freebeacon--2020-04-15--Iranian Vessels Come Dangerously Close to U.S. Military Ships

WASHINGTON ( Reuters ) – Eleven vessels from Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy ( IRGCN ) came dangerously close to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf , the U.S. military said on Wednesday , calling the moves `` dangerous and provocative . ''
While such interactions had occurred occasionally a few years ago , they had stopped in recent years , and this incident comes at a time of increased tensions between the two countries .
According to the statement , the Iranian vessels approached six U.S. military ships while they were conducting integration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At one point , the Iranian vessels came within 10 yards of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Maui .
The U.S. ships issued several warnings through bridge-to-bridge radio , blasts from the ships ’ horns and long-range acoustic noise maker devices .
The Iranian ships left after about an hour , the statement added .
There was no mention of the incident in Iranian media .
`` The IRGCN ’ s dangerous and provocative actions increased the risk of miscalculation and collision , ( and ) were not in accordance with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Preventing Collisions at Sea , '' the U.S. military ’ s statement said .
Tensions between Iran and the United States increased earlier this year after the United States killed Qassem Soleimani , the head of Iran ’ s elite Quds Force , in a drone strike in Iraq .
Iran retaliated on Jan. 8 with a rocket attack on Iraq ’ s Ain al-Asad base where U.S. forces were stationed .
No U.S. troops were killed or faced immediate bodily injury , but more than 100 were later diagnosed with traumatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump said that Iran or its proxies planned a sneak attack on U.S. targets in Iraq , and warned they would pay a `` very heavy price . ''
Maritime security sources said on Wednesday that a Hong Kong-flagged tanker was briefly detained in Iran after armed Iranian guards in speedboats directed the vessel into its waters while it was sailing through the Gulf of Oman .
The sources said the SC Taipei chemical tanker had been sailing in international waters on Tuesday when it was stopped .

By Idrees Ali
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eleven vessels from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came dangerously close to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf, the U.S. military said on Wednesday, calling the moves "dangerous and provocative."
While such interactions had occurred occasionally a few years ago, they had stopped in recent years, and this incident comes at a time of increased tensions between the two countries.
According to the statement, the Iranian vessels approached six U.S. military ships while they were conducting integration operations with Army helicopters in international waters.
At one point, the Iranian vessels came within 10 yards of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Maui.
The U.S. ships issued several warnings through bridge-to-bridge radio, blasts from the ships’ horns and long-range acoustic noise maker devices.
The Iranian ships left after about an hour, the statement added.
There was no mention of the incident in Iranian media.
"The IRGCN’s dangerous and provocative actions increased the risk of miscalculation and collision, (and) were not in accordance with the internationally recognized Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea," the U.S. military’s statement said.
Tensions between Iran and the United States increased earlier this year after the United States killed Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, in a drone strike in Iraq.
Iran retaliated on Jan. 8 with a rocket attack on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base where U.S. forces were stationed. No U.S. troops were killed or faced immediate bodily injury, but more than 100 were later diagnosed with traumatic brain injury.
Earlier this month President Donald Trump said that Iran or its proxies planned a sneak attack on U.S. targets in Iraq, and warned they would pay a "very heavy price."
Maritime security sources said on Wednesday that a Hong Kong-flagged tanker was briefly detained in Iran after armed Iranian guards in speedboats directed the vessel into its waters while it was sailing through the Gulf of Oman.
The sources said the SC Taipei chemical tanker had been sailing in international waters on Tuesday when it was stopped.


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Joe Biden Has Yet to Face Single Question on Sexual Assault Allegations

Biden has sat for 10 interviews with major news outlets since March 24 , when his former aide , Tara Reade , accused him of pinning her against a wall and penetrating her with his fingers in 1993 when she was a staff assistant in his office .
Joe Biden has been asked 81 questions in over two hours worth of media interviews since a former staffer in his U.S. Senate office accused him of sexual assault three weeks ago .
He has n't fielded a single question about the allegation .
None of Biden 's 10 interlocutors have asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Sunday March 29 , for example , Biden sat for a wide-ranging nine-minute interview with Chuck Todd on Meet the Press during which he was asked about the coronavirus response , sanctions on Iran , whether Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) should drop out of the Democratic primary , and President Donald Trump 's approval rating—but not Reade 's allegation .
He also managed to avoid questions about Reade 's allegation from George Stephanopoulos the following Sunday , a primetime interview with CNN 's Chris Cuomo , an appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melvin , and two interviews with MSNBC 's Nicolle Wallace .
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the allegation or the media 's decision not to press the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee about it .
The networks who interviewed him also did not respond to requests for comment .
Biden himself has yet to address the accusation from Reade , who formally filed a criminal complaint with the Washington , D.C. , police last Thursday .
Biden spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said in a statement that Reade 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened .
`` What is clear about this claim : It is untrue , '' Bedingfield said in a statement .
`` This absolutely did not happen . ''
Democrats have made clear that the the sexual assault allegation against Biden will not affect their willingness to rally around him .
In the weeks since Reade 's allegation , Biden has cemented his status as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and secured the endorsements of his fiercest primary opponents and former president Barack Obama .
It also appears that Democrats will lean on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York Times , which `` found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Biden '' during its investigation .
Sen. Tammy Baldwin ( D. , Wis. ) , asked about the allegation after formally endorsing Biden , indicated it was n't a concern , pointing to the outlet 's failure to find `` corroboration . ''
`` There ’ s a statement that Joe Biden and his team have put out and there is a report , I believe in the New York Times , indicating that there 's not corroboration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel .
The New York Times did not , however , report that there was no corroboration .
Two friends of Reade and her brother told the paper that Reade told them of a `` traumatic sexual incident '' involving Biden shortly after it happened .
Reade 's new allegation was first revealed by the Intercept , which reported on March 24 that Time 's Up Legal Defense Fund , an organization formed during the # MeToo movement to support victims of sexual assault , declined to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was running for president .
The group , which is closely affiliated with top Biden adviser Anita Dunn , said working on an allegation against a federal candidate for office could threaten its nonprofit tax status .
Shortly after the report , Reade went into detail about the alleged incident with Biden in an interview with journalist Katie Halper .
Reade said she resisted the advance by Biden , who responded by saying , `` Come on , man , I heard you liked me , '' before telling Reade , `` You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said she was retaliated against in the workplace after the incident and immediately told a friend what happened .
Though his campaign has flatly denied Reade 's allegation , Biden himself argued less than two years ago during the 2018 confirmation hearings of Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh , who faced an accusation of sexual assault that nearly derailed his nomination , that you should believe all claims of sexual assault , especially in high-profile situations .
`` For a woman to come forward in the glaring lights of focus , nationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she ’ s talking about is real , whether or not she forgets facts , whether or not it ’ s been made worse or better over time , '' Biden said in September 2018 .
Reade was one of seven women who in 2019 came forward to accuse Biden of unwanted touching that made them uncomfortable .
Biden responded to the allegations by saying he `` will be more careful '' of women 's personal space in the future , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowingly did anything wrong .
`` I ’ m sorry this happened , but I ’ m not sorry in the sense that I think I did anything that was intentionally designed to do anything wrong or be inappropriate , '' Biden said during an April 2019 appearance on ABC 's The View .
The New York Times admitted following its report that it edited its piece on Reade 's allegation after complaints from the Biden campaign to remove a reference to Biden 's pattern of `` hugs , kisses and touching that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Editor 's Note : This post was originally published at 3:30 p.m .

Biden has sat for 10 interviews with major news outlets since March 24, when his former aide, Tara Reade, accused him of pinning her against a wall and penetrating her with his fingers in 1993 when she was a staff assistant in his office.
Joe Biden has been asked 81 questions in over two hours worth of media interviews since a former staffer in his U.S. Senate office accused him of sexual assault three weeks ago. He hasn't fielded a single question about the allegation.
None of Biden's 10 interlocutors have asked him to comment on the allegation. On Sunday March 29, for example, Biden sat for a wide-ranging nine-minute interview with Chuck Todd on Meet the Press during which he was asked about the coronavirus response, sanctions on Iran, whether Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) should drop out of the Democratic primary, and President Donald Trump's approval rating—but not Reade's allegation. He also managed to avoid questions about Reade's allegation from George Stephanopoulos the following Sunday, a primetime interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo, an appearance on NBC's Today Show with Craig Melvin, and two interviews with MSNBC's Nicolle Wallace.
The Biden campaign did not respond to a request for comment on the allegation or the media's decision not to press the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee about it. The networks who interviewed him also did not respond to requests for comment.
Biden himself has yet to address the accusation from Reade, who formally filed a criminal complaint with the Washington, D.C., police last Thursday. Biden spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said in a statement that Reade's allegations are false and the incident never happened.
"What is clear about this claim: It is untrue," Bedingfield said in a statement. "This absolutely did not happen."
Democrats have made clear that the the sexual assault allegation against Biden will not affect their willingness to rally around him. In the weeks since Reade's allegation, Biden has cemented his status as the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee and secured the endorsements of his fiercest primary opponents and former president Barack Obama.
It also appears that Democrats will lean on an investigation of Reade's claim by the New York Times, which "found no pattern of sexual misconduct by Biden" during its investigation. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D., Wis.), asked about the allegation after formally endorsing Biden, indicated it wasn't a concern, pointing to the outlet's failure to find "corroboration."
"There’s a statement that Joe Biden and his team have put out and there is a report, I believe in the New York Times, indicating that there's not corroboration," Baldwin said, according to a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The New York Times did not, however, report that there was no corroboration. Two friends of Reade and her brother told the paper that Reade told them of a "traumatic sexual incident" involving Biden shortly after it happened.
Reade's new allegation was first revealed by the Intercept, which reported on March 24 that Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, an organization formed during the #MeToo movement to support victims of sexual assault, declined to take up her case against Biden because he was running for president. The group, which is closely affiliated with top Biden adviser Anita Dunn, said working on an allegation against a federal candidate for office could threaten its nonprofit tax status.
Shortly after the report, Reade went into detail about the alleged incident with Biden in an interview with journalist Katie Halper. Reade said she resisted the advance by Biden, who responded by saying, "Come on, man, I heard you liked me," before telling Reade, "You're nothing to me." She also said she was retaliated against in the workplace after the incident and immediately told a friend what happened.
Though his campaign has flatly denied Reade's allegation, Biden himself argued less than two years ago during the 2018 confirmation hearings of Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh, who faced an accusation of sexual assault that nearly derailed his nomination, that you should believe all claims of sexual assault, especially in high-profile situations.
"For a woman to come forward in the glaring lights of focus, nationally, you’ve got to start off with the presumption that at least the essence of what she’s talking about is real, whether or not she forgets facts, whether or not it’s been made worse or better over time," Biden said in September 2018.
Reade was one of seven women who in 2019 came forward to accuse Biden of unwanted touching that made them uncomfortable. Biden responded to the allegations by saying he "will be more careful" of women's personal space in the future, but declined to apologize, saying he never knowingly did anything wrong.
"I’m sorry this happened, but I’m not sorry in the sense that I think I did anything that was intentionally designed to do anything wrong or be inappropriate," Biden said during an April 2019 appearance on ABC's The View.
.@JoeBiden addresses inappropriate touching allegations, saying it’s his 'responsibility ... to be more aware": 'I’m sorry this happened, but I’m not sorry in the sense that I think I did anything that was intentionally designed to do anything wrong or be inappropriate." pic.twitter.com/tjVBYya408 — The View (@TheView) April 26, 2019
The New York Times admitted following its report that it edited its piece on Reade's allegation after complaints from the Biden campaign to remove a reference to Biden's pattern of "hugs, kisses and touching that women previously said made them uncomfortable."
Editor's Note: This post was originally published at 3:30 p.m.


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Media Ignore Report on Wuhan Lab Cited for Hazardous Coronavirus Research

Many media outlets have ignored a new report showing American officials warned in 2018 that research at a Wuhan superlab could create a pandemic , even as reporters branded lawmakers conspiracy theorists for suggesting a potential connection between the lab and the coronavirus outbreak .
Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
was pilloried in the mainstream media for questioning the Chinese regime 's claim that the deadly virus was passed to humans in a Wuhan seafood market .
In a Feb. 16 interview with Fox News , Cotton floated the possibility that the outbreak may have originated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China 's only top-level biosafety lab that researches human infectious diseases .
Publications from the New York Times to the Washington Post and CNN wagged the finger at those who suggested a potential connection .
Cotton 's claim may not be as `` evidence-free '' as his critics suggested .
On Tuesday , the Washington Post ‘ s Josh Rogin uncovered a series of 2018 State Department cables that warned of poor safety measures at the institute , which was conducting work on bat coronaviruses and possible human transmission .
U.S. embassy officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they informed Washington of the risks , encouraging greater American assistance to the lab for its important but dangerous research .
The revelations have not caused the media to reevaluate their treatment of Cotton and others who warned about the lab .
Reporters at the New York Times , Washington Post , and CNN did not respond to requests for comment about whether they plan to update past pieces that characterized scrutiny of the lab as a `` fringe theory . ''
In a Feb. 17 piece headlined , `` U.S .
Senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party Weapon , '' the New York Times ‘ s Alexandra Stevenson reported that Cotton had spread a `` tale '' that resonated with fellow China hawks on the right .
Cotton was also tagged in an April 8 piece from Times blogger Max Fisher , headlined , `` Why Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories Flourish .
And Why It Matters . ''
Fisher focused on Cotton 's suggestion that the virus could be a Chinese weapon , later amending the article to note Cotton said that was one of several possible explanations .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cotton 's comments before publishing Rogin 's report .
A Feb. 17 piece by Paulina Firozi said Cotton repeated a conspiracy theory `` that has repeatedly been debunked by experts . ''
The article quoted Rutgers professor Richard Ebright , who cast aside the notion that the virus was manufactured by humans .
The same professor later told the Post ‘ s David Ignatius , however , that the possibility it emanated from a lab accident could not be discounted .
The Post also negatively cited Cotton in a March 5 story , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blaming the United States for the coronavirus .
`` Fringe theories , to be sure , have been widely floated on both sides of the Pacific , '' reporter Gerry Shih wrote .
`` Sen. Tom Cotton ( R. , Ark . )
speculated last month on Fox News that the virus may have escaped from a Wuhan lab that researched dangerous pathogens , repeating a popular theory that had been debunked by scientists . ''
On Wednesday , the day after Rogin published his report on the State Department cables , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alemany called Cotton 's comments in February an amplification of a `` conspiracy theory . ''
The Republican also took heat from the Washington Post editorial board , which compared him on March 29 to the spokesman for China 's foreign ministry , Zhao Lijian , who had accused the U.S. Army of introducing the virus to China .
CNN 's Chris Cillizza wrote Feb. 18 that it was the `` height of irresponsibility '' for Cotton to float an `` evidence-free conspiracy theory . ''
Similar articles criticizing Cotton appeared in MSNBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Business Insider , and USA Today .
When he spoke with Fox News on Feb. 16 , Cotton acknowledged that he did not have proof of the virus 's origins but still felt an investigation was needed due to China 's secrecy .
It has since been established that China initially covered up the virus 's outbreak and could have dramatically reduced its global spread with more aggressive action .
Cotton told the Washington Free Beacon that while we still do not know the exact origins of the virus , the Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
`` We do know that a natural animal-to-human transmission or an accidental breach from a lab studying coronavirus—like the one in Wuhan—remain the most likely options , '' he said .
`` Unfortunately , several media outlets reported that by merely suggesting the virus could have come from a lab , I was spreading conspiracy theories .
Now , many of those same outlets have reversed course , reporting that a lab-release origin should n't be discounted .
We should continue to follow the scientific evidence where it leads and ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of this deadly disease . ''

Many media outlets have ignored a new report showing American officials warned in 2018 that research at a Wuhan superlab could create a pandemic, even as reporters branded lawmakers conspiracy theorists for suggesting a potential connection between the lab and the coronavirus outbreak.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) was pilloried in the mainstream media for questioning the Chinese regime's claim that the deadly virus was passed to humans in a Wuhan seafood market. In a Feb. 16 interview with Fox News, Cotton floated the possibility that the outbreak may have originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, China's only top-level biosafety lab that researches human infectious diseases. Publications from the New York Times to the Washington Post and CNN wagged the finger at those who suggested a potential connection.
Cotton's claim may not be as "evidence-free" as his critics suggested. On Tuesday, the Washington Post's Josh Rogin uncovered a series of 2018 State Department cables that warned of poor safety measures at the institute, which was conducting work on bat coronaviruses and possible human transmission. U.S. embassy officials were so troubled by their observations that they informed Washington of the risks, encouraging greater American assistance to the lab for its important but dangerous research.
The revelations have not caused the media to reevaluate their treatment of Cotton and others who warned about the lab. Reporters at the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN did not respond to requests for comment about whether they plan to update past pieces that characterized scrutiny of the lab as a "fringe theory."
In a Feb. 17 piece headlined, "U.S. Senator Repeats Fringe Theory Casting Virus as Communist Party Weapon," the New York Times's Alexandra Stevenson reported that Cotton had spread a "tale" that resonated with fellow China hawks on the right. Cotton was also tagged in an April 8 piece from Times blogger Max Fisher, headlined, "Why Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories Flourish. And Why It Matters." Fisher focused on Cotton's suggestion that the virus could be a Chinese weapon, later amending the article to note Cotton said that was one of several possible explanations.
The Washington Post published several pieces critical of Cotton's comments before publishing Rogin's report. A Feb. 17 piece by Paulina Firozi said Cotton repeated a conspiracy theory "that has repeatedly been debunked by experts." The article quoted Rutgers professor Richard Ebright, who cast aside the notion that the virus was manufactured by humans. The same professor later told the Post's David Ignatius, however, that the possibility it emanated from a lab accident could not be discounted.
The Post also negatively cited Cotton in a March 5 story, comparing his remarks to Chinese conspiracy theories blaming the United States for the coronavirus.
"Fringe theories, to be sure, have been widely floated on both sides of the Pacific," reporter Gerry Shih wrote. "Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) speculated last month on Fox News that the virus may have escaped from a Wuhan lab that researched dangerous pathogens, repeating a popular theory that had been debunked by scientists." On Wednesday, the day after Rogin published his report on the State Department cables, the Post's PowerPost newsletter by Jacqueline Alemany called Cotton's comments in February an amplification of a "conspiracy theory." The Republican also took heat from the Washington Post editorial board, which compared him on March 29 to the spokesman for China's foreign ministry, Zhao Lijian, who had accused the U.S. Army of introducing the virus to China. CNN's Chris Cillizza wrote Feb. 18 that it was the "height of irresponsibility" for Cotton to float an "evidence-free conspiracy theory."
Similar articles criticizing Cotton appeared in MSNBC, the Daily Beast, the Atlantic, Business Insider, and USA Today.
When he spoke with Fox News on Feb. 16, Cotton acknowledged that he did not have proof of the virus's origins but still felt an investigation was needed due to China's secrecy. It has since been established that China initially covered up the virus's outbreak and could have dramatically reduced its global spread with more aggressive action.
Cotton told the Washington Free Beacon that while we still do not know the exact origins of the virus, the Chinese Communist Party's story did not add up.
"We do know that a natural animal-to-human transmission or an accidental breach from a lab studying coronavirus—like the one in Wuhan—remain the most likely options," he said. "Unfortunately, several media outlets reported that by merely suggesting the virus could have come from a lab, I was spreading conspiracy theories. Now, many of those same outlets have reversed course, reporting that a lab-release origin shouldn't be discounted. We should continue to follow the scientific evidence where it leads and ultimately hold China accountable for its responsibility in the spread of this deadly disease."


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Small Business Bailout Fund Set to Run Dry Amid Democrat-Driven Standoff

The federal program backstopping small businesses during the coronavirus crisis is set to run out of funds Wednesday evening , thanks in part to a Senate stalemate over refilling its coffers .
The Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) is expected to grind to a halt after approving loans to over 1.4 million small businesses .
That , Small Business Committee chairman Marco Rubio ( R. , Fla. ) wrote Wednesday , will leave 700,000 small business applications in `` limbo . ''
Senate Republicans attempted to refuel the PPP last Thursday , pushing for an additional $ 250 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initially allocated under the CARES Act .
But Democrats blocked their bill before introducing a version of their own , which would have added on another $ 250 billion for bailouts of hospitals and state and local government .
The ongoing standoff leaves hundreds of thousands of small business owners without the means to pay their employees , which will in turn hasten mass layoffs , driving up unemployment and further taxing the nation 's already buckling unemployment insurance systems .
Since last Thursday 's standoff , Republicans have called repeatedly for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , saw the rapidly depleting fund as an opportunity to wring further policy concessions out of their Republican colleagues .
`` Last week when they asked for $ 250 billion in 48 hours , I said I do n't think so .
Let 's see how we can open this up to many more people , '' Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) said during a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC .
`` Let 's negotiate and see how we can come to some conclusion that will benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have signaled an openness to Democrats ' proposals , but repeatedly emphasized that hashing out the details will take time and legislative energy that America 's small businesses do not have .
As Rubio explained during a Wednesday podcast appearance , figuring out how to efficiently allocate state and local funds is a complicated process .
Now , that legislative stalemate leaves many small businesses floundering without a lifeline .
One recently released survey found that 4 in 10 have already closed their doors , and up to half of small businesses could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for four months .
That , in turn , helps to explain America 's skyrocketing unemployment rate , with over 17 million unemployment claims filed in the past three weeks .
The PPP works by guaranteeing loans to small businesses which can be forgiven if the loans are spent on payrolls .
The same survey found that a PPP-like program should cause small businesses to cut their work forces by just 6 percent , down from 40 percent with no assistance .
Last week 's standoff is just the latest instance of Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in delaying the CARES Act , Congress 's $ 2 trillion bailout package , by more than a week , in the process introducing a 1,400-page alternate bill packed with special handouts .
Pelosi has also pushed an end to the cap on the state and local tax deduction as a form of bailout , a change which would overwhelmingly benefit rich residents of deep blue states such as New York and her native California .

The federal program backstopping small businesses during the coronavirus crisis is set to run out of funds Wednesday evening, thanks in part to a Senate stalemate over refilling its coffers.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is expected to grind to a halt after approving loans to over 1.4 million small businesses. That, Small Business Committee chairman Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) wrote Wednesday, will leave 700,000 small business applications in "limbo."
Sadly it appears #PPP will grind to a halt tonight as the limit on $ allocated to guarantee #PPPloans about to be hit. Now 700000 small business applications are in limbo & no new loans will be made until the game of chicken in Congress ends & additional $ approved. Inexcusable — Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) April 15, 2020
Senate Republicans attempted to refuel the PPP last Thursday, pushing for an additional $250 billion on top of the $350 billion initially allocated under the CARES Act. But Democrats blocked their bill before introducing a version of their own, which would have added on another $250 billion for bailouts of hospitals and state and local government.
The ongoing standoff leaves hundreds of thousands of small business owners without the means to pay their employees, which will in turn hasten mass layoffs, driving up unemployment and further taxing the nation's already buckling unemployment insurance systems.
Since last Thursday's standoff, Republicans have called repeatedly for a "clean bill." Democrats, however, saw the rapidly depleting fund as an opportunity to wring further policy concessions out of their Republican colleagues.
"Last week when they asked for $250 billion in 48 hours, I said I don't think so. Let's see how we can open this up to many more people," Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) said during a Tuesday appearance on MSNBC. "Let's negotiate and see how we can come to some conclusion that will benefit all of the needs."
Republicans have signaled an openness to Democrats' proposals, but repeatedly emphasized that hashing out the details will take time and legislative energy that America's small businesses do not have. As Rubio explained during a Wednesday podcast appearance, figuring out how to efficiently allocate state and local funds is a complicated process.
Now, that legislative stalemate leaves many small businesses floundering without a lifeline. One recently released survey found that 4 in 10 have already closed their doors, and up to half of small businesses could close permanently if the crisis drags out for four months.
That, in turn, helps to explain America's skyrocketing unemployment rate, with over 17 million unemployment claims filed in the past three weeks. The PPP works by guaranteeing loans to small businesses which can be forgiven if the loans are spent on payrolls. The same survey found that a PPP-like program should cause small businesses to cut their work forces by just 6 percent, down from 40 percent with no assistance.
Last week's standoff is just the latest instance of Pelosi's coronavirus brinksmanship. She was instrumental in delaying the CARES Act, Congress's $2 trillion bailout package, by more than a week, in the process introducing a 1,400-page alternate bill packed with special handouts. Pelosi has also pushed an end to the cap on the state and local tax deduction as a form of bailout, a change which would overwhelmingly benefit rich residents of deep blue states such as New York and her native California.


freebeacon--2020-04-15--ACLU Sues Idaho for Banning Male Athletes From Female Sports

The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho announced it will sue the state government over the Fairness in Women 's Sports Act , a law that made Idaho the first state to ban biologically male students from participating in all-female sports .
`` When [ Republican governor Brad Little ] signed a law to ban trans athletes , he sent a message that trans people do not deserve the benefits of sports available to their peers , '' ACLU of Idaho wrote on Twitter .
The ACLU , ACLU of Idaho , and other pro-trans legal groups filed the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transgender Boise State University track runner named Lindsay Hecox and a Boise High School student who is not transgender but said she is worried the government could invade her privacy to verify her sex .
The groups seek to prevent the law from taking effect July 1 .
The ACLU ’ s LGBT & HIV Project senior staff attorney Gabriel Arkles said inclusivity in sports should be the standard .
`` In Idaho and across the country , transgender people of all ages have been participating in sports consistent with their gender identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Inclusive teams support all athletes and encourage participation , this should be the standard for all school sports . ''
During an interview with KTVB-TV , Gov .
Little said his decision to pass the law was to protect the rights of female athletes .
`` I think that the issue is the girl ’ s right to participate without having to be concerned about who they ’ re competing with .
And that ’ s why I signed the bill , '' he said .
The bill cites biological differences between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as bone density , heart size , and lung mass .
Males can also generate more speed and strength due to many factors including their naturally higher levels of testosterone and hemoglobin .
`` Courts have recognized that the inherent , physiological differences between males and females result in different athletic capabilities , '' the bill states .
Female students in Connecticut filed federal lawsuits seeking to prevent schools in the state from allowing transgender people to compete in women 's sports after the students lost competitions to athletes born male @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation of the policies , saying , `` It is female athletes that are paying the price—losing out on championship titles , state records , and even scholarship opportunities . ''

The American Civil Liberties Union of Idaho announced it will sue the state government over the Fairness in Women's Sports Act, a law that made Idaho the first state to ban biologically male students from participating in all-female sports.
"When [Republican governor Brad Little] signed a law to ban trans athletes, he sent a message that trans people do not deserve the benefits of sports available to their peers," ACLU of Idaho wrote on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/acluidaho/status/1250439719701205001
The ACLU, ACLU of Idaho, and other pro-trans legal groups filed the lawsuit on behalf of two students: a transgender Boise State University track runner named Lindsay Hecox and a Boise High School student who is not transgender but said she is worried the government could invade her privacy to verify her sex.
The groups seek to prevent the law from taking effect July 1.
The ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project senior staff attorney Gabriel Arkles said inclusivity in sports should be the standard.
"In Idaho and across the country, transgender people of all ages have been participating in sports consistent with their gender identity for years," Arkles said. "Inclusive teams support all athletes and encourage participation, this should be the standard for all school sports."
During an interview with KTVB-TV, Gov. Little said his decision to pass the law was to protect the rights of female athletes.
"I think that the issue is the girl’s right to participate without having to be concerned about who they’re competing with. And that’s why I signed the bill," he said.
The bill cites biological differences between males and females that impact performance capabilities, such as bone density, heart size, and lung mass. Males can also generate more speed and strength due to many factors including their naturally higher levels of testosterone and hemoglobin.
"Courts have recognized that the inherent, physiological differences between males and females result in different athletic capabilities," the bill states.
Female students in Connecticut filed federal lawsuits seeking to prevent schools in the state from allowing transgender people to compete in women's sports after the students lost competitions to athletes born male. The Alliance Defending Freedom requested an investigation of the policies, saying, "It is female athletes that are paying the price—losing out on championship titles, state records, and even scholarship opportunities."


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Omar Funnels Nearly $300,000 More to Her Husband’s Firm

Democratic representative Ilhan Omar ( D. , Minn. ) continues to push cash from her campaign committee to her now-husband 's consulting firm .
Omar 's new committee filings , posted Wednesday afternoon , show that during the first three months of the year , the campaign paid $ 292,905 to the E Street Group .
E Street is a political consulting firm owned by Omar 's husband , Tim Mynett .
The cash , which reportedly went toward an array of services that included fundraising and advertisements , accounted for over 40 percent of the campaign 's $ 674,892 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the quarter .
Omar 's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The Omar campaign also doled out $ 525,000 last year to Mynett 's firm , its top vendor .
At the time , Omar and Mynett were married to different people , but Mynett 's wife alleged they were having an affair .
The two denied that they had a romantic relationship .
Omar 's campaign and the E Street Group also faced accusations of using campaign funds on personal travel .
Rumors of an affair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divorce papers from Mynett 's ex-wife , Dr. Beth Mynett , were made public last summer .
`` Days prior to defendant 's devastating and shocking declaration of love for Rep. Omar and admission of their affair , he and Rep. Omar took the parties ' son to dinner to formally meet for the first time at the family 's favorite neighborhood restaurant while plaintiff was out of town , '' the divorce papers said .
`` Rep. Omar gave the parties ' son a gift and the defendant later brought her back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Omar denied the affair and said she was not separated from her then-husband Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi .
`` I have no interest in allowing the conversation about my personal life to continue and so I have no desire to discuss it , '' she said .
Likewise , Mynett denied the affair and claimed the rumors were an attempt to ruin his career .
`` Since the time of Mr. Mynett ’ s departure from the marital home , Ms. Mynett began a negative campaign against Mr. Mynett , seemingly in an effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his relationship with [ his son ] and his step-daughter , '' court papers said .
Omar announced via an Instagram post in March that she and Mynett were married .
The National Legal and Policy Center filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in August charging that Omar and Mynett broke the law by improperly using campaign funds to pay for Mynett to travel with her .
This past quarter , Omar 's campaign disclosed $ 9,392 worth of travel reimbursements to the E Street Group , the new disclosure shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hailer , defended the couple against the accusations , and painted Omar 's campaign as a normal client .
`` On any given day , eight or more people could be touching her account at some point , between design , digital ads , social media , email content creation , high-dollar fundraising , political support , and many other things that we provide for the campaign , '' Hailer told the Washington Post in March .
`` Similar to what we provide for countless other clients across the country . ''
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been the E Street Group 's largest client since the firm 's inception .
UPDATE 7:38 p.m. : This piece was updated with more accurate fundraising figures .

Democratic representative Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) continues to push cash from her campaign committee to her now-husband's consulting firm.
Omar's new committee filings, posted Wednesday afternoon, show that during the first three months of the year, the campaign paid $292,905 to the E Street Group. E Street is a political consulting firm owned by Omar's husband, Tim Mynett. The cash, which reportedly went toward an array of services that included fundraising and advertisements, accounted for over 40 percent of the campaign's $674,892 in disbursements. Omar raised $456,374 during the quarter.
Omar's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Omar campaign also doled out $525,000 last year to Mynett's firm, its top vendor. At the time, Omar and Mynett were married to different people, but Mynett's wife alleged they were having an affair. The two denied that they had a romantic relationship. Omar's campaign and the E Street Group also faced accusations of using campaign funds on personal travel.
Rumors of an affair between Omar and Mynett garnered headlines after divorce papers from Mynett's ex-wife, Dr. Beth Mynett, were made public last summer.
"Days prior to defendant's devastating and shocking declaration of love for Rep. Omar and admission of their affair, he and Rep. Omar took the parties' son to dinner to formally meet for the first time at the family's favorite neighborhood restaurant while plaintiff was out of town," the divorce papers said. "Rep. Omar gave the parties' son a gift and the defendant later brought her back inside the family's home."
Omar denied the affair and said she was not separated from her then-husband Ahmed Abdisalan Hirsi. "I have no interest in allowing the conversation about my personal life to continue and so I have no desire to discuss it," she said.
Likewise, Mynett denied the affair and claimed the rumors were an attempt to ruin his career. "Since the time of Mr. Mynett’s departure from the marital home, Ms. Mynett began a negative campaign against Mr. Mynett, seemingly in an effort to ruin his career and permanently damage his relationship with [his son] and his step-daughter," court papers said.
Omar announced via an Instagram post in March that she and Mynett were married.
The National Legal and Policy Center filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission in August charging that Omar and Mynett broke the law by improperly using campaign funds to pay for Mynett to travel with her. This past quarter, Omar's campaign disclosed $9,392 worth of travel reimbursements to the E Street Group, the new disclosure shows.
Mynett's business partner, Will Hailer, defended the couple against the accusations, and painted Omar's campaign as a normal client.
"On any given day, eight or more people could be touching her account at some point, between design, digital ads, social media, email content creation, high-dollar fundraising, political support, and many other things that we provide for the campaign," Hailer told the Washington Post in March. "Similar to what we provide for countless other clients across the country."
Despite Hailer's defense, Omar's campaign has been the E Street Group's largest client since the firm's inception.
UPDATE 7:38 p.m.: This piece was updated with more accurate fundraising figures.


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Disgraced Journo Seeks Pay to Play

Disgraced Journo Seeks Pay to Play

Mark Halperin , the disgraced journalist who was banished from polite society after multiple women accused him of sexually inappropriate behavior , wants you to give him money .
The former NBC and MSNBC newsman made millions after coauthoring Game Change , a bestselling book about the 2008 election , but has since been reduced to writing a daily newsletter for his website , Wide World of News .
Halperin has been accused of cramming inboxes without consent and now he 's asking readers to pony up for the privilege of receiving his tip sheet .
`` Since I started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I have not charged readers for receiving my daily emails , or been paid to write them , '' Halperin wrote in his newsletter on Wednesday .
`` Now , to keep publishing , I need to earn some revenue . ''
Readers must give their consent to be charged and payment is optional .
`` If you decide not to contribute or are unable to , you will still receive the same emails you have been getting from me every day , '' Halperin explained .
Halperin 's most recent book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not as well-received as the journalist 's previous works .
It sold just 500 copies in its first week .
Democratic strategists who agreed to be interviewed for the book were criticized for doing so .
One of Halperin 's accusers denounced those who participated in the book for `` enabling [ Halperin ] and retraumatizing the victims . ''
Some of the Democratic strategists apologized for collaborating with Halperin .
Anita Dunn , who has been advising the presidential campaign of Joe Biden—who has been accused of sexual assault—did not .
Halperin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) against Biden during a controversial podcast appearance in April 2019 .
The disgraced journo dismissed the allegations as a `` distraction '' and expressed his longing to be `` reintegrated into society . ''

Mark Halperin, the disgraced journalist who was banished from polite society after multiple women accused him of sexually inappropriate behavior, wants you to give him money.
The former NBC and MSNBC newsman made millions after coauthoring Game Change, a bestselling book about the 2008 election, but has since been reduced to writing a daily newsletter for his website, Wide World of News. Halperin has been accused of cramming inboxes without consent and now he's asking readers to pony up for the privilege of receiving his tip sheet.
"Since I started publishing Wide World of News last year, I have not charged readers for receiving my daily emails, or been paid to write them," Halperin wrote in his newsletter on Wednesday. "Now, to keep publishing, I need to earn some revenue."
Readers must give their consent to be charged and payment is optional. "If you decide not to contribute or are unable to, you will still receive the same emails you have been getting from me every day," Halperin explained.
Halperin's most recent book, How To Beat Trump, was not as well-received as the journalist's previous works. It sold just 500 copies in its first week. Democratic strategists who agreed to be interviewed for the book were criticized for doing so. One of Halperin's accusers denounced those who participated in the book for "enabling [Halperin] and retraumatizing the victims."
Some of the Democratic strategists apologized for collaborating with Halperin. Anita Dunn, who has been advising the presidential campaign of Joe Biden—who has been accused of sexual assault—did not.
REVIEW: 'How To Beat Trump' by Mark Halperin
Halperin discussed previous allegations (of inappropriate touching) against Biden during a controversial podcast appearance in April 2019. The disgraced journo dismissed the allegations as a "distraction" and expressed his longing to be "reintegrated into society."


freebeacon--2020-04-15--NYT Destroys Stacey Abrams’s Chances of Becoming VP by Running Op-Ed Calling Her the ‘Obvious’ Choic

NYT Destroys Stacey Abrams’s Chances of Becoming VP by Running Op-Ed Calling Her the ‘Obvious’ Choice

Former vice president Joe Biden needs a running mate .
He 's going to choose a woman , but it almost certainly wo n't be Stacey Abrams , the self-declared governor of Georgia , now that the New York Times has published an op-ed endorsing her as the `` obvious '' choice .
Notwithstanding the fact that no one cares what the New York Times editorial board thinks about politics , the so-called paper of record endorsed two candidates in the Democratic primary—Senators Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
and Amy Klobuchar ( D. , Minn. ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination , which is a bad sign for Abrams .
In the Times op-ed touting Abrams as the `` smartest move '' for Biden 's VP choice , one would expect the word `` experience '' to appear at least once .
It does not .
Biden is 77 years old and barely coherent at the best of times , which means his running mate should probably be someone who is ready to be president .
That 's what Democratic voters seem to want , according to a Politico/Morning Consult poll published Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was important that Biden choose a woman as a running mate , while 22 percent said it was important that he choose a non-white running mate .
Meanwhile , nearly 80 percent said it was important that Biden choose a candidate with legislative and executive experience .
The op-ed 's author , Center for American Progress fellow Steve Phillips , cites a number of female senators and governors as potential running mates for Biden , but settles on `` Stacey Abrams of Georgia , '' the only candidate on his list without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .
Prior to losing her 2018 gubernatorial race , Abrams served in the Georgia General Assembly .
Her most notable political accomplishment is refusing to concede that she lost .
Instead , the op-ed focuses on polling data about how Abrams could help Biden win younger voters and boost African-American turnout .
Even in states Biden won in the primary , such as Michigan , he was absolutely trounced by Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) among voters under the age of 30 .
Maybe having Abrams on the ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be one heartbeat away from the presidency ?
At least Sarah Palin actually served as governor .
Abrams , for what it 's worth , seems open to the idea of being the VP candidate on the Democratic ticket .
`` I would be an excellent running mate , '' she said in an recent interview with Elle magazine .
`` If I am selected , I am prepared and excited to serve . ''
Abrams cited her `` strong history of executive and management experience '' as well as her `` 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' whatever that means .
In any event , the point is moot .
The Times has spoken .

Former vice president Joe Biden needs a running mate. He's going to choose a woman, but it almost certainly won't be Stacey Abrams, the self-declared governor of Georgia, now that the New York Times has published an op-ed endorsing her as the "obvious" choice.
Notwithstanding the fact that no one cares what the New York Times editorial board thinks about politics, the so-called paper of record endorsed two candidates in the Democratic primary—Senators Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) and Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.). Neither candidate came close to winning the nomination, which is a bad sign for Abrams.
In the Times op-ed touting Abrams as the "smartest move" for Biden's VP choice, one would expect the word "experience" to appear at least once. It does not. Biden is 77 years old and barely coherent at the best of times, which means his running mate should probably be someone who is ready to be president.
That's what Democratic voters seem to want, according to a Politico/Morning Consult poll published Wednesday. Just 29 percent of Democrats said it was important that Biden choose a woman as a running mate, while 22 percent said it was important that he choose a non-white running mate. Meanwhile, nearly 80 percent said it was important that Biden choose a candidate with legislative and executive experience.
The op-ed's author, Center for American Progress fellow Steve Phillips, cites a number of female senators and governors as potential running mates for Biden, but settles on "Stacey Abrams of Georgia," the only candidate on his list without a political title—because she doesn't have one. Prior to losing her 2018 gubernatorial race, Abrams served in the Georgia General Assembly. Her most notable political accomplishment is refusing to concede that she lost.
Instead, the op-ed focuses on polling data about how Abrams could help Biden win younger voters and boost African-American turnout. Even in states Biden won in the primary, such as Michigan, he was absolutely trounced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) among voters under the age of 30.
Maybe having Abrams on the ticket would help. Is she ready to be one heartbeat away from the presidency? At least Sarah Palin actually served as governor. Abrams, for what it's worth, seems open to the idea of being the VP candidate on the Democratic ticket.
"I would be an excellent running mate," she said in an recent interview with Elle magazine. "If I am selected, I am prepared and excited to serve." Abrams cited her "strong history of executive and management experience" as well as her "25 years in independent study of foreign policy," whatever that means.
In any event, the point is moot. The Times has spoken.


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Weed Up, Hoes Down in Whitmer’s Michigan

Michigan 's Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer is facing bipartisan criticism of a stay-at-home order that shuttered gardening stores but deemed marijuana dispensaries and lottery ticket vendors `` essential '' to coping with the coronavirus .
Business owners are criticizing Whitmer 's executive order , which went into effect April 9 , as overly restrictive .
While the governor has developed a national profile during the pandemic thanks in part to a feud with President Donald Trump , her critics point to the order 's practical inconsistencies .
The order allows for the in-person sale of alcohol and lottery tickets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but forcibly closes local businesses selling hardware supplies and gardening seeds , which critics argue allow residents to be more self-sufficient .
The policy even extended to the inside of grocery and department stores deemed essential , as businesses roped off `` nonessential '' sections to comply with the governor 's order .
Whitmer acknowledged the criticism in a press conference on Monday but declined to ease the restrictions , stressing the need to `` keep doing what we need to do to get past this moment . ''
`` I understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through .
The worry about your job , the depression of isolation … the confusion of just trying to figure out why you can buy a lottery ticket and not seeds .
I get it .
It 's tough , '' Whitmer said .
`` But those days where we can resume some normalcy , they are on the horizon if we keep doing what we need to do to get past this moment . ''
The backlash comes in the midst of the governor 's semi-public audition for a slot on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feud with President Trump , outlets from Politico to NBC News and the New York Times have praised Whitmer 's leadership during the pandemic .
Whitmer has embraced the national spotlight , making an April appearance on Comedy Central 's The Daily Show sporting a `` That woman from Michigan '' t-shirt , a reference to the March 27 coronavirus briefing in which President Trump used the phrase to refer to her .
Since then , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has named Whitmer as a vice presidential contender .
Whitmer 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic in a bid to secure a spot on the presidential ticket .
Dr. Ann Marie Sastry , a small business owner and former engineering professor at the University of Michigan , said fellow business leaders are `` looking for more than one-liners . ''
`` Politicization is good for politics , but not governance .
My business colleagues are looking for more than one-liners .
We want to see solid , innovative plans , '' Sastry told the Washington Free Beacon .
`` Shutting down decisively was not the hard part , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis . ''
Whitmer , who did not respond to requests for comment , defended the shutdown on the Today Show Wednesday , saying that the activities restricted by the order are already curtailed by recent snowfall .
`` The fact that we 're cracking down on people traveling between homes , or planting , or landscaping , or golfing , really for a couple more weeks is n't going to meaningfully impact people 's ability to do it because the snow will do it in and of itself , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiked in recent days , with more than 4,000 people planning to attend a Wednesday protest at the state capitol in Lansing .
Residents poured into Lansing Wednesday morning , causing traffic jams hours before the demonstration was scheduled to begin .
An online petition demanding a recall election has garnered more than 245,000 signatures , and a `` Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine '' Facebook group has amassed more than 338,000 members in less than a week .
On Monday , Whitmer criticized the protest by linking it to Secretary of Education Betsy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Michigan Freedom Fund , one of the protest 's cohosts .
A family spokesman said they did not fund the protest .
Michigan Freedom Fund executive director Tony Daunt later revealed that the group spent just $ 250 promoting the protest online , adding that DeVos `` has nothing to do '' with it .
Hostility toward Whitmer 's order mounted quickly as Michiganders realized the damage it did to local businesses , according to David Guenthner of Michigan 's conservative Mackinac Center for Public Policy .
`` We immediately saw all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ livid , '' Guenthner told the Free Beacon .
Guenthner says that Whitmer bowed to pressure from large corporate interests at the expense of local entrepreneurs and workers by declaring large retailers with more than 50,000 square feet of customer floor space essential .
The provision means that big-box stores like Walmart and Home Depot can circumvent the ban on the in-person sale of nonessential items by offering such items online for curbside pickup , while small , speciality retailers that do not sell essential items are forced to close .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies while bankrupting local businesses at their most critical revenue time of the year , '' Guenthner said .
Whitmer initially earned bipartisan praise for taking quick action as coronavirus cases spiked in the Detroit area by issuing a stay-at-home order on March 23 .
That order , however , was less draconian than the one that went into effect April 9 .
Whitmer ramped up her response to the pandemic in early April as new coronavirus cases in the state trended downward and her national profile rose .
She asked state lawmakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home order for another 70 days before expanding the order to its current form , a move that sparked dissent from state GOP leaders .
`` Instead of the government defining who in our state is essential or non-essential , we need to transition and begin asking which activities are safe or unsafe , '' state house speaker Lee Chatfield said in an opinion piece published by the Detroit News .
`` If we do n't adopt this reasonable , risk-based approach soon , the COVID-19 disaster will be much worse than it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families . ''
Criticism of Whitmer 's extended order has not been limited to Republican leadership .
Jim Ananich , the Democrats ' leader in the Michigan state senate , conceded that questions over the order were `` legitimate , '' though he accused Republicans of ramping up attacks on Whitmer `` as soon as the governor started being mentioned by others as a potential vice-presidential nominee . ''
Democratic state representative Karen Whitsett has gone further , arguing that the aggressive shutdown order has not addressed the needs of Detroit residents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ living here .
We have a governor who is not helping us .
This is our reality , '' she said in a Monday radio interview .
Whitmer has remained steadfast .
When Republican lawmakers voted to extend the shutdown declaration for 23 days instead of the 70 Whitmer requested , the Michigan Democrat cited a World War II-era law that grants the governor expansive emergency powers without legislative consent .
Whitmer 's controversial order will remain in place for the foreseeable future in a state that could play a decisive role in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won Michigan in 2016 , becoming the first Republican to carry the state since 1988 .
Biden , who spearheaded Hillary Clinton 's outreach efforts in the state in 2016 , has dedicated extensive campaign resources to wooing local voters .
That spending has paid dividends , as Biden won the March primary by 17 points over Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) , who carried the state in his 2016 primary run .

Michigan's Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer is facing bipartisan criticism of a stay-at-home order that shuttered gardening stores but deemed marijuana dispensaries and lottery ticket vendors "essential" to coping with the coronavirus.
Business owners are criticizing Whitmer's executive order, which went into effect April 9, as overly restrictive. While the governor has developed a national profile during the pandemic thanks in part to a feud with President Donald Trump, her critics point to the order's practical inconsistencies. The order allows for the in-person sale of alcohol and lottery tickets, as well as curbside sales of marijuana, but forcibly closes local businesses selling hardware supplies and gardening seeds, which critics argue allow residents to be more self-sufficient. The policy even extended to the inside of grocery and department stores deemed essential, as businesses roped off "nonessential" sections to comply with the governor's order.
Stores in Summit County like Walmart and Target are only selling essential items, like groceries and pharmaceuticals. You can order other items online for curb-side pickup, which helps to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Read the @COPublicRadio: https://t.co/shoH1xvLW8 pic.twitter.com/FS58enL5Er — Summit County, CO (@SummitCountyGov) April 8, 2020
Whitmer acknowledged the criticism in a press conference on Monday but declined to ease the restrictions, stressing the need to "keep doing what we need to do to get past this moment."
"I understand the incredible hardship that people are going through. The worry about your job, the depression of isolation … the confusion of just trying to figure out why you can buy a lottery ticket and not seeds. I get it. It's tough," Whitmer said. "But those days where we can resume some normalcy, they are on the horizon if we keep doing what we need to do to get past this moment."
The backlash comes in the midst of the governor's semi-public audition for a slot on the Democratic presidential ticket. After a March feud with President Trump, outlets from Politico to NBC News and the New York Times have praised Whitmer's leadership during the pandemic.
Whitmer has embraced the national spotlight, making an April appearance on Comedy Central's The Daily Show sporting a "That woman from Michigan" t-shirt, a reference to the March 27 coronavirus briefing in which President Trump used the phrase to refer to her. Since then, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has named Whitmer as a vice presidential contender.
Whitmer's critics say the governor is politicizing the pandemic in a bid to secure a spot on the presidential ticket. Dr. Ann Marie Sastry, a small business owner and former engineering professor at the University of Michigan, said fellow business leaders are "looking for more than one-liners."
"Politicization is good for politics, but not governance. My business colleagues are looking for more than one-liners. We want to see solid, innovative plans," Sastry told the Washington Free Beacon. "Shutting down decisively was not the hard part, and did not spare Detroit from a crisis."
Whitmer, who did not respond to requests for comment, defended the shutdown on the Today Show Wednesday, saying that the activities restricted by the order are already curtailed by recent snowfall.
"The fact that we're cracking down on people traveling between homes, or planting, or landscaping, or golfing, really for a couple more weeks isn't going to meaningfully impact people's ability to do it because the snow will do it in and of itself," she said.
Opposition to Whitmer's order has spiked in recent days, with more than 4,000 people planning to attend a Wednesday protest at the state capitol in Lansing. Residents poured into Lansing Wednesday morning, causing traffic jams hours before the demonstration was scheduled to begin.
Michiganders are creating a traffic jam in Lansing to protest Gov. Whitmer's strict coronavirus orders. They're calling it "Operation Gridlock."https://t.co/dq5d7KPqik — Vanessa Santos (@Vanessasantosxo) April 15, 2020
An online petition demanding a recall election has garnered more than 245,000 signatures, and a "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine" Facebook group has amassed more than 338,000 members in less than a week. On Monday, Whitmer criticized the protest by linking it to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, whose family has given to the Michigan Freedom Fund, one of the protest's cohosts. A family spokesman said they did not fund the protest. Michigan Freedom Fund executive director Tony Daunt later revealed that the group spent just $250 promoting the protest online, adding that DeVos "has nothing to do" with it.
Hostility toward Whitmer's order mounted quickly as Michiganders realized the damage it did to local businesses, according to David Guenthner of Michigan's conservative Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
"We immediately saw all the practical implications of the order—people are livid," Guenthner told the Free Beacon. Guenthner says that Whitmer bowed to pressure from large corporate interests at the expense of local entrepreneurs and workers by declaring large retailers with more than 50,000 square feet of customer floor space essential. The provision means that big-box stores like Walmart and Home Depot can circumvent the ban on the in-person sale of nonessential items by offering such items online for curbside pickup, while small, speciality retailers that do not sell essential items are forced to close.
"The order enriches multi-state, large home improvement companies while bankrupting local businesses at their most critical revenue time of the year," Guenthner said.
Whitmer initially earned bipartisan praise for taking quick action as coronavirus cases spiked in the Detroit area by issuing a stay-at-home order on March 23.
That order, however, was less draconian than the one that went into effect April 9. Whitmer ramped up her response to the pandemic in early April as new coronavirus cases in the state trended downward and her national profile rose. She asked state lawmakers to extend the emergency declaration behind her stay-at-home order for another 70 days before expanding the order to its current form, a move that sparked dissent from state GOP leaders.
"Instead of the government defining who in our state is essential or non-essential, we need to transition and begin asking which activities are safe or unsafe," state house speaker Lee Chatfield said in an opinion piece published by the Detroit News. "If we don't adopt this reasonable, risk-based approach soon, the COVID-19 disaster will be much worse than it needs to be for thousands of Michigan families."
Criticism of Whitmer's extended order has not been limited to Republican leadership. Jim Ananich, the Democrats' leader in the Michigan state senate, conceded that questions over the order were "legitimate," though he accused Republicans of ramping up attacks on Whitmer "as soon as the governor started being mentioned by others as a potential vice-presidential nominee." Democratic state representative Karen Whitsett has gone further, arguing that the aggressive shutdown order has not addressed the needs of Detroit residents. "This is unreal what we are living here. We have a governor who is not helping us. This is our reality," she said in a Monday radio interview.
Whitmer has remained steadfast. When Republican lawmakers voted to extend the shutdown declaration for 23 days instead of the 70 Whitmer requested, the Michigan Democrat cited a World War II-era law that grants the governor expansive emergency powers without legislative consent.
Whitmer's controversial order will remain in place for the foreseeable future in a state that could play a decisive role in the November election.
President Trump narrowly won Michigan in 2016, becoming the first Republican to carry the state since 1988. Biden, who spearheaded Hillary Clinton's outreach efforts in the state in 2016, has dedicated extensive campaign resources to wooing local voters. That spending has paid dividends, as Biden won the March primary by 17 points over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), who carried the state in his 2016 primary run.


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Trump Is Right to Dump the WHO

Trump Is Right to Dump the WHO

President Donald Trump 's announcement that the United States would temporarily cut off funding to the World Health Organization prompted the usual outrage from the commentariat .
Bill Gates called defunding `` as dangerous as it sounds . ''
CNN chief grandstander Jim Acosta , in a line echoed by many other mainstream reporters , accused the president of making the WHO yet another `` scapegoat '' for his failure to respond adequately to the virus .
The president 's move is not about shifting blame or making it harder to fight the coronavirus .
Rather , it is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on by putting the screws to an organization that has actively made the situation worse .
The United States gives the WHO hundreds of millions of dollars per year and President Trump is right to ask if we are getting our money 's worth .
The answer is , emphatically , no : The current pandemic has put on sorry display the fact that the WHO is more interested in appeasing the communist regime in Beijing than in fighting a global health crisis .
As much is apparent from the organization 's willingness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In January , while the PRC was failing to contain the coronavirus , the WHO parroted its claims that the disease did not spread human-to-human .
Then it extolled the regime 's success in containing the disease , papering over the brutality of its quarantine .
The WHO 's head , Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , has been particularly complicit , praising the Chinese government 's `` transparency '' and uncritically accepting their claims that no new cases have emerged .
These pronouncements almost undoubtedly reflect the WHO bowing to pressure from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Dr. Tedros , as he is known , and Chinese president Xi Jinping , the WHO declined to declare a public health emergency , giving greater weight to President Xi 's desire to maintain legitimacy than to the importance of being honest about the situation on the ground .
WHO officials also readily ape the Chinese regime 's line on Taiwan .
In a particularly cringeworthy moment , top WHO adviser Dr. Bruce Aylward simply ended an interview rather than answer a journalist 's question about why Taiwan has been excluded from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the PRC does not want it there .
If gross deference to a dictatorship at the expense of global health does not seem like a reason to defund , realize that it is hardly the WHO 's only offense .
Throughout the crisis , the organization has put political correctness above public health .
It derided travel bans as creating `` fear and stigma . ''
Dr. Tedros said as late as March 2 that `` stigma , to be honest , is more dangerous than the virus itself . ''
Trump would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such flagrant minimization of risk .
The WHO is steeped in excess , paid for by U.S. taxpayers .
It spends `` more on travel than AIDS , '' according to an Associated Press report , dropping hundreds of millions on fancy resort stays for employees .
Like much of the rest of the United Nations infrastructure , the WHO also has a longstanding preoccupation with condemning the state of Israel—what that has to do with the world 's health , we can not say .
American taxpayers are the WHO 's leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interested in listening to our geopolitical adversaries than to the United States and its allies .
Maybe the application of a little soft power will help it mend its ways .
If not , good riddance ; we 'll be better off without it .

President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States would temporarily cut off funding to the World Health Organization prompted the usual outrage from the commentariat. Bill Gates called defunding "as dangerous as it sounds." CNN chief grandstander Jim Acosta, in a line echoed by many other mainstream reporters, accused the president of making the WHO yet another "scapegoat" for his failure to respond adequately to the virus.
The president's move is not about shifting blame or making it harder to fight the coronavirus. Rather, it is about tackling the current public health crisis head on by putting the screws to an organization that has actively made the situation worse.
The United States gives the WHO hundreds of millions of dollars per year and President Trump is right to ask if we are getting our money's worth. The answer is, emphatically, no: The current pandemic has put on sorry display the fact that the WHO is more interested in appeasing the communist regime in Beijing than in fighting a global health crisis.
As much is apparent from the organization's willingness for months to blindly repeat Chinese misinformation. In January, while the PRC was failing to contain the coronavirus, the WHO parroted its claims that the disease did not spread human-to-human. Then it extolled the regime's success in containing the disease, papering over the brutality of its quarantine. The WHO's head, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has been particularly complicit, praising the Chinese government's "transparency" and uncritically accepting their claims that no new cases have emerged.
These pronouncements almost undoubtedly reflect the WHO bowing to pressure from Beijing. After a Jan. 22 meeting between Dr. Tedros, as he is known, and Chinese president Xi Jinping, the WHO declined to declare a public health emergency, giving greater weight to President Xi's desire to maintain legitimacy than to the importance of being honest about the situation on the ground. WHO officials also readily ape the Chinese regime's line on Taiwan. In a particularly cringeworthy moment, top WHO adviser Dr. Bruce Aylward simply ended an interview rather than answer a journalist's question about why Taiwan has been excluded from the organization. The answer: because the PRC does not want it there.
If gross deference to a dictatorship at the expense of global health does not seem like a reason to defund, realize that it is hardly the WHO's only offense. Throughout the crisis, the organization has put political correctness above public health. It derided travel bans as creating "fear and stigma." Dr. Tedros said as late as March 2 that "stigma, to be honest, is more dangerous than the virus itself." Trump would be flame broiled by the media for such flagrant minimization of risk.
The WHO is steeped in excess, paid for by U.S. taxpayers. It spends "more on travel than AIDS," according to an Associated Press report, dropping hundreds of millions on fancy resort stays for employees. Like much of the rest of the United Nations infrastructure, the WHO also has a longstanding preoccupation with condemning the state of Israel—what that has to do with the world's health, we cannot say.
American taxpayers are the WHO's leading funder, but the organization seems more interested in listening to our geopolitical adversaries than to the United States and its allies. Maybe the application of a little soft power will help it mend its ways. If not, good riddance; we'll be better off without it.


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Warren Becomes Last of Major 2020 Dems to Endorse Biden

( Reuters ) – U.S .
Senator Elizabeth Warren endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president on Wednesday , giving the presumptive Democratic front-runner another high-profile backing from one of his former rivals .
`` In this moment of crisis , it ’ s more important than ever that the next president restores Americans ’ faith in good , effective government — and I ’ ve seen Joe Biden help our nation rebuild , '' Warren wrote in a tweet .
`` Today , I ’ m proud to endorse Joe Biden as President of the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her own bid for the White House last month , gives Biden his third major endorsement of the week , as he looks ahead to November ’ s contest with Republican President Donald Trump .
Biden ’ s chief rival , Bernie Sanders , endorsed him on Monday after suspending his campaign last week , while former President Barack Obama backed Biden on Tuesday .
Like Sanders ’ endorsement , Warren ’ s support for Biden could help him make inroads with the party ’ s left wing .
Reporting by Joseph Ax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Chizu Nomiyama

(Reuters) - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president on Wednesday, giving the presumptive Democratic front-runner another high-profile backing from one of his former rivals.
"In this moment of crisis, it’s more important than ever that the next president restores Americans’ faith in good, effective government — and I’ve seen Joe Biden help our nation rebuild," Warren wrote in a tweet. "Today, I’m proud to endorse Joe Biden as President of the United States."
Warren, a liberal who ended her own bid for the White House last month, gives Biden his third major endorsement of the week, as he looks ahead to November’s contest with Republican President Donald Trump.
Biden’s chief rival, Bernie Sanders, endorsed him on Monday after suspending his campaign last week, while former President Barack Obama backed Biden on Tuesday.
Like Sanders’ endorsement, Warren’s support for Biden could help him make inroads with the party’s left wing.
Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama


freebeacon--2020-04-15--Lawmakers Want to Reopen America, But It May Not Be So Easy

With millions out of work and a tidal wave of small business closures on the horizon , many policymakers are clamoring for an end to coronavirus lockdowns and a `` reopening '' of the economy .
Just as state and federal lawmakers moved to `` shut down '' the economy to slow the spread of the coronavirus , leaders are now weighing when to start it back up .
President Donald Trump has officially convened a panel to weigh when and how to reopen ; blue state governors have followed suit with interstate planning committees .
Some congressmen have pressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the `` cure is proving worse than the disease itself . ''
These statements assume that Americans are waiting for lockdown orders to be lifted so they can get back to work and visit restaurants and movie theaters .
Nationwide data , however , indicate that vast swaths of the country had sequestered themselves before state , local , and federal government mandates pressed them to do so .
As a result , restarting the economy may take more than the lifting of bans and social-distancing guidelines .
Contrary to what some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is substantially self-imposed .
From restaurant reservations to airline flights , data show that America brought itself to a halt , reflecting more a fear of disease—and a sense of solidarity with those most at risk—than the following of government orders .
If accurate , these data indicate that merely declaring the economy `` open '' will not have a major impact .
Rather , they suggest a successful reopening is less about making rules and more about helping Americans make informed decisions about what is safe for them to do .
Polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans feel about the shutdown , and the picture is not rosy .
Recent data from Axios/Ipsos show that large majorities consider common public activities , like going grocery shopping or attending a family gathering , to be a large or moderate risk right now .
Other polling confirms this skittishness .
Data from the Harris Poll show that a majority of Americans believe that more than a month is needed before they should `` start returning to work and life as normal . ''
A Seton Hall poll found that 72 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 is found .
In other words , Americans are not raring to go back to work .
What is more , this attitude is not novel—even before state governments shut down their economies , Americans were shrinking from commerce .
One major piece of evidence comes from data about restaurants , which were some of the first institutions targeted by coronavirus-related restrictions .
Many states have ordered restaurants to close their dine-in service , with the timing of those closures varying between states .
OpenTable , a popular online reservation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily restaurant reservations as a percentage of reservations on the same day of 2019 .
Those data show that restaurant reservations had declined precipitously in most states before restaurants were officially closed .
On the day before closure orders , the median state had seen reservations fall by a whopping 73 percent .
In some states , like Michigan and Georgia , reservations had already fully stopped before restaurants were officially closed .
In short , patrons did not need the government to tell them to before they stopped eating out .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
While international flights have been mostly grounded , thousands of domestic flights remain in the air .
Congress even required airlines to maintain a minimum level of service as a precondition for receiving bailout funds from the most recent coronavirus stimulus bill .
While Americans are still free to fly , however , the number who actually do has collapsed .
The TSA has been publishing daily data on the number of travelers it screens—it is now averaging roughly 100,000 a day , down from 2.4 million at the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starker when compared to the number of flights actually in the air .
At the start of March , there were 20 or more travelers screened per commercial flight .
As of the most recent data , that number has fallen more than 80 percent .
Some of this decline is attributable to stay-at-home orders , but polling indicates that Americans are also more wary of flying .
A recent Harris poll found that just 14 percent of Americans would be willing to fly within a month of COVID-19 cases peaking ; that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months out .
In short : even if state and federal leaders were to declare the economy `` open '' tomorrow , economic activity would be unlikely to fully spring back .
America 's stoppage is at least as much a reaction to the perceived threat of the novel coronavirus as it is to government instruction .
Does that leave lawmakers powerless to affect behavior ?
Not quite—in fact , it tells us something about what will make Americans willing to go back to work .
One of the earliest symptoms of coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smell , or anosmia .
A New York Times analysis noted that Google searches for `` non sento odori '' ( `` I ca n't smell '' in Italian ) rose steadily in March , then fell after reports of anosmia as a symptom became widespread .
The rise suggests that the disease was spreading , but the fall suggests something else : Even amid the pandemic , people are still responding to new information , no longer needing to Google `` I ca n't smell '' when anosmia 's significance became common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high uncertainty , and America 's slowdown is as much a product of uncertainty as any particular government actions .
Bringing people back to work , then , means changing their understanding of the risks on the ground , just like Italians changed their understanding of what anosmia signifies .
Widespread access to coronavirus testing—on the order of hundreds of thousands or millions of tests a day—is central to most plans to reopen the country .
Testing data allows public health experts to determine where new outbreaks might flare up .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public about where they should and should not go , and when they need to take extra precautions such as staying home from work or school .
More testing is just one example of a general principle : A return to work requires giving Americans information about what is safe .
Absent such information , efforts to reopen the economy are likely to be stymied by a still-skittish populace .
That , in turn , likely means an extended recession , one that could set the country back decades .

With millions out of work and a tidal wave of small business closures on the horizon, many policymakers are clamoring for an end to coronavirus lockdowns and a "reopening" of the economy.
Just as state and federal lawmakers moved to "shut down" the economy to slow the spread of the coronavirus, leaders are now weighing when to start it back up. President Donald Trump has officially convened a panel to weigh when and how to reopen; blue state governors have followed suit with interstate planning committees. Some congressmen have pressed for weeks for a reopening, arguing that the "cure is proving worse than the disease itself."
These statements assume that Americans are waiting for lockdown orders to be lifted so they can get back to work and visit restaurants and movie theaters. Nationwide data, however, indicate that vast swaths of the country had sequestered themselves before state, local, and federal government mandates pressed them to do so. As a result, restarting the economy may take more than the lifting of bans and social-distancing guidelines.
Contrary to what some lawmakers imagine, America's current pause is substantially self-imposed. From restaurant reservations to airline flights, data show that America brought itself to a halt, reflecting more a fear of disease—and a sense of solidarity with those most at risk—than the following of government orders.
If accurate, these data indicate that merely declaring the economy "open" will not have a major impact. Rather, they suggest a successful reopening is less about making rules and more about helping Americans make informed decisions about what is safe for them to do.
Polling data offer the clearest picture of how Americans feel about the shutdown, and the picture is not rosy. Recent data from Axios/Ipsos show that large majorities consider common public activities, like going grocery shopping or attending a family gathering, to be a large or moderate risk right now.
Other polling confirms this skittishness. Data from the Harris Poll show that a majority of Americans believe that more than a month is needed before they should "start returning to work and life as normal." A Seton Hall poll found that 72 percent would not attend sporting events until a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 is found.
In other words, Americans are not raring to go back to work. What is more, this attitude is not novel—even before state governments shut down their economies, Americans were shrinking from commerce.
One major piece of evidence comes from data about restaurants, which were some of the first institutions targeted by coronavirus-related restrictions. Many states have ordered restaurants to close their dine-in service, with the timing of those closures varying between states. OpenTable, a popular online reservation service, has published state-level data on daily restaurant reservations as a percentage of reservations on the same day of 2019.
Those data show that restaurant reservations had declined precipitously in most states before restaurants were officially closed. On the day before closure orders, the median state had seen reservations fall by a whopping 73 percent. In some states, like Michigan and Georgia, reservations had already fully stopped before restaurants were officially closed. In short, patrons did not need the government to tell them to before they stopped eating out.
Another measure comes from the nation's aviation system. While international flights have been mostly grounded, thousands of domestic flights remain in the air. Congress even required airlines to maintain a minimum level of service as a precondition for receiving bailout funds from the most recent coronavirus stimulus bill.
While Americans are still free to fly, however, the number who actually do has collapsed. The TSA has been publishing daily data on the number of travelers it screens—it is now averaging roughly 100,000 a day, down from 2.4 million at the same time last year.
The decline becomes even starker when compared to the number of flights actually in the air. At the start of March, there were 20 or more travelers screened per commercial flight. As of the most recent data, that number has fallen more than 80 percent.
Some of this decline is attributable to stay-at-home orders, but polling indicates that Americans are also more wary of flying. A recent Harris poll found that just 14 percent of Americans would be willing to fly within a month of COVID-19 cases peaking; that figure was still only 42 percent six months out.
In short: even if state and federal leaders were to declare the economy "open" tomorrow, economic activity would be unlikely to fully spring back. America's stoppage is at least as much a reaction to the perceived threat of the novel coronavirus as it is to government instruction.
Does that leave lawmakers powerless to affect behavior? Not quite—in fact, it tells us something about what will make Americans willing to go back to work.
One of the earliest symptoms of coronavirus appears to be loss of sense of smell, or anosmia. A New York Times analysis noted that Google searches for "non sento odori" ("I can't smell" in Italian) rose steadily in March, then fell after reports of anosmia as a symptom became widespread.
The rise suggests that the disease was spreading, but the fall suggests something else: Even amid the pandemic, people are still responding to new information, no longer needing to Google "I can't smell" when anosmia's significance became common knowledge.
Natural disasters are times of high uncertainty, and America's slowdown is as much a product of uncertainty as any particular government actions. Bringing people back to work, then, means changing their understanding of the risks on the ground, just like Italians changed their understanding of what anosmia signifies.
Widespread access to coronavirus testing—on the order of hundreds of thousands or millions of tests a day—is central to most plans to reopen the country. Testing data allows public health experts to determine where new outbreaks might flare up. It is also critical, however, to informing the public about where they should and should not go, and when they need to take extra precautions such as staying home from work or school.
More testing is just one example of a general principle: A return to work requires giving Americans information about what is safe. Absent such information, efforts to reopen the economy are likely to be stymied by a still-skittish populace. That, in turn, likely means an extended recession, one that could set the country back decades.