westernjournal--2020-05-07--New York Takes Advantage of People’s Goodwill, Will Tax Volunteer Health Workers

In the category of no good deed goes unpunished , New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that health care workers from around the country who came to his state in response to his plea for help with the COVID-19 outbreak , like those with Samaritan ’ s Purse , will be taxed .
At his daily coronavirus briefing , Cuomo placed the blame with the federal government , claiming that President Donald Trump and the Republicans are blocking aid to states .
Asked if he planned to waive the withholding of state income taxes for health care workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor said , “ We ’ re not in a position to provide any more subsidies right now because we have a $ 13 billion deficit.
” Doctors , nurses and other health care workers put their lives on the line to go to New York to help , and they ’ ll be forced to pay taxes in New York , even on income they may have made from their home states but were paid while in New York .
“ So there ’ s a lot of good things I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued , “ and if we get federal funding , we can do , but it would be irresponsible for me to sit here looking at a $ 13 billion deficit and say I ’ m gon na spend more money , when I can ’ t even pay the essential services , ” he added .
“ We are in dire financial need , ” said Cuomo .
WPIX reported the issue of taxing health care volunteers came up when Samaritan ’ s Purse set up a field hospital in Central Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our financial comptroller called me , and he said , ‘ Do you know that all of you are going to be liable for New York state income tax ? '
” said Ken Isaacs , a vice president of the organization .
“ I said , ‘ What ? '
” Isaacs continued .
“ [ The comptroller ] said , ‘ Yeah , there ’ s a law .
If you work in New York State for more than 14 days , you have to pay state income tax .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ even more concerned about than the money , ” he continued , “ is the bureaucracy , and the paperwork , and I think that once that ’ s unleashed … once you start filing that , you have to do that for like a whole year or something.
” Samaritan ’ s Purse confirmed in an email to The Western Journal that the organization is “ withholding taxes in compliance with New York state tax law.
” Later in his briefing , Cuomo claimed the federal government hasn ’ t “ provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Why is that important ?
It is the state and local governments that fund police , fire , education , teachers , healthcare workers.
” NPR reported in March that funding for the $ 2 trillion Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act , otherwise known as the CARES Act , included $ 339.8 billion for state and local governments .
The National Conference of State Legislatures broke the bill down further , noting it included $ 150 billion for state and local governments directly , as well as $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Further , the legislation provides a $ 500 billion lending fund for businesses , cities and states .
The Trump administration has also made it clear that the funds sent to states can be used to pay for first responders , like police and firefighters , and others on the front line in the coronavirus fight .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is among those who have said they are not willing to support a “ blue state ” bailout .
“ We ’ re not interested in rescuing badly run states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrelated to the coronavirus , ” he told Fox News host Neil Cavuto last Wednesday .
“ I don ’ t think the Republicans want to be in a position where they bail out states that are , that have been mismanaged over a long period of time , ” he said in an interview with the New York Post on Monday .
GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana has offered a reasonable compromise , saying it ’ s time to “ take a breath ” on new spending , but ease some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the states to allow them to plug budget gaps .
In Louisiana , the senator said the amount the federal government has already allocated in coronavirus legislation is between $ 2.5 and $ 3 billion .
“ Over in the Senate , it ’ s like a Labor Day mattress sale , ” Kennedy told Cavuto in a Wednesday interview .
“ You got all kinds of bills flying around .
Let ’ s give $ 500 billion to the states .
‘ No , ’ Speaker Pelosi says , ‘ Let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me tell you Neil , we spent three trillion dollars .
That takes my breath away .
We ’ re going to run out of digits here pretty soon , ” he added .
Kennedy believes if McConnell puts Kennedy ’ s bill — which would allow local and state governments to use existing CARES Act funds to “ weather this storm ” — to a vote it will pass , and at least in the short term address the concerns of governors like Cuomo .
The New York governor is clearly trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open the spigot for tens of billions to flow to the Empire State .
Kennedy ’ s counsel is sound .
The country needs a break from spending .
Finally , New York needs to get a clue regarding taxing the health care workers who came to the rescue in the state ’ s hour of need .
When you ask a neighbor for help because your house is on fire , you don ’ t turn around and charge him for the pizza you provided after he helped you put out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

In the category of no good deed goes unpunished, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that health care workers from around the country who came to his state in response to his plea for help with the COVID-19 outbreak, like those with Samaritan’s Purse, will be taxed.
At his daily coronavirus briefing, Cuomo placed the blame with the federal government, claiming that President Donald Trump and the Republicans are blocking aid to states.
Asked if he planned to waive the withholding of state income taxes for health care workers who came from out of state, the governor said, “We’re not in a position to provide any more subsidies right now because we have a $13 billion deficit.”
Doctors, nurses and other health care workers put their lives on the line to go to New York to help, and they’ll be forced to pay taxes in New York, even on income they may have made from their home states but were paid while in New York.
“So there’s a lot of good things I would like to do,” Cuomo continued, “and if we get federal funding, we can do, but it would be irresponsible for me to sit here looking at a $13 billion deficit and say I’m gonna spend more money, when I can’t even pay the essential services,” he added.
“We are in dire financial need,” said Cuomo.
WPIX reported the issue of taxing health care volunteers came up when Samaritan’s Purse set up a field hospital in Central Park to help with the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Our financial comptroller called me, and he said, ‘Do you know that all of you are going to be liable for New York state income tax?'” said Ken Isaacs, a vice president of the organization.
Should New York waive income taxes for out-of-state health care workers? 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: 95% (1519 Votes) No: 5% (78 Votes)
“I said, ‘What?'” Isaacs continued. “[The comptroller] said, ‘Yeah, there’s a law. If you work in New York State for more than 14 days, you have to pay state income tax.'”
“I didn’t know that,” Isaacs said.
“What we’re even more concerned about than the money,” he continued, “is the bureaucracy, and the paperwork, and I think that once that’s unleashed … once you start filing that, you have to do that for like a whole year or something.”
Samaritan’s Purse confirmed in an email to The Western Journal that the organization is “withholding taxes in compliance with New York state tax law.”
Later in his briefing, Cuomo claimed the federal government hasn’t “provided any aid to state and local governments. Why is that important? It is the state and local governments that fund police, fire, education, teachers, healthcare workers.”
Not true.
NPR reported in March that funding for the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, otherwise known as the CARES Act, included $339.8 billion for state and local governments.
The National Conference of State Legislatures broke the bill down further, noting it included $150 billion for state and local governments directly, as well as $30 billion earmarked for state education spending.
Further, the legislation provides a $500 billion lending fund for businesses, cities and states.
That’s not chump change.
The Trump administration has also made it clear that the funds sent to states can be used to pay for first responders, like police and firefighters, and others on the front line in the coronavirus fight.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is among those who have said they are not willing to support a “blue state” bailout.
“We’re not interested in rescuing badly run states from the mistakes they made, completely unrelated to the coronavirus,” he told Fox News host Neil Cavuto last Wednesday.
Trump agrees with that view.
“I don’t think the Republicans want to be in a position where they bail out states that are, that have been mismanaged over a long period of time,” he said in an interview with the New York Post on Monday.
GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana has offered a reasonable compromise, saying it’s time to “take a breath” on new spending, but ease some restrictions on the monies already allocated to the states to allow them to plug budget gaps.
In Louisiana, the senator said the amount the federal government has already allocated in coronavirus legislation is between $2.5 and $3 billion.
“Over in the Senate, it’s like a Labor Day mattress sale,” Kennedy told Cavuto in a Wednesday interview. “You got all kinds of bills flying around. Let’s give $500 billion to the states. ‘No,’ Speaker Pelosi says, ‘Let’s give a trillion.’
“Let me tell you Neil, we spent three trillion dollars. That takes my breath away. We’re going to run out of digits here pretty soon,” he added.
We’re going to run out of digits to measure America’s deficit. Instead of spending trillions more in taxpayer money right now, let’s give flexibility to state and local governments to use existing #CARESAct funds to weather this storm without unreasonable handcuffs. pic.twitter.com/cWj48L4qZS — John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) May 6, 2020
Kennedy believes if McConnell puts Kennedy’s bill — which would allow local and state governments to use existing CARES Act funds to “weather this storm” — to a vote it will pass, and at least in the short term address the concerns of governors like Cuomo.
The New York governor is clearly trying to pressure Trump and Senate Republicans to open the spigot for tens of billions to flow to the Empire State.
Kennedy’s counsel is sound. The country needs a break from spending.
Finally, New York needs to get a clue regarding taxing the health care workers who came to the rescue in the state’s hour of need.
When you ask a neighbor for help because your house is on fire, you don’t turn around and charge him for the pizza you provided after he helped you put out the flames.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Mainstream Media Pushes Masks, Ignores Possible Consequences

The issue of wearing face masks in public has quickly become a hotly debated topic as states begin to reopen and politicians and media outlets try to convince us that they are a necessity .
While some people are voluntarily wearing face coverings to protect themselves and others from contracting the coronavirus , there are questions about the benefits of doing so .
There is also evidence that wearing a mask can itself be hazardous .
The mask issue is further complicated by mixed messaging from public health authorities , who first advised against the practice in March before pivoting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In light of new data about how COVID-19 spreads , along with evidence of widespread COVID-19 illness in communities across the country , CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering to cover their nose and mouth in the community setting , ” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on the issue .
That statement contrasts from a statement made by the CDC on Feb. 27 strongly advising against using masks to halt the spread of the disease .
“ CDC does not currently recommend the use of facemasks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Take everyday preventive actions , like staying home when you are sick and washing hands with soap and water , to help slow the spread of respiratory illness , ” the agency wrote on Twitter .
The World Health Organization , for whatever its word is worth , previously issued a warning about masks , CNN reported .
“ There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit .
In fact , there ’ s some evidence to suggest the opposite in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or fitting it properly , ” Dr. Mike Ryan , WHO health emergencies program director , said .
Information that might hold some importance to public health doesn ’ t seem to find its way easily out of communist China , but we do know that two seemingly healthy teen boys in the country died last month while exercising in China ’ s Hunan Province .
Aside from the fact that both boys were 14 , had no reported health issues and were declared dead after jogging within two weeks of one another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : They were both wearing mandatory face masks when they collapsed .
The father of one of the boys blamed his son ’ s untimely April 24 death on the mask .
“ He was wearing a mask while lapping the running track , then he suddenly fell backwards and hit his head on the ground , ” a man identified as Mr. Li said , according to Australia ’ s Seven News .
RELATED : New York Takes Advantage of People 's Goodwill , Will Tax Volunteer Health Workers Li said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ sudden cardiac arrest , ” the report said .
“ I suspect it was because he was wearing a mask , ” the father said .
Li ’ s assessment was disputed by Cao Lanxiu , a professor at Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine .
The professor said , “ I don ’ t think mask-wearing has caused this sudden death , ” but he said without an autopsy , which the family declined , there is no way to conclusively know what killed the teen .
A day before Li @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask in China , a driver in New Jersey crashed into a power pole after apparently passing out while wearing a mask .
The Lincoln Park Police Department shared news of the accident on Facebook .
“ The crash is believed to have resulted from the driver wearing an N95 mask for several hours and subsequently passing out behind the wheel due to insufficient oxygen intake/excessive carbon dioxide intake , ” the department wrote .
That Facebook post was later updated to say that police could not say with 100 percent certainty that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department was apparently inundated with responses questioning its assessment of the crash .
The news that police were hectored into updating the post isn ’ t a surprise .
Shaming those who are not wearing masks is the latest tactic of the fearful pro-lockdown crowd on social media , and they ’ re very loud .
Many people have shown themselves to be quite reactionary with regard to lifting restrictions on the public , and that seems to heavily apply now to the issue of wearing masks .
But some government officials and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , which the establishment media seem to strongly support .
The BBC , CNN and others have all published articles this week touting the benefits of masks .
Business Insider even went as far as to describe people with respiratory health conditions who don ’ t want to cover their faces as “ Anti-maskers.
” The outlet , citing a Reuters report about the dangers potentially posed by wearing masks for too long , said , “ Unsubstantiated rumors have also circulated online , saying that continuous mask wearing can cause hypercapnia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon dioxide enters the blood and can lead to symptoms ranging from fatigue and headaches to seizures and coma.
” Here ’ s essentially what the media are telling us : Do what you ’ re told and don ’ t ask questions .
But there is evidence that at least some masks can be ineffective in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus .
A study on the efficacy of masks published by the Annals of Internal Medicine last month concluded that “ both surgical and cotton masks seem to be ineffective in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coughs of patients with COVID-19 to the environment and external mask surface.
” As with many studies , there are also contradictory studies showings masks to be effective at somewhat containing respiratory droplets , which can spread the coronavirus .
But the point is that the data regarding mask efficacy is not settled , and evidence that masks might come with another set of problems should also be taken into account .
The media-fueled “ if you don ’ t wear a mask you want to kill people ” crowd should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The issue of wearing face masks in public has quickly become a hotly debated topic as states begin to reopen and politicians and media outlets try to convince us that they are a necessity.
While some people are voluntarily wearing face coverings to protect themselves and others from contracting the coronavirus, there are questions about the benefits of doing so.
There is also evidence that wearing a mask can itself be hazardous.
The mask issue is further complicated by mixed messaging from public health authorities, who first advised against the practice in March before pivoting last month and recommending the opposite.
“In light of new data about how COVID-19 spreads, along with evidence of widespread COVID-19 illness in communities across the country, CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering to cover their nose and mouth in the community setting,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on the issue.
That statement contrasts from a statement made by the CDC on Feb. 27 strongly advising against using masks to halt the spread of the disease.
“CDC does not currently recommend the use of facemasks to help prevent novel #coronavirus. Take everyday preventive actions, like staying home when you are sick and washing hands with soap and water, to help slow the spread of respiratory illness,” the agency wrote on Twitter.
CDC does not currently recommend the use of facemasks to help prevent novel #coronavirus. Take everyday preventive actions, like staying home when you are sick and washing hands with soap and water, to help slow the spread of respiratory illness. #COVID19 https://t.co/uArGZTJhXj pic.twitter.com/yzWTSgt2IV — CDC (@CDCgov) February 27, 2020
The World Health Organization, for whatever its word is worth, previously issued a warning about masks, CNN reported.
“There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly or fitting it properly,” Dr. Mike Ryan, WHO health emergencies program director, said.
Information that might hold some importance to public health doesn’t seem to find its way easily out of communist China, but we do know that two seemingly healthy teen boys in the country died last month while exercising in China’s Hunan Province.
Aside from the fact that both boys were 14, had no reported health issues and were declared dead after jogging within two weeks of one another, they had something else in common: They were both wearing mandatory face masks when they collapsed.
The father of one of the boys blamed his son’s untimely April 24 death on the mask.
“He was wearing a mask while lapping the running track, then he suddenly fell backwards and hit his head on the ground,” a man identified as Mr. Li said, according to Australia’s Seven News.
Li said a hospital attributed his son’s death to “sudden cardiac arrest,” the report said.
“I suspect it was because he was wearing a mask,” the father said.
Li’s assessment was disputed by Cao Lanxiu, a professor at Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine.
The professor said, “I don’t think mask-wearing has caused this sudden death,” but he said without an autopsy, which the family declined, there is no way to conclusively know what killed the teen.
A day before Li’s son died while wearing a mask in China, a driver in New Jersey crashed into a power pole after apparently passing out while wearing a mask.
The Lincoln Park Police Department shared news of the accident on Facebook.
“The crash is believed to have resulted from the driver wearing an N95 mask for several hours and subsequently passing out behind the wheel due to insufficient oxygen intake/excessive carbon dioxide intake,” the department wrote in a since-deleted post.
That Facebook post was later updated to say that police could not say with 100 percent certainty that the mask caused the accident after the department was apparently inundated with responses questioning its assessment of the crash. The department ultimately removed the post from Facebook.
The news that police were hectored into updating and ultimately removing the post isn’t a surprise. Shaming those who are not wearing masks is the latest tactic of the fearful pro-lockdown crowd on social media, and they’re very loud.
Many people have shown themselves to be quite reactionary with regard to lifting restrictions on the public, and that seems to heavily apply now to the issue of wearing masks.
Do you think Americans should be required to wear masks in public right now? 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: 17% (337 Votes) No: 83% (1698 Votes)
But some government officials and private businesses have made mask-wearing mandatory in public, which the establishment media seem to strongly support.
The BBC, CNN and others have all published articles this week touting the benefits of masks.
Business Insider even went as far as to describe people with respiratory health conditions who don’t want to cover their faces as “Anti-maskers.”
The outlet, citing a Reuters report about the dangers potentially posed by wearing masks for too long, said, “Unsubstantiated rumors have also circulated online, saying that continuous mask wearing can cause hypercapnia, a condition caused when too much carbon dioxide enters the blood and can lead to symptoms ranging from fatigue and headaches to seizures and coma.”
Here’s essentially what the media are telling us: Do what you’re told and don’t ask questions.
The data regarding mask efficacy is not settled, and evidence that masks might come with another set of problems should also be taken into account.
The media-fueled “if you don’t wear a mask you want to kill people” crowd should not be dictating decisions on personal health and comfort.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-05-07--Mike Rowe Eviscerates Gov. Cuomo’s Condescending Attitude on Unemployed Americans

To the people who earn a living from them , every job is essential .
But during the coronavirus pandemic , the actions of politicians like New York state Gov .
Andrew Cuomo sparked protests from those who were laid off from jobs deemed “ nonessential ” by the government That doesn ’ t sit well with Mike Rowe , host of the web-based reality series “ Returning the Favor ” and an advocate for the hard-working folks who keep the America running .
The former “ Dirty Jobs ” host appeared on Fox News ’ “ The Daily Briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was asked for his take on the Democratic governor ’ s statements late last month in regard to people who have lost their jobs .
“ You want to go to work ?
Go take a job as an essential worker , ” Cuomo said of protesters concerned about the government-imposed shutdown ’ s effects on their livelihoods .
“ You can get a job as an essential worker , ” he said .
“ So now you can go to work , and you can be an essential worker , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Perino asked Rowe what he thought of those remarks , noting that many people are “ put off ” by politicians deciding their jobs are either “ essential ” or “ nonessential.
” “ When I was doing ‘ Dirty Jobs , ' ” he continued , “ things were flush and very few people were paying very little attention to these anonymous , unsung workers who were making civilized life possible for the rest of us .
“ Well , we ’ re in a different world right now .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ millions of people are out of work because of government action , “ but if you look at the impact of removing those workers from our economy — our macro economy — you can see that they ’ re absolutely essential.
” Speaking about the impact of using such binary classifications for workers , Rowe said : “ This is one of those instances where the headlines have caught up to our vernacular and if we don ’ t make some tweaks to our lexicon , we ’ re going to wind up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the word — stupid.
” RELATED : Mike Rowe : Coronavirus Crisis Could Be 'Most Compelling Case for Capitalism That We 've Seen in Our Lifetime' Rowe does think it is possible to safely reopen the economy .
“ Well , it ’ s not just that we can do it , we have to do it , ” he said , using Fox host Greg Gutfeld ’ s metaphor to explain the conundrum .
“ We ’ re trapped in a prison of two ideas : the idea that releasing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and extending the quarantine is going to be cowardly .
These are bad choices , ” Rowe said , “ but it ’ s what happens when we dispense cookie-cutter advice.
” Rowe talked about his “ safety-third ” theory , reasonably weighing risks and rewards equally to make a decision .
His theory is in stark contrast to Cuomo ’ s relentless belief that locking down the state is worth it if even one life is saved , regardless of the economic or lifestyle destruction that occurs in the process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor , ” Rowe began , “ but a couple weeks ago he said another thing that really snapped my neck .
“ He said ‘ no measure , no matter how drastic or draconian should be deemed unjustified if it saves a single life , ' ” Rowe said , paraphrasing the governor .
“ The notion that nothing in the country is more important than staying safe , that ’ s not something common-sensical people embrace , ” Rowe added .
“ That ’ s something you hear from people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians who are trying to get re-elected.
” Cuomo has indeed continued to take this approach .
“ There is no dollar figure to a human life , ” the governor tweeted Tuesday .
“ New York will reopen ( by region ) when it is safe to do so.
” Rowe is absolutely correct about politicians like Cuomo who tell residents that their jobs are suddenly “ nonessential ” only by virtue of government edict .
The fact of the matter is that all jobs are essential to the people who earn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by being prevented from working can not be ignored .
Furthermore , Cuomo advising people to simply take “ essential ” jobs , as if it is that easy in the middle of a pandemic , is as condescending as former Vice President Joe Biden telling coal miners to “ learn how to program.
” Mike Rowe is right — putting safety above all else is not a principled philosophy , but rather a tactic of power-hungry politicians like Cuomo .
It ’ s time to empower struggling Americans by giving them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom — to get back to work .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

To the people who earn a living from them, every job is essential.
But during the coronavirus pandemic, the actions of politicians like New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo sparked protests from those who were laid off from jobs deemed “nonessential” by the government
That doesn’t sit well with Mike Rowe, host of the web-based reality series “Returning the Favor” and an advocate for the hard-working folks who keep the America running.
The former “Dirty Jobs” host appeared on Fox News’ “The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino” on Tuesday and was asked for his take on the Democratic governor’s statements late last month in regard to people who have lost their jobs.
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com “You want to go to work? Go take a job as an essential worker,” Cuomo said of protesters concerned about the government-imposed shutdown’s effects on their livelihoods.
“You can get a job as an essential worker,” he said. “So now you can go to work, and you can be an essential worker, and you’re not going to kill anyone.”
Do you think Gov. Cuomo is using the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to consolidate power? 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: 99% (3994 Votes) No: 1% (24 Votes)
Perino asked Rowe what he thought of those remarks, noting that many people are “put off” by politicians deciding their jobs are either “essential” or “nonessential.”
“Well, can you blame them?” Rowe replied. “When I was doing ‘Dirty Jobs,’ things were flush and very few people were paying very little attention to these anonymous, unsung workers who were making civilized life possible for the rest of us.
“Well, we’re in a different world right now,” he added. “People got the memo.”
Rowe explained that millions of people are out of work because of government action, “but if you look at the impact of removing those workers from our economy — our macro economy — you can see that they’re absolutely essential.”
Speaking about the impact of using such binary classifications for workers, Rowe said: “This is one of those instances where the headlines have caught up to our vernacular and if we don’t make some tweaks to our lexicon, we’re going to wind up sounding really — oh, what’s the word — stupid.”
Rowe does think it is possible to safely reopen the economy.
“Well, it’s not just that we can do it, we have to do it,” he said, using Fox host Greg Gutfeld’s metaphor to explain the conundrum.
“We’re trapped in a prison of two ideas: the idea that releasing the lockdown is somehow going to be irresponsible, and extending the quarantine is going to be cowardly. These are bad choices,” Rowe said, “but it’s what happens when we dispense cookie-cutter advice.”
Rowe talked about his “safety-third” theory, reasonably weighing risks and rewards equally to make a decision.
His theory is in stark contrast to Cuomo’s relentless belief that locking down the state is worth it if even one life is saved, regardless of the economic or lifestyle destruction that occurs in the process.
“Not to pile up on the governor,” Rowe began, “but a couple weeks ago he said another thing that really snapped my neck.
“He said ‘no measure, no matter how drastic or draconian should be deemed unjustified if it saves a single life,'” Rowe said, paraphrasing the governor.
“The notion that nothing in the country is more important than staying safe, that’s not something common-sensical people embrace,” Rowe added.
“That’s something you hear from people who are trying to sell you something or politicians who are trying to get re-elected.”
Cuomo has indeed continued to take this approach.
“There is no dollar figure to a human life,” the governor tweeted Tuesday. “New York will reopen (by region) when it is safe to do so.”
There is no dollar figure to a human life. New York will reopen (by region) when it is safe to do so. — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) May 5, 2020
Rowe is absolutely correct about politicians like Cuomo who tell residents that their jobs are suddenly “nonessential” only by virtue of government edict.
The fact of the matter is that all jobs are essential to the people who earn livings from them, and the pain caused by being prevented from working cannot be ignored.
Furthermore, Cuomo advising people to simply take “essential” jobs, as if it is that easy in the middle of a pandemic, is as condescending as former Vice President Joe Biden telling coal miners to “learn how to program.”
Mike Rowe is right — putting safety above all else is not a principled philosophy, but rather a tactic of power-hungry politicians like Cuomo.
It’s time to empower struggling Americans by giving them the chance — and more importantly the freedom — to get back to work.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.


westernjournal--2020-05-07--Federal Judge Slaps Down Governor’s Gun Store Closure Order: ‘There’s No Justification’

Massachusetts Gov .
Charlie Baker was the latest official to get that lesson in constitutional law on Thursday when a federal judge announced Baker had overstepped his bounds with an executive order that closed gun stores by lumping them in with other businesses deemed “ nonessential ” by the powers that be .
“ There ’ s no justification here , ” Judge Douglas Woodlock said in Boston , the Boston Globe ’ s Matt Stout reported .
“ I don ’ t have anything like a substantial fit between the goals of the emergency declared by the commonwealth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defendants in this narrow area.
” “ When we ’ re dealing with constitutional rights , some degree of clarity that tells us that it ’ s necessary is perhaps a foundational requirement , ” Woodlock continued , according to Stout .
Well , yes , a little “ clarity ” about necessity would be a good thing for governors to have before deciding to abrogate the constitutional rights of American citizens .
When it comes to gun rights , clarity might be even more important for the governor of Massachusetts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revolution when British regulars launched a largely unsuccessful raid to destroy a cache of arms assembled by rebellious colonists .
As most schoolchildren know — or used to — the colonists ’ resistance meant the foray didn ’ t end well for the forces of the British Empire .
According to Reuters , Baker ’ s mid-March order was challenged by “ would-be gun purchasers , retailers and gun rights advocacy groups , including the Second Amendment Foundation , ” which argued that “ the orders amounted to an unconstitutional ban on acquiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baker ’ s order might have been particularly shameful given Massachusetts ’ place in American history , but he was far from the only governor who has used , or attempted to use , the coronavirus crisis to curtail constitutional rights In one such case in Pennsylvania , Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf quietly backed down on a plan to close gun stores .
In other states , such as Washington , where Democratic Gov .
Jay Inslee is in charge , the ban is technically in effect but some gun stores have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as New Jersey , Democratic Gov .
Phil Murphy initially closed gun stores by executive order , but apparently decided they might be “ essential ” after all – after at least three gun rights groups filed lawsuits over the issue , according to Politico .
And that ’ s just the Second Amendment .
Church services have also been a battleground pitting First Amendment constitutional rights against coronavirus emergency orders .
That issue is still being fought from state to state — two churches won a federal ruling in April in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court on Tuesday upheld a ban on church services by Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom , according to The Associated Press .
However , Attorney General William Barr has made it clear he takes a dim view of state governments trying to trample on the Constitution with the coronavirus as cover .
What makes the Massachusetts case particularly noteworthy is that it involved a Republican governor .
As the examples in this article show , the idea of using the coronavirus to crack down on constitutional liberties tends to be largely a creature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Baker ’ s a Republican in Massachusetts .
Any member of the GOP running for statewide office in the deep-blue Bay State isn ’ t exactly going to be the Ted Cruz variety .
( See : Romney , Mitt . )
Fortunately , there ’ s an attorney general in Washington who understands the guarantees of the Constitution , and federal judges who aren ’ t shy about slapping back governors who try to overstep their bounds .
If Americans want to keep a Justice Department that respects the Constitution and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loyalty to the country ’ s foundational law is more important than political fads , they need to remember these days come November .
It ’ s sad to say , but given the totalitarian bent of the Democratic Party ’ s current leadership , keeping President Donald Trump won ’ t be all that ’ s on the ballot .
Voters will essentially be deciding whether to keep the Constitution , too .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The coronavirus crisis doesn’t trump the Constitution.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker was the latest official to get that lesson in constitutional law on Thursday when a federal judge announced Baker had overstepped his bounds with an executive order that closed gun stores by lumping them in with other businesses deemed “nonessential” by the powers that be.
“There’s no justification here,” Judge Douglas Woodlock said in Boston, the Boston Globe’s Matt Stout reported.
“I don’t have anything like a substantial fit between the goals of the emergency declared by the commonwealth and the burdening of the constitutional rights of the defendants in this narrow area.”
Woodlock: “There’s no justification here. I don’t have anything like a substantial fit between the goals of the emergency declared by the commonwealth and the burdening of the constitutional rights of the defendants in this narrow area.” — Matt Stout (@MattPStout) May 7, 2020
“When we’re dealing with constitutional rights, some degree of clarity that tells us that it’s necessary is perhaps a foundational requirement,” Woodlock continued, according to Stout.
Well, yes, a little “clarity” about necessity would be a good thing for governors to have before deciding to abrogate the constitutional rights of American citizens.
When it comes to gun rights, clarity might be even more important for the governor of Massachusetts, the colony that kicked off the American Revolution when British regulars launched a largely unsuccessful raid to destroy a cache of arms assembled by rebellious colonists. As most schoolchildren know — or used to — the colonists’ resistance meant the foray didn’t end well for the forces of the British Empire.
Do you think Democrats are using the coronavirus to trample constitutional rights? Yes No
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According to Reuters, Baker’s mid-March order was challenged by “would-be gun purchasers, retailers and gun rights advocacy groups, including the Second Amendment Foundation,” which argued that “the orders amounted to an unconstitutional ban on acquiring firearms and ammunition for self-defense purposes.”
Baker’s order might have been particularly shameful given Massachusetts’ place in American history, but he was far from the only governor who has used, or attempted to use, the coronavirus crisis to curtail constitutional rights
In one such case in Pennsylvania, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf quietly backed down on a plan to close gun stores. In other states, such as Washington, where Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee is in charge, the ban is technically in effect but some gun stores have been defying it.
In others, such as New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy initially closed gun stores by executive order, but apparently decided they might be “essential” after all – after at least three gun rights groups filed lawsuits over the issue, according to Politico.
And that’s just the Second Amendment. Church services have also been a battleground pitting First Amendment constitutional rights against coronavirus emergency orders.
That issue is still being fought from state to state — two churches won a federal ruling in April in Kansas; in California, a federal court on Tuesday upheld a ban on church services by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to The Associated Press.
However, Attorney General William Barr has made it clear he takes a dim view of state governments trying to trample on the Constitution with the coronavirus as cover.
What makes the Massachusetts case particularly noteworthy is that it involved a Republican governor. As the examples in this article show, the idea of using the coronavirus to crack down on constitutional liberties tends to be largely a creature of the Democratic Party.
Then again, Baker’s a Republican in Massachusetts. Any member of the GOP running for statewide office in the deep-blue Bay State isn’t exactly going to be the Ted Cruz variety. (See: Romney, Mitt.)
Fortunately, there’s an attorney general in Washington who understands the guarantees of the Constitution, and federal judges who aren’t shy about slapping back governors who try to overstep their bounds.
If Americans want to keep a Justice Department that respects the Constitution and a president who keeps appointing judges whose loyalty to the country’s foundational law is more important than political fads, they need to remember these days come November.
It’s sad to say, but given the totalitarian bent of the Democratic Party’s current leadership, keeping President Donald Trump won’t be all that’s on the ballot.
Voters will essentially be deciding whether to keep the Constitution, too.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Op-Ed: National Blue Angel and Thunderbird Flyovers Are a Symbol of American Hope

Defeating the coronavirus pandemic is not just a matter of social distancing and “ flattening the curve ” — it also requires strong national morale and grateful recognition of the efforts made by our brave health care workers on the front lines .
Since the earliest days of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak , President Trump has sought to unite Americans behind the national struggle against our invisible enemy .
He ’ s also made sure to honor the commitment of our country ’ s medical professionals , highlighting their heroism and sacrifice during this global health crisis .
The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s most essential workers is fittingly majestic and profound — nationwide flyovers by the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels , our country ’ s finest flight demonstration teams .
“ We ’ re paying tribute to our front-line health care workers confronting COVID , and it ’ s really a signal to all Americans to remain vigilant during the outbreak , ” President Trump explained during a recent White House briefing .
“ This is a tribute to them , to our warriors , because they ’ re equal warriors to those incredible pilots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have for the more traditional fights that we win.
” Operation America Strong is a perfect demonstration of what our country can accomplish when we work together .
The remarkable prowess of these skilled pilots is a symbol of our nation ’ s unrestrained potential and indefatigable spirit .
From business owners converting their factories to manufacture life-saving medical supplies and equipment to the diligent workers who keep our grocery stores and other essential businesses open to the doctors , nurses and sanitation workers who brave the risk of infection to work in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ description are doing their part to help us win the fight against the coronavirus pandemic .
I ’ ve had the privilege of piloting some of the most powerful flying machines in the world — and their roaring engines have always reminded me of the mighty American spirit and the unbreakable American resolve .
I hope the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels will inspire similar feelings among Americans looking up at them from cities all over the country .
Of course , this symbolic gesture is only one of many initiatives that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential workers and medical professionals .
In March , the president met with the leaders of national nurses ’ organizations , formulating a plan to ensure that nurses throughout America get the personal protective equipment they need to safely care for coronavirus patients .
“ Today I welcome the great nurses of our country to the White House and express our gratitude for those on the front lines in our war against the global pandemic , ” Trump said at the time .
RELATED : Op-Ed : Trump Is Working with Arizona Leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to highlight emergency initiatives — such as streamlining regulations and providing vital assistance to hospitals — that gave “ nurses and doctors maximum flexibility to respond to the virus.
” Vice President Mike Pence , who leads the White House Coronavirus Task Force , also continues to visit manufacturing and health care facilities , personally thanking workers who are producing ventilators and other medical equipment .
As Americans everywhere continue to do their part in the battle against COVID-19 , the flyovers conducted during Operation America Strong remind us that our nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we will ultimately prevail as one nation united .
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 .

Defeating the coronavirus pandemic is not just a matter of social distancing and “flattening the curve” — it also requires strong national morale and grateful recognition of the efforts made by our brave health care workers on the front lines.
Since the earliest days of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak, President Trump has sought to unite Americans behind the national struggle against our invisible enemy.
He’s also made sure to honor the commitment of our country’s medical professionals, highlighting their heroism and sacrifice during this global health crisis.
The president’s latest salute to America’s most essential workers is fittingly majestic and profound — nationwide flyovers by the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels, our country’s finest flight demonstration teams.
“We’re paying tribute to our front-line health care workers confronting COVID, and it’s really a signal to all Americans to remain vigilant during the outbreak,” President Trump explained during a recent White House briefing.
“This is a tribute to them, to our warriors, because they’re equal warriors to those incredible pilots and all of the fighters that we have for the more traditional fights that we win.”
Operation America Strong is a perfect demonstration of what our country can accomplish when we work together.
The remarkable prowess of these skilled pilots is a symbol of our nation’s unrestrained potential and indefatigable spirit.
From business owners converting their factories to manufacture life-saving medical supplies and equipment to the diligent workers who keep our grocery stores and other essential businesses open to the doctors, nurses and sanitation workers who brave the risk of infection to work in intensive care units, Americans of every description are doing their part to help us win the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Do you think President Trump has done a good job encouraging the American people during this crisis? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 100% (53 Votes) No: 0% (0 Votes)
I’ve had the privilege of piloting some of the most powerful flying machines in the world — and their roaring engines have always reminded me of the mighty American spirit and the unbreakable American resolve.
I hope the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels will inspire similar feelings among Americans looking up at them from cities all over the country.
Of course, this symbolic gesture is only one of many initiatives that the Trump administration has taken to support our essential workers and medical professionals.
In March, the president met with the leaders of national nurses’ organizations, formulating a plan to ensure that nurses throughout America get the personal protective equipment they need to safely care for coronavirus patients.
“Today I welcome the great nurses of our country to the White House and express our gratitude for those on the front lines in our war against the global pandemic,” Trump said at the time.
He went on to highlight emergency initiatives — such as streamlining regulations and providing vital assistance to hospitals — that gave “nurses and doctors maximum flexibility to respond to the virus.”
Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the White House Coronavirus Task Force, also continues to visit manufacturing and health care facilities, personally thanking workers who are producing ventilators and other medical equipment.
As Americans everywhere continue to do their part in the battle against COVID-19, the flyovers conducted during Operation America Strong remind us that our nation is stronger than the invisible enemy and that we will ultimately prevail as one nation united.
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--2020-05-07--‘This Is a Big Moment in Our History’: Trump Proclaims ‘We’re Opening Up Our Country Again’

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the country is reopening after more than a month of lockdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic .
In a video posted on the White House Twitter page , Trump vowed that America ’ s comeback from the current crisis has officially begun .
“ This is a big moment in our history because we ’ re opening up our country again , ” Trump said .
“ People are coming out , they are starting to go around and see what ’ s happening .
They ’ ve been sort of shut down as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening up our country.
” “ People want our country to open up .
Now , we want to do it in a safe way , ” he added , “ you know all about social distancing and washing your hands and all of the things that we ’ re supposed to do.
” President Trump then commented on the state of the economy , which has been ravaged by lockdowns during the pandemic .
“ Something I think that ’ s important to say , because I ’ ve been OK at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s going to come back very , very strong .
You know we built the greatest economy anywhere in the world , ” he said .
Trump vowed that he will once again lead the country to prosperity from the current economic crisis .
“ I did it once , we ’ re going to do it again , and it ’ s going to be just as strong by the time we have it done , ” he said , promising that “ it ’ s going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We ’ re going to have an incredible next year , and I look forward to it , ” the president concluded .
The remarks from Trump come a day after he signaled that the coronavirus task force would take on somewhat of a new role as the country begins to open back up .
“ The White House CoronaVirus Task Force , headed by Vice President Mike Pence , has done a fantastic job of bringing together vast highly complex resources that have set a high standard for others to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
Trump also praised the task force for mobilizing the production of medical and personal protective equipment , and for handling the challenging logistics of the country ’ s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic .
RELATED : Republican Lawmakers Call for Suspension of Foreign Worker Visas as Unemployment Mounts The president added the task force will also begin to focus on treatments for the virus , as well as a vaccine .
Vice President Mike Pence told NBC News the task force will begin the process of handing back control to individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the country is reopening after more than a month of lockdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a video posted on the White House Twitter page, Trump vowed that America’s comeback from the current crisis has officially begun.
“This is a big moment in our history because we’re opening up our country again,” Trump said. “People are coming out, they are starting to go around and see what’s happening. They’ve been sort of shut down as the expression goes, but we’re opening up our country.”
This is a big moment in America’s history: opening up our Country again and rebuilding the greatest economy anywhere in the world ?? pic.twitter.com/RnCun2HxN6 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 7, 2020
“People want our country to open up. Now, we want to do it in a safe way,” he added, “you know all about social distancing and washing your hands and all of the things that we’re supposed to do.”
President Trump then commented on the state of the economy, which has been ravaged by lockdowns during the pandemic.
“Something I think that’s important to say, because I’ve been OK at this kind of thing, our economy. It’s going to come back very, very strong. You know we built the greatest economy anywhere in the world,” he said.
Trump vowed that he will once again lead the country to prosperity from the current economic crisis.
Do you think the country is headed toward a big comeback after watching President Trump's message? Yes No
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“I did it once, we’re going to do it again, and it’s going to be just as strong by the time we have it done,” he said, promising that “it’s going to be a lot sooner than anybody would understand.”
“We’re going to have an incredible next year, and I look forward to it,” the president concluded.
The remarks from Trump come a day after he signaled that the coronavirus task force would take on somewhat of a new role as the country begins to open back up.
“The White House CoronaVirus Task Force, headed by Vice President Mike Pence, has done a fantastic job of bringing together vast highly complex resources that have set a high standard for others to follow in the future,” Trump tweeted.
Trump also praised the task force for mobilizing the production of medical and personal protective equipment, and for handling the challenging logistics of the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
….produced in the thousands, and we have many to spare. We are helping other countries which are desperate for them. Likewise, after having been left little, we are now doing more testing than all other countries combined, and with superior tests. Face masks & shields,…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2020
The president added the task force will also begin to focus on treatments for the virus, as well as a vaccine.
….to it, as appropriate. The Task Force will also be very focused on Vaccines & Therapeutics. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2020
Vice President Mike Pence told NBC News the task force will begin the process of handing back control to individual government agencies later this month or next month.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Little Boy Comes Home to Drive-by Parade To Celebrate Him Finishing Cancer Treatments After Ringing

Little Boy Comes Home to Drive-by Parade To Celebrate Him Finishing Cancer Treatments After Ringing Bell at Hospital

The last thing any mother wants to experience is her child in pain .
It ’ s a sad reality that many have to face , but thankfully there are many people willing and ready to both help when things are bad and celebrate when they take a positive turn .
One mom , who goes by Foxx on Twitter , recently shared her son ’ s cancer story , and her posts about him have brought smiles and hope to many readers .
“ I know there are many people who wonders what is going on with Bam , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ However , I decided to keep it private because of how sensitive and critical the circumstances are.
” When her son first started experiencing blurred vision , Foxx did what any mother would : She took her son to an eye specialist .
In a post on Twitter , she wrote that she figured her son ( referred to as “ Bam ” ) needed glasses — but the optometrist couldn ’ t find anything wrong with Bam ’ s eyes .
The next stop was with a neurologist , who ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain .
An MRI revealed a tumor in Bam ’ s brain , and they determined he had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma .
Testing determined that the tumor was cancerous , and initial treatments only complicated the situation .
“ The radiation treatments caused the tumor to swell which affected his ability to walk and his left side of his body does not function correctly , ” she wrote .
“ Still he just laughed and remained happy and positive.
” On May 5 , he completed his radiation treatments and got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Today he has completed his last radiation treatment and he got to ring the completion bell !
” she shared .
“ I am so [ proud ] of him !
He ’ s been so strong through all of this !
I love you forever son !
” But fanfare from the medical professionals wasn ’ t all this proud mother had in store for Bam .
She ’ d arranged for many other people to show him some love on such a happy day .
RELATED : While 7-Year-Old 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In To Care for Student 's Newborn Baby Brother “ I asked our family and friends to come out to celebrate this special day of completion !
” she continued .
“ He was so glad and surprised that everybody came and showed him this much love.
” “ We love love love everyone who came out with gifts , decorated posters , support and praises !
This is only the beginning for him !
” Foxx also shared a video of the automobile procession that went by their home to encourage and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a drive by parade right after his treatment , ” she posted on May 7 .
“ All of our family and friends drove by in their cars to shower him with gifts , decorated signs and praises !
I will never forget this day and I ’ m pretty sure he will not.
” The kindness certainly warmed Bam ’ s heart , but it probably cheered his mother just as much , if not more .
“ God is with me through the rain and the pain mom , ” Bam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You don ’ t have to worry about anything.
” While the family is celebrating this wonderful milestone , Foxx is asking for continued prayers that the cancer will not return .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The last thing any mother wants to experience is her child in pain. It’s a sad reality that many have to face, but thankfully there are many people willing and ready to both help when things are bad and celebrate when they take a positive turn.
One mom, who goes by Foxx on Twitter, recently shared her son’s cancer story, and her posts about him have brought smiles and hope to many readers.
“I know there are many people who wonders what is going on with Bam,” she shared on May 6. “However, I decided to keep it private because of how sensitive and critical the circumstances are.”
When her son first started experiencing blurred vision, Foxx did what any mother would: She took her son to an eye specialist.
In a post on Twitter, she wrote that she figured her son (referred to as “Bam”) needed glasses — but the optometrist couldn’t find anything wrong with Bam’s eyes.
The next stop was with a neurologist, who ordered a scan of the boy’s brain. An MRI revealed a tumor in Bam’s brain, and they determined he had Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.
Testing determined that the tumor was cancerous, and initial treatments only complicated the situation.
“The radiation treatments caused the tumor to swell which affected his ability to walk and his left side of his body does not function correctly,” she wrote. “Still he just laughed and remained happy and positive.”
My son was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Today he has completed his last radiation treatment and he got to ring the completion bell ! I am so pround of him! He’s been so strong through all of this ! I love you forever son! ❤❤❤?????????? pic.twitter.com/CZfirEFAXv — Foxxy (@FoxxLocs) May 6, 2020
On May 5, he completed his radiation treatments and got to ring the bell at the hospital.
“Today he has completed his last radiation treatment and he got to ring the completion bell!” she shared. “I am so [proud] of him! He’s been so strong through all of this! I love you forever son!”
But fanfare from the medical professionals wasn’t all this proud mother had in store for Bam. She’d arranged for many other people to show him some love on such a happy day.
Boy I love you ! pic.twitter.com/yn2zy3bFlp — Foxxy (@FoxxLocs) May 6, 2020
“I asked our family and friends to come out to celebrate this special day of completion!” she continued. “He was so glad and surprised that everybody came and showed him this much love.”
“We love love love everyone who came out with gifts, decorated posters, support and praises! This is only the beginning for him!”
Foxx also shared a video of the automobile procession that went by their home to encourage and support Bam.
“We gave him a drive by parade right after his treatment,” she posted on May 7. “All of our family and friends drove by in their cars to shower him with gifts, decorated signs and praises! I will never forget this day and I’m pretty sure he will not.”
We gave him a drive by parade right after his treatment. All of our family and friends drove by in their cars to shower him with gifts, decorated signs and praises ! ??❤ I will never forget this day and I’m pretty sure he will not pic.twitter.com/OeyzFZ85yA — Foxxy (@FoxxLocs) May 7, 2020
The kindness certainly warmed Bam’s heart, but it probably cheered his mother just as much, if not more.
“God is with me through the rain and the pain mom,” Bam told her, according to her post. “You don’t have to worry about anything.”
While the family is celebrating this wonderful milestone, Foxx is asking for continued prayers that the cancer will not return.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--‘Shocking’ Two-Thirds of NY Hospitalized COVID Patients Had Stayed Home, Defying Social Distancing L

‘Shocking’ Two-Thirds of NY Hospitalized COVID Patients Had Stayed Home, Defying Social Distancing Logic

The results of a newly released medical survey indicate New York state ’ s COVID-19 outbreak may defy orthodox virological expectations .
Detailing the findings in a daily news briefing Thursday , Democratic Gov .
Andrew Cuomo explained that , while the survey had largely served to confirm previous suspicions regarding transmission of the virus , one “ shocking ” development had in fact been revealed .
According to the data , roughly 66 percent of hospitalized coronavirus patients within the state were admitted from the safety of their own homes .
( That statistic did not include the 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a nursing home . )
“ This is a surprise , ” Cuomo told reporters .
“ Overwhelmingly , the people were at home , where there ’ s been a lot of speculation about this .
A lot of people , again , had opinions .
A lot of people have been arguing where [ the cases ] come from and where we should be focusing .
“ But 66 percent of the people were at home , which is shocking to us , ” Cuomo said .
“ Transportation method @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public transportation and we ’ ve taken special precautions on public transportation .
But actually no , because these people were literally at home .
“ Only 4 percent were taking public transportation , 2 percent were walking , ” the governor later added .
“ Eighty-four percent were at home .
Literally .
Were they working ?
No , they were retired or they were unemployed .
Only 17 percent working .
So that says they ’ re not working , they ’ re not traveling.
” The revelation may call into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing protocols greatly decrease individual risk of viral transmission .
It was this logic which led the governors of more than 40 states to implement stay-at-home orders barring so-called “ nonessential ” public travel and interaction .
According to the New York Post , however , the three-day survey of 1,269 patients at 113 hospitals , commissioned by New York state officials and completed this week , did not explicitly determine whether those admitted to the hospital from their homes had been properly following social distancing guidelines .
Cuomo indicated Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state public health policy going forward .
RELATED : Republican Lawmakers Call for Suspension of Foreign Worker Visas as Unemployment Mounts Instead , the governor doubled down on strict social distancing guidelines , saying residents should continue to isolate from one another regardless of age or other demographic characteristics .
“ It reinforces what we ’ ve been saying , which is much of this comes down to what you do to protect yourself , ” Cuomo said .
“ Everything is closed down , government has done everything it could , society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now it ’ s up to you .
Are you wearing the mask ?
Are you doing the hand sanitizer ?
” he said .
“ If you have younger people who are visiting you and may be out there and may be less diligent with the social distancing , are you staying away from older people ?
” “ This is not a group that we can target with this information .
It ’ s really about personal behavior.
” New York state , far and away the hardest hit by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 327,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 26,000 deaths since the start of the outbreak , according to Johns Hopkins .
However , the state remained on a strong downward trend this week , not having registered more than 5,000 cases in a single day since April 26 .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

The results of a newly released medical survey indicate New York state’s COVID-19 outbreak may defy orthodox virological expectations.
Detailing the findings in a daily news briefing Thursday, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo explained that, while the survey had largely served to confirm previous suspicions regarding transmission of the virus, one “shocking” development had in fact been revealed.
According to the data, roughly 66 percent of hospitalized coronavirus patients within the state were admitted from the safety of their own homes. (That statistic did not include the 16 percent of hospitalizations where patients were admitted from a nursing home.)
“This is a surprise,” Cuomo told reporters. “Overwhelmingly, the people were at home, where there’s been a lot of speculation about this. A lot of people, again, had opinions. A lot of people have been arguing where [the cases] come from and where we should be focusing.
“But 66 percent of the people were at home, which is shocking to us,” Cuomo said.
“Transportation method: We thought maybe they were taking public transportation and we’ve taken special precautions on public transportation. But actually no, because these people were literally at home.
NEWS: @NYGovCuomo is announcing the results of a survey of coronavirus patients who showed up at NY hospitals. 66% came from homes. This was “shocking to us,” Cuomo said.https://t.co/tElx0HYu9B pic.twitter.com/kJeVNE04QQ — Jimmy Vielkind (@JimmyVielkind) May 6, 2020
“Only 4 percent were taking public transportation, 2 percent were walking,” the governor later added.
“Eighty-four percent were at home. Literally. Were they working? No, they were retired or they were unemployed. Only 17 percent working. So that says they’re not working, they’re not traveling.”
The revelation may call into question the recent medical suggestion that strict social distancing protocols greatly decrease individual risk of viral transmission.
It was this logic which led the governors of more than 40 states to implement stay-at-home orders barring so-called “nonessential” public travel and interaction.
Do you think politicians should begin relaxing social distancing guidelines? 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: 91% (755 Votes) No: 9% (79 Votes)
According to the New York Post, however, the three-day survey of 1,269 patients at 113 hospitals, commissioned by New York state officials and completed this week, did not explicitly determine whether those admitted to the hospital from their homes had been properly following social distancing guidelines.
Cuomo indicated Thursday that the findings would not sway New York state public health policy going forward.
Instead, the governor doubled down on strict social distancing guidelines, saying residents should continue to isolate from one another regardless of age or other demographic characteristics.
“It reinforces what we’ve been saying, which is much of this comes down to what you do to protect yourself,” Cuomo said. “Everything is closed down, government has done everything it could, society has done everything it could.
“Now it’s up to you. Are you wearing the mask? Are you doing the hand sanitizer?” he said.
“If you have younger people who are visiting you and may be out there and may be less diligent with the social distancing, are you staying away from older people?”
“This is not a group that we can target with this information. It’s really about personal behavior.”
New York state, far and away the hardest hit by the ongoing pandemic, has recorded more than 327,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 26,000 deaths since the start of the outbreak, according to Johns Hopkins.
However, the state remained on a strong downward trend this week, not having registered more than 5,000 cases in a single day since April 26.
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--Op-Ed: Progressives’ Treatment of the Unborn as ‘Property’ Puts Them in Same Camp as Slavery Defende

Op-Ed: Progressives’ Treatment of the Unborn as ‘Property’ Puts Them in Same Camp as Slavery Defenders

A Pulitzer Prize awarded this week to Nikole Hannah-Jones for her New York Times ’ 1619 Project is undeserved .
We would suggest that both the author and the Pulitzer board members take the splint out of their own eyes before they advance and applaud anti-slavery attacks on the integrity of the Founders .
The 1619 Project attempts to “ reframe ” the American colonies ’ founding as an exercise characterized by slavery rather than a courageous bid for freedom .
The series indulges in the ideological trashing of the true history and the honorable founding principles of the colonists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of America .
It is just another attempt to defame the Founders ’ principles in the progressives ’ propaganda war that started with the Sexual Revolution .
Roe v. Wade ( 1973 ) was one of the first of the progressives ’ victories .
Ironically , the 20th-century sexual revolutionaries started out by claiming that pregnant women without access to abortion were being “ forced ” to bear children in “ gestational slavery.
” Their advocacy for abortion up to viability , based on the proposition that unborn children are not “ whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same camp as the defenders of slavery .
Progressives today dehumanize the target of an abortion as a woman ’ s personal and private “ property ” rather than a mother ’ s daughter or son .
Appeal to Privacy Echoes an Old Injustice There are irreconcilable problems with locating a right to abortion in the “ the right of personal privacy ” all too handily inserted by Justice Harry Blackmun into the Constitution .
Today ’ s most frequent defense of abortion as “ no one else ’ s business ” — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman ” herself — is itself an echo of an old injustice recorded in abolitionist Theodore Dwight Weld ’ s account “ American Slavery as It Is : Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses ” ( 1839 ) : “ A slaveholder , after flogging a little girl about thirteen years old , set her on a table with her feet fastened in a pair of stocks .
He then locked the door and took out the key .
When the door was opened she was found dead , having fallen from the table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who belonged to one of the first families in the State , whether the murderer of this helpless child could not be indicted , he coolly replied , that the slave was Mr.—- ‘ s property , and if he chose to suffer the loss , no one else had any thing to do with it.
” It ’ s sad that today when a daughter or son is attacked and destroyed in her or his mother ’ s womb , the cool reply is much the same : The child is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if she “ chose ” to suffer the loss , it ’ s nobody else ’ s business .
Abortion Offends Against the Founders ’ “ No Property in Man ” Principle A right to procure the killing the unborn , who comprise part of our posterity , as though they are not “ whole ” persons but rather part-persons/part-property , offends against the “ no property in man ” principle recognized from the beginning by the Founders ( Records of the Federal Convention , August 25 , 1787 ) .
And over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still validating that constitutional principle that all human beings are to be respected as persons .
In his 1860 Address at Cooper Union , Lincoln asserted the ability to “ show , by contemporaneous history , that this mode of alluding to slaves [ as ‘ persons ’ in the Constitution ] … was employed on purpose to exclude from the Constitution the idea that there could be property in man.
” Indeed , the Constitution nowhere singles out any group of human beings as property or as not being “ persons in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Between Persons and Property When the Constitution ’ s wording was being negotiated , the Records show that the idea that there could be no property in men ( i.e .
human beings ) was raised in discussion and conceded in principle .
Roger Sherman objected to “ acknowledging men to be property , by taxing them as such under the character of slaves.
” James Madison seconded the objection : “ Slaves are not like merchandise.
” He thought it “ wrong to admit in the Constitution the idea that there could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result was that throughout the convention-adopted text , the Constitution consistently uses the term “ persons ” and never “ slaves.
” Property in Man Assumption Is Intolerable : “ Disowned by Conscience and Reason ” During the Constitution ’ s drafting , there was a clear expectation that slavery would be abolished .
For example , on August 22 , 1787 , in the Records , Sherman observed that “ the abolition of Slavery seemed to be going on in the U.S. & that the good sense of the several States would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegate said : “ Slavery in time will not be a speck in our Country .
Provision is already made in Connecticut for abolishing it .
And the abolition has already taken place in Massachusetts.
” Yet another said : “ If the S. States were let alone they will probably of themselves stop importations.
” But it was not until the post-Civil War 13th Amendment ( 1865 ) , that this expectation was finally met .
The original “ no property in man ” principle became unequivocally a robust precept of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the Senate , April 8 , 1864 , Sen. Charles Sumner gave his renowned “ No Property in Man ” speech on the Proposed Amendment of the Constitution Abolishing Slavery through the United States : Mr. Madison said in the convention that it was “ wrong to admit in the Constitution the idea that there could be property in men.
” Of course it was wrong .
It was criminal and unpardonable .
Thank God it was not done .
Sen. Sumner went on to reject “ the intolerable assumption of property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alike by the conscience and the reason.
” “ Sir , let the ‘ execrable ’ pretension never again be named , except for condemnation , no matter how or when it appears or what the form it may take .
Let the ‘ idea , ’ which was originally branded as so ‘ wrong ’ that it could not find a place in the Constitution , never find a place in our debates.
” For the abortion debates today , it is significant that the idea of treating persons as property was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not find a place in the Constitution .
Progressives must recognize the truth : It is only with the abolition of abortion today that we can honorably achieve the abolition of the execrable ownership of human beings .
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 .

A Pulitzer Prize awarded this week to Nikole Hannah-Jones for her New York Times’ 1619 Project is undeserved. We would suggest that both the author and the Pulitzer board members take the splint out of their own eyes before they advance and applaud anti-slavery attacks on the integrity of the Founders.
The 1619 Project attempts to “reframe” the American colonies’ founding as an exercise characterized by slavery rather than a courageous bid for freedom. The series indulges in the ideological trashing of the true history and the honorable founding principles of the colonists who fought to form the United States of America.
It is just another attempt to defame the Founders’ principles in the progressives’ propaganda war that started with the Sexual Revolution.
Roe v. Wade (1973) was one of the first of the progressives’ victories. Ironically, the 20th-century sexual revolutionaries started out by claiming that pregnant women without access to abortion were being “forced” to bear children in “gestational slavery.”
Their advocacy for abortion up to viability, based on the proposition that unborn children are not “whole persons,” puts them in the same camp as the defenders of slavery.
Progressives today dehumanize the target of an abortion as a woman’s personal and private “property” rather than a mother’s daughter or son.
Appeal to Privacy Echoes an Old Injustice
There are irreconcilable problems with locating a right to abortion in the “the right of personal privacy” all too handily inserted by Justice Harry Blackmun into the Constitution.
Today’s most frequent defense of abortion as “no one else’s business” — to be decided only by “the woman” herself — is itself an echo of an old injustice recorded in abolitionist Theodore Dwight Weld’s account “American Slavery as It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses” (1839):
Do you think progressives' zeal for abortion is akin to support for slavery? Yes No
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“A slaveholder, after flogging a little girl about thirteen years old, set her on a table with her feet fastened in a pair of stocks. He then locked the door and took out the key. When the door was opened she was found dead, having fallen from the table. When I asked a prominent lawyer, who belonged to one of the first families in the State, whether the murderer of this helpless child could not be indicted, he coolly replied, that the slave was Mr.—-‘s property, and if he chose to suffer the loss, no one else had any thing to do with it.”
It’s sad that today when a daughter or son is attacked and destroyed in her or his mother’s womb, the cool reply is much the same: The child is the mother’s property, and if she “chose” to suffer the loss, it’s nobody else’s business.
Abortion Offends Against the Founders’ “No Property in Man” Principle
A right to procure the killing the unborn, who comprise part of our posterity, as though they are not “whole” persons but rather part-persons/part-property, offends against the “no property in man” principle recognized from the beginning by the Founders (Records of the Federal Convention, August 25, 1787).
And over 70 years later, Abe Lincoln was still validating that constitutional principle that all human beings are to be respected as persons.
In his 1860 Address at Cooper Union, Lincoln asserted the ability to “show, by contemporaneous history, that this mode of alluding to slaves [as ‘persons’ in the Constitution] … was employed on purpose to exclude from the Constitution the idea that there could be property in man.”
Indeed, the Constitution nowhere singles out any group of human beings as property or as not being “persons in the whole sense.”
The Constitutional Distinction Between Persons and Property
When the Constitution’s wording was being negotiated, the Records show that the idea that there could be no property in men (i.e. human beings) was raised in discussion and conceded in principle. Roger Sherman objected to “acknowledging men to be property, by taxing them as such under the character of slaves.”
James Madison seconded the objection: “Slaves are not like merchandise.” He thought it “wrong to admit in the Constitution the idea that there could be property in men.”
The practical result was that throughout the convention-adopted text, the Constitution consistently uses the term “persons” and never “slaves.”
Property in Man Assumption Is Intolerable: “Disowned by Conscience and Reason”
During the Constitution’s drafting, there was a clear expectation that slavery would be abolished. For example, on August 22, 1787, in the Records, Sherman observed that “the abolition of Slavery seemed to be going on in the U.S. & that the good sense of the several States would probably by degrees compleat it.”
Another delegate said: “Slavery in time will not be a speck in our Country. Provision is already made in Connecticut for abolishing it. And the abolition has already taken place in Massachusetts.” Yet another said: “If the S. States were let alone they will probably of themselves stop importations.”
But it was not until the post-Civil War 13th Amendment (1865), that this expectation was finally met. The original “no property in man” principle became unequivocally a robust precept of the U.S. Constitution recognized across all states.
In the Senate, April 8, 1864, Sen. Charles Sumner gave his renowned “No Property in Man” speech on the Proposed Amendment of the Constitution Abolishing Slavery through the United States:
Mr. Madison said in the convention that it was “wrong to admit in the Constitution the idea that there could be property in men.” Of course it was wrong. It was criminal and unpardonable. Thank God it was not done.
Sen. Sumner went on to reject “the intolerable assumption of property in man” which is “disowned alike by the conscience and the reason.”
“Sir, let the ‘execrable’ pretension never again be named, except for condemnation, no matter how or when it appears or what the form it may take. Let the ‘idea,’ which was originally branded as so ‘wrong’ that it could not find a place in the Constitution, never find a place in our debates.”
For the abortion debates today, it is significant that the idea of treating persons as property was originally branded as so wrong that it could not find a place in the Constitution.
Progressives must recognize the truth: It is only with the abolition of abortion today that we can honorably achieve the abolition of the execrable ownership of human beings.
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.
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
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westernjournal--2020-05-07--While 7-Year-Old’s Mother Recovers from COVID-19, Teacher Steps In To Care for Student’s Newborn Bab

While 7-Year-Old’s Mother Recovers from COVID-19, Teacher Steps In To Care for Student’s Newborn Baby Brother

Pregnancy is a trying enough time without the added bonus of a pandemic .
What would have been a final triumphant trek to the hospital for many expectant mothers has turned into a life-or-death gamble .
For that reason , many have opted for home births — but not everyone has the luxury of that choice , especially when they ’ ve already contracted the virus .
Zully was eight months pregnant with her son , Neysel , when she was hit by COVID-19 .
When she got to the hospital , she was told that she would need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who else to turn to , Zully — who is from Guatemala — called her son ’ s first-grade teacher , who teaches English as a second language , to ask for help translating .
“ I ’ m very proud that she felt safe in calling me , ” Luciana Lira , the teacher , told CNN .
“ Out of anybody else , she called the teacher , probably because she felt like she could count on me and trust me.
” At first , Lira just helped relay Zully ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Guatemala , but Zully ’ s condition deteriorated quickly , and soon she was on a ventilator .
On April 2 , Neysel was born and tested negative for COVID-19 , necessitating the dreaded separation between mother and child that so many have feared .
Neysel spent five days in the NICU before he was ready to leave — but where would he go ?
He couldn ’ t go back to his sick mother , and his father , Marvin , was worried that though he initially tested negative for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Seeing their predicament , Lira made a selfless offer : She would take the newborn and care for him until his parents were able to safely take him home .
A short while later , Marvin tested positive for COVID .
“ So thank God I decided to take that baby home , ” Lira said .
Lira continued in her role as translator , and Zully ’ s supportive family checked in on her constantly , even when Zully was unresponsive .
“ Even though her daughter was in critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prayer by her bedside , ” Lira said of Zully ’ s mother .
RELATED : Watch : Kindhearted FedEx Driver Surprises Young Girl with Ice Cream Cupcakes on Her Birthday Thankfully , Zully started to pull through .
She was taken off ventilation , and although she still has a long way to go , she is improving .
“ Zully is still very weak , ” Getty Images ’ John Moore , who photographed the family in the hospital , told CNN .
“ She ’ s starting to walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often breathless after a few steps , and so even though she ’ s out of the hospital , she ’ s not ready for the baby to come home.
” “ But thank God , she was — she was a survivor , a miracle case , ” Lira added .
Marvin and Zully are home now , recovering , but waiting to test negative for the virus before bringing their newest addition home .
“ The family is amazing , ” Lira said .
“ I mean , amazing .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t wait to be reunited.
” “ I ’ m hoping it ’ s going to be very , very soon , ” she said , “ because that ’ s my biggest dream to have this baby meet his mommy , and his daddy and his older brother.
” We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

Pregnancy is a trying enough time without the added bonus of a pandemic. What would have been a final triumphant trek to the hospital for many expectant mothers has turned into a life-or-death gamble.
For that reason, many have opted for home births — but not everyone has the luxury of that choice, especially when they’ve already contracted the virus.
Zully was eight months pregnant with her son, Neysel, when she was hit by COVID-19. When she got to the hospital, she was told that she would need to have an emergency c-section.
Not knowing who else to turn to, Zully — who is from Guatemala — called her son’s first-grade teacher, who teaches English as a second language, to ask for help translating.
“I’m very proud that she felt safe in calling me,” Luciana Lira, the teacher, told CNN. “Out of anybody else, she called the teacher, probably because she felt like she could count on me and trust me.”
At first, Lira just helped relay Zully’s status and info to her family in Guatemala, but Zully’s condition deteriorated quickly, and soon she was on a ventilator.
On April 2, Neysel was born and tested negative for COVID-19, necessitating the dreaded separation between mother and child that so many have feared.
Neysel spent five days in the NICU before he was ready to leave — but where would he go? He couldn’t go back to his sick mother, and his father, Marvin, was worried that though he initially tested negative for the virus, that he could be carrying it.
Seeing their predicament, Lira made a selfless offer: She would take the newborn and care for him until his parents were able to safely take him home. A short while later, Marvin tested positive for COVID.
“So thank God I decided to take that baby home,” Lira said.
Lira continued in her role as translator, and Zully’s supportive family checked in on her constantly, even when Zully was unresponsive.
“Even though her daughter was in critical condition, she always wanted to say a prayer by her bedside,” Lira said of Zully’s mother.
Thankfully, Zully started to pull through. She was taken off ventilation, and although she still has a long way to go, she is improving.
“Zully is still very weak,” Getty Images’ John Moore, who photographed the family in the hospital, told CNN. “She’s starting to walk with a walker, but she is often breathless after a few steps, and so even though she’s out of the hospital, she’s not ready for the baby to come home.”
“But thank God, she was — she was a survivor, a miracle case,” Lira added.
Marvin and Zully are home now, recovering, but waiting to test negative for the virus before bringing their newest addition home.
“The family is amazing,” Lira said. “I mean, amazing. They love their baby, they can’t wait to be reunited.”
“I’m hoping it’s going to be very, very soon,” she said, “because that’s my biggest dream to have this baby meet his mommy, and his daddy and his older brother.”
Truth and Accuracy Submit a Correction → * Name
* Email
* Message
* All fields are required. Success! We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.