westernjournal--2020-04-19--Mayor Who Resigned After Comparing Trump Supporters to KKK Members Dies in Crash

The former mayor of a Northern California city who stepped down after he harshly criticized President Donald Trump and his supporters died Saturday in a plane crash , The Sacramento Bee reported .
Dr. Bill Kirby , who was the mayor of Auburn , died in the crash Saturday morning near the Auburn Municipal Airport , officials told The Bee .
Kirby , a urologist , was the pilot of the plane that crashed shortly after 11 a.m. , the newspaper reported .
A passenger in the plane suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protection .
The Bee reported that a Facebook post from Sacramento political consultant Jeff Raimundo carried a statement from the Kirby family confirming he was the victim .
TRENDING : Bill Maher Sends Warning to Media : Keep up Dishonest Virus Reporting , and Trump Will Win 2020 “ Our family is devastated by this tragic news , ” the statement by the family said .
“ Bill devoted decades of enthusiastic and loving support to his family , his patients and the Auburn community he loved so much .
We will miss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he died while flying — one of the other loves of his life.
” Kirby , 72 , had been a licensed pilot since at least 2009 , according to public records cited by the Bee .
Kirby gained notoriety last week after social media posts criticizing Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and comparing the president ’ s supporters to KKK members .
He told the Auburn Journal a week ago that his Facebook posts were made on a personal page and that “ this has nothing to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RELATED : California City Dumps 37 Tons of Sand in Skatepark To Keep Kids Out He added that he “ absolutely ” believes Trump is a racist .
Kirby ’ s posts and statements created an outcry and calls for his recall .
He announced during a City Council meeting Monday that he was stepping aside from his post as mayor and was expected to be succeeded this week by Councilman Daniel Berlant , The Bee reported .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .
We are committed to truth and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our editorial standards .

The former mayor of a Northern California city who stepped down after he harshly criticized President Donald Trump and his supporters died Saturday in a plane crash, The Sacramento Bee reported.
Dr. Bill Kirby, who was the mayor of Auburn, died in the crash Saturday morning near the Auburn Municipal Airport, officials told The Bee.
Kirby, a urologist, was the pilot of the plane that crashed shortly after 11 a.m., the newspaper reported.
A passenger in the plane suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The Bee reported that a Facebook post from Sacramento political consultant Jeff Raimundo carried a statement from the Kirby family confirming he was the victim.
“Our family is devastated by this tragic news,” the statement by the family said.
“Bill devoted decades of enthusiastic and loving support to his family, his patients and the Auburn community he loved so much. We will miss him immensely but take comfort in knowing he died while flying — one of the other loves of his life.”
Kirby, 72, had been a licensed pilot since at least 2009, according to public records cited by the Bee.
Kirby gained notoriety last week after social media posts criticizing Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and comparing the president’s supporters to KKK members.
BREAKING: Auburn (Calif.) Mayor Dr. Bill Kirby shared a reposted meme last Thursday from his personal Facebook account. The image depicted a hooded KKK member and included the text: “Good news for Trump supporters is that most of them already have masks”https://t.co/ukTcr9OPRj — Paul Sperry (@paulsperry_) April 15, 2020
He told the Auburn Journal a week ago that his Facebook posts were made on a personal page and that “this has nothing to do with my job. I reposted it.”
He added that he “absolutely” believes Trump is a racist.
The mayor of Auburn, CA is facing backlash tonight over controversial social media posts. One post appears to equate Trump supporters to members of the KKK. Mayor Bill Kirby has been a vocal critic of Pres Trump but community members say this crossed the line. Here’s his response pic.twitter.com/6cr1Su1aN0 — Bridgette Bjorlo (@bridgettebjorlo) April 13, 2020
Kirby’s posts and statements created an outcry and calls for his recall.
He announced during a City Council meeting Monday that he was stepping aside from his post as mayor and was expected to be succeeded this week by Councilman Daniel Berlant, The Bee reported.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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westernjournal--2020-04-21--Sweden Official: Coronavirus Strategy of Keeping the Country Open Seems To Be Working

Sweden ’ s top epidemiologist believes his country could reach “ herd immunity ” for COVID-19 in the population by May .
“ According to our modelers [ at the Public Health Agency of Sweden ] , we are starting to see so many immune people in the population in Stockholm that it is starting to have an effect on the spread of the infection , ” Dr. Anders Tegnell told recently local reporters , according to the U.K. Daily Mail .
“ Our models point to some time in May.
” While Sweden has canceled large sporting and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restaurants have remained open , relying on citizens to do what is necessary to keep themselves safe .
“ The government has banned gatherings of 50 people and barred visits to nursing homes .
It also banned non-essential travel to Sweden from outside the EU , ” the Daily Mail reported .
TRENDING : Cuomo Calls Trump Comments Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing John Burn-Murdoch of the Financial Times noted in a Monday tweet that Stockholm , Sweden ’ s capital city and largest population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area ) , has seen a decline in new hospitalizations .
According to Johns Hopkins , Sweden has 14,777 confirmed cases and 1,580 deaths .
Critics have pointed out that Sweden has had a significantly higher death rate — at 118 per one million people — than the surrounding Nordic nations of Norway , Finland and Denmark .
“ Sweden ’ s per-million tally is also significantly higher than the 42 recorded in Germany – but remains lower than the [ United Kingdom ’ s ] rate of 182 ( as of Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 349 and Spain ’ s 399 , ” The Guardian reported .
Statista shows Sweden ’ s death rate per million at approximately 151 versus the United States at 124 .
Tegnell is confident that his country made the right call in not going into a lockdown .
“ I am very skeptical of lockdowns altogether but if you ever do them , you should do them at an early stage , ” he said .
“ So far , what we are doing is working , ” Tegnell added .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I am confident we are doing the best we can in the circumstances.
’ The doctor ’ s assessment of Sweden ’ s less aggressive approach to the coronavirus outbreak comes as state governors weigh when and how to reopen their economies .
At the coronavirus task force news briefing on Monday at the White House , President Donald Trump highlighted that thirty states have one or less cases per 1,000 people .
“ Far fewer cases per capita as an example than Germany , the United Kingdom , France , Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belgium , Spain , Norway , the Netherlands , Austria , Sweden , ” he said .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Sweden’s top epidemiologist believes his country could reach “herd immunity” for COVID-19 in the population by May.
“According to our modelers [at the Public Health Agency of Sweden], we are starting to see so many immune people in the population in Stockholm that it is starting to have an effect on the spread of the infection,” Dr. Anders Tegnell recently told local reporters, according to the U.K. Daily Mail.
“Our models point to some time in May.”
While Sweden has canceled large sporting and other events, schools, gyms, bars and restaurants have remained open, relying on citizens to do what is necessary to keep themselves safe.
“The government has banned gatherings of 50 people and barred visits to nursing homes. It also banned non-essential travel to Sweden from outside the EU,” the Daily Mail reported.
John Burn-Murdoch of the Financial Times noted in a Monday tweet that Stockholm, Sweden’s capital city and largest population center (2.4 million in the metro area), has seen a decline in new hospitalizations.
Stockholm:
• Remember Sweden has not locked down like most places. Social gatherings still common.
• But data show steady deceleration in new hospitalisations
• Daily hospital beds occupied now unchanged vs last week, and on course for net week-on-week reduction very soon pic.twitter.com/pomIvTdSuu — John Burn-Murdoch (@jburnmurdoch) April 20, 2020
According to Johns Hopkins, Sweden has 14,777 confirmed cases and 1,580 deaths.
Do you think the United States took too aggressive an approach to 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: 64% (3477 Votes) No: 36% (1925 Votes)
Critics have pointed out that Sweden has had a significantly higher death rate — at 118 per one million people — than the surrounding Nordic nations of Norway, Finland and Denmark.
“Sweden’s per-million tally is also significantly higher than the 42 recorded in Germany – but remains lower than the [United Kingdom’s] rate of 182 (as of Tuesday) and far below Italy’s 349 and Spain’s 399,” The Guardian reported.
Also worth noting that Sweden’s death rate (the yellow line) far exceeds those of its Nordic neighbours. Herd immunity has a cost. pic.twitter.com/qXJhvJfQNW — George Eaton (@georgeeaton) April 19, 2020
Statista shows Sweden’s death rate per million at approximately 151 versus the United States at 124.
Tegnell is confident that his country made the right call in not going into a lockdown.
“I am very skeptical of lockdowns altogether but if you ever do them, you should do them at an early stage,” he said.
“So far, what we are doing is working,” Tegnell added. “In a sense we are beating it, and I am confident we are doing the best we can in the circumstances.’
The doctor’s assessment of Sweden’s less aggressive approach to the coronavirus outbreak comes as state governors weigh when and how to reopen their economies.
At the coronavirus task force news briefing on Monday at the White House, President Donald Trump highlighted that thirty states have one or less cases per 1,000 people.
“Far fewer cases per capita as an example than Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Singapore, Belgium, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden,” he said.
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westernjournal--2020-04-21--Now Facebook Will Remove Event Posts That ‘Defy’ the Government, Even in America

During this time in our nation ’ s history it is important to heed the government and medical experts ’ advice on how to proceed .
From social distancing and staying at home unless you have to travel to washing your hands and not touching your face , this advice could save your life .
But what is not a good idea is for the boot of Big Brother to come slamming down on our heads telling us what we are allowed to read , think or do .
It is one thing to advise people to follow government recommendations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to mandate that people can not gather and protest for health reasons .
It is another thing entirely for the global public square , Facebook , to decide that you can not talk about those mandates or organize protests against them .
TRENDING : Cuomo Calls Trump Comments Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing This is a direct threat to the right to freely assemble , no matter how ill-advised it is .
But that is precisely what Facebook did on Monday when it announced that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California , Nebraska and New Jersey , as NBC News reported .
“ Unless government prohibits the event during this time , we allow it to be organized on Facebook , ” a spokesperson for the social media giant said in a statement .
“ For this same reason , events that defy government ’ s guidance on social distancing aren ’ t allowed on Facebook.
” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his platform was classifying the organization of those protests as “ harmful misinformation ” and said that the site would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time , it ’ s important that people can debate policies , so there ’ s a line on this , ” he told ABC ’ s George Stephanopoulos .
“ But more than normal political discourse , I think a lot of the stuff that people are saying that is false around a health emergency like this can be classified as harmful misinformation , ” he said .
Look , we get it .
People should be staying home and doing all the right things to stay healthy .
RELATED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Pointing to Wuhan Lab , Rolls Over When News of Censorship Explodes I ’ m not advising that you do anything other than follow the government ’ s guidelines .
But the fine line here , with respect to Zuckerberg , has already been crossed , erased and then doused in gasoline and set on fire .
When the world ’ s largest social media company says that it will remove information that pertains to forming anti-government protests , we are far into dangerous territory .
What is to stop Facebook , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chinese-owned TikTok , from demanding any anti-government protest be removed in the future ?
Totalitarianism does not have to start with tanks rolling down your street .
It can start with baby steps like this that appear to be born of good intentions .
The slope is slippery and the time to stop it is now .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

During this time in our nation’s history it is important to heed the government and medical experts’ advice on how to proceed.
From social distancing and staying at home unless you have to travel to washing your hands and not touching your face, this advice could save your life.
But what is not a good idea is for the boot of Big Brother to come slamming down on our heads telling us what we are allowed to read, think or do.
It is one thing to advise people to follow government recommendations or even for a governor or mayor to mandate that people cannot gather and protest for health reasons.
It is another thing entirely for the global public square, Facebook, to decide that you cannot talk about those mandates or organize protests against them.
This is a direct threat to the right to freely assemble, no matter how ill-advised it is.
But that is precisely what Facebook did on Monday when it announced that it would remove anything that promotes anti-lockdown protests in California, Nebraska and New Jersey, as NBC News reported.
“Unless government prohibits the event during this time, we allow it to be organized on Facebook,” a spokesperson for the social media giant said in a statement.
“For this same reason, events that defy government’s guidance on social distancing aren’t allowed on Facebook.”
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his platform was classifying the organization of those protests as “harmful misinformation” and said that the site would “take that down.”
ABC’s @GStephanopoulos urges @Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to crack down on protest organizers, label them “harmful misinformation” pic.twitter.com/XWz4FmNhcP — Kyle Drennen (@kjdrennen) April 20, 2020
“At the same time, it’s important that people can debate policies, so there’s a line on this,” he told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.
“But more than normal political discourse, I think a lot of the stuff that people are saying that is false around a health emergency like this can be classified as harmful misinformation,” he said.
Look, we get it. People should be staying home and doing all the right things to stay healthy.
I’m not advising that you do anything other than follow the government’s guidelines.
But the fine line here, with respect to Zuckerberg, has already been crossed, erased and then doused in gasoline and set on fire.
When the world’s largest social media company says that it will remove information that pertains to forming anti-government protests, we are far into dangerous territory.
Are you worried that Facebook's actions could set a precedent for tech companies to further censor speech? 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: 97% (284 Votes) No: 3% (8 Votes)
What is to stop Facebook, Twitter or any other company, like the Chinese-owned TikTok, from demanding any anti-government protest be removed in the future?
Totalitarianism does not have to start with tanks rolling down your street. It can start with baby steps like this that appear to be born of good intentions.
The slope is slippery and the time to stop it is now.
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westernjournal--2020-04-20--Zuckerberg: Organizing Anti-Lockdown Protests on Facebook is ‘Harmful Misinformation and We Take Tha

Zuckerberg: Organizing Anti-Lockdown Protests on Facebook is ‘Harmful Misinformation and We Take That Down’

Facebook has decided that protests against government-imposed lockdowns now qualify as “ harmful misinformation ” that the social media giant will take down .
After weeks of supporting government restrictions , Americans have grown restive amid edicts that have closed businesses and resulted in vast unemployment .
As a result , protests against those edicts have taken place in Minnesota , Kentucky , Ohio and North Carolina , with more cropping up around the nation .
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared Monday on ABC ’ s “ Good Morning America ” to discuss Facebook ’ s partnership with Carnegie Mellon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms and use that information to map potential hot spots governments might not know exist , or might not wish to reveal .
TRENDING : Cuomo Calls Trump Comments Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing During the interview with ABC ’ s George Stephanopoulos , Zuckerberg was asked about Facebook ’ s role in the spread of information about protests against government orders to stay at home .
“ We do classify that as harmful misinformation and we take that down , ” the tech executive said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s important that people can debate policies , so there ’ s a line on this , you know , more than normal political discourse .
I think a lot of the stuff that people are saying that is false around a health emergency like this can be classified as harmful misinformation , ” he added .
The Hill reported that a Facebook spokesperson said that events would be taken down when they violate state laws or “ guidance.
” “ Unless government prohibits the event during this time , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the spokesperson said .
“ For this same reason , events that defy government ’ s guidance on social distancing aren ’ t allowed on Facebook.
” According to one journalist , that has already taken place .
“ Facebook says it has removed promotion of anti-quarantine events in California , New Jersey , and Nebraska after consultation with state governments , ” CNN ’ s Donie O ’ Sullivan tweeted .
He added that other states are now being given the deciding vote on whether their citizens can communicate through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook says ] it is working to get answers from New York , Wisconsin , Ohio , and Pennsylvania as to whether anti-quarantine protests breaks those states ’ social distancing measures , ” he wrote .
Last week , President Donald Trump tweeted his support for protests in various states .
Twitter said those messages did not violate its content rules , according to Bloomberg .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Facebook has decided that protests against government-imposed lockdowns now qualify as “harmful misinformation” that the social media giant will take down.
After weeks of supporting government restrictions, Americans have grown restive amid edicts that have closed businesses and resulted in vast unemployment. As a result, protests against those edicts have taken place in Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio and North Carolina, with more cropping up around the nation.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared Monday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” to discuss Facebook’s partnership with Carnegie Mellon University to survey Facebook users about possible symptoms and use that information to map potential hot spots governments might not know exist, or might not wish to reveal.
Anti-quarantine protest groups are being removed from Facebook because they violate state orders. Does @Facebook realize that disallowing citizens the right to peaceful assembly is in violation of the First Amendment of our Constitution? https://t.co/F2J9FxG9MN — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) April 20, 2020
During the interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Zuckerberg was asked about Facebook’s role in the spread of information about protests against government orders to stay at home.
“We do classify that as harmful misinformation and we take that down,” the tech executive said.
“At the same time, it’s important that people can debate policies, so there’s a line on this, you know, more than normal political discourse. I think a lot of the stuff that people are saying that is false around a health emergency like this can be classified as harmful misinformation,” he added.
The Hill reported that a Facebook spokesperson said that events would be taken down when they violate state laws or “guidance.”
Are you concerned by Facebook's actions? 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: 96% (302 Votes) No: 4% (12 Votes)
“Unless government prohibits the event during this time, we allow it to be organized on Facebook,” the spokesperson said. “For this same reason, events that defy government’s guidance on social distancing aren’t allowed on Facebook.”
According to one journalist, that has already taken place.
“Facebook says it has removed promotion of anti-quarantine events in California, New Jersey, and Nebraska after consultation with state governments,” CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan tweeted.
Facebook says it has removed promotion of anti-quarantine events in California, New Jersey, and Nebraska after consultation with state governments — Donie O’Sullivan (@donie) April 20, 2020
He added that other states are now being given the deciding vote on whether their citizens can communicate through Facebook about planned protests.
“[Facebook says] it is working to get answers from New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania as to whether anti-quarantine protests breaks those states’ social distancing measures,” he wrote.
Says it is working to get answers from New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania as to whether anti-quarantine protests breaks those states’ social distancing measures. — Donie O’Sullivan (@donie) April 20, 2020
State governments definitely don’t want to be associated with FB taking down residents’ posts – spox for PA Dept of General Services tells me they haven’t been in contact with Facebook or any other social media platforms https://t.co/t75i6ERy6A — Evie Fordham (@eviefordham) April 20, 2020
Spox for NJ governor says the governor’s office and Facebook had been in touch but, “The governor’s office did not ask Facebook to remove pages or posts for events promoting lifting the provisions of the governor’s stay-at-home order.”https://t.co/N5pwNaRFU6 — Donie O’Sullivan (@donie) April 20, 2020
Last week, President Donald Trump tweeted his support for protests in various states. Twitter said those messages did not violate its content rules, according to Bloomberg.
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westernjournal--2020-04-20--Casino Mogul: Vegas Strip Could Be Open by Memorial Day

Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox has set his sights on what he deems the second “ curve we must ‘ flatten ' ” : Nevada ’ s rising unemployment from the coronavirus shutdown .
To this end , Maddox wrote an Op-Ed for The Nevada Independent on Sunday in which he discussed Wynn ’ s plan to reopen the state ’ s economy .
Like the phased plan implemented at the federal level , Wynn ’ s Nevada plan includes marginal steps , focusing first on areas of lower population density .
If these areas maintain specific criteria next month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen .
“ Begin with reduced occupancy , physical distancing measures in place , temperature checks and no large gatherings .
We all need to wear a mask , ” Maddox wrote in the Op-Ed .
TRENDING : Cuomo Calls Trump Comments Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing If you ’ re anything like I am , you ’ ve always appreciated the CliffsNotes version of bulky material .
In that spirit , I admired the president ’ s two-page “ 30 Days to Slow the Spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Wynn document spans across 23 pages .
How might we grasp the main takeaways ?
Wynn Guidelines by The Western Journal on Scribd Well , thankfully , Maddox himself sets the common denominator on the subject of testing .
“ The main obstacle on the list above is widespread testing , ” he wrote .
“ Our state , the medical community , the Task Force and resort industry leaders are focused on ways to vastly enhance testing , and I anticipate it will happen over the coming weeks.
” President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status of approved antibody tests , which has now increased to four .
“ This will help us assess the number of cases that have been asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic , ” Trump said , “ and support our efforts to get Americans back to work by showing us who might have developed the wonderful , beautiful immunity.
” RELATED : After Bartender Refuses Service to Cops , Rival Restaurants Step in To Show Their Support Maddox wrote in his Op-Ed , “ In order to be able to recover and reopen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe are the right steps to take : “ 1 .
The governor ’ s appointed Task Force should be focused on COVID- 19 testing capabilities and safely reopening the economy .
“ 2 .
Reopen parts of the local Nevada economy in early May .
Begin with reduced occupancy , physical distancing measures in place , temperature checks and no large gatherings .
We all need to wear a mask .
Wearing a mask is uncomfortable ; however , it will allow our economy to reopen faster .
“ 3 .
Follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modeling experts tracking benchmarks based on the following criteria : “ a .
Increases in COVID-19 testing velocity .
“ b .
Hospitalizations and deaths per million should not exceed the national average over any sustained period .
“ c .
Hospital critical care bed availability should be reserved based on a ratio of current COVID-19 patients in the event of a spike .
“ d .
Full transparent data should be public , web-based and accessible to anyone .
“ 4 .
Assuming in mid- to late-May we are still in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen the Las Vegas Strip with extensive safety measures in place .
“ 5 .
Monitor the data every day .
If we need to , marginally pull back or move forward.
” He noted that the sections of the medical community that don ’ t deal directly with the coronavirus have suffered tremendous job losses .
“ The hospitals need to begin elective surgeries while retaining capacity for COVID-19 patients , otherwise our healthcare system that is meant to save lives will be badly damaged , ” Maddox wrote .
We witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when we see busy tourist destinations resemble ghost towns .
Below , KVVU-TV provides a glimpse of an eerily empty Las Vegas Strip .
Las Vegas was originally set to host the 2020 NFL draft , a three-day spectacle beginning Thursday .
Head coaches , general managers and prospects will now conduct a virtual draft instead .
Wynn Las Vegas continues to provide a morale boost , with messages on its buildings and an interactive social media presence .
Peace and prosperity will return soon enough .
The hotel ’ s April 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all of us .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox has set his sights on what he deems the second “curve we must ‘flatten'”: Nevada’s rising unemployment from the coronavirus shutdown.
To this end, Maddox wrote an Op-Ed for The Nevada Independent on Sunday in which he discussed Wynn’s plan to reopen the state’s economy.
Like the phased plan implemented at the federal level, Wynn’s Nevada plan includes marginal steps, focusing first on areas of lower population density.
If these areas maintain specific criteria next month, then the Vegas Strip could also reopen.
“Begin with reduced occupancy, physical distancing measures in place, temperature checks and no large gatherings. We all need to wear a mask,” Maddox wrote in the Op-Ed.
If you’re anything like I am, you’ve always appreciated the CliffsNotes version of bulky material. In that spirit, I admired the president’s two-page “30 Days to Slow the Spread” guidelines.
However, the data in the Wynn document spans across 23 pages. How might we grasp the main takeaways?
Wynn Guidelines by The Western Journal on Scribd
Do you think your state will start to reopen in May? 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: 81% (114 Votes) No: 19% (26 Votes)
Well, thankfully, Maddox himself sets the common denominator on the subject of testing.
“The main obstacle on the list above is widespread testing,” he wrote. “Our state, the medical community, the Task Force and resort industry leaders are focused on ways to vastly enhance testing, and I anticipate it will happen over the coming weeks.”
President Donald Trump briefed reporters Friday on the status of approved antibody tests, which has now increased to four.
“This will help us assess the number of cases that have been asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic,” Trump said, “and support our efforts to get Americans back to work by showing us who might have developed the wonderful, beautiful immunity.”
Maddox wrote in his Op-Ed, “In order to be able to recover and reopen in Las Vegas, this is what I believe are the right steps to take:
“1. The governor’s appointed Task Force should be focused on COVID- 19 testing capabilities and safely reopening the economy.
“2. Reopen parts of the local Nevada economy in early May. Begin with reduced occupancy, physical distancing measures in place, temperature checks and no large gatherings. We all need to wear a mask. Wearing a mask is uncomfortable; however, it will allow our economy to reopen faster.
“3. Follow the data provided by a team of modeling experts tracking benchmarks based on the following criteria:
“a. Increases in COVID-19 testing velocity.
“b. Hospitalizations and deaths per million should not exceed the national average over any sustained period.
“c. Hospital critical care bed availability should be reserved based on a ratio of current COVID-19 patients in the event of a spike.
“d. Full transparent data should be public, web-based and accessible to anyone.
“4. Assuming in mid- to late-May we are still in line with the benchmarks, slowly begin to reopen the Las Vegas Strip with extensive safety measures in place.
“5. Monitor the data every day. If we need to, marginally pull back or move forward.”
He noted that the sections of the medical community that don’t deal directly with the coronavirus have suffered tremendous job losses.
“The hospitals need to begin elective surgeries while retaining capacity for COVID-19 patients, otherwise our healthcare system that is meant to save lives will be badly damaged,” Maddox wrote.
We witness the emotional and financial impact of COVID-19 when we see busy tourist destinations resemble ghost towns. Below, KVVU-TV provides a glimpse of an eerily empty Las Vegas Strip.
Empty casinos, quiet streets & closure signs. The Las Vegas Strip isn’t the same without people to enjoy the neon nights. It has been a few days since @GovSisolak ordered Nevada casinos & nonessential businesses to shut their doors. But, we’ll be back. #StayHome4NV
?:@GaiChicken pic.twitter.com/FYJKF19kVI — FOX5 Las Vegas (@FOX5Vegas) March 22, 2020
Las Vegas was originally set to host the 2020 NFL draft, a three-day spectacle beginning Thursday. Head coaches, general managers and prospects will now conduct a virtual draft instead.
Wynn Las Vegas continues to provide a morale boost, with messages on its buildings and an interactive social media presence.
Hope Shines Bright ❤ pic.twitter.com/IPPeujDHsf — Wynn Las Vegas (@WynnLasVegas) April 12, 2020
Peace and prosperity will return soon enough. The hotel’s April 12 message should serve as a rallying call for all of us.
“Hope Shines Bright.”
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westernjournal--2020-04-20--WaPo Tries To Fact Check Trump on WHO Claim, Misses The Point Entirely

It has been obvious for years now that the establishment media hates President Donald Trump and will never grant him the benefit of the doubt , but will instead parse his every word to find a way to disparage him or prove him wrong .
Such has been the case with Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Most recently , the media has obsessed over his decision to withhold funds from the World Health Organization , which he has accused of siding with the communist Chinese regime in covering up the viral contagion in the early stages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the spread of the virus .
For example , check out the latest “ fact check ” from The Washington Post ’ s Glenn Kessler of a comment Trump made regarding the WHO ’ s failure to warn the rest of the world of human-to-human transmission of the virus when evidence suggests that the globalist , “ China-centric ” institution was well aware of that occurring .
Even though he gave Trump three Pinocchios for a false statement , Kessler ’ s own timeline of events proves that Trump , for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the heart of Kessler ’ s fact check was a statement Trump made during a media briefing on Tuesday , when he said , “ The WHO failed to investigate credible reports from sources in Wuhan that conflicted directly with the Chinese government ’ s official accounts .
There was credible information to suspect human-to-human transmission in December 2019 , which should have spurred the WHO to investigate , and investigate immediately.
” TRENDING : Cuomo Calls Trump Comments Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parroted and publicly endorsed the idea that there was not human-to-human transmission happening despite reports and clear evidence to the contrary .
… The WHO pushed China ’ s misinformation about the virus , saying it was not communicable , ” the president added .
In trying to prove Trump wrong , however , Kessler ended up proving him right , first by noting that Taiwan had attempted to warn the WHO of the viral outbreak emerging from China in late December , only to be ignored because Taiwan , at the behest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO member nation .
On Dec. 31 , the Taiwanese Centers for Disease Control warned the WHO of an “ atypical pneumonia ” in China that had sickened medical workers and therefore was likely spread via human contact .
That news came to Taiwan from a Chinese doctor who raised the red flag in an online chat room but later died from the very disease he was warning about .
That warning from Taiwan was the “ credible reports ” Trump had referenced to show that the WHO knew , at the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus might be transmissible from human to human .
An unnamed “ senior administration official ” told Kessler , “ this key information was seemingly disregarded by the WHO , which does not allow Taiwan to participate in its meetings due to Chinese political pressure , and not shared with the world until later in January.
” Kessler then looked at a number of public statements issued by the WHO from early to late January .
On Jan. 5 , the WHO said there was “ no evidence of significant human-to-human transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported.
” Similarly , on Jan. 9 , citing Chinese authorities , the WHO said , “ the virus … does not transmit readily between people.
” On Jan. 10 , however , the WHO issued guidance that told health care workers to take precautions against droplets and potential airborne spread of the virus , suggesting the organization suspected it could be spread between people .
But on Jan. 12 , the WHO still insisted in a public news release that “ there is no infection among healthcare workers , and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” RELATED : Biden Dismissed China Threat Last Year , but Trump 's Been Warning Us Since 2012 One day later , the WHO said there had been “ no suggestion of human to human transmission of this new coronavirus.
” That was followed by three separate statements issued on Jan. 14 that all echoed that sentiment .
A news release that day said “ there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission , ” while a tweet read , “ Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official acknowledged there was a possibility of “ limited human-to-human transmission , ” but immediately added that the organization had seen “ no sustained human-to-human transmission.
” It wasn ’ t until Jan 19 that the WHO began to more openly admit there was “ some limited human-to-human transmission occurring between close contacts.
” On Jan. 20 , the organization tweeted “ there is at least some human-to-human transmission ” while also finally acknowledging that health care workers had been getting sick .
Finally , on Jan. 22 , the WHO fully admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collected … suggests that human-to-human transmission is taking place in Wuhan.
” Kessler knocked Trump for expecting the WHO to immediately investigate the initial reports about the virus — which is pretty much its only job — and for his unspecific language in charging the WHO with not acknowledging that there was human-to-human transmission until mid-January .
“ [ H ] e puts the onus on the WHO to investigate when it is largely dependent on information provided by member countries , ” the “ fact-checker ” wrote .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Kessler went on .
“ The WHO could have highlighted the human-to-human transmission sooner than it did and pressed China for more information .
Trump , of course , could have done the same — and failed to do so , for weeks longer .
Trump earns Three Pinocchios.
” But while Kessler wants to parse words and play semantics in order to accuse Trump of being deceitful , the timeline that he himself put together does little to undermine the president , as do statements he included from both the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response to his “ fact check.
” “ Public health professionals could discern from this wording that there was a real possibility of human-to-human transmission of the disease , ” the Taiwanese CDC said of its early warning that was ignored .
“ However , because at the time there were as yet no cases of the disease in Taiwan , we could not state directly and conclusively that there had been human-to-human transmission.
” The senior administration official told Kessler , “ Taiwan authorities contacted the WHO about medical staff in Wuhan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ type of pneumonia , signaling human-to-human transmission , ” but noted that Taiwan had been ignored because of political pressure from China .
With regard to the WHO itself , the U.S. official said , “ the World Health Organization ’ s word carries much more weight than those of the Communist Party of China .
The world relies on the WHO to be an honest broker.
” “ The President has offered positive comments and words of support for President Xi and the Chinese people throughout this global crisis .
The world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapidly developing outbreak in China in order to contain it at its source .
Their inability to do so led to an incalculable loss of human life and immeasurable economic damage .
The WHO must be held accountable , ” the official added .
While Trump was wrong that say that the WHO said the virus was “ not communicable , ” Kessler ’ s fact check goes far beyond that point .
In trying to pin blame on the president , The Post ended up completely missing the point — and inadvertently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furthermore , there is no way that what Trump said could be rated as worthy of three or four Pinocchios , and it isn ’ t a stretch to suspect that a similar statement from former President Barack Obama or another Democrat would not have been scrutinized as closely or picked apart in the same manner .
This “ fact check ” is merely the latest example of how , in the eyes of the establishment media , “ Orange Man Bad ” and everything he says is wrong — even when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It has been obvious for years now that the establishment media hates President Donald Trump and will never grant him the benefit of the doubt, but will instead parse his every word to find a way to disparage him or prove him wrong.
Such has been the case with Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Most recently, the media has obsessed over his decision to withhold funds from the World Health Organization, which he has accused of siding with the communist Chinese regime in covering up the viral contagion in the early stages and echoing its propaganda to avoid accountability for the spread of the virus.
For example, check out the latest “fact check” from The Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler of a comment Trump made regarding the WHO’s failure to warn the rest of the world of human-to-human transmission of the virus when evidence suggests that the globalist, “China-centric” institution was well aware of that occurring.
Even though he gave Trump three Pinocchios for a false statement, Kessler’s own timeline of events proves that Trump, for the most part, was actually correct.
At the heart of Kessler’s fact check was a statement Trump made during a media briefing on Tuesday, when he said, “The WHO failed to investigate credible reports from sources in Wuhan that conflicted directly with the Chinese government’s official accounts. There was credible information to suspect human-to-human transmission in December 2019, which should have spurred the WHO to investigate, and investigate immediately.”
“Through the middle of January, it parroted and publicly endorsed the idea that there was not human-to-human transmission happening despite reports and clear evidence to the contrary. … The WHO pushed China’s misinformation about the virus, saying it was not communicable,” the president added.
In trying to prove Trump wrong, however, Kessler ended up proving him right, first by noting that Taiwan had attempted to warn the WHO of the viral outbreak emerging from China in late December, only to be ignored because Taiwan, at the behest of communist China, is not a WHO member nation.
On Dec. 31, the Taiwanese Centers for Disease Control warned the WHO of an “atypical pneumonia” in China that had sickened medical workers and therefore was likely spread via human contact. That news came to Taiwan from a Chinese doctor who raised the red flag in an online chat room but later died from the very disease he was warning about.
That warning from Taiwan was the “credible reports” Trump had referenced to show that the WHO knew, at the very least by late December, that the new coronavirus might be transmissible from human to human.
Are you sick of the media's reflexive opposition to everything Trump says? Yes No
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An unnamed “senior administration official” told Kessler, “this key information was seemingly disregarded by the WHO, which does not allow Taiwan to participate in its meetings due to Chinese political pressure, and not shared with the world until later in January.”
Kessler then looked at a number of public statements issued by the WHO from early to late January.
On Jan. 5, the WHO said there was “no evidence of significant human-to-human transmission and no health care worker infections have been reported.” Similarly, on Jan. 9, citing Chinese authorities, the WHO said, “the virus … does not transmit readily between people.”
On Jan. 10, however, the WHO issued guidance that told health care workers to take precautions against droplets and potential airborne spread of the virus, suggesting the organization suspected it could be spread between people.
But on Jan. 12, the WHO still insisted in a public news release that “there is no infection among healthcare workers, and no clear evidence of human to human transmission.”
One day later, the WHO said there had been “no suggestion of human to human transmission of this new coronavirus.”
That was followed by three separate statements issued on Jan. 14 that all echoed that sentiment.
A news release that day said “there is no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission,” while a tweet read, “Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission.”
In a news briefing, a top WHO official acknowledged there was a possibility of “limited human-to-human transmission,” but immediately added that the organization had seen “no sustained human-to-human transmission.”
It wasn’t until Jan 19 that the WHO began to more openly admit there was “some limited human-to-human transmission occurring between close contacts.”
On Jan. 20, the organization tweeted “there is at least some human-to-human transmission” while also finally acknowledging that health care workers had been getting sick.
Finally, on Jan. 22, the WHO fully admitted that the “[d]ata collected … suggests that human-to-human transmission is taking place in Wuhan.”
Kessler knocked Trump for expecting the WHO to immediately investigate the initial reports about the virus — which is pretty much its only job — and for his unspecific language in charging the WHO with not acknowledging that there was human-to-human transmission until mid-January.
“[H]e puts the onus on the WHO to investigate when it is largely dependent on information provided by member countries,” the “fact-checker” wrote.
“It’s almost a Four-Pinocchio claim but not quite,” Kessler went on. “The WHO could have highlighted the human-to-human transmission sooner than it did and pressed China for more information. Trump, of course, could have done the same — and failed to do so, for weeks longer. Trump earns Three Pinocchios.”
But while Kessler wants to parse words and play semantics in order to accuse Trump of being deceitful, the timeline that he himself put together does little to undermine the president, as do statements he included from both the Taiwanese CDC and the White House in response to his “fact check.”
“Public health professionals could discern from this wording that there was a real possibility of human-to-human transmission of the disease,” the Taiwanese CDC said of its early warning that was ignored. “However, because at the time there were as yet no cases of the disease in Taiwan, we could not state directly and conclusively that there had been human-to-human transmission.”
The senior administration official told Kessler, “Taiwan authorities contacted the WHO about medical staff in Wuhan who were getting ill with a new type of pneumonia, signaling human-to-human transmission,” but noted that Taiwan had been ignored because of political pressure from China.
With regard to the WHO itself, the U.S. official said, “the World Health Organization’s word carries much more weight than those of the Communist Party of China. The world relies on the WHO to be an honest broker.”
“The President has offered positive comments and words of support for President Xi and the Chinese people throughout this global crisis. The world counted on the WHO to assess the rapidly developing outbreak in China in order to contain it at its source. Their inability to do so led to an incalculable loss of human life and immeasurable economic damage. The WHO must be held accountable,” the official added.
While Trump was wrong that say that the WHO said the virus was “not communicable,” Kessler’s fact check goes far beyond that point.
In trying to pin blame on the president, The Post ended up completely missing the point — and inadvertently indicting the WHO in the process.
Furthermore, there is no way that what Trump said could be rated as worthy of three or four Pinocchios, and it isn’t a stretch to suspect that a similar statement from former President Barack Obama or another Democrat would not have been scrutinized as closely or picked apart in the same manner.
This “fact check” is merely the latest example of how, in the eyes of the establishment media, “Orange Man Bad” and everything he says is wrong — even when the facts and timeline prove otherwise.
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westernjournal--2020-04-20--China-Owned Smithfield Foods Closing Plants, Threatening US Meat Supply

America ’ s meat supply might be in jeopardy as workers at slaughterhouses and meat processing plants are diagnosed with COVID-19 , leading to closures across the country .
The effects of such closures are complex and could have far-reaching consequences across the food supply chain , putting America ’ s livestock farmers in jeopardy of going under as wholesale prices take a dive .
Even more alarming is the fact that the largest provider of pork in the U.S. is owned and held by a corporation based in China .
Smithfield Foods is the country ’ s largest producer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are sold under the popular brands Nathan ’ s Famous , Farmland , Eckrich , Armour and Healthy Ones , to name a few .
The longtime Virginia-based company was acquired in 2013 by Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. ( now WH Group Ltd. ) .
TRENDING : Cuomo Calls Trump Comments Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing Smithfield , with plants across the country that employ tens of thousands of Americans , announced last week it had closed multiple locations due to COVID-19 outbreaks among its workforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants in Cudahy , Wisconsin ; Martin City , Missouri ; and Sioux Falls , South Dakota , in recent news releases .
“ The closure of our Martin City plant is part of the domino effect underway in our industry , ” Smithfield CEO Kenneth M. Sullivan said in a news release Wednesday .
“ It highlights the interdependence and interconnectivity of our food supply chain .
“ Our country is blessed with abundant livestock supplies , but our processing facilities are the bottleneck of our food chain.
” In an April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sullivan wrote , “ The closure of this facility , combined with a growing list of other protein plants that have shuttered across our industry , is pushing our country perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply .
It is impossible to keep our grocery stores stocked if our plants are not running .
“ These facility closures will also have severe , perhaps disastrous , repercussions for many in the supply chain , first and foremost our nation ’ s livestock farmers .
These farmers have nowhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , founded in the town of Smithfield , Virginia in 1936 , was sold to Shuanghui International Holdings for $ 4.7 billion , according to Forbes .
RELATED : Casino Mogul : Vegas Strip Could Be Open by Memorial Day Now it is warning of a potential meat shortage nationwide that would harm no individual more than the American farmer .
The American Farm Bureau Federation notes that the country ’ s farmers are ready to meet the challenge of supplying the country with food throughout the COVID-19 crisis .
“ Whether they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planting , tending to crops that have already sprouted , feeding and milking their dairy cows or looking after their cattle , chickens and pigs , farmers and ranchers take very seriously their commitment to fill grocery store shelves with safe , affordable food , ” the AFBF stated .
Still , strict shutdowns and tumbling meat prices are putting a strain on the men and women who raise the country ’ s livestock .
Iowa cattle farmer Brian Sampson told Des Moines-based KCCI-TV he is “ going broke ” because of low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have cattle to sell right now , you ’ re losing your shirt , ” he said .
Illinois pork farmer Thomas Titus told WICS-TV in Springfield that prices for his livestock have plummeted and he isn ’ t sure if he will make it out on the other side of the country ’ s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ The bottom of the barrel really doesn ’ t have any light in it , ” Titus said .
“ The market is continuing to drop way below the cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depending on their overhead , it doesn ’ t matter at this point in time.
” Illinois Pork Production Association Executive Director Jennifer Tirey told WICS the consequences for farmers during the crisis are “ devastating.
” When looking at the struggles of American farmers , it really should open some eyes as to why China — the United States ’ greatest geopolitical rival — was allowed to get a huge stake in such a critical portion of America ’ s food supply chain .
While Americans are forced inside their homes by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to say our meat supply isn ’ t vulnerable to being held hostage by China ’ s authoritarian regime ?
WH Group describes itself as “ a Hong Kong-based privately held company that owns a variety of food and logistics enterprises.
” But exactly how private is a privately owned Chinese company ?
The U.K .
Guardian reported in 2019 that in his first term in office , Chinese President Xi Jinping “ has overseen a sea change in how the party approaches the economy , dramatically strengthening the party ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Have we ignored yet another potential danger from China by allowing its corporations to buy and own vital American businesses and industries , especially those that relate to national supply chains ?
Why is such a valuable asset , such as Smithfield , in the hands of a Chinese company ?
What happens if China ’ s government uses its influence over private enterprise as a strategic tool of the state to wage an economic war against the U.S. ?
It has become abundantly clear that China is no ally to Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential power of Chinese interests over America ’ s farmers and food supplies is yet another reason Americans need to consider the far-reaching implications of being tethered to their country ’ s largest geopolitical and economic rival .
I am reminded of late radio icon Paul Harvey ’ s “ So God Made a Farmer ” speech to the Future Farmers of America in 1978 when considering the plight of the men and women who work to put food on our tables as they struggle with the implications of events beyond their control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American business and culture and provide essential food and other products to all Americans .
Without a timely and safe reopening of America ’ s economy , a short-term meat shortage could force many of them out of business and prolong the crisis even further .
This is also an appropriate time to have a discussion about why any Chinese company should have a controlling interest in the country ’ s food supply chain — and whether the men and women on the frontlines of American agriculture should find themselves as pawns in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers in Washington .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

America’s meat supply might be in jeopardy as workers at slaughterhouses and meat processing plants are diagnosed with COVID-19, leading to closures across the country.
The effects of such closures are complex and could have far-reaching consequences across the food supply chain, putting America’s livestock farmers in jeopardy of going under as wholesale prices take a dive.
Even more alarming is the fact that the largest provider of pork in the U.S. is owned and held by a corporation based in China.
Smithfield Foods is the country’s largest producer of pork products, and its products are sold under the popular brands Nathan’s Famous, Farmland, Eckrich, Armour and Healthy Ones, to name a few.
The longtime Virginia-based company was acquired in 2013 by Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. (now WH Group Ltd.).
Smithfield, with plants across the country that employ tens of thousands of Americans, announced last week it had closed multiple locations due to COVID-19 outbreaks among its workforce.
The company addressed the closures of plants in Cudahy, Wisconsin; Martin City, Missouri; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in recent news releases.
Traveled to Sioux Falls, SD, where this Smithfield Foods pork plant has closed indefinitely. 518 employees here tested positive for #COVID19. 55% of ALL cases in South Dakota can be traced to this *single* plant. pic.twitter.com/WB98Th7SBN — Blayne Alexander (@ReporterBlayne) April 15, 2020
“The closure of our Martin City plant is part of the domino effect underway in our industry,” Smithfield CEO Kenneth M. Sullivan said in a news release Wednesday. “It highlights the interdependence and interconnectivity of our food supply chain.
Are you bothered by America's largest pork provider being owned by a company in communist China? 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: 98% (5319 Votes) No: 2% (90 Votes)
“Our country is blessed with abundant livestock supplies, but our processing facilities are the bottleneck of our food chain.”
In an April 12 release on the Sioux Falls closure, Sullivan wrote, “The closure of this facility, combined with a growing list of other protein plants that have shuttered across our industry, is pushing our country perilously close to the edge in terms of our meat supply. It is impossible to keep our grocery stores stocked if our plants are not running.
“These facility closures will also have severe, perhaps disastrous, repercussions for many in the supply chain, first and foremost our nation’s livestock farmers. These farmers have nowhere to send their animals.”
The company, founded in the town of Smithfield, Virginia in 1936, was sold to Shuanghui International Holdings for $4.7 billion, according to Forbes.
Now it is warning of a potential meat shortage nationwide that would harm no individual more than the American farmer.
The American Farm Bureau Federation notes that the country’s farmers are ready to meet the challenge of supplying the country with food throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
“Whether they’re readying the soil for spring planting, tending to crops that have already sprouted, feeding and milking their dairy cows or looking after their cattle, chickens and pigs, farmers and ranchers take very seriously their commitment to fill grocery store shelves with safe, affordable food,” the AFBF stated.
Still, strict shutdowns and tumbling meat prices are putting a strain on the men and women who raise the country’s livestock.
Iowa cattle farmer Brian Sampson told Des Moines-based KCCI-TV he is “going broke” because of low prices from packing plants.
“If you have cattle to sell right now, you’re losing your shirt,” he said.
Illinois pork farmer Thomas Titus told WICS-TV in Springfield that prices for his livestock have plummeted and he isn’t sure if he will make it out on the other side of the country’s battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The bottom of the barrel really doesn’t have any light in it,” Titus said. “The market is continuing to drop way below the cost of production for any hog farmer, depending on their overhead, it doesn’t matter at this point in time.”
Illinois Pork Production Association Executive Director Jennifer Tirey told WICS the consequences for farmers during the crisis are “devastating.”
When looking at the struggles of American farmers, it really should open some eyes as to why China — the United States’ greatest geopolitical rival — was allowed to get a huge stake in such a critical portion of America’s food supply chain.
While Americans are forced inside their homes by a virus born in China, what is to say our meat supply isn’t vulnerable to being held hostage by China’s authoritarian regime?
WH Group describes itself as “a Hong Kong-based privately held company that owns a variety of food and logistics enterprises.”
But exactly how private is a privately owned Chinese company?
The U.K. Guardian reported in 2019 that in his first term in office, Chinese President Xi Jinping “has overseen a sea change in how the party approaches the economy, dramatically strengthening the party’s role in both government and private businesses.”
Have we ignored yet another potential danger from China by allowing its corporations to buy and own vital American businesses and industries, especially those that relate to national supply chains?
Why is such a valuable asset, such as Smithfield, in the hands of a Chinese company?
What happens if China’s government uses its influence over private enterprise as a strategic tool of the state to wage an economic war against the U.S.?
It has become abundantly clear that China is no ally to Americans — or to American farmers.
The potential power of Chinese interests over America’s farmers and food supplies is yet another reason Americans need to consider the far-reaching implications of being tethered to their country’s largest geopolitical and economic rival.
I am reminded of late radio icon Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” speech to the Future Farmers of America in 1978 when considering the plight of the men and women who work to put food on our tables as they struggle with the implications of events beyond their control.
Farmers play a vital role in American business and culture and provide essential food and other products to all Americans.
Without a timely and safe reopening of America’s economy, a short-term meat shortage could force many of them out of business and prolong the crisis even further.
This is also an appropriate time to have a discussion about why any Chinese company should have a controlling interest in the country’s food supply chain — and whether the men and women on the frontlines of American agriculture should find themselves as pawns in an international chess match between Beijing and lawmakers in Washington.
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.


westernjournal--2020-04-20--Ocasio-Cortez Cheers Oil Crash Before Apparently Thinking Better of It

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted — and then quickly deleted — comments that appeared to show adulation over the price of oil dipping below $ 0 a barrel , which will ultimately lead to job losses .
Ocasio-Cortez on Monday reacted gleefully at news that the price of oil had dropped below zero dollars , believing that such a milestone would mean the U.S. was ripe for a mass transition to green energy .
The comments appeared to suggest that Ocasio-Cortez was unaware of the job losses that would accompany the drop in price , or simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also suggested that she didn ’ t understand that consumers would be less likely to transition to expensive renewable energy sources while oil is cheaper than it ’ s ever been .
“ You absolutely love to see it , ” the first-term lawmaker tweeted on Monday , responding to news that oil prices had reached negative values .
TRENDING : Cuomo Calls Trump Comments Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing “ This along with record low interest rates means it ’ s the right time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure to save our planet .
*cough* , ” she continued .
The progressive lawmaker deleted the tweet , but not before it caught the attention of other social media users and was archived permanently on the internet .
Outside of ousting a powerful House Democrat in the 2018 primary elections , Ocasio-Cortez is best known for her Green New Deal proposal , which seeks to dramatically transition the country ’ s energy sector away from fossil fuels and toward renewable forms of energy , such as wind and solar .
Oil prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The news suggests that those who have oil to sell were willing to pay others in order to get rid of it as barrels continue to be stockpiled in any available space companies can locate .
Thousands of workers in the Houston area alone could lose their jobs amid the plunge in oil prices — with more job losses across the country to be expected .
After deleting her initial comments , Ocasio-Cortez returned to Twitter to say the predicament was a “ turning point ” for the climate agenda .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point in the climate movement , ” she tweeted .
RELATED : Ocasio-Cortez Laments Biden 's 'Long History of Being Creepy to Women , ' Highlights Allegations Against Him “ This along w/ low interest rates means it ‘ s the right time to create millions of jobs transitioning to renewable and clean energy .
A key opportunity.
” A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York tweeted — and then quickly deleted — comments that appeared to show adulation over the price of oil dipping below $0 a barrel, which will ultimately lead to job losses.
Ocasio-Cortez on Monday reacted gleefully at news that the price of oil had dropped below zero dollars, believing that such a milestone would mean the U.S. was ripe for a mass transition to green energy.
The comments appeared to suggest that Ocasio-Cortez was unaware of the job losses that would accompany the drop in price, or simply didn’t care.
The tweet also suggested that she didn’t understand that consumers would be less likely to transition to expensive renewable energy sources while oil is cheaper than it’s ever been.
“You absolutely love to see it,” the first-term lawmaker tweeted on Monday, responding to news that oil prices had reached negative values.
“This along with record low interest rates means it’s the right time for a worker-led, mass investment in green infrastructure to save our planet. *cough*,” she continued.
The progressive lawmaker deleted the tweet, but not before it caught the attention of other social media users and was archived permanently on the internet.
Outside of ousting a powerful House Democrat in the 2018 primary elections, Ocasio-Cortez is best known for her Green New Deal proposal, which seeks to dramatically transition the country’s energy sector away from fossil fuels and toward renewable forms of energy, such as wind and solar.
Oil prices plunged into the negatives on Monday.
Do you think AOC should apologize for her original tweet? Yes No
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The news suggests that those who have oil to sell were willing to pay others in order to get rid of it as barrels continue to be stockpiled in any available space companies can locate.
Thousands of workers in the Houston area alone could lose their jobs amid the plunge in oil prices — with more job losses across the country to be expected.
After deleting her initial comments, Ocasio-Cortez returned to Twitter to say the predicament was a “turning point” for the climate agenda.
“This snapshot is being acknowledged as a turning point in the climate movement,” she tweeted.
“Fossil fuels are in long-term structural decline.”
“This along w/ low interest rates means it‘s the right time to create millions of jobs transitioning to renewable and clean energy. A key opportunity.”
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of their original content, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
A version of this article appeared on The Daily Caller News Foundation website.
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westernjournal--2020-04-20--AOC Vows To Fight New Coronavirus Relief Package – Because Even $2 Trillion Wasn’t Enough

It ’ s not often conservatives have a reason to thank Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , but Monday was one of them .
The New York Democrat , who opposed the $ 2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed in March because it didn ’ t give away enough taxpayer money , told supporters on Monday she would fight the new relief package under negotiation on Capitol Hill , too .
And she gave all Americans a lesson in the mindset of the current Democratic Party in the process .
In a conference call with progressive groups reported by The Hill and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billions of dollars included in the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act signed last month to loose change for her congressional district .
TRENDING : Cuomo Calls Trump Comments Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing “ It ’ s not helpful for people to say , ‘ Oh , well , we got something so we might as well support it , ” she said , according to The Independent .
“ We got a nickel , we got a dime in a trillion-dollar bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than nothing , so we should support it… “ A nickel doesn ’ t help .
It ’ s like putting a Band-Aid on an enormous wound.
” To be fair , Ocasio-Cortez ’ s district covers part of the Bronx and part of Queens , the borough where the coronavirus has hit the hardest , according to NY1 .
But calling the aid from a $ 2 trillion congressional bill “ a nickel ” is beyond absurd .
According to the Treasury Department , the CARES act distributed $ 1,200 payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 75,000 a year ( $ 2,400 for couples up to $ 150,000 ) , regardless of whether they ’ d lost their jobs because of the coronavirus crisis or suffered some other loss .
Those with higher incomes up $ 99,000 ( $ 198,00 for joint filers ) received less .
It also allowed $ 500 for each dependent child up to age 17 .
It extended terms of eligibility for unemployment benefits – and added $ 600 a week to normal unemployment compensation benefits on top of whatever a state pays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To normal people , that ’ s a lot more than a nickel .
RELATED : Instead of Praising America 's Unity and Charity in Crisis , AOC Says We 're a 'Brutal , Barbarian Society' But for Ocasio-Cortez , her “ squad ” and the Congressional Progressive Caucus – the left-wingest of the increasingly left-wing Democratic Party , whatever is passed won ’ t be enough .
And ultimately , the same can be said about the rest of her party .
According to UPI , a bill introduced last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a member of the progressive caucus , and Tim Ryan of Ohio would allot $ 2,000 a month to Americans making less than $ 1300,000 a year , with another $ 500 per month for each dependent child .
The payments would remain in effect until unemployment returned to its “ pre-pandemic levels , ” UPI reported .
It ’ s a good bet the federal treasury will go broke first paying out $ 2,000 a month to Americans who make under $ 130,000 a year , about 79 percent of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial services website .
And if the wages for unemployment were $ 2,000 a month plus $ 500 for a dependent child , it ’ s a good chance employment levels will never come down to pre-pandemic levels .
Now , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi isn ’ t going to be happy about the dissension in her ranks .
But this is more than just a ringside view of a Democratic squabble .
It ’ s an example of how determined Democrats are not to let the coronavirus crisis go to waste .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dishonest socialist who wants nothing more than to raid the federal treasury in perpetuity – or until the money runs out and Venezuelans who moved here start moving back home for job prospects .
But she ’ s part of a party that as a whole is little more than a money-grubbing , dishonest socialist enterprise that now wants nothing more than to raids the federal treasury in perpetuity , revamp election laws to make voting fraud easier , and grant illegal aliens the rights of American citizens ( including the Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opposition from Ocasio-Cortez might or might not be the breaking point that would prevent another relief bill from passing , but it ’ s definitely a sign for every American that for Nancy Pelosi & Co. , there will never be an “ enough ” when it comes to federal spending .
And they ’ ve already proven they ’ re more than willing to hold up relief to the nation as a whole until they get another opportunity to press the progressive agenda .
That was the real lesson of AOC ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
Republicans on Capitol Hill , and conservatives from around the country , better be listening .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

It’s not often conservatives have a reason to thank Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but Monday was one of them.
The New York Democrat, who opposed the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed in March because it didn’t give away enough taxpayer money, told supporters on Monday she would fight the new relief package under negotiation on Capitol Hill, too.
And she gave all Americans a lesson in the mindset of the current Democratic Party in the process.
In a conference call with progressive groups reported by The Hill and the U.K. Independent, Ocasio-Cortez compared the billions of dollars included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed last month to loose change for her congressional district.
“It’s not helpful for people to say, ‘Oh, well, we got something so we might as well support it,” she said, according to The Independent. “We got a nickel, we got a dime in a trillion-dollar bill, [and] a nickel is more than nothing, so we should support it…
“A nickel doesn’t help. It’s like putting a Band-Aid on an enormous wound.”
To be fair, Ocasio-Cortez’s district covers part of the Bronx and part of Queens, the borough where the coronavirus has hit the hardest, according to NY1.
Do you think more coronavirus aid is necessary at this point? 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: 51% (1362 Votes) No: 49% (1335 Votes)
But calling the aid from a $2 trillion congressional bill “a nickel” is beyond absurd.
According to the Treasury Department, the CARES act distributed $1,200 payments to American taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 a year ($2,400 for couples up to $150,000), regardless of whether they’d lost their jobs because of the coronavirus crisis or suffered some other loss.
Those with higher incomes up $99,000 ($198,00 for joint filers) received less. It also allowed $500 for each dependent child up to age 17.
It extended terms of eligibility for unemployment benefits – and added $600 a week to normal unemployment compensation benefits on top of whatever a state pays through July 31, according to CNBC.
To normal people, that’s a lot more than a nickel.
But for Ocasio-Cortez, her “squad” and the Congressional Progressive Caucus – the left-wingest of the increasingly left-wing Democratic Party, whatever is passed won’t be enough. And ultimately, the same can be said about the rest of her party.
According to UPI, a bill introduced last week by Democratic Reps. Ro Khanna of California, a member of the progressive caucus, and Tim Ryan of Ohio would allot $2,000 a month to Americans making less than $1300,000 a year, with another $500 per month for each dependent child.
The payments would remain in effect until unemployment returned to its “pre-pandemic levels,” UPI reported.
It’s a good bet the federal treasury will go broke first paying out $2,000 a month to Americans who make under $130,000 a year, about 79 percent of all workers, according to DYDJ.com, a financial services website.
And if the wages for unemployment were $2,000 a month plus $500 for a dependent child, it’s a good chance employment levels will never come down to pre-pandemic levels.
Now, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi isn’t going to be happy about the dissension in her ranks. But this is more than just a ringside view of a Democratic squabble. It’s an example of how determined Democrats are not to let the coronavirus crisis go to waste.
Of course, AOC is a money-grubbing, dishonest socialist who wants nothing more than to raid the federal treasury in perpetuity – or until the money runs out and Venezuelans who moved here start moving back home for job prospects.
But she’s part of a party that as a whole is little more than a money-grubbing, dishonest socialist enterprise that now wants nothing more than to raids the federal treasury in perpetuity, revamp election laws to make voting fraud easier, and grant illegal aliens the rights of American citizens (including the Democratic right to bankrupt the treasury.)
Opposition from Ocasio-Cortez might or might not be the breaking point that would prevent another relief bill from passing, but it’s definitely a sign for every American that for Nancy Pelosi & Co., there will never be an “enough” when it comes to federal spending.
And they’ve already proven they’re more than willing to hold up relief to the nation as a whole until they get another opportunity to press the progressive agenda.
That was the real lesson of AOC’s announcement at the conference call on Monday.
Republicans on Capitol Hill, and conservatives from around the country, better be listening.
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westernjournal--2020-04-20--Dick Morris: Economic Collapse to Trump’s Advantage

Pundits say that the coronavirus and the economic collapse it is causing doom President Trump ’ s chances of victory .
As the coronavirus recedes , we find ourselves focused intently on every statistic that might provide a clue about when it will abate .
Then , we plan to turn our attention to the key problem of restarting the economy .
This issue crowds out everything else .
TRENDING : Cuomo Calls Trump Comments Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing But if it is economic recovery you want , America knows that Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in President Trump ’ s wheelhouse .
Whatever his strengths or weaknesses may be , everyone agrees that his strong point is managing the economy .
Were there not this crisis , we might take that skill for granted , treating the problem of economic stagnation as solved and looking ahead to the problems of income inequality , climate change and health care — areas where Trump is not necessarily as skilled .
But with the economy in its current state , there ’ s no room for any other issue – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How natural it is that we then turn to Trump to bring back the economy he created .
If your house burns down — particularly if you loved it — you would turn to the builder and architect who conceived of and erected it in the first place rather than trust some new and unknown contractor .
So the voters will see Trump as the expert they need at getting the economy moving again .
While the political parties get about equal credit for skill in managing the economy , Democrats are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Republicans are more trusted with baking it in the first place .
In any poll that asks who you trust more to help the economy recover , Trump beats Biden by a healthy margin — one that will translate into a victory in November .
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 .

Pundits say that the coronavirus and the economic collapse it is causing doom President Trump’s chances of victory.
It’s not necessarily so.
As the coronavirus recedes, we find ourselves focused intently on every statistic that might provide a clue about when it will abate.
Then, we plan to turn our attention to the key problem of restarting the economy.
This issue crowds out everything else.
But if it is economic recovery you want, America knows that Donald Trump is the man.
The economy is in President Trump’s wheelhouse.
Whatever his strengths or weaknesses may be, everyone agrees that his strong point is managing the economy.
Were there not this crisis, we might take that skill for granted, treating the problem of economic stagnation as solved and looking ahead to the problems of income inequality, climate change and health care — areas where Trump is not necessarily as skilled.
Do you think President Trump will help the economy recover? 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: 100% (276 Votes) No: 0% (1 Votes)
But with the economy in its current state, there’s no room for any other issue – no oxygen left for any other concern.
How natural it is that we then turn to Trump to bring back the economy he created.
If your house burns down — particularly if you loved it — you would turn to the builder and architect who conceived of and erected it in the first place rather than trust some new and unknown contractor.
So the voters will see Trump as the expert they need at getting the economy moving again.
While the political parties get about equal credit for skill in managing the economy, Democrats are seen as better at dividing the pie while Republicans are more trusted with baking it in the first place.
In any poll that asks who you trust more to help the economy recover, Trump beats Biden by a healthy margin — one that will translate into a victory in November.
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--2020-04-20--Thousands Converge On PA State Capitol, Demand Governor Reopen Economy

Thousands of protesters converged on the Pennsylvania Capitol grounds in Harrisburg on Monday to demand Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf reopen the state ’ s economy .
On March 19 , Wolf ordered all but “ life-sustaining ” businesses to close immediately in the Keystone State in response to the coronavirus outbreak , backed with threats of fines and loss of business licenses for those that did not comply .
The governor took the first “ limited steps ” on Monday to reopen Pennsylvania ’ s economy , allowing limited building construction and online car sales to resume May 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bulls*** , But Turns Out Cuomo Created That Bull with Selective Editing “ We are taking small steps toward a degree of normalcy , ” Wolf said .
The governor emphasized that the stay-at-home order is still in place and he offered no timeline for when it will be lifted .
Attorney Marc Scaringi — who filed a lawsuit on behalf of multiple small business owners against Wolf ’ s stay-at-home order , calling it unconstitutional — was one of the speakers at Monday ’ s rally , which he told The Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles drove by 2nd Street in front of the Capitol , honking their horns in support of those standing on and near the Capitol grounds .
“ This governor ’ s business closure order is probably the most irrational , unscientific and biggest overreach to a viral illness in the history of our country , ” Scaringi told those assembled .
RELATED : New Coronavirus Hotspot Emerges as New York Begins To Cool Off : Massachusetts “ And the results have been catastrophic to the lives of millions of Pennsylvanians , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 1.3 million Pennsylvanians have been forced our of their jobs and have had to file for unemployment compensation.
” Scaringi said Reopen Pennsylvania was the lead group organizing Monday ’ s rally .
When asked about whether Pennsylvania was currently meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s guidelines to reopen the economy , he said the state ’ s secretary of health increased the death toll in the state over the weekend by including another 276 new fatalities attributed to the coronavirus outbreak , as The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 1,000 deaths , with over 30,000 testing positive , according to Johns Hopkins .
“ They have changed the criteria by which they determine COVID-19 deaths to a probable cause determination , ” Scaringi said of the state officials .
“ That ’ s spiked up our death toll , but we don ’ t think it ’ s the proper methodology to be using , ” he added .
The attorney argued during his rally speech that his state is “ not leading with science.
” Scaringi said that the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 of Pennsylvania ’ s 67 counties .
Those are the urban counties in and around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh , as well as the northeast counties near New York City and northern New Jersey , the nation ’ s hottest spot .
Dauphin County , where the mid-sized city of Harrisburg is located , has just 386 confirmed cases as of Monday .
Scaringi argued if Pennsylvania were to follow the science , its coronavirus efforts would be focused on the counties where the outbreak is the most severe and among the demographic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts where the illness is , ” he said .
“ Don ’ t shut down tens of thousands of businesses.
” The lawyer said one of his clients , who operates a lumber business in rural Warren County ( in northwest Pennsylvania ) , should not have been shut down , given there was only one confirmed case and no deaths in the county .
WCAU reported , “ both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature were planning to return to session as Republicans push legislation that would take away some of Wolf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic.
” Wolf has pledged to “ veto one bill sent to him last week and another that is expected to win House passage as early as Monday.
” Asked about the protests that have occurred in state capitals over the last week , Trump told reporters on Sunday , “ some governors have gone too far .
Some of the things that happened are maybe not so appropriate.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards @

Thousands of protesters converged on the Pennsylvania Capitol grounds in Harrisburg on Monday to demand Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf reopen the state’s economy.
On March 19, Wolf ordered all but “life-sustaining” businesses to close immediately in the Keystone State in response to the coronavirus outbreak, backed with threats of fines and loss of business licenses for those that did not comply.
Today I’m taking decisive action to stop the spread of #COVID19 by ordering all non-life-sustaining businesses to close by 8 p.m. Enforcement actions against businesses that don’t close will begin Saturday and could include citations, fines & license suspensions. pic.twitter.com/WSd5weA93b — Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) March 19, 2020
The governor took the first “limited steps” on Monday to reopen Pennsylvania’s economy, allowing limited building construction and online car sales to resume May 8.
“We are taking small steps toward a degree of normalcy,” Wolf said.
The governor emphasized that the stay-at-home order is still in place and he offered no timeline for when it will be lifted.
Please be aware there is still a statewide Stay at Home Order in place. #COVID19 is still very much a threat. We must continue to take precautions. Only travel if needed. Wear a mask if you do go out in public. — Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) April 20, 2020
Do you support the government shutdown protests? Yes No
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Attorney Marc Scaringi — who filed a lawsuit on behalf of multiple small business owners against Wolf’s stay-at-home order, calling it unconstitutional — was one of the speakers at Monday’s rally, which he told The Western Journal drew thousands.
A parade of vehicles drove by 2nd Street in front of the Capitol, honking their horns in support of those standing on and near the Capitol grounds.
“This governor’s business closure order is probably the most irrational, unscientific and biggest overreach to a viral illness in the history of our country,” Scaringi told those assembled.
“And the results have been catastrophic to the lives of millions of Pennsylvanians,” he added. “Since March 15, over 1.3 million Pennsylvanians have been forced our of their jobs and have had to file for unemployment compensation.”
Scaringi said Reopen Pennsylvania was the lead group organizing Monday’s rally.
When asked about whether Pennsylvania was currently meeting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines to reopen the economy, he said the state’s secretary of health increased the death toll in the state over the weekend by including another 276 new fatalities attributed to the coronavirus outbreak, as The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown reported.
That figure pushed Pennsylvania to over 1,000 deaths, with over 30,000 testing positive, according to Johns Hopkins.
“They have changed the criteria by which they determine COVID-19 deaths to a probable cause determination,” Scaringi said of the state officials.
“That’s spiked up our death toll, but we don’t think it’s the proper methodology to be using,” he added.
The attorney argued during his rally speech that his state is “not leading with science.”
Scaringi said that the majority of the COVID-19 deaths have occurred in 10 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
Those are the urban counties in and around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, as well as the northeast counties near New York City and northern New Jersey, the nation’s hottest spot.
Dauphin County, where the mid-sized city of Harrisburg is located, has just 386 confirmed cases as of Monday.
Scaringi argued if Pennsylvania were to follow the science, its coronavirus efforts would be focused on the counties where the outbreak is the most severe and among the demographic groups hardest hit.
“Focus your efforts where the illness is,” he said. “Don’t shut down tens of thousands of businesses.”
The lawyer said one of his clients, who operates a lumber business in rural Warren County (in northwest Pennsylvania), should not have been shut down, given there was only one confirmed case and no deaths in the county.
WCAU reported, “both chambers of the Republican-controlled Legislature were planning to return to session as Republicans push legislation that would take away some of Wolf’s power to determine which businesses must remain closed during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Wolf has pledged to “veto one bill sent to him last week and another that is expected to win House passage as early as Monday.”
Asked about the protests that have occurred in state capitals over the last week, Trump told reporters on Sunday, “some governors have gone too far. Some of the things that happened are maybe not so appropriate.”
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