talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--Ammon Bundy Pledges ‘Physical Defense’ For Those Who Defy Idaho’s COVID-19 Order

Anti-government extremist Ammon Bundy led a meeting last week where he agitated for Idahoans to physically defy the state ’ s stay-at-home order , which is meant to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Bundy is perhaps best known for leading the armed , 10-day occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon in 2016 .
But these days he ’ s threatening to rise up against the public health measures to ward off COVID-19 .
Bundy , who lives in Idaho , announced a “ people ’ s meeting ” on Facebook to respond to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , ” which the governor signed on March 25 .
A few dozen people responded to the call the next day , crowding an otherwise empty building in Bundy ’ s hometown of Emmett , according to video of the gathering that an attendee subsequently posted on Facebook .
“ The right to travel is not theirs to take , ” Bundy announced to the crowd .
“ The right to assemble is not theirs to take .
The right to worship how and when and where we want is not theirs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decides to keep their business open in violation of the state order , Bundy said , he would organize a group to “ surround them and protect them.
” In addition to legal and political advocacy , he said , “ we will also , if necessary , provide a physical defense for you so that you can continue in your rights.
” At the end of the meeting , he had attendees sign their names to an agreement to “ unite each other ” in the common defense pledge .
The Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At one point after Bundy read the state ’ s order that “ gatherings of individuals outside the home are prohibited , ” attendees at the meeting cheered .
“ We ’ re the breaking the law , ” one attendee responded .
“ Sorry , ” said another .
“ You guys are in trouble , ” Bundy joked as he read through the list .
In American history , Bundy argued , dying for liberty ’ s sake had been celebrated .
“ Now it ’ s the exact opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ In order to save lives , we have to take freedom .
That ’ s where we ’ re at right now.
” Bundy told the AP that he wasn ’ t opposed to social distancing in itself , but that he objected to the state forcing him to do so .
“ If it was a guideline , I would applaud it , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not , it ’ s an order.
” Political action to oppose the governor ’ s step was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , But , he said , “ when I say ‘ political , ’ it ’ s not calling up my legislators and saying , ‘ I don ’ t like this , I think you should vote this way . '
” “ It is all of us going to the governor ’ s house , right ?
Literally , and saying ‘ You will not do this.
” We ’ re going to his house .
We ’ re going to this director of Health and Welfare ’ s house .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The group would meet again Thursday night , Bundy said .

Anti-government extremist Ammon Bundy led a meeting last week where he agitated for Idahoans to physically defy the state’s stay-at-home order, which is meant to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bundy is perhaps best known for leading the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon in 2016. But these days he’s threatening to rise up against the public health measures to ward off COVID-19.
Bundy, who lives in Idaho, announced a “people’s meeting” on Facebook to respond to the state government’s COVID-19 “stay-home order,” which the governor signed on March 25. A few dozen people responded to the call the next day, crowding an otherwise empty building in Bundy’s hometown of Emmett, according to video of the gathering that an attendee subsequently posted on Facebook.
“The right to travel is not theirs to take,” Bundy announced to the crowd. “The right to assemble is not theirs to take. The right to worship how and when and where we want is not theirs to take.”
If a business owner decides to keep their business open in violation of the state order, Bundy said, he would organize a group to “surround them and protect them.”
In addition to legal and political advocacy, he said, “we will also, if necessary, provide a physical defense for you so that you can continue in your rights.”
At the end of the meeting, he had attendees sign their names to an agreement to “unite each other” in the common defense pledge. The Associated Press reported Bundy’s remarks Wednesday.
At one point after Bundy read the state’s order that “gatherings of individuals outside the home are prohibited,” attendees at the meeting cheered.
“We’re the breaking the law,” one attendee responded. “Sorry,” said another. “You guys are in trouble,” Bundy joked as he read through the list.
In American history, Bundy argued, dying for liberty’s sake had been celebrated.
“Now it’s the exact opposite, flipped upside down,” he said. “In order to save lives, we have to take freedom. That’s where we’re at right now.”
Bundy told the AP that he wasn’t opposed to social distancing in itself, but that he objected to the state forcing him to do so.
“If it was a guideline, I would applaud it,” he said. “It’s not, it’s an order.”
Political action to oppose the governor’s step was necessary, Bundy said at the meeting,
But, he said, “when I say ‘political,’ it’s not calling up my legislators and saying, ‘I don’t like this, I think you should vote this way.'”
“It is all of us going to the governor’s house, right? Literally, and saying ‘You will not do this.” We’re going to his house. We’re going to this director of Health and Welfare’s house. Okay?”
The room applauded. The group would meet again Thursday night, Bundy said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--Politics Governs Trump’s Pandemic Response

Over and over again , President Donald Trump has made one thing clear to governors in need of help during the COVID-19 pandemic : “ I want them to be appreciative.
” That is , appreciative of the President and his administration ’ s response to the COVID-19 outbreak .
No matter that Trump spent weeks downplaying the pandemic , delayed local responses and sowed doubt in his supporters ’ minds .
This is about politics , and Trump has said so .
“ It ’ s a two-way street , ” he said last week , referring to New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had criticized the federal government ’ s pandemic response .
“ They have to treat us well , also.
” And what happens when they don ’ t ?
Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer ( D ) found out over the weekend , when Trump tweeted that “ Gretchen ‘ Half ’ Whitmer is way in over her ahead , she doesn ’ t have a clue.
” “ Likes blaming everyone for her own ineptitude !
” Trump exclaimed .
The President wasn ’ t just talk : As states across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands on a piece of the governments strategic stockpile of masks , gloves and other supplies , Trump ’ s biases appear to have been reflected in the allocation of those goods .
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the government ’ s stockpile was nearly depleted .
Whitmer and the state of Michigan had received just “ a fraction ” of what they ’ d requested , the Post reported .
Florida , meanwhile — a must-win state for Trump in 2020 and home to a close ally of his , Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked for and more .
Just days after requesting hundreds of thousands of masks , in addition to respirators and other equipment , from the government , Florida received the shipment .
The state got another shipment two weeks later , the Post reported , and was waiting on yet another shipment as of earlier this week .
Why did Florida receive all of what it requested while other states didn ’ t ?
A reporter asked Trump on Sunday .
“ Well , Florida , they are very aggressive in trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very good job , ” Trump responded .
But DeSantis , on the contrary , infamously delayed a state-wide “ stay-at-home ” order until Wednesday — long after other hard-hit states implemented the measure , and even after news reports showed spring breakers from across the country crowding Florida ’ s beaches .
Whitmer , despite the paltry offering from the federal government , seems to have recognized the trend .
“ We ’ re grateful for the work that they ’ re doing , ” she said of the federal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the advice of public health experts , politics was reportedly top-of-mind .
Ahead of acceding to the advice of experts and abandoning his plan to reopen the country — and discourage extreme social distancing measures — by Easter , Trump was advised about the polling .
According to The New York Times on Monday , before Trump announced his change of heart , “ Political advisers described for him polling that showed that voters overwhelmingly preferred to keep containment measures in place over sending people back to work prematurely.
” Here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : • None Thousands go on unpaid leave as US , South Korea fail to agree on military costs

Over and over again, President Donald Trump has made one thing clear to governors in need of help during the COVID-19 pandemic: “I want them to be appreciative.”
That is, appreciative of the President and his administration’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
No matter that Trump spent weeks downplaying the pandemic, delayed local responses and sowed doubt in his supporters’ minds. This is about politics, and Trump has said so.
“It’s a two-way street,” he said last week, referring to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others who had criticized the federal government’s pandemic response. “They have to treat us well, also.”
And what happens when they don’t? Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) found out over the weekend, when Trump tweeted that “Gretchen ‘Half’ Whitmer is way in over her ahead, she doesn’t have a clue.”
“Likes blaming everyone for her own ineptitude!” Trump exclaimed.
The President wasn’t just talk: As states across the country have fought to get their hands on a piece of the governments strategic stockpile of masks, gloves and other supplies, Trump’s biases appear to have been reflected in the allocation of those goods.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the government’s stockpile was nearly depleted. Whitmer and the state of Michigan had received just “a fraction” of what they’d requested, the Post reported.
Florida, meanwhile — a must-win state for Trump in 2020 and home to a close ally of his, Gov. Ron DeSantis — got everything it asked for and more.
Just days after requesting hundreds of thousands of masks, in addition to respirators and other equipment, from the government, Florida received the shipment. The state got another shipment two weeks later, the Post reported, and was waiting on yet another shipment as of earlier this week.
Why did Florida receive all of what it requested while other states didn’t? A reporter asked Trump on Sunday.
“Well, Florida, they are very aggressive in trying to get things, and they are doing a very good job,” Trump responded.
But DeSantis, on the contrary, infamously delayed a state-wide “stay-at-home” order until Wednesday — long after other hard-hit states implemented the measure, and even after news reports showed spring breakers from across the country crowding Florida’s beaches.
Whitmer, despite the paltry offering from the federal government, seems to have recognized the trend.
“We’re grateful for the work that they’re doing,” she said of the federal government.
Even when Trump has adhered to the advice of public health experts, politics was reportedly top-of-mind.
Ahead of acceding to the advice of experts and abandoning his plan to reopen the country — and discourage extreme social distancing measures — by Easter, Trump was advised about the polling.
According to The New York Times on Monday, before Trump announced his change of heart, “Political advisers described for him polling that showed that voters overwhelmingly preferred to keep containment measures in place over sending people back to work prematurely.”
Here’s what else we were watching this week:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--Navy To Punish Captain Who Raised Alarm About Coronavirus On Ship

The Navy is expected to announce the relief of duty of a captain who raised the alarm about a quick-spreading coronavirus outbreak aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt , according to NBC News .
Capt .
Brett Crozier , commander of the ship , wrote a letter to Navy leadership Monday painting a grim picture of the ship ’ s conditions while docked in Guam as the virus spread among the sailors .
He called for “ decisive action ” including removing a majority of personnel from the ship and isolating them for two weeks .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not need to die , ” he said .
“ If we do not act now , we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our sailors.
” The letter was leaked to the media , putting the Pentagon on the defensive about whether they were doing enough to keep the sailors safe .
“ It ’ s disappointing to hear him say that .
However , at the same time , I know that that ’ s not the truth , ” said acting U.S. Navy Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s bleak conclusion .
He added , per Reuters , that if Crozier was the one who leaked the letter to the media , it “ would be something that would violate the principles of good order and discipline.
” Per NBC , the official reason for Crozier ’ s relief of duty will be “ loss of trust and confidence .
”

The Navy is expected to announce the relief of duty of a captain who raised the alarm about a quick-spreading coronavirus outbreak aboard the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, according to NBC News.
Capt. Brett Crozier, commander of the ship, wrote a letter to Navy leadership Monday painting a grim picture of the ship’s conditions while docked in Guam as the virus spread among the sailors. He called for “decisive action” including removing a majority of personnel from the ship and isolating them for two weeks.
“We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die,” he said. “If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our sailors.”
The letter was leaked to the media, putting the Pentagon on the defensive about whether they were doing enough to keep the sailors safe.
“It’s disappointing to hear him say that. However, at the same time, I know that that’s not the truth,” said acting U.S. Navy Secretary Thomas Modly in response to Crozier’s bleak conclusion. He added, per Reuters, that if Crozier was the one who leaked the letter to the media, it “would be something that would violate the principles of good order and discipline.”
Per NBC, the official reason for Crozier’s relief of duty will be “loss of trust and confidence.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--Trump Congratulates Businesses for Helping Fight Coronavirus. But His Own Company Has Been Absent.

This story first appeared at ProPublica .
ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom .
Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox .
As America ’ s coronavirus crisis has mushroomed , President Donald Trump has repeatedly touted the efforts of businesses to meet a desperate nation ’ s needs .
“ It ’ s been really amazing to see these big , strong , powerful — in some cases , very small companies , family-owned companies — step up and make a lot of great product for what we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to be going through for a while , ” Trump declared on March 24 .
His press conferences have sometimes seemed like a parade of CEOs , from the leaders of retail and pharmaceutical giants like Walmart and Roche to chiefs of relative mites like MyPillow .
Vice President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump have chimed in , too , lauding one hotel chain for offering free rooms to doctors , nurses and medical first responders .
“ America ’ s Private Sector is stepping up to help us be STRONG !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
As for the president ’ s own private business ?
It doesn ’ t appear to be “ stepping up.
” ProPublica examined the seven hotel properties and dozen U.S. country clubs owned by the Trump Organization and could find no sign that any are taking the sorts of civic-minded steps the president has urged .
One example is New York .
As coronavirus cases multiplied , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo asked hotel owners to donate their properties ( already shuttered or largely empty ) for emergency use by medical personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 26 , according to a list of “ significant donations ” posted on the governor ’ s website , six had agreed to do so , including the high-end Four Seasons , St. Regis and Plaza hotels .
“ Proud to see NY ’ s hotels stepping up !
” the governor tweeted on March 26 .
The Trump International Hotel and Tower , with 176 rooms and suites overlooking Central Park , is not among them .
Instead , at a moment when New York City , enduring the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shelter-in-place order , the Trumps ’ Manhattan hotel remains open for paying guests .
( Rooms , according to the hotel ’ s website , start at $ 525 a night . )
The New York governor ’ s list details 31 contributions from “ major corporations , philanthropic organizations and celebrities ” aimed at increasing the state ’ s “ supply capacity ” amid the pandemic ’ s surge .
It includes donations from Goldman Sachs ( 195,000 masks ) ; Facebook ( 2,500 gallons of hand sanitizer ) , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( $ 1 million cash ) .
The name “ Trump ” does not appear on the list .
ProPublica sent emails with specific questions to a spokesperson for the Trump Organization , as well as to executive vice presidents Donald Trump Jr. , Eric Trump and Alan Garten .
ProPublica also left voicemail messages for Donald Trump Jr. None responded .
It is possible that the Trumps have engaged in unseen acts of charity connected to the pandemic .
The Trumps , however , have not been known to hide deeds for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New York is not the only example .
In Chicago , the mayor ’ s office has made arrangements for more than 1,000 rooms at five hotels to be used by medical personnel and patients requiring isolation when the number of local cases peaks .
The city is paying $ 175 a night for the space .
The Trump International Hotel and Tower , with 339 rooms and suites , is not among them .
Samir Mayekar , Chicago ’ s deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development , said the program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local hospitals , has received “ an outpouring of support from dozens of interested hotels ” in “ an immense time of public need.
” He said the city has enough interest to bring another thousand or more hotel rooms into the program if they ’ re needed .
As for the Trumps ’ Chicago hotel ?
“ I ’ ve not seen that facility on the list , ” Mayekar said .
Local companies and individuals have also donated $ 19 million to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor ’ s office and intended to assist nonprofits “ serving our most vulnerable residents.
” He said the Trumps ’ businesses have not donated anything to date .
In Los Angeles , where Trump operates a golf club perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean , the mayor has established two relief funds : The L.A .
Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund and the Angeleno Fund .
Their promoters and donors include Conan O ’ Brien and Russell Westbrook , according to a statement from Jeremy Bernard , who is heading up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , neither fund has received a donation from the Trump National Golf Club , Los Angeles , in Rancho Palos Verdes , California , ” according to Bernard .
Trump ’ s properties , like Trump himself , have been slow to embrace medical experts ’ advice for slowing the spread of the virus .
In Florida , Trump ’ s Mar-A-Lago club , where the membership initiation fee is $ 200,000 , remained open and seemingly disdainful of social distancing until March 21 , after reports of coronavirus infections spread at crowded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s president and a glittery party for Trump Jr. ’ s girlfriend , where guests danced in a conga line on March 7 .
This prompted Politico to describe the 20-acre resort as “ a gilded petri dish.
” ( Eric Trump responded with a statement : “ The safety of our members and guests are of our utmost importance .
We are monitoring all of our businesses closely and are following the guidelines provided by the CDC.
” ) Layoffs throughout the area ’ s resort sector sent less affluent residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Town of Palm Beach United Way to launch an emergency coronavirus fund .
Marketing director Aleese Kopf said the special office for the nonprofit was established decades ago , explicitly “ to raise money from millionaires and billionaires on Palm Beach island , where Mar-A-Lago is.
” In Palm Beach County , she said , “ it ’ s extreme poverty and extreme wealth.
” The Town of Palm Beach United Way helps fund 49 area social service agencies , and the pandemic has hit their clients hard , prompting residents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400,000 to date .
“ It ’ s a very giving community , ” Kopf said .
The group ’ s donors include both wealthy individuals and island clubs , including the Breakers , she said .
But not Mar-A-Lago or the Trumps .
“ Many of our donors are members of Mar-a-Lago , ” Kopf said .
“ They give .
But we ’ ve never worked directly with the Trump Organization or the Mar-A-Lago Club .
We ’ ve never been a part of their giving circle.
” Albermarle Estate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site of the Trump Winery , remained open until this week .
The Charlottesville Albermarle Convention & Visitors Bureau , after approaching all area hotels , listed six that were providing special discounts to medical workers and first responders .
Trump ’ s hotel is not among them .
In many of the communities where the Trumps have properties , emergency pandemic needs have already become clear .
In Las Vegas , the Trumps ’ 64-story , 1,282-room hotel shut down in mid-March , complying with a statewide order .
Many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around that time provided huge quantities of unused food to the area ’ s Three Square Food Bank .
The food bank has now opened six drive-through locations to safely meet dramatically increased need from the “ food-insecure ” in its six-county region , said Larry Scott , the nonprofit ’ s chief operating officer .
The total from the first two days after the hotel shutdown alone came to about 180 tons , according to Scott , with big donations coming from the MGM , Wynn , Boyd Gaming , Station Casinos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most all ” of the area hotels and casinos .
Hotels have also made cash contributions .
“ We have been very richly blessed with financial donations from the hospitality industry , ” Scott said .
The food bank has never received anything from the Trumps ’ Las Vegas property .
“ No , they have not been a donor , ” Scott said .
The Trump family also has a decidedly mixed record with regard to charitable giving .
As The Washington Post first revealed , the Donald J. Trump Foundation raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onward from others — not from the Trumps themselves .
Many of the donations were made to groups that held events at Trump ’ s properties .
The foundation was shut down in 2018 , following a New York attorney general ’ s investigation and lawsuit that confirmed multiple episodes of improper self-dealing — charity expenditures made to promote his presidential campaign and to pay his business debts .
( Trump denied any wrongdoing . )
In a 2019 settlement , a state judge ordered Trump to give $ 2 million to eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children — all officers of the foundation — were required to undergo ethics training on the duties of nonprofit directors .
The Eric Trump Foundation has raised millions for terminally ill children at St. Jude hospital in Memphis , Tennessee .
After Forbes reported that it had spent several hundred thousand dollars on events at Trump properties and had diverted donations to other causes , prompting another attorney general ’ s investigation , it replaced most of its directors in 2017 and renamed itself Curetivity .
( At the time , Eric Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story and added : “ It seems like there is a motive against either myself or my family.
” ) Early last month , the White House announced that Trump was donating $ 100,000 — 25 % of his presidential salary — to aid the coronavirus fight , by giving it to the Department of Health and Human Services .
The money , however , wasn ’ t a new gift — just an allocation of his pledge , upon taking office , to forego any salary throughout his time in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been among the hardest hit in corporate America , with many of the relatively few hotels that remain open enduring occupancy in the single digits .
( Trump ’ s 263-room Washington hotel has had around 10 guests in recent days , according to John Boardman , who heads the D.C. affiliate of Unite Here , the union representing the hotel ’ s workers . )
The industry ’ s trade group , the American Hotel and Lodging Association , urgently lobbied the Trump administration and Congress for federal bailout aid .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether his private business would seek federal aid .
Congressional Democrats added a provision aimed at explicitly barring him and son-in-law Jared Kushner from reaping such benefits , but the measure reportedly contains loopholes that might make it possible for their businesses to collect such money anyway . )
The hotel industry group has also promoted a national Hospitality for Hope program .
According to the organization , it has identified 15,000 properties close to health care facilities that “ are at the ready ” to provide temporary housing for medical workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly identified what hotel companies are participating and declined to respond to a question about whether any of the Trump hotels are participating .
And New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city will rent thousands of hotel rooms for COVID-19 patients who need hospitalization but not intensive care .
De Blasio has not yet announced which hotels will be part of the initiative .

This story first appeared at ProPublica. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox.
As America’s coronavirus crisis has mushroomed, President Donald Trump has repeatedly touted the efforts of businesses to meet a desperate nation’s needs. “It’s been really amazing to see these big, strong, powerful — in some cases, very small companies, family-owned companies — step up and make a lot of great product for what we’re going through and what we will continue to be going through for a while,” Trump declared on March 24.
His press conferences have sometimes seemed like a parade of CEOs, from the leaders of retail and pharmaceutical giants like Walmart and Roche to chiefs of relative mites like MyPillow. Vice President Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump have chimed in, too, lauding one hotel chain for offering free rooms to doctors, nurses and medical first responders.
“America’s Private Sector is stepping up to help us be STRONG!” President Trump tweeted around the same time.
As for the president’s own private business? It doesn’t appear to be “stepping up.”
ProPublica examined the seven hotel properties and dozen U.S. country clubs owned by the Trump Organization and could find no sign that any are taking the sorts of civic-minded steps the president has urged.
One example is New York. As coronavirus cases multiplied, Gov. Andrew Cuomo asked hotel owners to donate their properties (already shuttered or largely empty) for emergency use by medical personnel or noncritical patients requiring isolation. By March 26, according to a list of “significant donations” posted on the governor’s website, six had agreed to do so, including the high-end Four Seasons, St. Regis and Plaza hotels. “Proud to see NY’s hotels stepping up!” the governor tweeted on March 26.
The Trump International Hotel and Tower, with 176 rooms and suites overlooking Central Park, is not among them. Instead, at a moment when New York City, enduring the nation’s worst pandemic onslaught, is under a shelter-in-place order, the Trumps’ Manhattan hotel remains open for paying guests. (Rooms, according to the hotel’s website, start at $525 a night.)
The New York governor’s list details 31 contributions from “major corporations, philanthropic organizations and celebrities” aimed at increasing the state’s “supply capacity” amid the pandemic’s surge. It includes donations from Goldman Sachs (195,000 masks); Facebook (2,500 gallons of hand sanitizer), and TV host Kelly Ripa and her husband ($1 million cash). The name “Trump” does not appear on the list.
ProPublica sent emails with specific questions to a spokesperson for the Trump Organization, as well as to executive vice presidents Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Alan Garten. ProPublica also left voicemail messages for Donald Trump Jr. None responded.
It is possible that the Trumps have engaged in unseen acts of charity connected to the pandemic. The Trumps, however, have not been known to hide deeds for which they might receive favorable public attention.
New York is not the only example. In Chicago, the mayor’s office has made arrangements for more than 1,000 rooms at five hotels to be used by medical personnel and patients requiring isolation when the number of local cases peaks. The city is paying $175 a night for the space. The Trump International Hotel and Tower, with 339 rooms and suites, is not among them.
Samir Mayekar, Chicago’s deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development, said the program, aimed at easing the burden on local hospitals, has received “an outpouring of support from dozens of interested hotels” in “an immense time of public need.” He said the city has enough interest to bring another thousand or more hotel rooms into the program if they’re needed. As for the Trumps’ Chicago hotel? “I’ve not seen that facility on the list,” Mayekar said.
Local companies and individuals have also donated $19 million to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, according to Mayekar, which is supported by the mayor’s office and intended to assist nonprofits “serving our most vulnerable residents.” He said the Trumps’ businesses have not donated anything to date.
In Los Angeles, where Trump operates a golf club perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the mayor has established two relief funds: The L.A. Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund and the Angeleno Fund. Their promoters and donors include Conan O’Brien and Russell Westbrook, according to a statement from Jeremy Bernard, who is heading up the fundraising effort. “To date, neither fund has received a donation from the Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California,” according to Bernard.
Trump’s properties, like Trump himself, have been slow to embrace medical experts’ advice for slowing the spread of the virus. In Florida, Trump’s Mar-A-Lago club, where the membership initiation fee is $200,000, remained open and seemingly disdainful of social distancing until March 21, after reports of coronavirus infections spread at crowded Trump fundraisers, a reception for Brazil’s president and a glittery party for Trump Jr.’s girlfriend, where guests danced in a conga line on March 7. This prompted Politico to describe the 20-acre resort as “a gilded petri dish.” (Eric Trump responded with a statement: “The safety of our members and guests are of our utmost importance. We are monitoring all of our businesses closely and are following the guidelines provided by the CDC.”)
Layoffs throughout the area’s resort sector sent less affluent residents of Palm Beach County reeling, prompting the Town of Palm Beach United Way to launch an emergency coronavirus fund. Marketing director Aleese Kopf said the special office for the nonprofit was established decades ago, explicitly “to raise money from millionaires and billionaires on Palm Beach island, where Mar-A-Lago is.” In Palm Beach County, she said, “it’s extreme poverty and extreme wealth.”
The Town of Palm Beach United Way helps fund 49 area social service agencies, and the pandemic has hit their clients hard, prompting residents and local businesses to contribute more than $400,000 to date. “It’s a very giving community,” Kopf said.
The group’s donors include both wealthy individuals and island clubs, including the Breakers, she said. But not Mar-A-Lago or the Trumps. “Many of our donors are members of Mar-a-Lago,” Kopf said. “They give. But we’ve never worked directly with the Trump Organization or the Mar-A-Lago Club. We’ve never been a part of their giving circle.”
Albermarle Estate, Trump’s Virginia lodge on the site of the Trump Winery, remained open until this week. The Charlottesville Albermarle Convention & Visitors Bureau, after approaching all area hotels, listed six that were providing special discounts to medical workers and first responders. Trump’s hotel is not among them.
In many of the communities where the Trumps have properties, emergency pandemic needs have already become clear. In Las Vegas, the Trumps’ 64-story, 1,282-room hotel shut down in mid-March, complying with a statewide order. Many of the hotels and casinos forced to abruptly close around that time provided huge quantities of unused food to the area’s Three Square Food Bank. The food bank has now opened six drive-through locations to safely meet dramatically increased need from the “food-insecure” in its six-county region, said Larry Scott, the nonprofit’s chief operating officer.
The total from the first two days after the hotel shutdown alone came to about 180 tons, according to Scott, with big donations coming from the MGM, Wynn, Boyd Gaming, Station Casinos and Caesars, among others — “most all” of the area hotels and casinos. Hotels have also made cash contributions. “We have been very richly blessed with financial donations from the hospitality industry,” Scott said.
The food bank has never received anything from the Trumps’ Las Vegas property. “No, they have not been a donor,” Scott said.
The Trump family also has a decidedly mixed record with regard to charitable giving. As The Washington Post first revealed, the Donald J. Trump Foundation raised all the funds it donated from 2009 onward from others — not from the Trumps themselves. Many of the donations were made to groups that held events at Trump’s properties.
The foundation was shut down in 2018, following a New York attorney general’s investigation and lawsuit that confirmed multiple episodes of improper self-dealing — charity expenditures made to promote his presidential campaign and to pay his business debts. (Trump denied any wrongdoing.) In a 2019 settlement, a state judge ordered Trump to give $2 million to eight approved charities, and his three adult children — all officers of the foundation — were required to undergo ethics training on the duties of nonprofit directors.
The Eric Trump Foundation has raised millions for terminally ill children at St. Jude hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. After Forbes reported that it had spent several hundred thousand dollars on events at Trump properties and had diverted donations to other causes, prompting another attorney general’s investigation, it replaced most of its directors in 2017 and renamed itself Curetivity. (At the time, Eric Trump said he was “disappointed” by the story and added: “It seems like there is a motive against either myself or my family.”)
Early last month, the White House announced that Trump was donating $100,000 — 25% of his presidential salary — to aid the coronavirus fight, by giving it to the Department of Health and Human Services. The money, however, wasn’t a new gift — just an allocation of his pledge, upon taking office, to forego any salary throughout his time in the White House.
The hotel industry has been among the hardest hit in corporate America, with many of the relatively few hotels that remain open enduring occupancy in the single digits. (Trump’s 263-room Washington hotel has had around 10 guests in recent days, according to John Boardman, who heads the D.C. affiliate of Unite Here, the union representing the hotel’s workers.) The industry’s trade group, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, urgently lobbied the Trump administration and Congress for federal bailout aid. (Trump has declined to answer questions about whether his private business would seek federal aid. Congressional Democrats added a provision aimed at explicitly barring him and son-in-law Jared Kushner from reaping such benefits, but the measure reportedly contains loopholes that might make it possible for their businesses to collect such money anyway.)
The hotel industry group has also promoted a national Hospitality for Hope program. According to the organization, it has identified 15,000 properties close to health care facilities that “are at the ready” to provide temporary housing for medical workers and first responders. The group has not publicly identified what hotel companies are participating and declined to respond to a question about whether any of the Trump hotels are participating.
And New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the city will rent thousands of hotel rooms for COVID-19 patients who need hospitalization but not intensive care. De Blasio has not yet announced which hotels will be part of the initiative.
Alice Wilder and Katherine Sullivan, WNYC, and Doris Burke, ProPublica, contributed reporting.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--In Ecuador, Families Wait With Their Dead Loved Ones As Bodies Pile Up

QUITO , Ecuador ( AP ) — Daniel Larrea died Monday after a week of high fever , struggling to breathe and steadily turning blue .
Then a new nightmare began for his family .
No one in their city on Ecuador ’ s Pacific coast would pick up his body .
“ We wrapped him up in black plastic , ” Larrea ’ s wife , Karina , said Wednesday .
“ He ’ s here in the living room.
” Hospitals are turning away patients and bodies are being left on streets and in homes for days in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.6 million that has become a hot spot in Latin America as the coronavirus pandemic spreads .
The small South American nation has recorded 120 coronavirus deaths , but officials say there could be dozens more who died without ever being officially diagnosed — people like Larrea , who had all the symptoms , but never got tested .
Nationwide , there were 3,160 cases confirmed on Thursday , likely a vast underestimate .
Meanwhile , untold numbers of Ecuadorians are dying of unrelated diseases that can ’ t be treated because hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just medical services at a breaking point .
Morgues , funeral homes and all related services for the dead are over capacity .
In recent days , macabre images and pleas from families have appeared on social media showing dead loved ones wrapped in plastic or cloth , waiting for them to be taken away .
Television crews have captured images of bodies and coffins left on sidewalks .
“ It ’ s a desperate smell , ” said Merwin Teran , 61 , the owner of a Guayaquil funeral home , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morgue alone .
Doctors say there aren ’ t enough tests in the country , making it harder to identify and isolate the sick to try to stop the spread of COVID-19 , the disease the virus causes — as well as too few hospital beds and ventilators .
“ We are seeing a situation quite similar to that of Italy , ” said Dr. Mireya Rodas , a lung specialist at a Guayaquil hospital who has herself tested positive .
Ecuador identified its first case of COVID-19 on Feb. 29 — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — making it one of the first Latin American countries to confirm the arrival of the disease .
Medical experts fear the disaster brewing in Guayaquil may offer a frightening glimpse of what awaits the region in coming weeks and months .
“ More contagion , more mortality , ” said Enrique Acosta , a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic research in Germany .
“ They are closely intertwined.
” Acosta is among a group of policy experts urging Latin American governments to quickly ramp up testing .
They note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea , where the virus has been more quickly contained , testing was widespread .
But that is not the case in Latin America and the Caribbean .
Medical professionals believe the true number of coronavirus cases in Ecuador could be five times the official count or higher .
Teran , the funeral home owner , said he went to a cemetery on Tuesday where workers usually inter about 30 people a day , but 149 bodies were awaiting burial or cremation .
He said many funeral homes are not operating , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pick up bodies without adequate protection .
By law , he said , funeral homes can ’ t pick up bodies until a doctor has signed off on a cause of death , but because so many physicians are treating patients , bodies are accumulating in morgues , creating a backlog .
Not all of the dead are dying from the coronavirus — which for most people , causes only mild to moderate symptoms , like a fever and cough .
But for others , particularly older adults and those with other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pneumonia and death .
Carmen Suarez , 71 , died at her home over the weekend in Guayaquil from what the family believes was kidney failure .
Relatives tried to find a hospital that would accept her as her legs grew increasingly swollen , but were told no beds were available and that taking her to a hospital would be risky anyway because of the coronavirus spread .
By Tuesday , the family had spent three days waiting for her body to be taken away .
They eventually called a funeral home worker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body , which was still waiting on the family ’ s patio .
“ It ’ s catastrophic what is happening in Guayaquil , ” said Byron Moreira , 36 , her son-in-law .
“ I wouldn ’ t wish this on my worst enemy.
” Esteban Ortiz , a public health specialist , said that in the province of Guayas , which includes Guayaquil and where 70 % of the country ’ s virus cases are located , only around 175 ventilators are likely available .
On Thursday , 225 people were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide , indicating a likely critical shortage of the live-saving equipment .
“ We ’ re not giving them a chance to come and get medical attention , ” he said .
The Ministry of Public Health did not respond to requests for comment .
But at a news conference Wednesday , health authorities defended Ecuador ’ s response , saying that new technology would soon allow testing to increase to 1,400 a day .
Jorge Wated , the official tasked by the government with handling the death toll crisis , said authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to ensure all are buried appropriately .
He said authorities usually pick up about 30 people who have died in their homes each day , but have been picking up around 150 , not all of whom died of COVID-19 .
“ We ask for forgiveness for those who had to wait days for their loved ones to be picked up , ” he said .
Gina Watson , representative for the Pan American Health Organization in Ecuador , said experts expect to see a similar uptick in cases elsewhere in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we expect to see in all countries , ” she said .
“ A rising curve of cases along with the associated mortality.
” Until he came down with a 102-degree fever a week ago , Larrea had no known health problems other than being overweight , his family said .
The family called doctors , who advised him to stay home and take an over-the-counter fever reducer .
As he grew worse — struggling to breath and changing color — the family called for an ambulance , only to be told none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood .
The family was dependent on the 42-year-old Uber driver and father of four for their economic livelihood and together with other relatives — eight people in total — live in a small home .
After he died , they wrapped the body in thick black plastic , called 911 and waited .
Aside from the emotional toll of seeing their loved one die , the family now fears that they have all been exposed to coronavirus .

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Daniel Larrea died Monday after a week of high fever, struggling to breathe and steadily turning blue. Then a new nightmare began for his family. No one in their city on Ecuador’s Pacific coast would pick up his body.
“We wrapped him up in black plastic,” Larrea’s wife, Karina, said Wednesday. “He’s here in the living room.”
Hospitals are turning away patients and bodies are being left on streets and in homes for days in Guayaquil, a normally bustling city of 2.6 million that has become a hot spot in Latin America as the coronavirus pandemic spreads.
The small South American nation has recorded 120 coronavirus deaths, but officials say there could be dozens more who died without ever being officially diagnosed — people like Larrea, who had all the symptoms, but never got tested. Nationwide, there were 3,160 cases confirmed on Thursday, likely a vast underestimate.
Meanwhile, untold numbers of Ecuadorians are dying of unrelated diseases that can’t be treated because hospitals are overwhelmed.
It’s not just medical services at a breaking point. Morgues, funeral homes and all related services for the dead are over capacity.
In recent days, macabre images and pleas from families have appeared on social media showing dead loved ones wrapped in plastic or cloth, waiting for them to be taken away. Television crews have captured images of bodies and coffins left on sidewalks.
“It’s a desperate smell,” said Merwin Teran, 61, the owner of a Guayaquil funeral home, who said he saw 50 dead in one morgue alone.
Doctors say there aren’t enough tests in the country, making it harder to identify and isolate the sick to try to stop the spread of COVID-19, the disease the virus causes — as well as too few hospital beds and ventilators.
“We are seeing a situation quite similar to that of Italy,” said Dr. Mireya Rodas, a lung specialist at a Guayaquil hospital who has herself tested positive.
Ecuador identified its first case of COVID-19 on Feb. 29 — a 71-year-old woman who had traveled from Spain — making it one of the first Latin American countries to confirm the arrival of the disease.
Medical experts fear the disaster brewing in Guayaquil may offer a frightening glimpse of what awaits the region in coming weeks and months.
“More contagion, more mortality,” said Enrique Acosta, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic research in Germany. “They are closely intertwined.”
Acosta is among a group of policy experts urging Latin American governments to quickly ramp up testing. They note that in countries like Singapore and South Korea, where the virus has been more quickly contained, testing was widespread. But that is not the case in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Medical professionals believe the true number of coronavirus cases in Ecuador could be five times the official count or higher.
Teran, the funeral home owner, said he went to a cemetery on Tuesday where workers usually inter about 30 people a day, but 149 bodies were awaiting burial or cremation.
He said many funeral homes are not operating, while those that are have to send workers to pick up bodies without adequate protection. By law, he said, funeral homes can’t pick up bodies until a doctor has signed off on a cause of death, but because so many physicians are treating patients, bodies are accumulating in morgues, creating a backlog.
Not all of the dead are dying from the coronavirus — which for most people, causes only mild to moderate symptoms, like a fever and cough. But for others, particularly older adults and those with other health problems, it can lead to pneumonia and death.
Carmen Suarez, 71, died at her home over the weekend in Guayaquil from what the family believes was kidney failure. Relatives tried to find a hospital that would accept her as her legs grew increasingly swollen, but were told no beds were available and that taking her to a hospital would be risky anyway because of the coronavirus spread.
By Tuesday, the family had spent three days waiting for her body to be taken away. They eventually called a funeral home worker who brought a coffin and embalmed her body, which was still waiting on the family’s patio.
“It’s catastrophic what is happening in Guayaquil,” said Byron Moreira, 36, her son-in-law. “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
Esteban Ortiz, a public health specialist, said that in the province of Guayas, which includes Guayaquil and where 70% of the country’s virus cases are located, only around 175 ventilators are likely available. On Thursday, 225 people were hospitalized, including 122 in serious condition nationwide, indicating a likely critical shortage of the live-saving equipment.
“We’re not giving them a chance to come and get medical attention,” he said.
The Ministry of Public Health did not respond to requests for comment. But at a news conference Wednesday, health authorities defended Ecuador’s response, saying that new technology would soon allow testing to increase to 1,400 a day.
Jorge Wated, the official tasked by the government with handling the death toll crisis, said authorities were preparing for many more fatalities and working to ensure all are buried appropriately. He said authorities usually pick up about 30 people who have died in their homes each day, but have been picking up around 150, not all of whom died of COVID-19.
“We ask for forgiveness for those who had to wait days for their loved ones to be picked up,” he said.
Gina Watson, representative for the Pan American Health Organization in Ecuador, said experts expect to see a similar uptick in cases elsewhere in the region.
“Guayaquil is experiencing what we expect to see in all countries,” she said. “A rising curve of cases along with the associated mortality.”
Until he came down with a 102-degree fever a week ago, Larrea had no known health problems other than being overweight, his family said.
The family called doctors, who advised him to stay home and take an over-the-counter fever reducer.
As he grew worse — struggling to breath and changing color — the family called for an ambulance, only to be told none were available to go to their poor neighborhood.
The family was dependent on the 42-year-old Uber driver and father of four for their economic livelihood and together with other relatives — eight people in total — live in a small home.
After he died, they wrapped the body in thick black plastic, called 911 and waited.
Aside from the emotional toll of seeing their loved one die, the family now fears that they have all been exposed to coronavirus.
“We’re afraid,” said Larrea’s wife, Karina, “that we’re all infected.”
___
Armario reported from Bogota, Colombia.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--WH Moves Toward Ordering Broader Use Of Face Masks In Hard-Hit Areas

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many , if not almost all , Americans wear face coverings when leaving home , in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus .
The recommendations , still being finalized Thursday , would apply at least to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
A person familiar with the White House coronavirus task force ’ s discussion said officials would suggest that non-medical masks , T-shirts or bandannas be used to cover the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — for instance , at the grocery store or pharmacy .
Medical-grade masks , particularly short-in-supply N95 masks , would be reserved for those dealing directly with the sick .
The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the proposed guidance before its public release .
Trump on Tuesday indicated he would support such a recommendation , potentially even for all Americans regardless of where they live .
“ I would say do it , but use a scarf if you want , you know , rather than going out and getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not a bad idea , at least for a period of time , ” he added .
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draft of the guidance would make the covering recommendation apply to nearly all Americans , all over the country , according to a federal official who has seen the draft but was not authorized to discuss it .
Some exceptions would be young children under age 2 , anyone who has trouble breathing or anyone who is unable to remove the covering without help .
Officials were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope .
Under the previous guidance , only the sick or those at high risk of complications from the respiratory illness were advised to wear masks .
The new proposal was driven by research showing that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy .
On Wednesday , Eric Garcetti , the mayor of Los Angeles , urged his city ’ s 4 million residents to wear masks when they ’ re in public .
In response to recent studies , the CDC on Wednesday changed how it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It essentially says anyone may be a considered a carrier , whether they have symptoms or not .
The virus spreads mostly through droplets from coughs or sneezes , though experts stress that the germ is still not fully understood .
U.S. officials have been telling people to stay at home as much as possible , and keep at least 6 feet ( 2 meters ) away from others when they do go out .
Other advice includes frequent hand washing and not touching your face .
But until now federal officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover their faces out in public .
U.S .
Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams has repeatedly admonished Americans not to wear face masks , saying they don ’ t prevent the people who wear them from catching the virus .
He and other officials have stressed that surgical face masks and other protective medical equipment have been in short supply and must be prioritized for people such as health-care workers , who are at much greater risk of being infected .
The World Health Organization on Monday reiterated its advice that the general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks unless they ’ re sick .
Since the epidemic began in China , the WHO has said masks are for the sick and people caring for them .
“ We don ’ t generally recommend the wearing of masks in public by otherwise well individuals , ” WHO ’ s epidemic chief Dr. Mike Ryan said during a news conference .
“ There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any particular benefit .
In fact , there ’ s some evidence to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting risks from an improperly fitted mask or improperly putting it on or taking it off .
That ’ s in addition to the problem that health care workers who do need masks are facing “ a massive global shortage , ” Ryan said .
“ Right now the people most at risk from this virus are front-line health workers who are exposed to the virus every second of every day .
The thought of them not having masks is horrific , so we have to be very careful on supply , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why WHO has advised against using masks.
” Many people have taken it upon themselves to make their own masks , but one North Carolina health system found that such DIY products vary in how well they work .
Wake Forest Baptist Health doctors and scientists tested 13 different designs made by community volunteers .
They found that some were better at filtering than off-the-shelf surgical masks but others were barely better than wearing no mask at all .

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many, if not almost all, Americans wear face coverings when leaving home, in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
The recommendations, still being finalized Thursday, would apply at least to those who live in areas hard-hit by community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19. A person familiar with the White House coronavirus task force’s discussion said officials would suggest that non-medical masks, T-shirts or bandannas be used to cover the nose and mouth when outside the home — for instance, at the grocery store or pharmacy. Medical-grade masks, particularly short-in-supply N95 masks, would be reserved for those dealing directly with the sick.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the proposed guidance before its public release.
Trump on Tuesday indicated he would support such a recommendation, potentially even for all Americans regardless of where they live. “I would say do it, but use a scarf if you want, you know, rather than going out and getting a mask or whatever.”
“It’s not a bad idea, at least for a period of time,” he added.
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draft of the guidance would make the covering recommendation apply to nearly all Americans, all over the country, according to a federal official who has seen the draft but was not authorized to discuss it.
Some exceptions would be young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing or anyone who is unable to remove the covering without help.
Officials were still discussing whether to limit its geographic scope.
Under the previous guidance, only the sick or those at high risk of complications from the respiratory illness were advised to wear masks. The new proposal was driven by research showing that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy.
On Wednesday, Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, urged his city’s 4 million residents to wear masks when they’re in public.
In response to recent studies, the CDC on Wednesday changed how it was defining the risk of infection for Americans. It essentially says anyone may be a considered a carrier, whether they have symptoms or not.
The virus spreads mostly through droplets from coughs or sneezes, though experts stress that the germ is still not fully understood.
U.S. officials have been telling people to stay at home as much as possible, and keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from others when they do go out. Other advice includes frequent hand washing and not touching your face.
But until now federal officials have stopped short of telling people to cover their faces out in public.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams has repeatedly admonished Americans not to wear face masks, saying they don’t prevent the people who wear them from catching the virus. He and other officials have stressed that surgical face masks and other protective medical equipment have been in short supply and must be prioritized for people such as health-care workers, who are at much greater risk of being infected.
The World Health Organization on Monday reiterated its advice that the general population doesn’t need to wear masks unless they’re sick. Since the epidemic began in China, the WHO has said masks are for the sick and people caring for them.
“We don’t generally recommend the wearing of masks in public by otherwise well individuals,” WHO’s epidemic chief Dr. Mike Ryan said during a news conference. “There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any particular benefit. In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite,” he added, noting risks from an improperly fitted mask or improperly putting it on or taking it off.
That’s in addition to the problem that health care workers who do need masks are facing “a massive global shortage,” Ryan said. “Right now the people most at risk from this virus are front-line health workers who are exposed to the virus every second of every day. The thought of them not having masks is horrific, so we have to be very careful on supply, but that is not the primary reason why WHO has advised against using masks.”
Many people have taken it upon themselves to make their own masks, but one North Carolina health system found that such DIY products vary in how well they work. Wake Forest Baptist Health doctors and scientists tested 13 different designs made by community volunteers. They found that some were better at filtering than off-the-shelf surgical masks but others were barely better than wearing no mask at all.
___
Stobbe reported from New York. AP writer Lauran Neergaard contributed.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--Why Hasn’t Trump Issued Nationwide Stay-At-Home Order Yet?

The resistance some states have shown to implementing aggressive coronavirus responses has led public health experts to call for President Trump to issue nationwide stay-at-home guidance .
Across the country , mayors have battled their governors over how broadly business-closure orders should be implemented .
In some cases , it appears that governors will only implement statewide orders when they feel they have the White House ’ s full backing in doing so .
A nationwide stay-at-home order would be helpful for both medical and political reasons , experts said .
Already , there has been plenty of evidence that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the outbreak affected some governors ’ responses , while local officials who ’ ve acted with urgency told TPM that an order from Trump would make their measures more effective .
From a public health standpoint , the patchwork of official clamp-downs across the country will hamper efforts to contain the virus , public health experts told TPM .
While cracking down early on non-essential activity may be politically difficult for state officials facing pushback from their business sectors , “ if the President orders it , they don ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Slutkin , an epidemiologist who formerly led the World Health Organization ’ s Intervention Development .
“ Plus , we as a country have the opportunity to cooperate on stopping all further transmission now.
” In a statement to TPM , the White House defended President Trump ’ s “ unprecedented approach to communicating and working with our Nation ’ s Governors to guarantee they have the resources they need and the ability to make the best on-the-ground decisions.
” “ As both the President and Vice President have said , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federally supported response to a global pandemic that this Administration is fully committed to , ” White House spokesperson Judd Deere said .
“ Every level of government needs to deliver solutions and that is what we are doing in partnership.
” ‘ It Would Be So Much More Helpful ’ The White House ’ s current 30-day nationwide guidelines only tell older people , those with underlying conditions , those who are sick , or those with exposure to a positive COVID-19 case to stay at home .
More than two-dozen states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their residents , while a handful of states have told only high-risk individuals to stay home , and several more have taken no statewide action .
Local officials told TPM that , regardless of what kind authority the President has to issue a national stay-at-home order , even just having him encourage Americans nationwide to stay home would make it easier for local and state officials to carry out their shelter-in-place order .
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt ( R ) said that when he ordered his city ’ s bars and restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t receive much pushback because , the day before , the White House said it backed local governments taking that action if need be .
“ The measures I take are obviously significantly less effective if my neighboring cities don ’ t take the same measures , ” Holt said , especially as only half of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area is covered by his ordinances .
“ It does create a patchwork of regulations that lessens the safety of the public , ” he said .
Only on Wednesday did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) issue a state-wide stay-at-home order for vulnerable populations , though last week — at Holt ’ s and another mayor ’ s suggestion — the governor implemented that order on a regional level .
“ If it ’ s the advice of CDC and Dr. Fauci and all of those people we see on television , I don ’ t get any serious pushback , but it ’ s harder if we ’ re going further than what seems to be recommended by the national experts , ” Holt said .
Elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear governors will only go as far as the political cover they ’ re getting from Trump has extended .
Despite having a large population of retirees , and the influx of spring breakers to the state last month , Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis ( R ) only issued a state-wide stay-at-home order on Wednesday .
Explaining the move , DeSantis cited specifically the changes in the President ’ s “ demeanor ” in the “ the last couple of days.
” Previously , while DeSantis was still resisting the order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to issue it because the White House task force had not recommended it .
Hours after he signed the state-wide guidance , he also signed an order barring local officials from going further than what his order laid out .
In places like Arizona and Missouri , leaders of blue cities have expressed frustration that their Republican governors haven ’ t matched , or have even undermined , their local efforts to stop the virus ’ spread .
On the other side of the spectrum is Ohio , where Republican Gov .
Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 , and has worked closely with the seven Democratic mayors of the state ’ s biggest cities to “ sing from the same songbook , ” Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley ( D ) told TPM .
“ I imagine if DeWine was a Democrat , how much trouble we ’ d have in this state , ” Whaley said , while praising DeWine ’ s ability to show ” restraint ” in dealing with the President .
” It would be so much more helpful if [ the White House ] would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order ] and message accordingly , ” she said .
‘ You Can ’ t Really Know What You Can ’ t Test ’ The reason for a nationwide stay-at-home order is not just to boost the effectiveness of local orders in places that have seen an outbreak , according to public health experts .
It ’ s to arrest the spread in places with relatively few or perhaps no confirmed cases yet , according to Thomas Tsai , an assistant professor of health policy and management at the Harvard Global Health Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is it currently too early for aggressive action .
“ If we look at the data , this is clearly going to be a pandemic that affects every single state and a majority of counties , and it will likely affect every county , ” he said .
The virus has shown the ability to spread rapidly among people not even yet showing symptoms — a fact that led Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp ( R ) to finally announce a state-wide order Wednesday , while admitting he wasn ’ t aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours prior to the reversal .
“ Without a widespread social distancing effort , the odds of containing the pandemic are low , ” Tsai added .
There is plenty of evidence — both from other countries and within the U.S. — that states and localities that shut businesses down when there were relatively few cases were able to contain the virus more effectively than those that waited for a spike , said Sluktin , the former WHO epidemiologist .
“ For any individual city , you can ’ t know what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sluktin , who now leads the public health anti-violence program Cure Violence , said .
“ If you have transmission stop over there , then it ’ s rising over here.
” ” A White House official told TPM that the federal system allows for solutions to be identified locally and for best practices to be scaled up nationally , with federal resources helping to fill in the gaps .
But Slutkin warned that the White House is just delaying , and extending , the inevitable .
“ The time of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ substantially by everybody at once having to stay at home , so that we stop as much transmission as possible from person to another person , ” he said .

The resistance some states have shown to implementing aggressive coronavirus responses has led public health experts to call for President Trump to issue nationwide stay-at-home guidance.
Across the country, mayors have battled their governors over how broadly business-closure orders should be implemented. In some cases, it appears that governors will only implement statewide orders when they feel they have the White House’s full backing in doing so.
A nationwide stay-at-home order would be helpful for both medical and political reasons, experts said. Already, there has been plenty of evidence that Trump’s initial moves to play down the outbreak affected some governors’ responses, while local officials who’ve acted with urgency told TPM that an order from Trump would make their measures more effective.
From a public health standpoint, the patchwork of official clamp-downs across the country will hamper efforts to contain the virus, public health experts told TPM.
While cracking down early on non-essential activity may be politically difficult for state officials facing pushback from their business sectors, “if the President orders it, they don’t have that local fight,” said Gary Slutkin, an epidemiologist who formerly led the World Health Organization’s Intervention Development. “Plus, we as a country have the opportunity to cooperate on stopping all further transmission now.”
In a statement to TPM, the White House defended President Trump’s “ unprecedented approach to communicating and working with our Nation’s Governors to guarantee they have the resources they need and the ability to make the best on-the-ground decisions.”
“As both the President and Vice President have said, this is a locally executed, state managed, federally supported response to a global pandemic that this Administration is fully committed to,” White House spokesperson Judd Deere said. “Every level of government needs to deliver solutions and that is what we are doing in partnership.”
‘It Would Be So Much More Helpful’
The White House’s current 30-day nationwide guidelines only tell older people, those with underlying conditions, those who are sick, or those with exposure to a positive COVID-19 case to stay at home.
More than two-dozen states have issued state-wide stay-at-home orders for all their residents, while a handful of states have told only high-risk individuals to stay home, and several more have taken no statewide action.
Local officials told TPM that, regardless of what kind authority the President has to issue a national stay-at-home order, even just having him encourage Americans nationwide to stay home would make it easier for local and state officials to carry out their shelter-in-place order.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (R) said that when he ordered his city’s bars and restaurants to close on March 17, he didn’t receive much pushback because, the day before, the White House said it backed local governments taking that action if need be.
“The measures I take are obviously significantly less effective if my neighboring cities don’t take the same measures,” Holt said, especially as only half of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area is covered by his ordinances.
“It does create a patchwork of regulations that lessens the safety of the public,” he said. Only on Wednesday did Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) issue a state-wide stay-at-home order for vulnerable populations, though last week — at Holt’s and another mayor’s suggestion — the governor implemented that order on a regional level.
“If it’s the advice of CDC and Dr. Fauci and all of those people we see on television, I don’t get any serious pushback, but it’s harder if we’re going further than what seems to be recommended by the national experts,” Holt said.
Elsewhere in the country, it’s clear governors will only go as far as the political cover they’re getting from Trump has extended.
Despite having a large population of retirees, and the influx of spring breakers to the state last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) only issued a state-wide stay-at-home order on Wednesday.
Explaining the move, DeSantis cited specifically the changes in the President’s “demeanor” in the “the last couple of days.” Previously, while DeSantis was still resisting the order, he said he wasn’t inclined to issue it because the White House task force had not recommended it. Hours after he signed the state-wide guidance, he also signed an order barring local officials from going further than what his order laid out.
In places like Arizona and Missouri, leaders of blue cities have expressed frustration that their Republican governors haven’t matched, or have even undermined, their local efforts to stop the virus’ spread.
On the other side of the spectrum is Ohio, where Republican Gov. Mike DeWine issued a stay-at-home order on March 23, and has worked closely with the seven Democratic mayors of the state’s biggest cities to “sing from the same songbook,” Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley (D) told TPM.
“I imagine if DeWine was a Democrat, how much trouble we’d have in this state,” Whaley said, while praising DeWine’s ability to show ”restraint” in dealing with the President.
”It would be so much more helpful if [the White House] would do a national stay at home [order] and message accordingly,” she said.
‘You Can’t Really Know What You Can’t Test’
The reason for a nationwide stay-at-home order is not just to boost the effectiveness of local orders in places that have seen an outbreak, according to public health experts. It’s to arrest the spread in places with relatively few or perhaps no confirmed cases yet, according to Thomas Tsai, an assistant professor of health policy and management at the Harvard Global Health Institute, who said nowhere in the country is it currently too early for aggressive action.
“If we look at the data, this is clearly going to be a pandemic that affects every single state and a majority of counties, and it will likely affect every county,” he said. The virus has shown the ability to spread rapidly among people not even yet showing symptoms — a fact that led Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) to finally announce a state-wide order Wednesday, while admitting he wasn’t aware of that aspect of the outbreak until 24 hours prior to the reversal.
“Without a widespread social distancing effort, the odds of containing the pandemic are low,” Tsai added.
There is plenty of evidence — both from other countries and within the U.S. — that states and localities that shut businesses down when there were relatively few cases were able to contain the virus more effectively than those that waited for a spike, said Sluktin, the former WHO epidemiologist.
“For any individual city, you can’t know what you really have until you can test,” Sluktin, who now leads the public health anti-violence program Cure Violence, said. “If you have transmission stop over there, then it’s rising over here.””
A White House official told TPM that the federal system allows for solutions to be identified locally and for best practices to be scaled up nationally, with federal resources helping to fill in the gaps.
But Slutkin warned that the White House is just delaying, and extending, the inevitable.
“The time of the pain of the country will be shortened substantially by everybody at once having to stay at home, so that we stop as much transmission as possible from person to another person,” he said.
.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--Some Mom-And-Pop Shops Might Get Squeezed Out Of Relief Loan Program

IOWA CITY , Iowa ( AP ) — As the federal government prepares to launch a $ 349 billion loan program meant to help small businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic , critics have growing concerns that some mom-and-pop shops might get squeezed out .
The Paycheck Protection Program — part of the $ 2 trillion relief package signed into law last week — was billed as a way to help local businesses that often form the fabric of communities retain workers and pay bills .
But an expansive definition of “ small business ” in the law means that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just Main Street shops when lenders start processing applications Friday .
Operators of name-brand hotel , restaurant and service chains and franchises with thousands of employees at locations scattered across the U.S. are eligible .
Lobbyists are also pushing the Small Business Administration to interpret the law generously to help sectors devastated by mandatory business closures and stay-at-home orders , possibly making the aid available to international fast food and lodging giants and allowing individual owners to get around a $ 10 million cap on loans .
While Congress could approve more money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stands is expected to run out quickly .
That could mean applicants who have the financial and legal expertise of a larger organization might be able to maximize their benefits , not leaving much for smaller businesses , especially those who wait or have problems applying .
“ I ’ m certain that ’ s what ’ s going to happen , ” said Lauren Friel , the owner of a wine bar in Somerville , Massachusetts , that has been closed for three weeks .
“ It makes me really angry .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to walk away with their pockets full of cash.
” Friel said she intends to apply Friday for around $ 50,000 to help her pay rent and employees who have been furloughed , but she ’ s not expecting to be successful .
Independent contractors and the self-employed could be especially hurt since they will not be eligible to apply until April 10 under guidance from the Treasury Department .
By then , banks could be overwhelmed with applications .
“ It ’ s hard for me to say this : There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund .
Every big restaurant and hotel chain is going to be going after this money .
It ’ s not going to last , ” said Ron Feldman , chief development officer at ApplePie Capital , which has been helping businesses get ready to apply .
“ If you want to get this loan , speed is your friend , ” Feldman told 2,000 franchise industry officials on a conference call this week .
Underscoring the need for help , the federal government reported Thursday that a record 10 million workers filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 28 .
Jeff Brabant , manager of government relations for the National Federation of Independent Business , said he was still optimistic that the loan program would deliver for traditional small businesses .
“ Our tone could change in a week if things don ’ t go well , ” he said .
The program will give businesses low-interest loans of about 2.5 times their average monthly payroll .
They will be fully or partially forgiven if businesses show that the money was used to retain or rehire employees and pay some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law specified that all food service and lodging businesses qualify as long as they do not have more than 500 employees at a single location .
It also declared that thousands of franchises recognized by the SBA — like multi location restaurants , hotels , gyms and hair salons — will qualify regardless of their revenue and ties to large corporate parents .
Many nonprofits , which are normally ineligible for such aid , also qualify .
The law says the maximum loan will be $ 10 million .
But lobbyists representing chains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each location — rather than each owner .
The International Franchise Association argued in a letter to the SBA that would allow the program “ to achieve its intended outcome and have maximum impact.
” The letter urged the agency to confirm that franchisors it recognizes — that are the parent companies of major chains from Burger King to Marriott — qualify as well .
The agency is expected to issue additional guidance on the program Thursday .
Greg Flynn , CEO of the Flynn Restaurant Group , which calls itself the largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,200 Applebee ’ s , Arby ’ s , Taco Bell and Panera locations , said larger employers should get relief , too , so that they can quickly rehire workers .
Flynn said that he furloughed 30,000 of his 48,000 employees as his company ’ s revenue dropped by 60 % in a matter of days .
He is hoping to qualify for 2 1/2 times his $ 60 million monthly payroll under the program .
“ It is my 100 % total focus just to survive and keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a home for our employees to come back to , ” Flynn said .
“ With ( the rescue ) , we can do it .
Without it , I don ’ t think we can.
” Darryl DePriest , who was chief counsel for the SBA office that advocates for small business from 2015 to 2017 , called the $ 349 billion “ almost like a first installment ” and predicted Congress will eventually appropriate more money .
But for now , business owners who wait or have problems filing their applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Veronique de Rugy , a research fellow at George Mason University .
“ When we look at back who were the beneficiaries of this , we ’ re probably going to see that it ’ s skewed toward the bigger of the so-called small businesses , ” she said .

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — As the federal government prepares to launch a $349 billion loan program meant to help small businesses survive the coronavirus pandemic, critics have growing concerns that some mom-and-pop shops might get squeezed out.
The Paycheck Protection Program — part of the $2 trillion relief package signed into law last week — was billed as a way to help local businesses that often form the fabric of communities retain workers and pay bills. But an expansive definition of “small business” in the law means that it will be open to much more than just Main Street shops when lenders start processing applications Friday.
Operators of name-brand hotel, restaurant and service chains and franchises with thousands of employees at locations scattered across the U.S. are eligible. Lobbyists are also pushing the Small Business Administration to interpret the law generously to help sectors devastated by mandatory business closures and stay-at-home orders, possibly making the aid available to international fast food and lodging giants and allowing individual owners to get around a $10 million cap on loans.
While Congress could approve more money later on, the program as it stands is expected to run out quickly. That could mean applicants who have the financial and legal expertise of a larger organization might be able to maximize their benefits, not leaving much for smaller businesses, especially those who wait or have problems applying.
“I’m certain that’s what’s going to happen,” said Lauren Friel, the owner of a wine bar in Somerville, Massachusetts, that has been closed for three weeks. “It makes me really angry. It’s outrageous. They are going to walk away with their pockets full of cash.”
Friel said she intends to apply Friday for around $50,000 to help her pay rent and employees who have been furloughed, but she’s not expecting to be successful.
Independent contractors and the self-employed could be especially hurt since they will not be eligible to apply until April 10 under guidance from the Treasury Department. By then, banks could be overwhelmed with applications.
“It’s hard for me to say this: There is only $350 billion in this fund. Every big restaurant and hotel chain is going to be going after this money. It’s not going to last,” said Ron Feldman, chief development officer at ApplePie Capital, which has been helping businesses get ready to apply.
“If you want to get this loan, speed is your friend,” Feldman told 2,000 franchise industry officials on a conference call this week.
Underscoring the need for help, the federal government reported Thursday that a record 10 million workers filed for unemployment in the two weeks ending March 28.
Jeff Brabant, manager of government relations for the National Federation of Independent Business, said he was still optimistic that the loan program would deliver for traditional small businesses.
“Our tone could change in a week if things don’t go well,” he said.
The program will give businesses low-interest loans of about 2.5 times their average monthly payroll. They will be fully or partially forgiven if businesses show that the money was used to retain or rehire employees and pay some overhead expenses through June 30.
The law specified that all food service and lodging businesses qualify as long as they do not have more than 500 employees at a single location. It also declared that thousands of franchises recognized by the SBA — like multi location restaurants, hotels, gyms and hair salons — will qualify regardless of their revenue and ties to large corporate parents. Many nonprofits, which are normally ineligible for such aid, also qualify.
The law says the maximum loan will be $10 million. But lobbyists representing chains are asking that the cap apply to each location — rather than each owner.
The International Franchise Association argued in a letter to the SBA that would allow the program “to achieve its intended outcome and have maximum impact.” The letter urged the agency to confirm that franchisors it recognizes — that are the parent companies of major chains from Burger King to Marriott — qualify as well.
The agency is expected to issue additional guidance on the program Thursday.
Greg Flynn, CEO of the Flynn Restaurant Group, which calls itself the largest restaurant franchisee in the U.S. and owns more than 1,200 Applebee’s, Arby’s, Taco Bell and Panera locations, said larger employers should get relief, too, so that they can quickly rehire workers.
Flynn said that he furloughed 30,000 of his 48,000 employees as his company’s revenue dropped by 60% in a matter of days. He is hoping to qualify for 2 1/2 times his $60 million monthly payroll under the program.
“It is my 100% total focus just to survive and keep the infrastructure in place, so there is a home for our employees to come back to,” Flynn said. “With (the rescue), we can do it. Without it, I don’t think we can.”
Darryl DePriest, who was chief counsel for the SBA office that advocates for small business from 2015 to 2017, called the $349 billion “almost like a first installment” and predicted Congress will eventually appropriate more money.
But for now, business owners who wait or have problems filing their applications might lose out to larger applicants, said Veronique de Rugy, a research fellow at George Mason University.
“When we look at back who were the beneficiaries of this, we’re probably going to see that it’s skewed toward the bigger of the so-called small businesses,” she said.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--Fauci Shrugs Off Threats: ‘I’ve Chosen This Life’

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Dr. Anthony Fauci , the country ’ s top infectious disease expert , owns up to doing some not-so-smart things as he helps lead the White House effort to stem the spread of the new coronavirus .
Things like forgetting to eat and not getting enough sleep .
The blunt-speaking Fauci also has had to contend with a deluge of online threats and uncomfortable personal encounters with admirers as the pandemic consumes his every waking hour .
Nevertheless , the 79-year-old epidemiologist insists he ’ s doing just fine .
“ I ’ ve chosen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it is , ” Fauci said Thursday on NBC ’ s “ Today ” show .
“ There are things about it that are sometimes disturbing .
But you just focus on the job you have to do , and just put all that stuff aside and try as best as possible not to pay attention to it.
” Still , concerns about his safety are serious enough that Fauci now has security .
The Department of Health and Human Services requested the U.S .
Marshals Service authorize special agents from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of Fauci ’ s protection , according to a person familiar with the arrangements .
The Justice Department approved a request to deputize nine agents , the person said , speaking on condition of anonymity because there has been no official announcement .
Fauci , who has advised every U.S. president on public health issues dating back to Ronald Reagan , has been put on a pedestal by Trump critics .
They see him and , to a lesser degree , White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data to steer Trump away from opening up the economy by Easter Sunday .
At the same time , Fauci has been vilified by some conspiracy peddlers on the far right as a part of the anti-Trump deep state .
Conservative media commentators like Fox Business host Lou Dobbs and talk show host Rush Limbaugh have viewed Fauci with suspicion as the plain-speaking Fauci hasn ’ t shied away from publicly correcting Trump ’ s erroneous statements about the virus .
“ President Trump seems to have profound respect for both these people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Limbaugh said during his Monday broadcast about Fauci and Birx .
“ I just can ’ t , I can ’ t erase what I ’ ve seen from the so-called Deep State and the attempt to undermine the entire election of 2016 .
“ Some have accused Fauci of playing up the threat of COVID-19 , while others have pointed to emails in which he praised Democrat Hillary Clinton .
Still others have dismissed him as a “ deep state ” operative because of his 36-year leadership of the National Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups have blasted Fauci ’ s long support for immunizations and accused him , without evidence , of talking up the value of a coronavirus vaccine to enrich pharmaceutical companies .
Asked during Wednesday ’ s White House briefing about threats , Fauci demurred .
But Trump jokingly chimed in that he was not overly concerned about the doctor ’ s safety .
“ He doesn ’ t need security , ” Trump said .
“ Everybody loves him .
Besides , they ’ d be in big trouble if they ever attacked.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deference to Fauci in public , even as the doctor has repeatedly corrected the president on his faulty science .
Last month , as Trump continued to suggest that the virus was under control , Fauci warned Americans that the worst was yet to come .
As administration officials repeatedly assured the public that coronavirus tests were rapidly becoming available , Fauci said at a congressional hearing that the lack of widespread testing was “ a failing ” of the system .
And when Trump heralded a French study suggesting that hydroxychloroquine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be an effective treatment for COVID-19 , Fauci reminded people that there was only “ anecdotal ” evidence for the idea .
At another briefing , Fauci set off Trump backers on social media when he was caught by cameras looking down and rubbing his forehead after Trump refereed to the State Department as the “ Deep State Department.
” Fauci has acknowledged to reporters that the cadence of the rapidly growing disaster has been exhausting .
When Trump named him to the coronavirus task force , Fauci was initially getting three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s trying to get at least five hours a night .
In a recent interview for CNN ’ s Dr. Sanjay Gupta ’ s podcast , the doctor acknowledged that his wife , Christine Grady , who heads the bioethics department at the National Institutes of Health , has been giving him sound medical advice while he ’ s been doling out his own guidance to Trump and Americans during the crisis .
“ I would go a whole day without eating anything just because I was so busy , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eat , ” Fauci said .
“ And then I find that at the end of the day , I ’ m feeling hypoglycemic and I don ’ t know why .
And then my wife goes , ‘ Duh , you ’ re hypoglycemic because you didn ’ t eat anything.
’ ” Madhani reported from Chicago .
Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed reporting from Providence , Rhode Island .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert, owns up to doing some not-so-smart things as he helps lead the White House effort to stem the spread of the new coronavirus. Things like forgetting to eat and not getting enough sleep.
The blunt-speaking Fauci also has had to contend with a deluge of online threats and uncomfortable personal encounters with admirers as the pandemic consumes his every waking hour. Nevertheless, the 79-year-old epidemiologist insists he’s doing just fine.
“I’ve chosen this life. I mean I know what it is,” Fauci said Thursday on NBC’s “Today” show. “There are things about it that are sometimes disturbing. But you just focus on the job you have to do, and just put all that stuff aside and try as best as possible not to pay attention to it.”
Still, concerns about his safety are serious enough that Fauci now has security. The Department of Health and Human Services requested the U.S. Marshals Service authorize special agents from the HHS inspector general’s office as part of Fauci’s protection, according to a person familiar with the arrangements.
The Justice Department approved a request to deputize nine agents, the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because there has been no official announcement.
Fauci, who has advised every U.S. president on public health issues dating back to Ronald Reagan, has been put on a pedestal by Trump critics. They see him and, to a lesser degree, White House coronavirus task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx, as the voices of science who used cold data to steer Trump away from opening up the economy by Easter Sunday.
At the same time, Fauci has been vilified by some conspiracy peddlers on the far right as a part of the anti-Trump deep state. Conservative media commentators like Fox Business host Lou Dobbs and talk show host Rush Limbaugh have viewed Fauci with suspicion as the plain-speaking Fauci hasn’t shied away from publicly correcting Trump’s erroneous statements about the virus.
“President Trump seems to have profound respect for both these people, so that’s fine,” Limbaugh said during his Monday broadcast about Fauci and Birx. “I just can’t, I can’t erase what I’ve seen from the so-called Deep State and the attempt to undermine the entire election of 2016. “
Some have accused Fauci of playing up the threat of COVID-19, while others have pointed to emails in which he praised Democrat Hillary Clinton. Still others have dismissed him as a “deep state” operative because of his 36-year leadership of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Anti-vaccine groups have blasted Fauci’s long support for immunizations and accused him, without evidence, of talking up the value of a coronavirus vaccine to enrich pharmaceutical companies.
Asked during Wednesday’s White House briefing about threats, Fauci demurred. But Trump jokingly chimed in that he was not overly concerned about the doctor’s safety.
“He doesn’t need security,” Trump said. “Everybody loves him. Besides, they’d be in big trouble if they ever attacked.”
Trump has shown an unusual amount of deference to Fauci in public, even as the doctor has repeatedly corrected the president on his faulty science.
Last month, as Trump continued to suggest that the virus was under control, Fauci warned Americans that the worst was yet to come.
As administration officials repeatedly assured the public that coronavirus tests were rapidly becoming available, Fauci said at a congressional hearing that the lack of widespread testing was “a failing” of the system.
And when Trump heralded a French study suggesting that hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin, a common antibiotic, might be an effective treatment for COVID-19, Fauci reminded people that there was only “anecdotal” evidence for the idea.
At another briefing, Fauci set off Trump backers on social media when he was caught by cameras looking down and rubbing his forehead after Trump refereed to the State Department as the “Deep State Department.”
Fauci has acknowledged to reporters that the cadence of the rapidly growing disaster has been exhausting. When Trump named him to the coronavirus task force, Fauci was initially getting three to four hours of sleep. Now he’s trying to get at least five hours a night.
In a recent interview for CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s podcast, the doctor acknowledged that his wife, Christine Grady, who heads the bioethics department at the National Institutes of Health, has been giving him sound medical advice while he’s been doling out his own guidance to Trump and Americans during the crisis.
Grady’s advice, Fauci acknowledged, was pretty straightforward: Eat, Tony.
“I would go a whole day without eating anything just because I was so busy, I just didn’t have time to eat,” Fauci said. “And then I find that at the end of the day, I’m feeling hypoglycemic and I don’t know why. And then my wife goes, ‘Duh, you’re hypoglycemic because you didn’t eat anything.’”
___
Madhani reported from Chicago. Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed reporting from Providence, Rhode Island.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-04-02--Trump Admin Says It May Be Months Before All Americans Receive Direct Payment Checks

President Donald Trump ’ s administration reportedly told House lawmakers that the direct payment checks from the sweeping $ 2 trillion COVID-19 relief package could take up to 20 weeks to reach all Americans who are eligible for the payments .
On Thursday , NBC News and CNN reported on a memo the administration had sent to the House Ways and Means Committee laying out the new estimate , which also projected that Americans won ’ t begin receiving the cash payments until around April 13 .
The IRS reportedly aims to first cut the checks — about $ 1,200 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-April for taxpayers who provided the necessary information when they last filed to the agency this year or in 2018 .
That will allow roughly 60 million Americans to receive the payments .
Afterward , the government will have to send out paper checks to the rest of the approximately 150 million eligible Americans for whom the IRS does not have direct deposition information on file – a process that could take up to 20 weeks , the memo reportedly estimates .
Additionally , those payments won ’ t begin until May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Secretary Steve Mnuchin had promised that the checks would go out “ within three weeks.
” The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to request for comment .

President Donald Trump’s administration reportedly told House lawmakers that the direct payment checks from the sweeping $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package could take up to 20 weeks to reach all Americans who are eligible for the payments.
On Thursday, NBC News and CNN reported on a memo the administration had sent to the House Ways and Means Committee laying out the new estimate, which also projected that Americans won’t begin receiving the cash payments until around April 13.
The IRS reportedly aims to first cut the checks — about $1,200 for most people — via direct deposit in mid-April for taxpayers who provided the necessary information when they last filed to the agency this year or in 2018. That will allow roughly 60 million Americans to receive the payments.
Afterward, the government will have to send out paper checks to the rest of the approximately 150 million eligible Americans for whom the IRS does not have direct deposition information on file – a process that could take up to 20 weeks, the memo reportedly estimates. Additionally, those payments won’t begin until May 4.
On March 26, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin had promised that the checks would go out “within three weeks.”
The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to request for comment.