starting at 9 p.m. Sunday .
Establishments will still be able to provide carry-out and delivery service to their customers , DeWine said .
“ What we can ’ t have is people congregating and seated , ” he said .
“ I ’ m aware that this will impact many , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican , tweeted .
“ Every day we delay , more people will die.
” Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , a Democrat , announced on Sunday that he will also be signing an order closing all bars and restaurants to dine-in customers in his state starting at the close of business Monday .
However , unlike DeWine ’ s , Pritzker ’ s order is set to expire on March 30 .
“ The time for persuasion and public appeals is over , ” Pritzker said .
“ The time for action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joke .
No one is immune to this , and you have an obligation to act in the best interests of all people of this state.
” Both Ohio and Illinois are scheduled to hold presidential primary elections Tuesday .
The top election officials in both states joined officials from Arizona and Florida , which also vote Tuesday , saying voters can “ safely and securely ” cast ballots since polling locations don ’ t produce the same level of exposure as other types of mass gatherings .
Pritzker said Sunday when announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not postpone Tuesday ’ s primary , saying “ democracy must continue.
” “ If we delayed the election , it is unclear when we might be able to hold another one , ” Pritzker said .
The restaurant and bar closures in Ohio and Illinois follow the closures of schools in at least 20 states due to coronavirus .
Ohio may keep its schools closed for the remainder of the year , DeWine said on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” on Sunday .
“ I have learned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not just one thing , [ we ] have to do a lot of different things and do them early , ” the Ohio governor said .
“ And that ’ s what we ’ re trying to do in Ohio .
”


freedomdaily--2020-03-16--Canada Is Shutting Down Its Borders Over The Coronavirus Pandemic, Prime Minister Announces

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his government will be closing its borders to all non-citizens and anyone else who isn ’ t a permanent resident , while U.S. citizens are exempt “ for the moment.
” In response to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic , Trudeau on Monday announced that Canada would begin refusing entry to all people who are not citizens or permanent residents of Canada , and could possibly include American citizens as part of this ban .
The announcement was made during a press conference in Ottawa , the country ’ s capital city .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this virus , ” Trudeau said during the press conference .
“ It is time to take every precaution to keep people safe.
” However , the prime minister did lay out certain exceptions besides U.S. citizens .
“ This measure will carve out some designated exceptions , including for air crews , diplomats , immediate family members of Canadian citizens and , at this time , U.S. citizens , ” he added .
Trudeau said the U.S. and Canada were “ collaborating very closely ” when asked why Americans were exempt from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ the level of integration of our two countries is quite particular.
” “ We recognize that the level of integration of our two economies and the coordination that we ’ ve had over the past while puts the U.S. in a separate category from the rest of the world , ” the prime minister said .
The announcement follows revelation that Trudeau ’ s wife , Sophie Gregoire , tested positive for COVID-19 just days earlier .
While the prime minister has not tested positive himself , or has shown any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a precautionary measure .
Additionally , air operators are being required to refuse individuals who show symptoms of coronavirus to board a plane .
Operators will have to conduct a basic health assessment of every traveler who wishes to board a flight .
During Monday ’ s press conference , Trudeau urged all Canadians traveling aboard to return quickly .
“ Let me be clear , if you ’ re abroad , it ’ s time to come home , ” the prime minister said .
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freedomdaily--2020-03-16--REPORT: HHS Computer System Hit With A Cyber Attack From A Potential Foreign Actor

Topics in this post : the Department of Health and Human Services Hackers seized upon a U.S. Health and Human Services Department computer system Sunday during the government ’ s public response to the coronavirus outbreak , Bloomberg reported Monday .
The cyber attack was designed to slow down the U.S. response and toss a wrench into the gears of the HHS ’ s computer system , Bloomberg noted , citing three sources who requested commenting anonymously to discuss something that was not yet public .
The National Security Council ’ s Sunday tweet warning people that “ Text message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FAKE .
There is no national lockdown ” was in part a result of the attack , the sources explained .
Whoever or whatever was responsible for the hack did not scrape any data from the systems , one of the sources said .
HHS officials assume a hostile foreign actor is behind the caper , though they do not have any conclusive evidence supporting that conclusion , Bloomberg reported .
Neither the White House nor the NSC have responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email outage inside the HHS secretary ’ s office reportedly bungled the Trump administration ’ s coronavirus messaging and created turmoil inside the office .
Some email messages inside the office were delayed up to 11 hours , effectively slowing President Donald Trump ’ s response to the virus , which has negatively impacted the global economy and created uncertainty , Politico reported in a Tuesday exclusive .
Both the reported hack and the outage came as critics continue to pile on Trump ’ s handling of the virus .
The Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February to prepare for the “ expectation that this might be bad , ” with Italy emerging as the focal point of the virus in Europe , while Iran and China seeks ways of fighting the spread as confirmed cases grow .
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freedomdaily--2020-03-16--St. Patrick’s Day: A time to toast … your liver and how it deals with green beer

St. Patrick ’ s Day is here , and even though most big celebrations have been canceled because of coronavirus , we still have something to cheer over – our livers .
If St. Patrick is celebrated for his unselfish commitment converting Ireland to Christianity , we should also celebrate the magnanimous dedication of our liver not only to process alcohol , but keep our whole body fed and alive .
I am a biochemist , and every time I teach liver metabolism , I am in awe of all its accomplishments .
Here are four reasons to be grateful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other bad molecules The alcohol we consume can ’ t be directly excreted – it has to be transformed to be eliminated .
Degrading alcohol is a multi-step process that happens in the liver , where cells metabolize it using a series of enzymes working in a tidy cascade of reactions .
These enzymes will turn alcohol into a final product that is used by the body to make other nutrients such as fats .
That is why , in part , an excessive alcohol consumption can lead to an alcohol-induced fatty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fat in the liver .
Processing alcohol produces acetaldehyde , a toxic molecule .
This toxic compound normally doesn ’ t linger in the liver and is quickly transformed into a nontoxic molecule .
If you consume alcohol faster than your body can process it , your metabolic system gets clogged , the toxic molecule accumulates and the liver is under stress .
If you repeat this process on a regular basis and over long periods of time , the liver can develop an inflammation known as alcoholic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosisthat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a third of East Asians have an inherited slower ability to process alcohol , which manifests as facial flushing due to the toxic effect of that molecule .
The liver also processes a large number of pharmaceutical drugs , such as acetaminophen .
And along with the spleen , it participates in degrading hemoglobin , the red pigment contained in your red blood cells , into fragments that can be eliminated in the intestines and the feces ( that is why , in part , feces are brownish ) .
Beside degrading toxins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a maker of large and complicated structures such as cholesterol .
Despite its bad reputation , cholesterol is important , as from cholesterol the body produces steroid hormones like cortisol and testosterone or makes vitamin D in the skin .
If you have heard of bile , you may know that it comes from the gallbladder .
Bile is in fact produced by the liver from cholesterol and then stored in the gallbladder .
Bile is a yellowish-greenish fluid released from the gallbladder into the intestine to help in the digesting fats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The liver is also the birth place of a number of blood plasma proteins in circulation in your bloodstream and of the various proteins that create a clot when you are bleeding .
The liver is the first organ to receive the nutrients absorbed by the intestine .
As we eat , food moves down the digestive track and is processed into molecules that are small enough to cross the intestinal wall and move into the circulation .
Nutrient-rich blood coming from the intestine is immediately captured by a large vein and sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a gatekeeper .
It senses the overall state of nourishment of the body and stores nutrients such as sugar or fat when they are abundant in the blood circulation .
It also stores some vitamins such as vitamin B12 .
And it stores , sugars as glycogen ( the starch of the human body ) and fat and keep that these nutrients for later use .
Thus , if we are well fed , we will have reserves of sugar and fat present in our liver .
But an overabundance of food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ability to store and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can develop .
Your liver nourishes and protects other organs In times of need , when our blood sugar levels are low with no meal immediately in sight , the liver taps into its reserve and releases the nutrients needed .
Without this constant surveillance of the liver you would not be able to spend an uninterrupted night of sleep .
Why ?
Your brain relies on sugar as a source of energy to perform , and a regular income of sugar is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch of the liver that the brain receives the needed amount of sugar when you are asleep or awake .
There are diseases in which people lack the ability to store or release sugars from the liver reserve .
They depend on special diets with slow release of carbohydrates to go about their days and to have a full night of sleep .
Finally , we don ’ t tend to think of the liver as part of the immune system but it ’ s an organ that is part of our first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The liver is filled with cells that participate in your immune defense and that can gobble up microorganisms trying to invade our body .
For St. Patrick ’ s Day , let ’ s not forget our liver and all its magnanimous contributions to our health .
Let ’ s not forget that St. Patrick asked for just “ a wee drop of whiskey ” to celebrate his memory .
Wishing the whole of you a Happy St. Patrick ’ s Day .
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Marie-Pierre Hasne does not work for , consult , own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article , and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment .