westernjournal--2020-03-29--Washington Doctor Fired for Warning About Lack of Protective Gear

Dr. Li Wenliang is no longer with us , sadly , to share what made him 2019 ’ s most epic whistleblower — including , yes , even that one .
Li was the first doctor to sound the alarm in Wuhan , China , in late December about a SARS-like disease that would later become known as COVID-19 .
For alerting users in a WeChat group , Dr. Li was dragged down to his local police station .
where he was forced to sign a statement stating he had been “ spreading rumors.
” For this , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would die shortly after , a victim of the disease he was the first to let light in upon .
“ It might have been a fortunate thing … if the public had listened to this ‘ rumor ’ at the time , ” China ’ s Supreme Court said in vindicating him , according to CNN .
TRENDING : Sex Assault Scandal Leaves Dems Turning on Biden En Masse : Here Are Some of the Most Brutal Comments We aren ’ t the Chinese communists in America .
We enjoy freedoms far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever enjoy .
When , in the course of this pandemic , there are parallels — no matter how much milder the censure may have been than Dr. Li ’ s — it is contingent upon each and every one of us to speak up .
In the case of Dr. Ming Lin , an ER physician in Bellingham , Washington , that censure came in the form not of arrest , but of termination .
According to The Seattle Times , Lin was fired Friday from PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years after publicly speaking out about the lack of protective measures available to treat patients during the coronavirus crisis .
“ I got a message that said , ‘ Your shift has been covered , ’ ” Lin told the paper .
When he called his supervisor , he was told he ’ d been terminated .
This interview with Lin explained why he was sounding the alarm and what he was sounding it about : He would also make his issues known publicly on Facebook : “ Lin said supervisors threatened his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he spoke to reporters and made social media posts accusing PeaceHealth of a lack of urgency to protect health care workers from the virus , ” the newspaper reported .
“ Lin said he was told to take down his social media posts about the hospital but refused .
RELATED : CBS Used Fake COVID Video : 'NY Hospital ' Footage Was From Italy 's Hardest-Hit City “ He continued to post daily updates on Facebook after shifts at the emergency room , although many of his posts had shifted away from hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment for hospital workers .
“ Specifically , Lin had written that PeaceHealth St. Joseph refused to screen all patients outside the hospital , rather than in an often-crowded emergency room waiting area where the virus could easily spread .
Two emergency department workers , who both asked not to be named for fear of reprisals , told The Times they shared Lin ’ s concerns about the possible spread of infection because of that practice.
” Protective measures against coronavirus , Lin and other hospital staff said , only came about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The hospital ’ s chief executive , Charles Prosper , told The Times that “ several ” members of the hospital staff had tested positive , although he said the infections had nothing to do with their work at the hospital .
However , the hospital wouldn ’ t comment on Lin ’ s firing , The Times reported .
There were plenty of people willing to offer condolences and outrage after Lin lost his job , although he said the firing was “ a blow to my ego more than anything.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wound , he can take solace in the fact that he ’ s become one of the heroes of the COVID-19 crisis : Lin , however , has urged that people not take it out on the company that fired him .
“ I am touched at what people have been doing on my behalf.
” he wrote late Saturday .
“ But we are in a National Emergency of unprecedented times .
PLEASE NO PETITIONS , NO PROTESTING , and please realize ANY NEGATIVE ACTION MAY HARM patients who need care from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , given the stakes involved , to take it out on the hospital , angry though we ought to be .
Let ’ s hope that Dr. Lin is the whistleblower we need to awaken us from torpor when it comes to personal protective equipment .
It ’ s an important issue right now — and becoming informed is the first step .
Most of us will be acting locally — but we should be pressuring representatives in Washington as we see fit .
Beyond that , we ought to celebrate what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t employ the kind of tactics that China does , and thank God for that .
We pray for his safety — not just because he blew the whistle , but because a doctor of such acumen and bravery needs to be lionized .
We don ’ t live in a country where , like Li Wenliang , he isn ’ t cleared by public opinion We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Dr. Li Wenliang is no longer with us, sadly, to share what made him 2019’s most epic whistleblower — including, yes, even that one.
Li was the first doctor to sound the alarm in Wuhan, China, in late December about a SARS-like disease that would later become known as COVID-19.
For alerting users in a WeChat group, Dr. Li was dragged down to his local police station. where he was forced to sign a statement stating he had been “spreading rumors.” For this, he was let go with a misdemeanor.
He would die shortly after, a victim of the disease he was the first to let light in upon.
“It might have been a fortunate thing … if the public had listened to this ‘rumor’ at the time,” China’s Supreme Court said in vindicating him, according to CNN.
We aren’t the Chinese communists in America. We enjoy freedoms far beyond what most of their subjects will ever enjoy. When, in the course of this pandemic, there are parallels — no matter how much milder the censure may have been than Dr. Li’s — it is contingent upon each and every one of us to speak up.
In the case of Dr. Ming Lin, an ER physician in Bellingham, Washington, that censure came in the form not of arrest, but of termination.
According to The Seattle Times, Lin was fired Friday from PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, where he’d worked for 17 years after publicly speaking out about the lack of protective measures available to treat patients during the coronavirus crisis.
“I got a message that said, ‘Your shift has been covered,’” Lin told the paper.
When he called his supervisor, he was told he’d been terminated.
This interview with Lin explained why he was sounding the alarm and what he was sounding it about:
He would also make his issues known publicly on Facebook:
“Lin said supervisors threatened his employment more than a week ago after he spoke to reporters and made social media posts accusing PeaceHealth of a lack of urgency to protect health care workers from the virus,” the newspaper reported. “Lin said he was told to take down his social media posts about the hospital but refused.
Do you think Dr. Ming Lin is a hero? Yes No
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“He continued to post daily updates on Facebook after shifts at the emergency room, although many of his posts had shifted away from hospital practices to efforts to help secure more protective equipment for hospital workers.
“Specifically, Lin had written that PeaceHealth St. Joseph refused to screen all patients outside the hospital, rather than in an often-crowded emergency room waiting area where the virus could easily spread. Two emergency department workers, who both asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, told The Times they shared Lin’s concerns about the possible spread of infection because of that practice.”
Protective measures against coronavirus, Lin and other hospital staff said, only came about after he had posted about them.
The hospital’s chief executive, Charles Prosper, told The Times that “several” members of the hospital staff had tested positive, although he said the infections had nothing to do with their work at the hospital.
However, the hospital wouldn’t comment on Lin’s firing, The Times reported.
There were plenty of people willing to offer condolences and outrage after Lin lost his job, although he said the firing was “a blow to my ego more than anything.”
If a bruised ego is his biggest wound, he can take solace in the fact that he’s become one of the heroes of the COVID-19 crisis:
His name is Dr. Ming Lin. HE WAS FIRED FOR WANTING MORE SAFETY EQUIPMENT. KNOW HIS NAME. REMEMBER IT. https://t.co/yBu5OwfGsJ — Nicole (@Oceanwindswild1) March 28, 2020
As the mother of two 20-somethings working in hospitals and ERs, I want to thank Ming Lin for standing up for the rights of health care workers on the front line. #coronavirus https://t.co/Y22zfmjaTT — Lois Brandt (@LoisBrandt1) March 28, 2020
It’s #NationalPhysiciansWeek let’s start a class action lawsuit against administrators/companies that have denied us appropriate #PPE while we care for patients?
Let’s start with @teamhealth who FIRED #StellarDoc Ming Lin, MD after 17 years of servicehttps://t.co/fWBc9cBiz8 pic.twitter.com/cb4SGwPkm5 — Leah Houston MD (@LeahHoustonMD) March 28, 2020
Lin, however, has urged that people not take it out on the company that fired him.
“I am touched at what people have been doing on my behalf.” he wrote late Saturday. “But we are in a National Emergency of unprecedented times. PLEASE NO PETITIONS, NO PROTESTING , and please realize ANY NEGATIVE ACTION MAY HARM patients who need care from the hospital.”
It would be difficult, given the stakes involved, to take it out on the hospital, angry though we ought to be.
Let’s hope that Dr. Lin is the whistleblower we need to awaken us from torpor when it comes to personal protective equipment. It’s an important issue right now — and becoming informed is the first step. Most of us will be acting locally — but we should be pressuring representatives in Washington as we see fit.
Beyond that, we ought to celebrate what he’s done. We don’t employ the kind of tactics that China does, and thank God for that.
We pray for his safety — not just because he blew the whistle, but because a doctor of such acumen and bravery needs to be lionized. We don’t live in a country where, like Li Wenliang, he isn’t cleared by public opinion
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westernjournal--2020-03-29--5,000 Respirator Masks Discovered in Washington National Cathedral, Donated to Hospitals

About 5,000 respirator masks that had spent the past 14 years deep in the crypt of the Washington National Cathedral have been shared with Washington , D.C.-area hospitals .
In a news release on its website , the cathedral said the masks were purchased during a previous health scare .
The masks were found by Joe Alonso , head mason of the cathedral , who recently recalled seeing boxes of the masks in the cathedral ’ s crypt , according to The Washington Post .
The masks had been purchased around 2006 .
Alonso went exploring into the crypt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assault Scandal Leaves Dems Turning on Biden En Masse : Here Are Some of the Most Brutal Comments The cathedral then checked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the manufacturer to make sure the masks were still usable , cathedral spokesman Tony Franquiz told The Post .
The masks had been obtained so that clergy could continue to minister to others , he said .
Although the cathedral will keep a few of the masks , most of them were given away .
Dean Randolph Marshall Hollerith and other cathedral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 13 boxes holding 3,000 masks going to Georgetown University Hospital .
Nine boxes holding 2,000 masks went to Children ’ s National Hospital .
RELATED : Report : DOJ Launches Probe of Senators Who Dumped Stocks Before Coronavirus Crash “ In these difficult and trying times , the Cathedral community is doing everything we can to help protect the most vulnerable among us from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic , ” Hollerith said in a statement .
“ We have made significant adjustments to our worship programs and made church services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re prepared to take this additional , proactive step to ensure thousands have access to protection that otherwise may never have been available to them , ” he said .
The cathedral was set to partner Friday with the American Red Cross to hold a blood drive to benefit local blood collection sites .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

About 5,000 respirator masks that had spent the past 14 years deep in the crypt of the Washington National Cathedral have been shared with Washington, D.C.-area hospitals.
In a news release on its website, the cathedral said the masks were purchased during a previous health scare.
The masks were found by Joe Alonso, head mason of the cathedral, who recently recalled seeing boxes of the masks in the cathedral’s crypt, according to The Washington Post.
The masks had been purchased around 2006.
Alonso went exploring into the crypt and found the masks:
Seek and ye shall find, apparently. Today @WNCathedral sent 3000 N95 masks to @MedStarGUH and 2000 to @ChildrensNatl after a stonemason found a forgotten stash in the Cathedral crypt. Certified by manufacturer as still good. pic.twitter.com/UNAvhOPssx — Washington National Cathedral (@WNCathedral) March 25, 2020
The cathedral then checked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the manufacturer to make sure the masks were still usable, cathedral spokesman Tony Franquiz told The Post.
The masks had been obtained so that clergy could continue to minister to others, he said.
We acquired them after the 2006 bird flu scare, and got them to protect our staff and thousands of visitors if we ever needed them in a future pandemic. That future is now. — Washington National Cathedral (@WNCathedral) March 26, 2020
Although the cathedral will keep a few of the masks, most of them were given away.
Dean Randolph Marshall Hollerith and other cathedral staff shipped them off on Wednesday, with 13 boxes holding 3,000 masks going to Georgetown University Hospital.
Nine boxes holding 2,000 masks went to Children’s National Hospital.
Awesome work! As the parent of a @NatCathedralSch student who gets oncology treatments at @ChildrensNatl, I really appreciate this. We need to try our best to protect all of the dedicated and selfless frontline health care workers who sacrifice for us all. ?? — Brian O’Fahey (@BrianOFahey1) March 25, 2020
The community in action! Today, the @WNCathedral donated 3,000 N95 masks to our hospital. Your support is so important, and deeply appreciated. #ThankYou Photo Credit: Danielle E. Thomas/WNC pic.twitter.com/wOZZylaOe2 — MedStar Georgetown (@MedStarGUH) March 25, 2020
“In these difficult and trying times, the Cathedral community is doing everything we can to help protect the most vulnerable among us from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” Hollerith said in a statement.
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“We have made significant adjustments to our worship programs and made church services available for streaming online, and now we’re prepared to take this additional, proactive step to ensure thousands have access to protection that otherwise may never have been available to them,” he said.
The cathedral was set to partner Friday with the American Red Cross to hold a blood drive to benefit local blood collection sites.
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westernjournal--2020-03-29--LA Mayor Threatens To Cut Power and Water to ‘Selfish’ Businesses That Refuse To Close

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti last week attacked business that remain open even though the government has declared them as “ non-essential.
” “ We ’ re still getting reports each day of non-essential businesses continuing to operate as normal .
This behavior is irresponsible and selfish , ” he said Tuesday , according to the San Jose Mercury News .
The Department of Water and Power will shut off services to businesses no complying with Garcetti ’ s “ safer at home ” order , according to KTLA .
Businesses that refuse to comply could also face misdemeanor charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will get a visit from prosecutors before taking action .
TRENDING : Sex Assault Scandal Leaves Dems Turning on Biden En Masse : Here Are Some of the Most Brutal Comments “ We are ready to deploy these folks , identify businesses that are not doing what they are supposed to , issue initial warnings , and if necessary , share information on occurring noncompliant establishments with LAPD for further enforcement that may result in a referral to the city attorney ’ s office or citation actions , ” he said , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted his demand that anyone not considered essential must close .
“ Let me be clear : it is unacceptable for non-essential businesses to continue their operations as normal .
I announced the Safer at Home Business Ambassadors Program to help ensure businesses comply with our emergency order to keep our communities safe , ” he tweeted .
Some critics said that residents still need money to live on , while others objected to the order in general .
RELATED : University of California Issues Politically Correct Document : 'Do Not Use Terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcetti said residents who see an operating business that is considered nonessential to report it to the city .
He said he does not want to take on business owners .
“ Believe me when I say nobody wants to be punitive at a time like this .
My ideal is 100 percent self-compliance , ” he said , according to The Washington Times .
“ And we all hope for the same thing : We want fewer people to get sick and die .
We want this crisis to end as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to take care of the people we love most dearly .
“ We can achieve those goals but only if we all do our part .
“ So , let me speak to directly to the nonessential businesses that are still operating against the law and still requiring people to come into work and still putting everybody at risk , ” he said .
“ You know who you are .
You need to stop it .
This is your chance to step up and to shut it down , because if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut you down.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti last week attacked business that remain open even though the government has declared them as “non-essential.”
“We’re still getting reports each day of non-essential businesses continuing to operate as normal. This behavior is irresponsible and selfish,” he said Tuesday, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
The Department of Water and Power will shut off services to businesses no complying with Garcetti’s “safer at home” order, according to KTLA.
Businesses that refuse to comply could also face misdemeanor charges.
Garcetti said businesses violating the rules will get a visit from prosecutors before taking action.
“We are ready to deploy these folks, identify businesses that are not doing what they are supposed to, issue initial warnings, and if necessary, share information on occurring noncompliant establishments with LAPD for further enforcement that may result in a referral to the city attorney’s office or citation actions,” he said, according to The Daily Wire.
Garcetti also tweeted his demand that anyone not considered essential must close.
“Let me be clear: it is unacceptable for non-essential businesses to continue their operations as normal. I announced the Safer at Home Business Ambassadors Program to help ensure businesses comply with our emergency order to keep our communities safe,” he tweeted.
Let me be clear: it is unacceptable for non-essential businesses to continue their operations as normal. I announced the Safer at Home Business Ambassadors Program to help ensure businesses comply with our emergency order to keep our communities safe. https://t.co/7eMFdg1PSa — Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) March 25, 2020
Some critics said that residents still need money to live on, while others objected to the order in general.
How do those people that rely on day to day or week to week paychecks buy things like food to live? Is LA city giving $ out to them so they can live? Do you have a plan for the MILLIONS of HUMANS in Los Angeles who are now not working? — Blake Mooney (@theBlakeMooney) March 25, 2020
Garcetti said residents who see an operating business that is considered nonessential to report it to the city.
Is government going too far with these restrictions? Yes No
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He said he does not want to take on business owners.
“Believe me when I say nobody wants to be punitive at a time like this. My ideal is 100 percent self-compliance,” he said, according to The Washington Times. “And we all hope for the same thing: We want fewer people to get sick and die. We want this crisis to end as soon as possible and we want to be able to take care of the people we love most dearly.
“We can achieve those goals but only if we all do our part.
“So, let me speak to directly to the nonessential businesses that are still operating against the law and still requiring people to come into work and still putting everybody at risk,” he said.
“You know who you are. You need to stop it. This is your chance to step up and to shut it down, because if you don’t, we will shut you down.”
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westernjournal--2020-03-29--Congress Can’t Even Hand Cash to Americans Without Leftists Demanding Illegals Get Some, Too

There was plenty of sturm und drang about who ended up getting what in the massive $ 2 trillion relief package Congress passed before it was finally signed by President Donald Trump on Saturday .
There ’ ll still be plenty of debate over whether or not the money is going to the right place .
There ’ s one thing I think we all should agree on , though : The relief package should only include checks to American citizens .
We should .
We don ’ t .
And while it ’ s some of our politicians that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of non-governmental organizations that are saying it , as well .
If you think it ’ s fringe voices putting this forth , it ’ s also probably worth noting that fringe voices are taking more and more oxygen when it comes to politics on the left .
Take New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , a member of the House Financial Services Committee and star of the freshman class of 2019 — if more in terms of media coverage than in actual achievement — who protested that immigrants both legally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t get a $ 1,200 check from the plan .
TRENDING : Sex Assault Scandal Leaves Dems Turning on Biden En Masse : Here Are Some of the Most Brutal Comments “ To clarify , $ 1200 checks are ONLY going to some w/social sec numbers , NOT immigrants w/ tax IDs ( ITINs ) , ” she tweeted Thursday , referring to individual taxpayer identification numbers , a program that allows immigrants — including those here illegally — to pay their federal income taxes .
“ Thanks to GOP , these checks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ *taxpaying immigrants , * who get nothing .
Many are essential workers who pay more taxes than Amazon .
Wall St gets $ 4T.
” At least she kept her protest to immigrants paying federal taxes , however .
Fellow “ squad ” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan came up with her own plan that would give $ 2,000 on a debit card , with $ 1,000 added for every month until a year after the crisis ends , to individuals “ including undocumented people , permanent residents , and temporary visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t the most insane part of the plan , though : She wanted to pay for it with two $ 1 trillion coins .
RELATED : In Outrageous COVID Statement , AOC Publicly Puts Illegals on Par with Americans for Payments You would think , given those tweets , that she was hiding how she planned to pay for the bill .
On the contrary , she practically invented ( or , your dad might say , coined ) the hashtag # MintTheCoin to promote it : These were two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief checks to illegal immigrants .
There were plenty of extra-governmental organizations promoting the idea , as well .
Breitbart managed to collect a few of these gems , including one from Marielena Hincapié of the George Soros-backed United We Dream : Some of these individuals thought the money should go to illegal immigrants who had individual taxpayer identification numbers .
Some of them didn ’ t .
The general tenor of everything was , however , that it was time to put more non-Americans on the dole , regardless of whether they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic mainstream understood , at a basic level , that this would be unacceptable to the average voter .
Even in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s wish list plan , this was never an option .
That ought to have told everyone just how toxic this idea is — which is why all but the fringes of the Democratic Party avoided it .
The new left is free to say this , however .
AOC and Tlaib are likely to be re-elected in their districts in perpetuity , unappetizing as that prospect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the National Immigrant Justice Center and United We Dream .
They ’ re able to say the quiet part as loud as they like .
Whether or not you agree with the sprawling aid package passed by Congress last weeek , one thing should be clear : This package ought to be for American citizens .
We ’ ll be the ones who end up paying for it , after all .
We also have a legal right to be in the country .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial standards .

There was plenty of sturm und drang about who ended up getting what in the massive $2 trillion relief package Congress passed before it was finally signed by President Donald Trump on Saturday.
There’ll still be plenty of debate over whether or not the money is going to the right place. There’s one thing I think we all should agree on, though: The relief package should only include checks to American citizens.
We should. We don’t. And while it’s some of our politicians that are saying this, there are also a lot of non-governmental organizations that are saying it, as well.
If you think it’s fringe voices putting this forth, it’s also probably worth noting that fringe voices are taking more and more oxygen when it comes to politics on the left.
Take New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the House Financial Services Committee and star of the freshman class of 2019 — if more in terms of media coverage than in actual achievement — who protested that immigrants both legally and illegally in this country don’t get a $1,200 check from the plan.
“To clarify, $1200 checks are ONLY going to some w/social sec numbers, NOT immigrants w/ tax IDs (ITINs),” she tweeted Thursday, referring to individual taxpayer identification numbers, a program that allows immigrants — including those here illegally — to pay their federal income taxes.
“Thanks to GOP, these checks will be cut off the backs of *taxpaying immigrants,* who get nothing. Many are essential workers who pay more taxes than Amazon. Wall St gets $4T.”
To clarify, $1200 checks are ONLY going to some w/social sec numbers, NOT immigrants w/ tax IDs (ITINs). Thanks to GOP, these checks will be cut off the backs of *taxpaying immigrants,* who get nothing. Many are essential workers who pay more taxes than Amazon. Wall St gets $4T — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 26, 2020
At least she kept her protest to immigrants paying federal taxes, however. Fellow “squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan came up with her own plan that would give $2,000 on a debit card, with $1,000 added for every month until a year after the crisis ends, to individuals “including undocumented people, permanent residents, and temporary visitors whose stay exceeds three months.”
That wasn’t the most insane part of the plan, though: She wanted to pay for it with two $1 trillion coins.
I fully support the @FSCDems #COVID19 economic response proposal. I also want to encourage leadership to consider my truly universal relief proposal on behalf of #13thDistrictStrong. — Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) March 21, 2020
This includes the Treasury using its legal authority to create a new mint program to fund: ✅Direct payments via preloaded $2,000 cash cards to everyone.
✅Recharging with $1,000/month until a year after the economy recovers. Read all about it here: https://t.co/JJI0z2bNFy — Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) March 21, 2020
It is important to note: With this proposal, we will NOT require the government to issue more debt. — Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) March 21, 2020
You would think, given those tweets, that she was hiding how she planned to pay for the bill. On the contrary, she practically invented (or, your dad might say, coined) the hashtag #MintTheCoin to promote it:
Hey @realDonaldTrump, let’s provide relief from this crisis for people by giving pre-loaded debit cards to every person in America. No additional debt—we’ll just mint two coins.#ABCAct #MintTheCoinhttps://t.co/v0gtfjBw7L — Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) March 21, 2020
These were two of the voices in Congress who were promoting relief checks to illegal immigrants. There were plenty of extra-governmental organizations promoting the idea, as well. Breitbart managed to collect a few of these gems, including one from Marielena Hincapié of the George Soros-backed United We Dream:
Everyone, regardless of immigration status, must have access to testing, medical care & financial relief. Congress must ensure that all Americans can focus on keeping their families & communities safe & healthy. #stimulusbill — National Immigrant Justice Center (@NIJC) March 27, 2020
LET’S BE CLEAR: The Corona stimulus package fails immigrant communities. It fails to include ALL people when it comes to financial and health care access. Regardless of status, we are all trying to get through the pandemic. — United We Dream (@UNITEDWEDREAM) March 27, 2020
Protect the vulnerable, not the wealthy – not corporations. An immigration status and a 9 digit number (SSN) should not be used to determine who is worthy of aid. As we face #COVID2019 we must prioritize the most vulnerable – including our undocumented community#stimulusbill — Josue De Luna Navarro (@Josue_DeLuna) March 27, 2020
Now, more than ever, our health & well-being are interconnected. Immigrants are working overtime to put food on our tables, bolster our health care sector, & care for our loved ones. Any #COVID19 economic stimulus that excludes #immigrants puts us ALL at risk.1/ pic.twitter.com/HJcQyBpWpZ — Marielena Hincapié (@MarielenaNILC) March 23, 2020
Some of these individuals thought the money should go to illegal immigrants who had individual taxpayer identification numbers. Some of them didn’t. The general tenor of everything was, however, that it was time to put more non-Americans on the dole, regardless of whether they were in the country legally.
Do you think illegal immigrants should have been included in the relief package? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 1% (10 Votes) No: 99% (1675 Votes)
The Democratic mainstream understood, at a basic level, that this would be unacceptable to the average voter. Even in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s wish list plan, this was never an option. That ought to have told everyone just how toxic this idea is — which is why all but the fringes of the Democratic Party avoided it.
The new left is free to say this, however. AOC and Tlaib are likely to be re-elected in their districts in perpetuity, unappetizing as that prospect might be. Nobody votes for groups like the National Immigrant Justice Center and United We Dream. They’re able to say the quiet part as loud as they like.
Whether or not you agree with the sprawling aid package passed by Congress last weeek, one thing should be clear: This package ought to be for American citizens. We’ll be the ones who end up paying for it, after all. We also have a legal right to be in the country.
This isn’t xenophobia, merely facts.
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westernjournal--2020-03-29--China Now Claims Folk Medicine and Animal Abuse Can Treat Coronavirus

As these things go , I ’ m pretty white .
I enjoy mayonnaise on sandwiches — and even on french fries , if the mood strikes me right .
I shop at Banana Republic .
I ’ ve watched almost all of “ Gilmore Girls ” — except for Season Seven , of course , which was the terrible one .
I even went through a period where I thought Dave Matthews Band was an acceptable music choice .
( We all recover eventually . )
Normally , this would leave me unable to comment on the relative curative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my cultural handicap .
As it so happens , my wife is ethnically Chinese , so I can tell you a lot of it is pretty much rubbish .
Mind you , my wife is an academic in the sciences and spent much of her formative time abroad , which means she , too , thinks it ’ s rubbish .
( She studied in the U.K. , so she actually thinks it ’ s “ such bloody rubbish.
” ) My mother-in-law , bless her dear soul , is a perfervid believer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some conflicts when we visit .
TRENDING : Sex Assault Scandal Leaves Dems Turning on Biden En Masse : Here Are Some of the Most Brutal Comments Most herbs don ’ t do anything and taste atrocious , but I ’ m always reliably informed that if I eat enough of it , it ’ ll stop < insert condition here > .
Drinking cold water leads to cancer , but if you drink warm water you ’ ll be healthy , wealthy and , if not wise , at least a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your skin ?
Bird ’ s nest soup will clear that up , and you only need to eat an exorbitantly priced nest made out of the edible saliva of a family of birds known as the swiftlets .
Some of it , I must add , has a sound basis in science .
Most of it is “ such bloody rubbish ” — as my wife will unfailingly tell her mother right before a humdinger of verbal fisticuffs , which unfailingly leads to one of them storming from the dinner table .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is harmless bloody rubbish .
Some of it , however , is literally very bloody .
In that vein , I give you Tan Re Qing , a traditional preparation being promoted by the Chinese government as a treatment for coronavirus infection .
According to Fox News , Tan Re Qing is one of the alleged remedies for COVID-19 being promoted by China ’ s National Health Commission .
The list includes traditional and Western preparations for dealing with the disease .
Tan Re Qing is , as Fox News notes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly in cases of pneumonia and bronchitis ” when delivered by injection , which would be useful , given the symptoms the virus causes .
So , what ’ s the downside ?
Well , the ingredients , mainly .
Dried fruit ?
Not bad at all , actually .
Goat horn ?
That ’ s somewhat iffier — but I ’ ve had goat dishes before and , if the horns are harvested in a humane fashion , I ’ m not going to get myself too worked up about this .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand , might be a bit more of a problem from a number of perspectives .
Animal parts are used in many traditional medicines , and the animals that are the source don ’ t usually give them up willingly .
I haven ’ t turned into a PETA type because my wife gets triggered by Chinese traditional medicine , but I think everyone getting themselves in a huff on Facebook over “ Tiger King ” these last few days will concede that killing an endangered animal like the tiger for folk medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medications ” derived from its body parts worked .
The Tan Re Qing recommendation , by the by , came after Xi Jinping ’ s government promised it would “ resolutely outlaw and harshly crackdown ” on the illegal wildlife trade after coronavirus originated and spread in the Wuhan wet market , where live wildlife was slaughtered and butchered on-site to ensure freshness .
These markets — which contain your garden-variety animals as well as rare and exotic ones — aren ’ t known as paragons of sanitary excess .
Bears , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to a bile donation center in the middle of the woods , get hooked up to a gallbladder pump and get a few dollars for their efforts .
Their bile is , for obvious reasons , not extracted in a wet market because the only time a bear was safe in a wet market would be in the unreleased book “ Paddington Visits Guangzhou.
” ( Parts of that were rumored to have been fictionalized . )
Instead , according to National Geographic ( subscription required ) , it ’ s legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extractions , which are unpleasant to watch as a human , given they involve a form of invasive surgery to get the material from the ursine gallbladder .
The bear — and I ’ m just spitballing here — probably likes it less .
However , this is to assume that Chinese citizens will use the official product .
“ There ’ s a consistent preference among consumers for the wild product , which is often regarded as more powerful or ‘ the real deal , ’ ” Aron White of the London-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ So , having this legal market from captivity doesn ’ t reduce pressure on the wild populations — it actually just maintains demand that drives poaching.
” This is illegal under Chinese law .
Also illegal is importing bear bile from Laos , Vietnam , and North Korea .
China does that , too .
Much of it comes from the Asiatic black bear , products from which are proscribed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora , which limits or prohibits the import @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , theoretically , there actually is a reason to believe that bear bile might help someone experiencing respiratory distress .
The bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid , which can help keep cells alive and reduce inflammation .
The problem is that ursodeoxycholic acid has been available as a synthetic drug for decades ; there ’ s no reason to keep bears in captivity and force them to undergo “ surgery ” to get the product — unless you believe , unreasonably , that the “ traditional ” product that contains the drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” product .
I laugh and then remember the number of friends who think neti pots can reliably treat seasonal allergies better than non-drowsy antihistamines .
Lest you think this is the only terrible thing on this list , there ’ s also Angong Niuhuang Wan , a preparation that originally contained ground rhinoceros horn .
Chinese law stipulates it now must contain buffalo horn , but that law is generous enough to either allow preparations to falsely advertise they contain rhinoceros horn or allow preparations to accurately advertise they contain rhinoceros horn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ought to allow .
Beyond the bloody inhumanity of the rhinoceros horn and bear bile is the bloodless inhumanity of Xi ’ s regime .
Officials with China ’ s National Health Commission know the likelihood of these products aiding even mild cases of COVID-19 is dubious at best .
And yet , that ’ s not just what they ’ re promoting Tan Re Qing for .
In fact , according to a report by the Environmental Investigation Agency — which is a non-government organization for environmental activists — Tan Ri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in “ severe ” and “ critical ” cases , the kind of cases where seeking medical treatment would be advised , even in a pandemic that overwhelmed a country ’ s medical system .
The cruelty to animals is matched by a cruelty to humans , who are being sold barbaric folk medicine of dubious quality that could be had in a synthetic form as a therapy for those experiencing “ severe ” and “ critical ” COVID-19 symptoms .
Still want to keep praising China ’ s response ?
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sinister rubbish .
This fits under all three categories .
There ’ s no reason to use real bear bile when a synthetic version of the active ingredient can do whatever bear bile might .
It involves a barbaric method of collection that tortures a captive ursine for no good reason .
And it ’ s being promoted by a Chinese government with officials who are almost certainly aware of how ineffective it will be .
This isn ’ t bird ’ s nest soup .
This isn ’ t using warm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no herbs involved .
This is far more evil .
I may not be of Chinese lineage , but I ’ ve caught up fast , and I know enough to know how animal abuse and dubious traditional medicine won ’ t heal coronavirus .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

As these things go, I’m pretty white. I enjoy mayonnaise on sandwiches — and even on french fries, if the mood strikes me right.
I shop at Banana Republic. I’ve watched almost all of “Gilmore Girls” — except for Season Seven, of course, which was the terrible one. I even went through a period where I thought Dave Matthews Band was an acceptable music choice. (We all recover eventually.)
Normally, this would leave me unable to comment on the relative curative merits of Chinese folk medicine, given my cultural handicap. As it so happens, my wife is ethnically Chinese, so I can tell you a lot of it is pretty much rubbish.
Mind you, my wife is an academic in the sciences and spent much of her formative time abroad, which means she, too, thinks it’s rubbish. (She studied in the U.K., so she actually thinks it’s “such bloody rubbish.”)
My mother-in-law, bless her dear soul, is a perfervid believer in folk medicine, which leads to some conflicts when we visit.
Most herbs don’t do anything and taste atrocious, but I’m always reliably informed that if I eat enough of it, it’ll stop . Drinking cold water leads to cancer, but if you drink warm water you’ll be healthy, wealthy and, if not wise, at least a bit warmer. Have an allergic rash on your skin? Bird’s nest soup will clear that up, and you only need to eat an exorbitantly priced nest made out of the edible saliva of a family of birds known as the swiftlets.
Some of it, I must add, has a sound basis in science. Most of it is “such bloody rubbish” — as my wife will unfailingly tell her mother right before a humdinger of verbal fisticuffs, which unfailingly leads to one of them storming from the dinner table. Charming stuff.
Now, most of this is harmless bloody rubbish. Some of it, however, is literally very bloody. In that vein, I give you Tan Re Qing, a traditional preparation being promoted by the Chinese government as a treatment for coronavirus infection.
According to Fox News, Tan Re Qing is one of the alleged remedies for COVID-19 being promoted by China’s National Health Commission. The list includes traditional and Western preparations for dealing with the disease. Tan Re Qing is, as Fox News notes, purported to “alleviate respiratory distress, particularly in cases of pneumonia and bronchitis” when delivered by injection, which would be useful, given the symptoms the virus causes.
So, what’s the downside? Well, the ingredients, mainly. Dried fruit? Not bad at all, actually. Goat horn? That’s somewhat iffier — but I’ve had goat dishes before and, if the horns are harvested in a humane fashion, I’m not going to get myself too worked up about this.
Dried bear bile, on the other hand, might be a bit more of a problem from a number of perspectives.
Animal parts are used in many traditional medicines, and the animals that are the source don’t usually give them up willingly.
I haven’t turned into a PETA type because my wife gets triggered by Chinese traditional medicine, but I think everyone getting themselves in a huff on Facebook over “Tiger King” these last few days will concede that killing an endangered animal like the tiger for folk medicine would be rebarbative even if the “medications” derived from its body parts worked.
(They don’t, and there are much better Western alternatives for the most infamous product Panthera tigris provides. It’s indecent to talk about here, but let’s just say it’s supposed to treat male virility and we’d doubtless agree there are certain blue pills that more agreeably treat the problem.)
The Tan Re Qing recommendation, by the by, came after Xi Jinping’s government promised it would “resolutely outlaw and harshly crackdown” on the illegal wildlife trade after coronavirus originated and spread in the Wuhan wet market, where live wildlife was slaughtered and butchered on-site to ensure freshness. These markets — which contain your garden-variety animals as well as rare and exotic ones — aren’t known as paragons of sanitary excess.
Bears, as you might expect, don’t go to a bile donation center in the middle of the woods, get hooked up to a gallbladder pump and get a few dollars for their efforts. Their bile is, for obvious reasons, not extracted in a wet market because the only time a bear was safe in a wet market would be in the unreleased book “Paddington Visits Guangzhou.” (Parts of that were rumored to have been fictionalized.)
Instead, according to National Geographic (subscription required), it’s legal to use captive bears to do the extractions, which are unpleasant to watch as a human, given they involve a form of invasive surgery to get the material from the ursine gallbladder. The bear — and I’m just spitballing here — probably likes it less.
However, this is to assume that Chinese citizens will use the official product.
“There’s a consistent preference among consumers for the wild product, which is often regarded as more powerful or ‘the real deal,’” Aron White of the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency, told National Geographic. “So, having this legal market from captivity doesn’t reduce pressure on the wild populations — it actually just maintains demand that drives poaching.”
This is illegal under Chinese law. Also illegal is importing bear bile from Laos, Vietnam, and North Korea. China does that, too. Much of it comes from the Asiatic black bear, products from which are proscribed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which limits or prohibits the import and export of certain plants and animals.
Now, theoretically, there actually is a reason to believe that bear bile might help someone experiencing respiratory distress. The bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid, which can help keep cells alive and reduce inflammation.
The problem is that ursodeoxycholic acid has been available as a synthetic drug for decades; there’s no reason to keep bears in captivity and force them to undergo “surgery” to get the product — unless you believe, unreasonably, that the “traditional” product that contains the drugs is more curative than the “synthetic” product. I laugh and then remember the number of friends who think neti pots can reliably treat seasonal allergies better than non-drowsy antihistamines.
Lest you think this is the only terrible thing on this list, there’s also Angong Niuhuang Wan, a preparation that originally contained ground rhinoceros horn. Chinese law stipulates it now must contain buffalo horn, but that law is generous enough to either allow preparations to falsely advertise they contain rhinoceros horn or allow preparations to accurately advertise they contain rhinoceros horn. Neither is a state of affairs we ought to allow.
Beyond the bloody inhumanity of the rhinoceros horn and bear bile is the bloodless inhumanity of Xi’s regime. Officials with China’s National Health Commission know the likelihood of these products aiding even mild cases of COVID-19 is dubious at best. And yet, that’s not just what they’re promoting Tan Re Qing for.
In fact, according to a report by the Environmental Investigation Agency — which is a non-government organization for environmental activists — Tan Ri Qing is being promoted as a therapy in “severe” and “critical” cases, the kind of cases where seeking medical treatment would be advised, even in a pandemic that overwhelmed a country’s medical system.
The cruelty to animals is matched by a cruelty to humans, who are being sold barbaric folk medicine of dubious quality that could be had in a synthetic form as a therapy for those experiencing “severe” and “critical” COVID-19 symptoms.
Still want to keep praising China’s response?
There is “bloody rubbish,” bloody rubbish and sinister rubbish. This fits under all three categories.
There’s no reason to use real bear bile when a synthetic version of the active ingredient can do whatever bear bile might. It involves a barbaric method of collection that tortures a captive ursine for no good reason. And it’s being promoted by a Chinese government with officials who are almost certainly aware of how ineffective it will be.
This isn’t bird’s nest soup. This isn’t using warm water to kill coronavirus. There are no herbs involved. This is far more evil.
I may not be of Chinese lineage, but I’ve caught up fast, and I know enough to know how animal abuse and dubious traditional medicine won’t heal coronavirus.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
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westernjournal--2020-03-30--Florida Pastor Arrested After Holding Church Services Amid Coronavirus Clampdown

A Florida pastor has been arrested after holding services at his church in defiance of guidelines from authorities in the Tampa area , which order citizens to remain at home as reported coronavirus cases surge in Florida .
WTSP reported authorities in Hillsborough County issued an arrest warrant for Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne Monday after Sheriff Chad Chronister saw images of a live-streamed service at the River at Tampa Bay Church .
Sheriff Chronister reportedly became furious at the images , which showed a packed congregation at the church on Sunday .
The sheriff ’ s office also said the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ church Sunday .
“ We received an anonymous tip that Pastor Dr. Ronald Howard-Browne refused a request to temporarily stop holding large gatherings at his church , ” the sheriff said at a press conference .
“ And instead , he was encouraging his large congregation to meet at his church.
” Chronister said the church services were a “ reckless disregard for human life , ” putting the members of the congregation and those they might interact with at risk .
TRENDING : Frmr Obamacare Chief Pushes Panic , Tells 360K People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wasn't “ The safety and wellbeing of our community must always come first , ” Chronister added .
The Hillsborough County Sheriff ’ s Office joined Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren in filing charges against Howard-Browne — including a charge for “ unlawful assembly ” and another for “ violation of public health emergency rules , ” WTSP reported .
The pastor turned himself in after a warrant for his arrest was issued .
On March 27 , county officials issued a “ safer-at-home ” declaration , which asked citizens to stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
The sheriff defended his actions , condemning the pastor for hosting regular church services .
“ I believe there ’ s nothing more important than faith during a time like this .
And as a sheriff ’ s office we would never impede someone ’ s ability to lean on their religious beliefs as a means of comfort , ” Chronister said .
“ But practicing those beliefs has to be done safely , ” he added .
RELATED : Florida City Wins Years-Long Battle Against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The River at Tampa Bay Church , meanwhile , is pushing back and has described itself as an essential service .
“ In a time of national crisis , we expect certain institutions to be open and certain people to be on duty .
We expect hospitals to have their doors open 24/7 to receive and treat patients .
We expect our police and firefighters to be ready and available to rescue and to help and to keep the peace .
“ The Church is another one of those essential services .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help and for comfort in a climate of fear and uncertainty.
, ” the church wrote on Facebook .
“ We hope and trust that all media outlets would be able to hear from the President and his medical advisors and properly and correctly report the information and advice given by them .
And to resist the temptation to report in such a way as to exacerbate people ’ s panic , fear , and anxiety , ” the church added .
Howard-Browne accused media outlets of “ stirring up religious bigotry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida pastor ’ s arrest came three days after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio threatened to permanently close churches and synagogues that hold services during the coronavirus pandemic .
Howard-Browne faces a punishment of up to 60 days in jail and fines totaling up to $ 500 .
The Bradenton Herald reported he posted bond Monday and was released from jail shortly after his arrest .
The River at Tampa Bay Church has a congregation of roughly 4,000 people , The Bradenton Herald reported .
5,473 cases of COVID-19 have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in the state , according to data from Johns Hopkins .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A Florida pastor has been arrested after holding services at his church in defiance of guidelines from authorities in the Tampa area, which order citizens to remain at home as reported coronavirus cases surge in Florida.
WTSP reported authorities in Hillsborough County issued an arrest warrant for Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne Monday after Sheriff Chad Chronister saw images of a live-streamed service at the River at Tampa Bay Church.
Sheriff Chronister reportedly became furious at the images, which showed a packed congregation at the church on Sunday. The sheriff’s office also said the church offered bus services to and from the church Sunday.
“We received an anonymous tip that Pastor Dr. Ronald (sic) Howard-Browne refused a request to temporarily stop holding large gatherings at his church,” the sheriff said at a press conference. “And instead, he was encouraging his large congregation to meet at his church.”
Chronister said the church services were a “reckless disregard for human life,” putting the members of the congregation and those they might interact with at risk.
“The safety and wellbeing of our community must always come first,” Chronister added.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office joined Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren in filing charges against Howard-Browne — including a charge for “unlawful assembly” and another for “violation of public health emergency rules,” WTSP reported.
The pastor turned himself in after a warrant for his arrest was issued.
On March 27, county officials issued a “safer-at-home” declaration, which asked citizens to stay home and practice social distancing in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Do you think churches should be deemed essential during the COVID-19 crisis? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 58% (271 Votes) No: 42% (200 Votes)
The sheriff defended his actions, condemning the pastor for hosting regular church services.
“I believe there’s nothing more important than faith during a time like this. And as a sheriff’s office we would never impede someone’s ability to lean on their religious beliefs as a means of comfort,” Chronister said.
“But practicing those beliefs has to be done safely,” he added.
The River at Tampa Bay Church, meanwhile, is pushing back and has described itself as an essential service.
“In a time of national crisis, we expect certain institutions to be open and certain people to be on duty. We expect hospitals to have their doors open 24/7 to receive and treat patients. We expect our police and firefighters to be ready and available to rescue and to help and to keep the peace.
“The Church is another one of those essential services. It is a place where people turn for help and for comfort in a climate of fear and uncertainty.,” the church wrote on Facebook.
“We hope and trust that all media outlets would be able to hear from the President and his medical advisors and properly and correctly report the information and advice given by them. And to resist the temptation to report in such a way as to exacerbate people’s panic, fear, and anxiety,” the church added.
Howard-Browne accused media outlets of “stirring up religious bigotry and hate” on Twitter Monday.
Media stirring up religious bigotry and hate … the church was shot at last night …. keep up the good work! https://t.co/KVJCwS3mE9 — Rodney Howard-Browne (@rhowardbrowne) March 30, 2020
The Florida pastor’s arrest came three days after New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio threatened to permanently close churches and synagogues that hold services during the coronavirus pandemic.
Florida pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested after holding services Sunday at his Tampa megachurch despite public orders urging residents to stay home to help contain the spread of coronavirus https://t.co/r0Du5vBarr pic.twitter.com/PqkPkNi8aa — CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) March 30, 2020
Howard-Browne faces a punishment of up to 60 days in jail and fines totaling up to $500.
The Bradenton Herald reported he posted bond Monday and was released from jail shortly after his arrest.
The River at Tampa Bay Church has a congregation of roughly 4,000 people, The Bradenton Herald reported.
5,473 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Florida and 63 people have died in the state, according to data from Johns Hopkins.
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westernjournal--2020-03-30--NY Releases Level 3 Sex Offenders Convicted of Raping Minors – Part of COVID Response

One of the most confounding things about liberals is their penchant for releasing dangerous criminals back onto the streets any time they get the chance , and it seems the coronavirus pandemic is as good an excuse as any to free even more miscreants .
The latest to get in on the coronavirus prisoner release fun is the Monroe County Jail in western New York , which was required by a statewide edict from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to release about 50 inmates , according to WROC-TV in Rochester .
These aren ’ t just any garden-variety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those released , at least four are registered sex offenders , three of whom are considered Level 3 offenders — meaning they have been convicted of raping minors and are deemed by the state as most likely to reoffend .
If that wasn ’ t bad enough , nine of the prisoners — including the sex offenders — are being housed at a Holiday Inn Express in Greece , New York , the report said .
TRENDING : Frmr Obamacare Chief Pushes Panic , Tells 360K People Hospital Is Out of Ventilators - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town , Patrick Phelan , is just as confused by this insanity as the rest of us .
“ It doesn ’ t make any sense , ” he told WROC .
If you could present an argument to me that makes sense , I ’ m willing to listen .
But this doesn ’ t make any sense.
” According to Phelan , the hotel is near a residential neighborhood and school .
He said he was not alerted beforehand and is scrambling to notify the surrounding residents now that convicted sex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children live or attend school .
“ We weren ’ t told by anyone , ” Phelan told WROC .
“ I think good practice would be that if you ’ re going to release nine convicted felons — some of them very violent , some of them registered Level 3 sex offenders , which is the highest level — if you ’ re going to release nine of those people into someone ’ s community , you might want to give law enforcement the heads up.
” The DOCCS order was meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent a possible coronavirus outbreak in the prison .
So far there are no cases of the virus in the Monroe County Jail .
WROC said it reached out to the department for its response to Phelan ’ s concerns and was told that it made decisions on whom to release based on a “ review of the underlying technical violation , not the original crime.
” “ So you have a violent criminal that ’ s done time in state prison who ’ s been given the chance of parole and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Phelan told WROC .
“ That ’ s who you ’ re talking about right now.
” A statement from the department said that its “ top priority remains the public health and safety of New Yorkers during this global public health emergency and this measure will further protect a vulnerable population from contracting and transmitting this infectious disease.
” When it says it wants to “ protect a vulnerable population , ” the department means prison inmates such as these convicted sex offenders who might catch the virus , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger of becoming the next victim at the hands of a pervert .
Since inmates are wards of the state , it is important to keep their health and safety in mind , of course .
Additionally , guards and other personnel are putting their lives at risk should a COVID-19 outbreak happen at their jail .
However , jails exist to keep the bad guys locked securely behind steel bars .
Period .
This should be so self-evident as to not even be brought into question , regardless of what the latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of course , there is no shortage of those advocating for their release anyway .
New York Democrats in particular love releasing criminals , usually illegal aliens , but this time they ’ re settling for the home-grown variety .
Brad Lander , Brooklyn council member , tweeted his support for releasing inmates on March 22 .
“ First federal inmate tests positive for coronavirus , at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park , ” he wrote of the prison in his district .
“ Inmates & corrections officers lives are risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detainees .
And stop putting new ones in .
Now.
” This leftists ’ obsession with taking people who are clearly dangerous and releasing them back into society is nothing short of insane .
Phelan is absolutely right that none of this makes sense , especially when convicted offenders enjoy a higher status in the hierarchy of victimhood that governs contemporary liberalism .
In the twisted worldview of a leftist , the protection of sex offenders has more weight than the protection of those they will have new access to victimize .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not valued in a state whose governor championed late-term abortion , it seems otherwise indefensible to allow convicted criminals their freedom on no merits other than their potential vulnerability to infection .
The liberal politicians of New York are bent on putting their constituents ’ lives at risk for a chance to virtue signal , and using COVID-19 as an excuse is the most egregious example to date .
The residents of Greece who are hosting these newly freed criminals in their community will have to contend with not only the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run amok .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

One of the most confounding things about liberals is their penchant for releasing dangerous criminals back onto the streets any time they get the chance, and it seems the coronavirus pandemic is as good an excuse as any to free even more miscreants.
The latest to get in on the coronavirus prisoner release fun is the Monroe County Jail in western New York, which was required by a statewide edict from the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to release about 50 inmates, according to WROC-TV in Rochester.
These aren’t just any garden-variety petty thieves or drug users.
Among those released, at least four are registered sex offenders, three of whom are considered Level 3 offenders — meaning they have been convicted of raping minors and are deemed by the state as most likely to reoffend.
If that wasn’t bad enough, nine of the prisoners — including the sex offenders — are being housed at a Holiday Inn Express in Greece, New York, the report said.
The police chief of that town, Patrick Phelan, is just as confused by this insanity as the rest of us.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” he told WROC. If you could present an argument to me that makes sense, I’m willing to listen. But this doesn’t make any sense.”
According to Phelan, the hotel is near a residential neighborhood and school. He said he was not alerted beforehand and is scrambling to notify the surrounding residents now that convicted sex offenders will be staying near where their children live or attend school.
Do you think prison inmates should be released to protect them from the coronavirus? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 1% (9 Votes) No: 99% (997 Votes)
“We weren’t told by anyone,” Phelan told WROC. “I think good practice would be that if you’re going to release nine convicted felons — some of them very violent, some of them registered Level 3 sex offenders, which is the highest level — if you’re going to release nine of those people into someone’s community, you might want to give law enforcement the heads up.”
The DOCCS order was meant to release low-level parole offenders in order to prevent a possible coronavirus outbreak in the prison. So far there are no cases of the virus in the Monroe County Jail.
WROC said it reached out to the department for its response to Phelan’s concerns and was told that it made decisions on whom to release based on a “review of the underlying technical violation, not the original crime.”
“So you have a violent criminal that’s done time in state prison who’s been given the chance of parole and not followed the conditions of their parole,” Phelan told WROC. “That’s who you’re talking about right now.”
A statement from the department said that its “top priority remains the public health and safety of New Yorkers during this global public health emergency and this measure will further protect a vulnerable population from contracting and transmitting this infectious disease.”
When it says it wants to “protect a vulnerable population,” the department means prison inmates such as these convicted sex offenders who might catch the virus, not the neighborhood children who are now in danger of becoming the next victim at the hands of a pervert.
Since inmates are wards of the state, it is important to keep their health and safety in mind, of course. Additionally, guards and other personnel are putting their lives at risk should a COVID-19 outbreak happen at their jail.
However, jails exist to keep the bad guys locked securely behind steel bars. Period. This should be so self-evident as to not even be brought into question, regardless of what the latest excuse is to let them out.
Of course, there is no shortage of those advocating for their release anyway.
New York Democrats in particular love releasing criminals, usually illegal aliens, but this time they’re settling for the home-grown variety.
Brad Lander, Brooklyn council member, tweeted his support for releasing inmates on March 22.
“First federal inmate tests positive for coronavirus, at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park,” he wrote of the prison in his district.
“Inmates & corrections officers lives are risks. We need to temporarily release older/vulnerable detainees. And stop putting new ones in. Now.”
First federal inmate tests positive for coronavirus, at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park. Inmates & corrections officers lives are risks. We need to temporarily release older/vulnerable detainees. And stop putting new ones in. Now.https://t.co/EShsnMUW6r — Brad Lander (@bradlander) March 22, 2020
This leftists’ obsession with taking people who are clearly dangerous and releasing them back into society is nothing short of insane.
Phelan is absolutely right that none of this makes sense, especially when convicted offenders enjoy a higher status in the hierarchy of victimhood that governs contemporary liberalism.
In the twisted worldview of a leftist, the protection of sex offenders has more weight than the protection of those they will have new access to victimize.
While it is sort of understandable that children are not valued in a state whose governor championed late-term abortion, it seems otherwise indefensible to allow convicted criminals their freedom on no merits other than their potential vulnerability to infection.
The liberal politicians of New York are bent on putting their constituents’ lives at risk for a chance to virtue signal, and using COVID-19 as an excuse is the most egregious example to date.
The residents of Greece who are hosting these newly freed criminals in their community will have to contend with not only the coronavirus but also the cancer that is liberalism run amok.
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westernjournal--2020-03-30--Fred Weinberg: Trump Understands What Media Doesn’t – That US Is the Greatest Nation in the World

The United States of America is the greatest nation on the face of the earth .
This we all know , but you could barely tell that from watching and reading the legacy media for which we constitutionally guarantee the right to exist and which act as the leftist pimps many of them are .
I ’ m referring to CNN , MSNBC , ABC , CBS , NBC , The Washington Post and The New York Times as well as some really crappy blogs like HuffPost , Time and Newsweek .
Over the weekend , I was flipping around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie called “ Miracle ” about the 1980 U.S.A. Hockey win over the Soviet Union — which I , inexplicably , had never watched .
( Although I did actually watch the game itself in 1980 on ABC . )
Those Olympics happened after the Russians invaded Afghanistan and the Iranians took our diplomats hostage .
And , frankly , after four years of Jimmy Carter , we needed that win .
We needed Al Michaels to say , “ Do you believe in Miracles ?
Yes !
” TRENDING : Frmr Obamacare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital Is Out of Ventilators - It Wasn't And , yes , I know that Disney made the movie and also owns ABC , but this happened in 1980 , not in 2016 or yesterday .
If you want to see the difference between a nice guy ( Carter ) and a wartime commander ( President Trump ) , you should watch it happening today — everyday .
But the American public hasn ’ t changed very much in the 40 years since that February evening in 1980 .
The United States Olympic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Soviet team that had beaten them 10-3 weeks earlier .
They played a physical , defensive game , taking it to the Russians and winning , with a huge crowd in an arena screaming “ U.S.A. ” Not a crowd of politicians but a crowd of average Americans who believed in this nation then and still do today .
Today we have a president who says the very things many — even a majority — of those average Americans are thinking and thousands more people than you can fit into a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see and hear that president say those things .
And , just like that hockey game , you hear thousands of people chanting “ U.S.A. ” And unlike the cynics in the media and the politicians , they mean it .
That ’ s not xenophobia .
Or racism .
Or any of the “ isms ” the so-called critics hurl at this president .
You know , those people who “ get bitter , they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren ’ t like them or anti-immigrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain their frustrations , ” as Barack Obama once put it .
RELATED : Op-Ed : Trump Was Wrong To Call for Conservative Rep. Massie To Be Thrown Out of GOP Or “ to just be grossly generalistic , you could put half of Trump ’ s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables .
Right ?
The racist , sexist , homophobic , xenophobic , Islamaphobic — you name it , ” as Hillary Clinton put it .
Those are the people who look down their elitist noses at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubtful that either of those two leftist icons even cared about that hockey game any more than they understood why Ronald Reagan beat Carter in 1980 .
They think this pandemic we ’ re working our way through is a crisis in the sense of former Obama Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel ’ s exhortation that you “ never want a serious crisis to go to waste.
” Real Americans — those who appreciate both the 1980 Olympic hockey team ’ s win and President Trump ’ s leadership style — understand something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is not the critic who counts ; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles , or where the doer of deeds could have done them better .
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena , whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood ; who strives valiantly ; who errs , who comes short again and again , because there is no effort without error and shortcoming ; but who does actually strive to do the deeds ; who knows great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spends himself in a worthy cause ; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement , and who at the worst , if he fails , at least fails while daring greatly , so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
” That was Teddy Roosevelt about 110 years ago , in a speech aptly titled “ Citizenship in a Republic ” at the Sorbonne in Paris .
Neither Hillary nor Barack ever gave a speech on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely , if at all .
Donald Trump , however , is the man in the arena .
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The United States of America is the greatest nation on the face of the earth.
This we all know, but you could barely tell that from watching and reading the legacy media for which we constitutionally guarantee the right to exist and which act as the leftist pimps many of them are. I’m referring to CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, The Washington Post and The New York Times as well as some really crappy blogs like HuffPost, Time and Newsweek.
Over the weekend, I was flipping around Netflix and came across a 2004 Disney movie called “Miracle” about the 1980 U.S.A. Hockey win over the Soviet Union — which I, inexplicably, had never watched. (Although I did actually watch the game itself in 1980 on ABC.)
Those Olympics happened after the Russians invaded Afghanistan and the Iranians took our diplomats hostage.
And, frankly, after four years of Jimmy Carter, we needed that win. We needed Al Michaels to say, “Do you believe in Miracles? Yes!”
And, yes, I know that Disney made the movie and also owns ABC, but this happened in 1980, not in 2016 or yesterday.
If you want to see the difference between a nice guy (Carter) and a wartime commander (President Trump), you should watch it happening today — everyday.
But the American public hasn’t changed very much in the 40 years since that February evening in 1980.
The United States Olympic Committee sent 20 young guys out against a Soviet team that had beaten them 10-3 weeks earlier. They played a physical, defensive game, taking it to the Russians and winning, with a huge crowd in an arena screaming “U.S.A.” Not a crowd of politicians but a crowd of average Americans who believed in this nation then and still do today.
Today we have a president who says the very things many — even a majority — of those average Americans are thinking and thousands more people than you can fit into a big arena stand in the rain outside to see and hear that president say those things.
And, just like that hockey game, you hear thousands of people chanting “U.S.A.” And unlike the cynics in the media and the politicians, they mean it.
That’s not xenophobia. Or racism. Or any of the “isms” the so-called critics hurl at this president.
That’s America.
You know, those people who “get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy toward people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations,” as Barack Obama once put it.
Or “to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right? The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic — you name it,” as Hillary Clinton put it.
Those are the people who look down their elitist noses at you and me.
It’s doubtful that either of those two leftist icons even cared about that hockey game any more than they understood why Ronald Reagan beat Carter in 1980.
They think we’re stupid.
They think this pandemic we’re working our way through is a crisis in the sense of former Obama Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel’s exhortation that you “never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”
Real Americans — those who appreciate both the 1980 Olympic hockey team’s win and President Trump’s leadership style — understand something another former president once said.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
That was Teddy Roosevelt about 110 years ago, in a speech aptly titled “Citizenship in a Republic” at the Sorbonne in Paris. Neither Hillary nor Barack ever gave a speech on that subject which has been quoted as widely, if at all.
Donald Trump, however, is the man in the arena.
The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.
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westernjournal--2020-03-30--US Gov’t Partners with Johnson & Johnson To Prep for 1 Billion Coronavirus Vaccine Doses

Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is partnering with the U.S. government to produce up to 1 billion doses of a coronavirus vaccine for use around the world by the end of next year .
Asked on NBC ’ s “ Today ” on Monday how quickly the first vaccines could be available , CEO Alex Gorsky replied , “ This is like a moonshot for us.
” “ What would usually take five to seven years , we expect to be able to accomplish in five to seven months , ” he said .
The company is working directly with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Department of Health and Human Services .
“ We have a candidate that has a high degree of probability of being successful against the COVID-19 virus , ” Gorsky said .
TRENDING : Frmr Obamacare Chief Pushes Panic , Tells 360K People Hospital Is Out of Ventilators - It Wasn't “ Now we also , very important , we ’ ve got the production capabilities to be able to ramp up production of this in a relatively short period of time so it can become available.
” Gorsky said he anticipates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interim study results by early next year .
The Johnson & Johnson leader said the company plans to start production of the vaccine even before it has the study ’ s results .
“ Literally within the next few days and weeks , we ’ re going to start ramping up production of these vaccines as well , and we should be able to have several hundred million doses available by the middle of next year .
Our goal is to have a billion prepared by the end of 2021 , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson entered into the $ 1 billion deal with the federal government to develop the vaccine late last week .
Under the terms of the agreement , the government will pay $ 456 million and Johnson & Johnson will cover the rest of the cost for the vaccine ’ s research , development and testing .
“ Today ” co-host Savannah Guthrie highlighted that Johnson & Johnson and other companies entering into these agreements with the government are taking a risk by producing the vaccine before even knowing if it ’ s effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we have to do in this case , ” Gorsky replied .
“ We ’ re going to do everything possible to make sure we have a safe , effective , vaccine available in the kind of quantities that can really make a difference , ” he said .
Johnson & Johnson ’ s chief scientific officer , Dr. Paul Stoffels , also confirmed to Reuters that going to production before the vaccine is approved “ is the only option for us to get it on time.
” Gorsky said his company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accelerate the process to get a vaccine to the public .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson is partnering with the U.S. government to produce up to 1 billion doses of a coronavirus vaccine for use around the world by the end of next year.
Asked on NBC’s “Today” on Monday how quickly the first vaccines could be available, CEO Alex Gorsky replied, “This is like a moonshot for us.”
“What would usually take five to seven years, we expect to be able to accomplish in five to seven months,” he said.
The company is working directly with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority at the Department of Health and Human Services.
“We have a candidate that has a high degree of probability of being successful against the COVID-19 virus,” Gorsky said.
“Now we also, very important, we’ve got the production capabilities to be able to ramp up production of this in a relatively short period of time so it can become available.”
Gorsky said he anticipates starting human testing in September and having interim study results by early next year.
The Johnson & Johnson leader said the company plans to start production of the vaccine even before it has the study’s results.
Do you support Trump administration's public/private partnerships in the coronavirus fight? Yes No
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“Literally within the next few days and weeks, we’re going to start ramping up production of these vaccines as well, and we should be able to have several hundred million doses available by the middle of next year. Our goal is to have a billion prepared by the end of 2021,” he said.
Forbes reported that Johnson & Johnson entered into the $1 billion deal with the federal government to develop the vaccine late last week.
Under the terms of the agreement, the government will pay $456 million and Johnson & Johnson will cover the rest of the cost for the vaccine’s research, development and testing.
“Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie highlighted that Johnson & Johnson and other companies entering into these agreements with the government are taking a risk by producing the vaccine before even knowing if it’s effective.
“Look, that’s what we have to do in this case,” Gorsky replied.
“We’re going to do everything possible to make sure we have a safe, effective, vaccine available in the kind of quantities that can really make a difference,” he said.
Johnson & Johnson’s chief scientific officer, Dr. Paul Stoffels, also confirmed to Reuters that going to production before the vaccine is approved “is the only option for us to get it on time.”
Gorsky said his company is doing everything possible to try to accelerate the process to get a vaccine to the public.
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westernjournal--2020-03-30--CA Officials Walk Back Panic-Inducing Claim That COVID-19 Was Cause of Teen’s of Death

It ’ s one of the heartbreaking stories we ’ ve been accustomed to hearing over the past few weeks : Another COVID-19 victim , this one just a teenager .
To make things worse , the mayor of the teen ’ s city said he was turned away from an urgent care center for not having health insurance .
It was , to some , the face of everything wrong with the American medical system that coronavirus had exposed .
Here , as the story was first reported , was a 17-year-old with no complicating conditions who went from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days — and he ’ d been turned away because , assumedly , his family couldn ’ t afford medical coverage .
It was a sign that the system doesn ’ t work .
The liberal HuffPost headlined the story : “ Teen Who May Have Died Of Coronavirus Was Denied Care For Not Having Insurance : Mayor.
” TRENDING : Frmr Obamacare Chief Pushes Panic , Tells 360K People Hospital Is Out of Ventilators - It Wasn't However , what we know for sure is a lot different .
Yes , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few days .
And yes , he apparently did test positive for COVID-19 .
But health officials are backtracking considerably from naming that as the cause of death .
Here ’ s the timeline , according to NBC News : On March 18 , the 17-year-old Lancaster , California , boy was taken to an urgent care center .
He was then taken to Antelope Valley Hospital , where he died .
Six days later , the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said he died of COVID-19 .
The department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t willing to count the teen as a COVID-19 victim , because his case was “ complex.
” Had he died of the disease , he would have been the first juvenile to have been felled by coronavirus in the United States , according to CNN .
Almost everything else that ’ s public about the backstory seems to come from Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris .
“ He had been sick for a few days ; he had no previous health conditions .
On the Friday before he died , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his friends , ” Parris said in a YouTube video posted Wednesday , a week after the teen ’ s death .
“ By Wednesday , he was dead.
” According to Parris , the teen had been turned away from the urgent care center .
“ He did not have insurance , so they did not treat him , ” he said .
“ When a kid comes in respiratory distress , stabilize him and call ambulance , don ’ t ask for insurance , ” Parris told CNN in a separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is obviously a heartbreaking thing and I would , in no way , like to diminish the tragedy .
However , pretty much every aspect of this is very muddy .
The subtext of this is that the teen died of COVID-19 , for instance .
At the time the YouTube video had been made , Parris had likely had time to learn that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health had revoked its earlier declaration that the boy had died of a coronavirus infection .
“ The juvenile fatality that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier today will require further evaluation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , ” the department said in a Tuesday news release .
“ Though early tests indicated a positive result for COVID-19 , the case is complex and there may be an alternate explanation for this fatality .
Patient privacy prevents our offering further details at this time.
” That might have been why “ COVID-19 ” is not mentioned aloud in the video .
Anyone watching would get the impression that that ’ s what happened , but Parris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( though the title of the video is “ COVID-19 Daily Update 3/25/2020 ” ) .
Parris also told CNN that a friend of the victim as well as the victim ’ s father have both tested positive for coronavirus .
That wasn ’ t the impression one took away from the county ’ s news release , however .
The Western Journal reached out to Parris by email on Monday afternoon , but did not receive an immediate response .
The coronavirus crisis has the whole world on edge , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions .
The story of an otherwise healthy teenager actually dying from a coronavirus infection had the potential to induce panic even beyond the situation as it stands .
Neither the Los Angeles County of Public Health nor Parris seems to have had enough information to declare this a COVID-19 death .
In the case of Parris , there was contradicting information when he came forward with a video strong on innuendo by weak on facts .
If the teen had died of the disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youngest fatalities linked to coronavirus infection .
It would have had massive implications on a number of levels .
This was one of those times when getting it right mattered .
Instead , we got this .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It’s one of the heartbreaking stories we’ve been accustomed to hearing over the past few weeks: Another COVID-19 victim, this one just a teenager.
To make things worse, the mayor of the teen’s city said he was turned away from an urgent care center for not having health insurance.
It was, to some, the face of everything wrong with the American medical system that coronavirus had exposed. Here, as the story was first reported, was a 17-year-old with no complicating conditions who went from healthy to dead in a matter of days — and he’d been turned away because, assumedly, his family couldn’t afford medical coverage. It was a sign that the system doesn’t work.
The liberal HuffPost headlined the story: “Teen Who May Have Died Of Coronavirus Was Denied Care For Not Having Insurance: Mayor.”
The news made a splash:
A Lancaster teen appears to be the first person under age 18 in the country to die from complications associated with the #coronavirus The 17-year-old died recently while being treated at Antelope Valley Hospital https://t.co/GHRJCPva9Z — Tell It Like It Is! (@Jeres_Rant) March 25, 2020
However, what we know for sure is a lot different. Yes, the teenager died after being sick for just a few days. And yes, he apparently did test positive for COVID-19. But health officials are backtracking considerably from naming that as the cause of death.
Here’s the timeline, according to NBC News: On March 18, the 17-year-old Lancaster, California, boy was taken to an urgent care center. He was then taken to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he died. Six days later, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said he died of COVID-19.
Without downplaying the seriousness of the issue, do you think COVID-19 stories are getting exaggerated? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 94% (484 Votes) No: 6% (29 Votes)
The department later revised that and said it wasn’t willing to count the teen as a COVID-19 victim, because his case was “complex.”
Had he died of the disease, he would have been the first juvenile to have been felled by coronavirus in the United States, according to CNN.
Almost everything else that’s public about the backstory seems to come from Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris.
“He had been sick for a few days; he had no previous health conditions. On the Friday before he died, he was healthy; he was socializing with his friends,” Parris said in a YouTube video posted Wednesday, a week after the teen’s death. “By Wednesday, he was dead.”
According to Parris, the teen had been turned away from the urgent care center.
“He did not have insurance, so they did not treat him,” he said.
“When a kid comes in respiratory distress, stabilize him and call ambulance, don’t ask for insurance,” Parris told CNN in a separate interview.
The loss of any teenager is obviously a heartbreaking thing and I would, in no way, like to diminish the tragedy. However, pretty much every aspect of this is very muddy.
The subtext of this is that the teen died of COVID-19, for instance. At the time the YouTube video had been made, Parris had likely had time to learn that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health had revoked its earlier declaration that the boy had died of a coronavirus infection.
“The juvenile fatality that the Los Angeles County Department Public Health reported earlier today will require further evaluation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the department said in a Tuesday news release.
“Though early tests indicated a positive result for COVID-19, the case is complex and there may be an alternate explanation for this fatality. Patient privacy prevents our offering further details at this time.”
That might have been why “COVID-19” is not mentioned aloud in the video. Anyone watching would get the impression that that’s what happened, but Parris never comes out and says the words (though the title of the video is “COVID-19 Daily Update 3/25/2020”).
Parris also told CNN that a friend of the victim as well as the victim’s father have both tested positive for coronavirus. That wasn’t the impression one took away from the county’s news release, however.
The Western Journal reached out to Parris by email on Monday afternoon, but did not receive an immediate response.
The coronavirus crisis has the whole world on edge, with the sure knowledge that those at risk are the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions. The story of an otherwise healthy teenager actually dying from a coronavirus infection had the potential to induce panic even beyond the situation as it stands.
Neither the Los Angeles County of Public Health nor Parris seems to have had enough information to declare this a COVID-19 death. In the case of Parris, there was contradicting information when he came forward with a video strong on innuendo by weak on facts.
If the teen had died of the disease, this would have been one of the youngest fatalities linked to coronavirus infection. It would have had massive implications on a number of levels. This was one of those times when getting it right mattered.
Instead, we got this.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.