talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--Two ER Doctors Test Positive For COVID-19

Two emergency room doctors on opposite sides of the country are in critical condition after contracting the novel coronavirus .
One doctor in his 70s in Patterson , New Jersey tested positive for the virus after coming down with respiratory symptoms , while another ER doctor in Washington state has symptoms consistent with the virus , the American College of Emergency Physicians said in a statement shared first with TPM .
Both cases are potential candidates for the first cases of so-called occupational transmission of the disease , by which the novel coronavirus spreads from patients to the doctors treating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk that emergency room doctors are taking in treating the illness , the extent of community transmission in Washington state and potentially across the U.S. makes it difficult to pinpoint the origin .
TPM learned of the Washington case on Friday and reached out to the hospital where the doctor was employed for confirmation .
A hospital spokeswoman told TPM that she did not have information verifying the report .
“ This virus is dangerous , and its impact is still unfolding , ” ACEP President William Jacquis said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer the call to care for our most vulnerable , even at great personal risk.
” Seattle-area hospitals are reportedly running low on protective equipment that mitigates the potential for transmission .
But according to Liam Yore , a former president of ACEP ’ s Washington state chapter , that was not a factor in this case .
“ Well-considered measures to keep providers safe are always followed , but with highly contagious disease , sometimes transmission may happen despite our best efforts , ” Yore told TPM , saying also that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ill. Yore added that the Washington doctor had tested positive for COVID , telling TPM that the results were received after the statement was written .
The new infections come as hospitals around the country brace for what may be an onslaught of COVID-19 patients , stocking up on their protective equipment , canceling elective procedures , and issuing guidance to doctors on how to approach the situation .
“ There ’ s more anxiety , given how contagious the coronavirus is , ” Chris Lee , a professor at Vanderbilt Medical School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern given that our occupation puts us on the frontlines of potentially becoming ill from this virus.
” The New Jersey doctor leads the emergency preparedness unit of his hospital .
The Washington doctor works in his hospital ’ s emergency room , and was admitted Friday morning .
Today we received word that two of our ACEP members are in critical condition as a result of COVID-19 .
An emergency physician in his 40s in the state of Washington presented with symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 syndrome .
A 70-year-old member in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
I am deeply saddened by this news , but not surprised .
As emergency physicians , we know the risks of our calling .
We stand united with our colleagues and our thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery are with each of them and their families .
In Washington , whether this was a case of occupational transmission or community-based spread of the disease is unknown .
The hospital was acutely aware of the COVID-19 risk to health care workers and has worked closely with the CDC to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place to mitigate risk .
This emergency physician complied at all times with appropriate PPE procedures .
In Patterson , NJ , the physician , who leads his institution ’ s emergency preparedness , was admitted to the hospital several days ago with upper respiratory problems and remains in isolation in its intensive care unit .
It is my hope that these colleagues and their cases serve as a reminder to each of us to stay vigilant .
This virus is dangerous , and its impact is still unfolding .
As emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care for our most vulnerable , even at great personal risk .
Knowing that , I urge each of you to meticulously follow the recommended precautions to protect yourself .
Rest assured ACEP will continue working tirelessly at the national level to ensure our members are safe .
We remain in contact with CDC , Congress , regulatory agencies and other key decision-makers to do all we can to protect patients , physicians and emergency personnel .
I am proud of your competence , dedication and , most of all , your bravery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New Jersey , we remain committed to being there for anyone , at any time .

Update: This post has been updated with new information on the Washington state case.
Two emergency room doctors on opposite sides of the country are in critical condition after contracting the novel coronavirus.
One doctor in his 70s in Paterson, New Jersey, tested positive for the virus after coming down with respiratory symptoms, while another ER doctor in Kirkland, Washington, has symptoms consistent with the virus, the American College of Emergency Physicians said in a statement shared first with TPM.
Both cases are potential candidates for the first cases of so-called occupational transmission of the disease, by which the novel coronavirus spreads from patients to the doctors treating them.
But though the cases highlight the risk that emergency room doctors are taking in treating the illness, the extent of community transmission in Washington state and potentially across the U.S. makes it difficult to pinpoint the origin. Kirkland is at the epicenter of the Washington state outbreak.
TPM learned of the Washington case on Friday and reached out to the hospital where the doctor was employed for confirmation. A hospital spokeswoman told TPM that she did not have information verifying the report.
“This virus is dangerous, and its impact is still unfolding,” ACEP President William Jacquis said in a statement. “As emergency physicians, we answer the call to care for our most vulnerable, even at great personal risk.”
Seattle-area hospitals are reportedly running low on protective equipment that mitigates the potential for transmission.
But according to Liam Yore, a former president of ACEP’s Washington state chapter, that was not a factor in this case.
“Well-considered measures to keep providers safe are always followed, but with highly contagious disease, sometimes transmission may happen despite our best efforts,” Yore told TPM, saying also that the doctor had not treated any patients while ill.
Yore added that the Washington doctor had tested positive for COVID, telling TPM that the results were received after the statement was written.
The new infections come as hospitals around the country brace for what may be an onslaught of COVID-19 patients, stocking up on their protective equipment, canceling elective procedures, and issuing guidance to doctors on how to approach the situation.
“There’s more anxiety, given how contagious the coronavirus is,” Chris Lee, a professor at Vanderbilt Medical School told TPM. “Everyone has more concern given that our occupation puts us on the frontlines of potentially becoming ill from this virus.”
The New Jersey doctor leads the emergency preparedness unit of his hospital. The Washington doctor works in his hospital’s emergency room, and was admitted Friday morning.
Read the statement below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-14--Trump Tests Negative For COVID-19, Doctor Says

President Donald Trump has tested negative for COVID-19 , his physician said Saturday .
“ This evening I received confirmation that the test is negative , ” Sean P. Conley , the President ’ s physician , said in a memo .
Trump announced earlier in the day that he ’ d been tested Friday night .
” I also took the test last night , and I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday , ” he said at a press briefing .
“ People were asking , did I take the test ?
” The President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to receive results within a day or two .
Trump also said he had gotten his temperature taken before Saturday ’ s press conference , and that it was “ totally normal.
” For the first time Saturday , reporters and others in close contact with the President and vice president had their temperatures taken by a White House doctor .
The President in recent days has interacted with several people who later tested positive for COVID-19 , or otherwise self-quarantined as a precaution , including at his Mar-a-Lago club .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would “ most likely ” get tested , though Conley subsequently said in a letter released around midnight that a test wasn ’ t necessary .
This post has been updated .

President Donald Trump has tested negative for COVID-19, his physician said Saturday.
“This evening I received confirmation that the test is negative,” Sean P. Conley, the President’s physician, said in a memo.
Trump announced earlier in the day that he’d been tested Friday night.
”I also took the test last night, and I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday,” he said at a press briefing. “People were asking, did I take the test?”
The President said at the the time that he expected to receive results within a day or two.
Trump also said he had gotten his temperature taken before Saturday’s press conference, and that it was “totally normal.” For the first time Saturday, reporters and others in close contact with the President and vice president had their temperatures taken by a White House doctor.
The President in recent days has interacted with several people who later tested positive for COVID-19, or otherwise self-quarantined as a precaution, including at his Mar-a-Lago club.
Trump said a press conference Friday that he would “most likely” get tested, though Conley subsequently said in a letter released around midnight that a test wasn’t necessary.
This post has been updated.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--NYC Shuts Down Nation’s Largest Public School System To Fight Coronavirus

New York City is set to close its public school system — the largest in the nation — on Monday in an effort to halt the spread of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak .
New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo first announced the decision Sunday afternoon .
Shortly after Cuomo ’ s announcement , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the move to close schools through at least April 20 and potentially for the rest of the school year .
Calling it a “ very troubling moment , ” de Blasio said during a press conference that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this action , but “ became convinced over the course of today ” that he was left with “ no other choice.
” Earlier Sunday , de Blasio expressed his reluctance toward closing down schools during an appearance on CNN , citing how thousands of children rely on public schools for daily meals and that public safety issues could arise from a shutdown .
“ I ’ m very reticent to shut down schools for a variety of reasons , ” de Blasio said .
“ Not just because that ’ s where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good meals , where they get adult supervision , especially teenagers , who otherwise would be out on the streets.
” The closure of NYC schools comes after Los Angeles , Houston , San Francisco , Seattle and Washington , D.C. announced its public school shutdowns .
Schools aren ’ t the only places experiencing shutdowns amid the coronavirus outbreak .
On Sunday , both Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and Ohio governor Mike DeWine ordered bars and restaurants in their states to close in light of the outbreak .

New York City is set to close its public school system — the largest in the nation — on Monday in an effort to halt the spread of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo first announced the decision Sunday afternoon.
NYC must have a plan in place in the next 24 hours for childcare for essential workers and a plan to make sure kids will continue to get the meals they need. NYC schools will close early this week. This action is necessary to reduce density and mitigate the spread of #COVID19. — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 15, 2020
Shortly after Cuomo’s announcement, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the move to close schools through at least April 20 and potentially for the rest of the school year.
Calling it a “very troubling moment,” de Blasio said during a press conference that he was “just distraught at having to take this action, but “became convinced over the course of today” that he was left with “no other choice.”
BREAKING: NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announces New York City public schools will be closed as of Monday. "We will make a first attempt to restart our schools on Monday, April 20th." https://t.co/IxgeoPwNOL pic.twitter.com/BFDlW01Ipg — ABC News (@ABC) March 15, 2020
Earlier Sunday, de Blasio expressed his reluctance toward closing down schools during an appearance on CNN, citing how thousands of children rely on public schools for daily meals and that public safety issues could arise from a shutdown.
“I’m very reticent to shut down schools for a variety of reasons,” de Blasio said. “Not just because that’s where a lot of kids get their only good meals, where they get adult supervision, especially teenagers, who otherwise would be out on the streets.”
"I'm very reticent to shut down schools for a variety of reasons," NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio says. "Not just because that's where a lot of kids get their only good meals, where they get adult supervision, especially teenagers, who otherwise would be out on the streets" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/u1JZi6NEpk — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 15, 2020
The closure of NYC schools comes after Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. announced its public school shutdowns.
Schools aren’t the only places experiencing shutdowns amid the coronavirus outbreak. On Sunday, both Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Ohio governor Mike DeWine ordered bars and restaurants in their states to close in light of the outbreak.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--Fauci Raises Possibility Of ‘Very Severe’ Scenario As Coronavirus Cases Increase

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director and coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci couldn ’ t offer any assurance regarding an end to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. during a series of interviews Sunday morning .
Just two days after President Trump declared a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak , Fauci fielded a number of questions about the country ’ s future as cases of the virus continue to increase .
Here are key takeaways from Fauci ’ s Sunday morning appearances : Fauci would “ like to see a dramatic diminution ” of in-person interactions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged that Americans “ need to be very serious ” about how “ life is not going to be the way it used to be , ” before being asked if he ’ d like to see a national lockdown that bans people from going out to places such as restaurants and bars .
“ I would like to see a dramatic diminution of the personal interaction we see in restaurants and in bars , ” Fauci said .
“ Whatever it takes to do that , that ’ s what I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not sure ” about the outbreak ’ s duration Fauci told Fox News ’ Chris Wallace about the need to be “ ahead of the curve ” and he ’ d like to be “ criticized for being overreactive.
” “ When you are dealing with a virus outbreak , you ’ re always behind where you think you are , ” Fauci said .
“ So therefore , you ’ ve got to jump ahead and stay ahead of the curve.
” Wallace then asked Fauci about how he and President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak ’ s disruptions to everyday life and whether he suggested that meant being on the “ other side of the curve ” in eight weeks “ if we do everything right.
” “ First of all , we have to say that people don ’ t misunderstand , we are not sure what the duration is going to be , ” Fauci said .
“ Number two , if you look at what happened in China where they had that peak and then they are coming down — there are only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new cases just a few months ago .
So if it started off in China , two or three months ago , they started coming down within a two month period.
” Fauci says administration is “ open-minded ” about future travel restrictions When asked by ABC News ’ Jon Karl about the possibility of more travel restrictions , including domestic , Fauci said that travel restrictions “ have not been seriously discussed.
” “ I mean , they ’ ve been discussed , but not seriously discussed , ” Fauci said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that right now or in the immediate future .
But remember , we are very open-minded about whatever it takes to preserve the health of the American public.
” Fauci says he could see more “ severe ” scenarios in hospitals After agreeing with CBS ’ Margaret Brennan that hospitals could possibly become more overwhelmed , Fauci said that it ’ s “ conceivable ” for a “ very severe ” scenario , before adding “ that ’ s the reason why you have things like the strategic national stockpile for ventilators and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the concern about shortages of key supplies such as ventilators , Fauci responded that “ we would be unrealistic if we were not concerned that that possibility exists.
” Fauci went on to say that there ’ s “ absolute , 100 percent take that to the bank ” planning to address the shortages of key supplies .
Fauci warns Americans to prepare to “ hunker down significantly more ” When asked by MSNBC ’ s Chuck Todd about whether he prefers a 14-day national shutdown to slow down the outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as we possibly could ” and that “ we should really be overly aggressive and get criticized for over-reacting.
” Todd then asked if he ’ s made that point of view known inside the administration .
After Fauci responded “ yes , ” he denied getting pushback and insisted that “ they listen and they generally go with what we say.
” Asked if it ’ s possible for more closures , Fauci said that Americans should prepare to “ hunker down significantly more than we as a country are @ @ @

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director and coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci couldn’t offer any assurance regarding an end to the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. during a series of interviews Sunday morning.
Just two days after President Trump declared a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak, Fauci fielded a number of questions about the country’s future as cases of the virus continue to increase.
Here are key takeaways from Fauci’s Sunday morning appearances:
Fauci would “like to see a dramatic diminution” of in-person interactions
During an interview on CNN, Fauci urged that Americans “need to be very serious” about how “life is not going to be the way it used to be,” before being asked if he’d like to see a national lockdown that bans people from going out to places such as restaurants and bars.
“I would like to see a dramatic diminution of the personal interaction we see in restaurants and in bars,” Fauci said. “Whatever it takes to do that, that’s what I would like to see.”
Watch Fauci’s remarks on CNN below:
Fauci: "I would like to see a dramatic diminution of the personal interaction we see in restaurants and in bars." pic.twitter.com/Koqc9biKZQ — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) March 15, 2020
Fauci is “not sure” about the outbreak’s duration
Fauci told Fox News’ Chris Wallace about the need to be “ahead of the curve” and he’d like to be “criticized for being overreactive.”
“When you are dealing with a virus outbreak, you’re always behind where you think you are,” Fauci said. “So therefore, you’ve got to jump ahead and stay ahead of the curve.”
Wallace then asked Fauci about how he and President Trump at one point mentioned eight weeks regarding the outbreak’s disruptions to everyday life and whether he suggested that meant being on the “other side of the curve” in eight weeks “if we do everything right.”
“First of all, we have to say that people don’t misunderstand, we are not sure what the duration is going to be,” Fauci said. “Number two, if you look at what happened in China where they had that peak and then they are coming down — there are only 11 new cases in China —they dominated the new cases just a few months ago. So if it started off in China, two or three months ago, they started coming down within a two month period.”
Watch Fauci’s remarks on Fox News below:
Fauci: "We are not sure what the duration is going to be" pic.twitter.com/H52MSbMbwO — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) March 15, 2020
Fauci says administration is “open-minded” about future travel restrictions
When asked by ABC News’ Jon Karl about the possibility of more travel restrictions, including domestic, Fauci said that travel restrictions “have not been seriously discussed.”
“I mean, they’ve been discussed, but not seriously discussed,” Fauci said. “I don’t see that right now or in the immediate future. But remember, we are very open-minded about whatever it takes to preserve the health of the American public.”
Watch Fauci’s remarks on ABC News below:
“I don’t see that right now in the immediate future but remember, we are very open-minded about whatever it takes to preserve the health of the American public,” Dr. Fauci tells @jonkarl when asked if the U.S. could impose domestic travel restrictions. https://t.co/b3vhObQa4c pic.twitter.com/4lcY79Lg0m — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) March 15, 2020
Fauci says he could see more “severe” scenarios in hospitals
After agreeing with CBS’ Margaret Brennan that hospitals could possibly become more overwhelmed, Fauci said that it’s “conceivable” for a “very severe” scenario, before adding “that’s the reason why you have things like the strategic national stockpile for ventilators and things like that.”
Asked to respond to the concern about shortages of key supplies such as ventilators, Fauci responded that “we would be unrealistic if we were not concerned that that possibility exists.”
Fauci went on to say that there’s “absolute, 100 percent take that to the bank” planning to address the shortages of key supplies.
Watch Fauci’s remarks on CBS below:
Fauci responds to shortages of key supplies pic.twitter.com/WqGrwu3em1 — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) March 15, 2020
Fauci warns Americans to prepare to “hunker down significantly more”
When asked by MSNBC’s Chuck Todd about whether he prefers a 14-day national shutdown to slow down the outbreak, Fauci responded that he “would prefer as much as we possibly could” and that “we should really be overly aggressive and get criticized for over-reacting.”
Todd then asked if he’s made that point of view known inside the administration. After Fauci responded “yes,” he denied getting pushback and insisted that “they listen and they generally go with what we say.”
Asked if it’s possible for more closures, Fauci said that Americans should prepare to “hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing.”
Watch Fauci’s remarks on MSNBC below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--What We’re Watching For At Sunday’s Democratic Presidential Primary Debate

Sunday night ’ s Democratic primary debate offers the first face-to-face discussion between former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) since Super Tuesday , when Biden changed the course of the race with a string of commanding victories .
Biden kept his lead on Tuesday another successful night , perhaps most notably in Michigan , where Sanders pulled off a surprise victory against Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
This time around , Biden won every county in the state .
So the stakes have changed .
Here ’ s what we ’ re looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delivered speeches on how they would respond to the crisis as president , differentiating themselves from each other and the President .
Both candidates emphasized the need for social isolation to slow the disease ’ s spread , a competent bipartisan approach to fighting the disease at the federal level , and emphasized the need for public and private sector cooperation amid the crisis .
Both also cited support for emergency universal paid sick leave and short-term economic stimulus measures , among other steps .
Sanders , for his part , put more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are vulnerable to COVID-19 — for example the elderly , incarcerated , and homeless — while Biden emphasized the need for international cooperation and leadership during the global pandemic .
Sanders called for a moratorium on evictions and the construction of emergency shelters , Biden called for a fund to support local governments and for pulling additional health care workers into the fight .
Dr. Laura H. Kahn , a public health researcher at Princeton and author of “ Who ’ s in Charge ?
Leadership During Epidemics , Bioterror Attacks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted to TPM that President Donald Trump has provided an easy foil for the candidates .
Trump , she said , “ is making all the classic mistakes ” of pandemic response : Belittling the crisis , providing false reassurances , not accepting expert advice and not putting qualified people in place .
“ They have a national voice , ” Kahn said of Biden and Sanders , before stressing the need for the candidates to use Sunday ’ s debate to promote the idea that the Americans must collectively work to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s the kind of leadership that we need , ” Kahn said .
The Vermont senator ’ s strategy seems to have shifted slightly since he was the singular frontrunner , back before the South Carolina primary .
In a speech he gave after Tuesday ’ s disappointing performance , he telegraphed that he would press Biden on the left-wing positions that have defined Sanders ’ career .
“ Joe , ” Sanders began each line in the speech , before asking Biden whether he would support a slew of progressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical debt and providing free health care , addressing climate change through green energy , and “ importantly , ” Sanders said , addressing campaign finance reform and wealth inequality .
“ On Sunday , I very much look forward to the debate in Arizona with my friend , Joe Biden , ” Sanders said , adding that he was being “ very frank ” about his debate strategy of pressing Biden on his priorities .
If Sanders is ultimately unable to make up the ground between Biden ’ s delegate count and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may present the best chance to get the former Vice President on the record on a number of agenda items close to Sanders ’ heart .
No More Audience , Only Two Candidates The structure of this debate will also depart dramatically from past events , perhaps allowing each candidate to make their cases in greater detail .
The last Democratic presidential primary debate , which took place in South Carolina on Feb. 25 , featured seven candidates : In addition to Biden and Sanders , also onstage were Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D-MN ) , former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg , Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer .
All of those candidates have dropped out of the race since then .
Due to a rule change from the Democratic Party , Rep. Tulsi Gabbard ( D-HI ) will also not be on stage , though her candidacy continues .
So Biden and Sanders will have far more screen time on Sunday than in any other debate this cycle .
The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed things : Rather than being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Phoenix , the debate will be taped live in an otherwise empty room in Washington , D.C. Moderator Jorge Ramos has dropped from the ticket , due to being near someone who in turn had been in contact with someone who was confirmed to have COVID-19 .
Univision anchor Ilia Calderon will take his place , alongside CNN ’ s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper .

Sunday night’s Democratic primary debate offers the first face-to-face discussion between former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) since Super Tuesday, when Biden changed the course of the race with a string of commanding victories.
Biden kept his lead on Tuesday another successful night, perhaps most notably in Michigan, where Sanders pulled off a surprise victory against Hillary Clinton in 2016. This time around, Biden won every county in the state.
So the stakes have changed. Here’s what we’re looking for.
Coronavirus Looms Large
Biden and Sanders on Thursday both delivered speeches on how they would respond to the crisis as president, differentiating themselves from each other and the President.
Both candidates emphasized the need for social isolation to slow the disease’s spread, a competent bipartisan approach to fighting the disease at the federal level, and emphasized the need for public and private sector cooperation amid the crisis. Both also cited support for emergency universal paid sick leave and short-term economic stimulus measures, among other steps.
Sanders, for his part, put more emphasis on the needs of specific communities that are vulnerable to COVID-19 — for example the elderly, incarcerated, and homeless — while Biden emphasized the need for international cooperation and leadership during the global pandemic. Sanders called for a moratorium on evictions and the construction of emergency shelters, Biden called for a fund to support local governments and for pulling additional health care workers into the fight.
Dr. Laura H. Kahn, a public health researcher at Princeton and author of “Who’s in Charge? Leadership During Epidemics, Bioterror Attacks, and Other Public Health Crises,” noted to TPM that President Donald Trump has provided an easy foil for the candidates.
Trump, she said, “is making all the classic mistakes” of pandemic response: Belittling the crisis, providing false reassurances, not accepting expert advice and not putting qualified people in place.
“They have a national voice,” Kahn said of Biden and Sanders, before stressing the need for the candidates to use Sunday’s debate to promote the idea that the Americans must collectively work to combat the virus through social distancing: “That’s the kind of leadership that we need,” Kahn said.
Sanders Pushes Biden Left
The Vermont senator’s strategy seems to have shifted slightly since he was the singular frontrunner, back before the South Carolina primary. In a speech he gave after Tuesday’s disappointing performance, he telegraphed that he would press Biden on the left-wing positions that have defined Sanders’ career.
“Joe,” Sanders began each line in the speech, before asking Biden whether he would support a slew of progressive agenda items, including forgiving student and medical debt and providing free health care, addressing climate change through green energy, and “importantly,” Sanders said, addressing campaign finance reform and wealth inequality.
“On Sunday, I very much look forward to the debate in Arizona with my friend, Joe Biden,” Sanders said, adding that he was being “very frank” about his debate strategy of pressing Biden on his priorities.
If Sanders is ultimately unable to make up the ground between Biden’s delegate count and his own, Sunday’s debate may present the best chance to get the former Vice President on the record on a number of agenda items close to Sanders’ heart.
No More Audience, Only Two Candidates
The structure of this debate will also depart dramatically from past events, perhaps allowing each candidate to make their cases in greater detail.
The last Democratic presidential primary debate, which took place in South Carolina on Feb. 25, featured seven candidates: In addition to Biden and Sanders, also onstage were Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer.
All of those candidates have dropped out of the race since then. Due to a rule change from the Democratic Party, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) will also not be on stage, though her candidacy continues. So Biden and Sanders will have far more screen time on Sunday than in any other debate this cycle.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed things: Rather than being held in front of a live audience in Phoenix, the debate will be taped live in an otherwise empty room in Washington, D.C.
Moderator Jorge Ramos has dropped from the ticket, due to being near someone who in turn had been in contact with someone who was confirmed to have COVID-19. Univision anchor Ilia Calderon will take his place, alongside CNN’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--Nunes Says People Should ‘Go To Local Pub’ Instead Of Flooding Grocery Stores

Rep. Devin Nunes ( R-CA ) absurdly suggested on Fox News Sunday morning that people deciding to clear out grocery store shelves in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak is hurting “ working people.
” After saying that “ there is no reason ” for people to be running to the grocery store amid the coronavirus outbreak , Nunes recommended that when it comes to concerns over the economy , people should realize that it ’ s “ a great time to just go out.
” “ If you ’ re healthy — you and your family — it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and go to a local restaurant , ” Nunes said .
“ Likely you can get in easily.
” Nunes then urged the public to “ not hurt the working people ” by running to the grocery store .
“ Let ’ s not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going , ” Nunes said .
“ Don ’ t run to the grocery store and buy , you know , $ 4,000 of food .
Go to your local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week of his fellow GOP lawmakers Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) , Rep. Paul Gosar ( R-AZ ) , Rep. Doug Collins ( R-GA ) , Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) and Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-SC ) announcing that they were self-quarantining after attending events where someone later tested positive for coronavirus .

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) absurdly suggested on Fox News Sunday morning that people deciding to clear out grocery store shelves in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak is hurting “working people.”
After saying that “there is no reason” for people to be running to the grocery store amid the coronavirus outbreak, Nunes recommended that when it comes to concerns over the economy, people should realize that it’s “a great time to just go out.”
“If you’re healthy — you and your family — it’s a great time to just go out and go to a local restaurant,” Nunes said. “Likely you can get in easily.”
Nunes then urged the public to “not hurt the working people” by running to the grocery store.
“Let’s not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going,” Nunes said. “Don’t run to the grocery store and buy, you know, $4,000 of food. Go to your local pub.”
Nunes’ remarks comes within a week of his fellow GOP lawmakers Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announcing that they were self-quarantining after attending events where someone later tested positive for coronavirus.
Watch Nunes’ remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--Kudlow Insists Supply Lines ‘Working Pretty Well’ As Grocery Stores Clear Out

National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow — who asserted on cable news earlier this month that COVID-19 was “ contained ” — remains optimistic amid the coronavirus outbreak .
When asked by CBS ’ Margaret Brennan Sunday morning about supply lines in light of empty shelves in grocery stores and President Trump speaking to grocers later in the day , Kudlow said “ yes ” regarding whether he could guarantee that people will be able to stay home and feed themselves .
“ Well , I ’ m going to say yes , knowing there may be some exceptions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve read about some situations where this is a difficulty , but most of our supply lines are working pretty well in the domestic United States.
” Kudlow went on to “ make a point ” that there is indeed “ a huge economic challenge here.
” “ Do not get me wrong , a huge economic challenge .
On the other hand , most of America is still working , ” Kudlow said , before referencing a “ good story ” in the Wall Street Journal Saturday about factories “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country .
Kudlow added that he understands how “ the employment story ” may become “ more tenuous in the weeks ahead.
” “ I understand that , ” Kudlow said .
“ Nonetheless , a lot of CEOs I talked to , they ’ re doing everything they can .
”

National Economic Council director Larry Kudlow — who asserted on cable news earlier this month that COVID-19 was “contained” — remains optimistic amid the coronavirus outbreak.
When asked by CBS’ Margaret Brennan Sunday morning about supply lines in light of empty shelves in grocery stores and President Trump speaking to grocers later in the day, Kudlow said “yes” regarding whether he could guarantee that people will be able to stay home and feed themselves.
“Well, I’m going to say yes, knowing there may be some exceptions to this,” Kudlow said. “I’ve read about some situations where this is a difficulty, but most of our supply lines are working pretty well in the domestic United States.”
Kudlow went on to “make a point” that there is indeed “a huge economic challenge here.”
“Do not get me wrong, a huge economic challenge. On the other hand, most of America is still working,” Kudlow said, before referencing a “good story” in the Wall Street Journal Saturday about factories “at least not yet” shutting down across the country.
Kudlow added that he understands how “the employment story” may become “more tenuous in the weeks ahead.”
“I understand that,” Kudlow said. “Nonetheless, a lot of CEOs I talked to, they’re doing everything they can.”
Watch Kudlow’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--Schiff Takes ‘Distancing Precautions’ After Ex-Staffer Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) announced Sunday morning that he is taking “ additional distancing precautions ” in light of a former staffer testing positive for COVID-19 .
In a Sunday morning tweet , Schiff said that the precautions include postponing meetings and teleworking .
Schiff added a statement saying that medical professionals believe that the former staffer “ likely contracted the virus after leaving the office ” 10 days ago .
Schiff ’ s move comes within days of the Capitol halting all public tours and the Senate canceling its planned recess amid growing coronavirus fears .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a staffer for Sen. Maria Cantwell ( D-WA ) came down with COVID-19 , marking the first case of the coronavirus on Capitol Hill .
Last week , Sen. Ted Cruz ( R-TX ) , Rep. Paul Gosar ( R-AZ ) , Rep. Doug Collins ( R-GA ) and Rep. Matt Gaetz ( R-FL ) announced that they were self-quarantining after shaking hands with someone at the Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ) less than two weeks ago who later tested positive for coronavirus .
A few days later , Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is self-quarantining following a trip to Mar-a-Lago that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — whose press aide tested positive for coronavirus — also attended .

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced Sunday morning that he is taking “additional distancing precautions” in light of a former staffer testing positive for COVID-19.
In a Sunday morning tweet, Schiff said that the precautions include postponing meetings and teleworking. Schiff added a statement saying that medical professionals believe that the former staffer “likely contracted the virus after leaving the office” 10 days ago.
I was informed that a former staffer who left our office 10 days ago has tested positive for COVID-19. Although doctors believe the staffer contracted the virus after leaving my office, I'm taking additional distancing precautions, including postponing meetings and teleworking: pic.twitter.com/EfwsDo1BZG — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 15, 2020
Schiff’s move comes within days of the Capitol halting all public tours and the Senate canceling its planned recess amid growing coronavirus fears. The night before the Senate canceled its recess, a staffer for Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) came down with COVID-19, marking the first case of the coronavirus on Capitol Hill.
Last week, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) announced that they were self-quarantining after shaking hands with someone at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) less than two weeks ago who later tested positive for coronavirus.
A few days later, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) announced that he is self-quarantining following a trip to Mar-a-Lago that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — whose press aide tested positive for coronavirus — also attended.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--Mnuchin Expects Economic ‘Rebound’ From Coronavirus Outbreak

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin isn ’ t sweating the possibility of an economic recession due to the coronavirus outbreak .
During an interview on Fox News Sunday morning , host Chris Wallace pressed Mnuchin on financial experts saying that the U.S. and the world are headed into a recession this year .
When asked whether they are right , Mnuchin responded that he ’ d rather focus on matters beside “ the technical issue of whether we are going to be in a recession or not.
” “ What I ’ d focus is one : what do we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clear we need to get economic relief to the economy , ” Mnuchin said .
“ And two : where are we going to be later this year ?
” Mnuchin then argued that he expects “ a big rebound ” later in the year .
“ If the medical professionals are correct and we are doing all the things , I expect we will have a big rebound later in the year , ” Mnuchin said .
“ So this isn ’ t like the financial crisis as I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to it as we confront the virus.
” Wallace pressed further on the possibility of a recession , pointing out disruptions to the global supply chain and consumer spending “ grinding to a halt.
” Mnuchin once again said that he would focus on getting “ economic relief to the people that are impacted by this ” before arguing that he “ kind of ” describes this as being “ in the second inning.
” “ The first inning was the $ 8 billion , the second inning we passed bipartisan legislation to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be home and small and medium-size businesses will get paid , ” Mnuchin said .
“ We are now going back to Congress and focusing this week on the airlines industry , the hotel industry — there ’ s no question that the travel industry has been impacted like we ’ ve never seen before.
” Mnuchin added that President Trump is “ absolutely determined ” to gain bipartisan support in Congress .
Mnuchin shared a similar sentiment during an interview on ABC News Sunday morning .
When asked by ABC News ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gary Cohn saying he feels we are now in a recession , Mnuchin disagreed with that assessment .
“ I don ’ t think so , but I think the real issue is not the economic situation today , ” Mnuchin said .
“ The real issue is what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this because this is a unique situation.
” Mnuchin went on to say “ we ’ re clearly going to have a slowdown ” before arguing that “ later in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick up as we confront this virus .
”

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin isn’t sweating the possibility of an economic recession due to the coronavirus outbreak.
During an interview on Fox News Sunday morning, host Chris Wallace pressed Mnuchin on financial experts saying that the U.S. and the world are headed into a recession this year. When asked whether they are right, Mnuchin responded that he’d rather focus on matters beside “the technical issue of whether we are going to be in a recession or not.”
“What I’d focus is one: what do we need to do right now? Because it is clear we need to get economic relief to the economy,” Mnuchin said. “And two: where are we going to be later this year?”
Mnuchin then argued that he expects “a big rebound” later in the year.
“If the medical professionals are correct and we are doing all the things, I expect we will have a big rebound later in the year,” Mnuchin said. “So this isn’t like the financial crisis as I’ve said — this will have an end to it as we confront the virus.”
Wallace pressed further on the possibility of a recession, pointing out disruptions to the global supply chain and consumer spending “grinding to a halt.”
Mnuchin once again said that he would focus on getting “economic relief to the people that are impacted by this” before arguing that he “kind of” describes this as being “in the second inning.”
“The first inning was the $8 billion, the second inning we passed bipartisan legislation to make sure that workers that need to be home and small and medium-size businesses will get paid,” Mnuchin said. “We are now going back to Congress and focusing this week on the airlines industry, the hotel industry — there’s no question that the travel industry has been impacted like we’ve never seen before.”
Mnuchin added that President Trump is “absolutely determined” to gain bipartisan support in Congress.
Watch Mnuchin’s remarks on Fox News below:
Mnuchin: "I expect we will have a big rebound later in the year." pic.twitter.com/nZ8OQ0jcYd — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) March 15, 2020
Mnuchin shared a similar sentiment during an interview on ABC News Sunday morning.
When asked by ABC News’ Jon Karl about former top economic adviser Gary Cohn saying he feels we are now in a recession, Mnuchin disagreed with that assessment.
“I don’t think so, but I think the real issue is not the economic situation today,” Mnuchin said. “The real issue is what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this because this is a unique situation.”
Mnuchin went on to say “we’re clearly going to have a slowdown” before arguing that “later in the year, obviously the economic activity will pick up as we confront this virus.”
Watch Mnuchin’s remarks on ABC below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--Acting DHS Chief Takes Heat For Tweet Addressing ‘Very Stressful’ Airport Lines

Acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf took heat after acknowledging in a tweet early Sunday morning that passengers are experiencing long @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak .
In his Sunday morning tweet , Wolf said that Homeland Security is @ @ @ @ @ lines ” due to an increase in medical screening requirements and that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ to expedite the process.
” Wolf ’ s tweet comes on the heels of President @ @ @ @ @ travel ban announcement — with the exception of Ireland and the United Kingdom — in @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 from entering the country .
On Saturday , Trump revised the ban to @ @ @ @ @ Ireland .
Wolf ’ s attempt at assuring the public that help is on the @ @ @ @ @ social media ’ s users reactions to the long lines at airports .
Below are @ @ @ @ @ Wolf ’ s tweet : Social media users had begun airing their grievances online hours @ @ @ @ @ , however .

Acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf took heat after acknowledging in a tweet early Sunday morning that passengers are experiencing long lines at airports amid the coronavirus outbreak.
In his Sunday morning tweet, Wolf said that Homeland Security is “aware of the long lines” due to an increase in medical screening requirements and that it’s “working with the airlines to expedite the process.”
2/2 I understand this is very stressful. In these unprecedented times, we ask for your patience. It currently takes ~60 seconds for medical professionals to screen each passenger. We will be increasing capacity but the health and safety of the American public is first & foremost. — Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) March 15, 2020
Wolf’s tweet comes on the heels of President Trump’s 30-day European travel ban announcement — with the exception of Ireland and the United Kingdom — in order to prevent new cases of COVID-19 from entering the country.
On Saturday, Trump revised the ban to include the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Wolf’s attempt at assuring the public that help is on the way did nothing to calm social media’s users reactions to the long lines at airports.
Below are some of the reactions to Wolf’s tweet:
These airport scenes are *infuriating*. A policy designed around propaganda rather than science and announced suddenly is now resulting in possibly exposing *thousands* of Americans to infection right before bringing them into the country. This is almost criminal malpractice. — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) March 15, 2020
You weren’t prepared and now it’s probably going to lead to many more people getting sick. Unconscionable. — Molly Knight (@molly_knight) March 15, 2020
if the health and safety of Americans was "first & foremost" you would've done the math and realized you were creating a pile of germanity — shauna (@goldengateblond) March 15, 2020
Not true. We’re in Toronto airport via Paris, waited 4.5 hours to be prescreenned by US Customs. Pre-screening by US Customs talking 30 mins/person. And that is not even a test. All the while, we’ve been packed together in lines. #COVIDー19 #USCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/cWWzY37kUB — Laurel Dub (@lolliedub) March 15, 2020
Social media users had begun airing their grievances online hours before Wolf’s tweet, however.
Another look at what's happening inside @DFWAirport and the lines at customs. Travelers say they've been in line 3-5 hours… Airport telling people delays are due to "enhanced screening for passengers" who have been abroad. @NBCDFW Video: Dorothy Lowe pic.twitter.com/beVj4TAsDM — Katy Blakey (@KatyBlakeyNBC5) March 15, 2020
Corona Screening lines in Chicago airport. After 7 hrs of lines and a missed flight we r still in line trying to reschedule a flight for tomorrow. Lord please be with us ?? pic.twitter.com/eY8KbBlWTl — Micheal B. H. (@BeezyBaby20) March 15, 2020


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--Washington State and NYC Restrict Restaurants To Take-Out Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Bars and restaurants in New York City and Washington State will be restricted to delivery and take-out alone , and theaters will be closed completely , as the city and state fight an uphill battle on separate coasts against the COVID-19 pandemic .
The news of the New York City closures came from Mayor Bill de Blasio Sunday night , hours after New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced that public schools in the city and in several other counties would be closed in order to slow the disease ’ s spread .
Soon after , Washington Governor Jay Inslee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be signed in an executive order on Monday .
( Inslee announced Friday that schools statewide would be closed . )
The restrictions on New York City eateries — and the shutting down of theaters , clubs and concert venues — will go into effect on Tuesday at 9 a.m. , de Blasio said in a statement .
“ The virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants , bars and places where we sit close together , ” he said .
“ We have to break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office , there were 329 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city as of Sunday afternoon .
The moves to restrict or shut down businesses echoed similar measures taken in cities and states hardest hit by the virus : Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ordered all bars and restaurants in the state closed on Sunday as well — with only 37 confirmed cases in the state .
Illinois bars and restaurants were ordered to end dine-in service as well , though not before throngs of St. Patrick ’ s Day weekend revelers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Charlie Baker did the same in Massachusetts , shutting bars and restaurants , except for delivery and take-out , for three weeks .
California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered bars and nightclubs closed , and said restaurants will be required to cut occupancy in half .

Bars and restaurants in New York City and Washington State will be restricted to delivery and take-out alone, and theaters will be closed completely, as the city and state fight an uphill battle on separate coasts against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The news of the New York City closures came from Mayor Bill de Blasio Sunday night, hours after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that public schools in the city and in several other counties would be closed in order to slow the disease’s spread.
Soon after, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced similar restrictions for his state, to be signed in an executive order on Monday. (Inslee announced Friday that schools statewide would be closed.)
The restrictions on New York City eateries — and the shutting down of theaters, clubs and concert venues — will go into effect on Tuesday at 9 a.m., de Blasio said in a statement.
“The virus can spread rapidly through the close interactions New Yorkers have in restaurants, bars and places where we sit close together,” he said. “We have to break that cycle.”
According to the mayor’s office, there were 329 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city as of Sunday afternoon.
The moves to restrict or shut down businesses echoed similar measures taken in cities and states hardest hit by the virus: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered all bars and restaurants in the state closed on Sunday as well — with only 37 confirmed cases in the state.
Illinois bars and restaurants were ordered to end dine-in service as well, though not before throngs of St. Patrick’s Day weekend revelers stuffed into bars across Chicago.
Gov. Charlie Baker did the same in Massachusetts, shutting bars and restaurants, except for delivery and take-out, for three weeks. California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered bars and nightclubs closed, and said restaurants will be required to cut occupancy in half.


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--On COVID-19, Biden Looks To Near-Term While Sanders Highlights Systemic Flaws

“ People are looking for results , not a revolution.
” That line from former Vice President Joe Biden during Sunday night ’ s debate defined his strategy to distinguish his COVID-19 plan from Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ ( I-VT ) .
Though the candidates in recent days have laid out many similar short-term moves for responding to the disease — economic stimulus in the form of covering rent and grocery bills , for example , and replacing workers ’ lost income — during the debate , the pandemic provided a platform to to talk about their long-term policy differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about the COVID-19 pandemic , plugged his Medicare for All proposal , putting COVID-19 in the larger context of another truth he called a “ crisis ” — that tens of thousands of Americans die yearly due to a lack of health insurance or other health insurance-related barriers .
“ I think it goes without saying that as a nation we have to respond as forcefully as we can to the current crisis , ” he said .
“ But it is not good enough not to be understanding how we got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into the future.
” Biden , for his part , seemed content to leave Sanders ’ long-term progressive policy agenda unanswered and stay focused on the short-term .
“ This is a national crisis , ” he said at one point , after Sanders pressed him on health crises that would not be covered under Biden ’ s proposed emergency funding for COVID-19-related bills .
“ I don ’ t want to get this into a back-and-forth in terms of our politics.
” “ This is a crisis , ” he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being attacked from abroad.
” And Sanders , in turn , largely ceded that ground to focus on systematic change .
“ Let ’ s be honest and understand that this coronavirus pandemic exposes the incredible weakness and dysfunctionality of our current health-care system , ” he said at one point , asked a specific question about the current capacity of ICUs and ventilators in place to address the crisis .
( Earlier , Sanders did note that U.S. health care capacity was lacking on several specific fronts . )
Eventually , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ message for the current moment .
“ Despite what the vice president is saying , what the experts tell us is that one of the reasons that we are unprepared , and have been unprepared , is we don ’ t have a system , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve got thousands of private insurance plans .
That is not a system that is prepared to provide health care to all people.
” “ In a good year without the epidemic , we ’ re losing up to 60,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get to a doctor on time , ” Sanders added .
“ It ’ s clear that this crisis is only making a bad situation worse.
” Biden was blunt in response : “ That has nothing to do [ with ] when you ’ re in a national crisis.
” The candidates ’ closing answers captured this difference in approach , both toward the virus and also in their campaigns .
“ This is a time to move aggressively dealing with the coronavirus crisis , dealing with the economic fallout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is also time to rethink America and create a country where we care about each other rather than a nation of greed and corruption which is what is taking place among the corporate elite.
” Without getting into specifics , Biden focused on the near-term .
“ How do you deal with things that necessarily have to be kept going and what ’ s the way to do that ?
” he asked .
“ There should be a national standard for that .
It should be coming out of the Situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders ’ signature issue , income equality ?
Biden addressed the concern with a familiar refrain from the campaign trail .
“ The single most significant thing we can do to deal with the larger problem , down the road , of income inequality is : Get rid of Donald Trump .
”

“People are looking for results, not a revolution.”
That line from former Vice President Joe Biden during Sunday night’s debate defined his strategy to distinguish his COVID-19 plan from Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT).
Though the candidates in recent days have laid out many similar short-term moves for responding to the disease — economic stimulus in the form of covering rent and grocery bills, for example, and replacing workers’ lost income — during the debate, the pandemic provided a platform to to talk about their long-term policy differences.
Sanders, in response to multiple questions about the COVID-19 pandemic, plugged his Medicare for All proposal, putting COVID-19 in the larger context of another truth he called a “crisis” — that tens of thousands of Americans die yearly due to a lack of health insurance or other health insurance-related barriers.
“I think it goes without saying that as a nation we have to respond as forcefully as we can to the current crisis,” he said. “But it is not good enough not to be understanding how we got here, and where we want to go into the future.”
Biden, for his part, seemed content to leave Sanders’ long-term progressive policy agenda unanswered and stay focused on the short-term.
“This is a national crisis,” he said at one point, after Sanders pressed him on health crises that would not be covered under Biden’s proposed emergency funding for COVID-19-related bills. “I don’t want to get this into a back-and-forth in terms of our politics.”
“This is a crisis,” he added. “This is like we are being attacked from abroad.”
And Sanders, in turn, largely ceded that ground to focus on systematic change.
“Let’s be honest and understand that this coronavirus pandemic exposes the incredible weakness and dysfunctionality of our current health-care system,” he said at one point, asked a specific question about the current capacity of ICUs and ventilators in place to address the crisis. (Earlier, Sanders did note that U.S. health care capacity was lacking on several specific fronts.)
Eventually, the Vermont senator tailored the Medicare for All message for the current moment.
“Despite what the vice president is saying, what the experts tell us is that one of the reasons that we are unprepared, and have been unprepared, is we don’t have a system,” he said. “We’ve got thousands of private insurance plans. That is not a system that is prepared to provide health care to all people.”
“In a good year without the epidemic, we’re losing up to 60,000 people who die every year because they don’t get to a doctor on time,” Sanders added. “It’s clear that this crisis is only making a bad situation worse.”
Biden was blunt in response: “That has nothing to do [with] when you’re in a national crisis.”
The candidates’ closing answers captured this difference in approach, both toward the virus and also in their campaigns.
“This is a time to move aggressively dealing with the coronavirus crisis, dealing with the economic fallout,” Sanders said. “But it is also time to rethink America and create a country where we care about each other rather than a nation of greed and corruption which is what is taking place among the corporate elite.”
Without getting into specifics, Biden focused on the near-term.
“How do you deal with things that necessarily have to be kept going and what’s the way to do that?” he asked. “There should be a national standard for that. It should be coming out of the Situation Room right now.”
And what about Sanders’ signature issue, income equality? Biden addressed the concern with a familiar refrain from the campaign trail.
“The single most significant thing we can do to deal with the larger problem, down the road, of income inequality is: Get rid of Donald Trump.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--Three Takeaways From The First Biden-Sanders Democratic Debate

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) dealt a number of blows to each other throughout their first debate since the Democratic primary has narrowed down to a two-man race .
After devoting almost an hour to discussing the coronavirus , a topic that loomed over the debate , the candidates hit each other for their voting records and how they would approach Cabinet appointments .
Here are three takeaways from the debate : Biden says he “ agrees ” with Sanders on Wall Street bailout The moderators ’ noted Sanders ’ opposition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d support bailouts for industries affected by the coronavirus outbreak .
“ We need to stabilize the economy , ” Sanders replied , “ but we can ’ t repeat what we did in 2008 .
Joe voted for that .
I voted against it .
Because we have got to do more than save the banks or the oil companies.
” Asked the same question , Biden said , “ Had those banks gone under , all those people would be in deep trouble .
Deep , deep trouble .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of business.
” Biden added that he “ agrees ” with Sanders that “ someone should have gone to jail ” in the aftermath of the financial crisis .
“ That was the big disagreement I had in terms of bailing out , ” Biden said .
Sanders later went after Biden for his voting record on several issues , which included the Defense of Marriage Act , the bankruptcy bill , the Iraq war , NAFTA and the Hyde Amendment .
Medicare for All in the time of COVID-19 Asked a question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care system — which faces a potential shortage of key supplies such as ICUs and ventilators — Sanders brought up his Medicare For All plan .
“ I obviously believe in Medicare For All — I will fight for that as President , ” Sanders said .
“ But right now , in this emergency , I want every person in this country to understand what when you get sick , you go to the doctor .
When you get sick , if you have the virus , that will be paid for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
Because we ’ re in the middle of a national emergency.
” Biden replied by pointing out that Italy has a single-payer system , and the country is currently extremely hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Biden commits to choosing a woman as his running mate Asked how their Cabinets will ensure the best advice on issues that affect women ’ s health , Biden responded that he ’ s committing that his vice presidential pick would be a woman .
“ Number one : I committed that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to appoint someone to the courts , I ’ ll appoint the first black woman of the courts — it ’ s required they have representation now , it ’ s long overdue , ” Biden said .
“ Secondly , if I ’ m elected president , my cabinet , my administration will look like the country .
And I commit that I will , in fact , appoint a woman to be vice president .
There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all likelihood , I will ” pick a woman as my vice president as well , citing how his “ very strong tendency is to move in that direction .
”

Former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) dealt a number of blows to each other throughout their first debate since the Democratic primary has narrowed down to a two-man race.
After devoting almost an hour to discussing the coronavirus, a topic that loomed over the debate, the candidates hit each other for their voting records and how they would approach Cabinet appointments.
Here are three takeaways from the debate:
Biden says he “agrees” with Sanders on Wall Street bailout
The moderators’ noted Sanders’ opposition to the 2008 bank bailout and asked whether he’d support bailouts for industries affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
“We need to stabilize the economy,” Sanders replied, “but we can’t repeat what we did in 2008. Joe voted for that. I voted against it. Because we have got to do more than save the banks or the oil companies.”
Asked the same question, Biden said, “Had those banks gone under, all those people would be in deep trouble. Deep, deep trouble. All those little folks would have gone out of business.”
Biden added that he “agrees” with Sanders that “someone should have gone to jail” in the aftermath of the financial crisis.
“That was the big disagreement I had in terms of bailing out,” Biden said.
Sanders later went after Biden for his voting record on several issues, which included the Defense of Marriage Act, the bankruptcy bill, the Iraq war, NAFTA and the Hyde Amendment.
Medicare for All in the time of COVID-19
Asked a question about the capacity of the U.S. health care system — which faces a potential shortage of key supplies such as ICUs and ventilators — Sanders brought up his Medicare For All plan.
“I obviously believe in Medicare For All — I will fight for that as President,” Sanders said. “But right now, in this emergency, I want every person in this country to understand what when you get sick, you go to the doctor. When you get sick, if you have the virus, that will be paid for. Do not worry about the cost right now. Because we’re in the middle of a national emergency.”
Biden replied by pointing out that Italy has a single-payer system, and the country is currently extremely hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sanders touts Medicare For All plan in light of coronavirus' severity pic.twitter.com/IhW9T9TlSM — Talking Points Memo (@TPM) March 16, 2020
Biden commits to choosing a woman as his running mate
Asked how their Cabinets will ensure the best advice on issues that affect women’s health, Biden responded that he’s committing that his vice presidential pick would be a woman.
“Number one: I committed that if I’m elected president and have an opportunity to appoint someone to the courts, I’ll appoint the first black woman of the courts — it’s required they have representation now, it’s long overdue,” Biden said. “Secondly, if I’m elected president, my cabinet, my administration will look like the country. And I commit that I will, in fact, appoint a woman to be vice president. There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow.”
Sanders chimed in, saying that “in all likelihood, I will” pick a woman as my vice president as well, citing how his “very strong tendency is to move in that direction.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-15--Trump Says ‘Take It Easy’ After Fauci Warns Of Coronavirus Escalation

President Trump attempted to quell the panic that has ensued amid the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. during a White House press briefing Sunday afternoon .
After shouting out to his meeting with executives from Target , Campbell ’ s and Costco , Trump advised against panic-buying in response to the outbreak .
“ You don ’ t have to buy so much , ” Trump said .
“ Take it easy , just relax .
People are going in and buying more .
I remember — I guess during the conversation Doug of Walmart said — that they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christmas .
Relax .
We ’ re doing great .
It all will pass.
” Trump later added that the executives he met with earlier Sunday “ have asked me to say , ‘ Could you buy a little bit less please ?
’ ” which he thought he “ would never hear that from a retailer.
” Trump ’ s remarks came shortly after the Federal Reserve announced that it ’ s cutting its benchmark interest rate to zero in an effort to protect the economy from the effects of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also stand in stark contrast to the sentiments shared by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director and coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci during a series Sunday morning interviews .
Just two days after Trump declared a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak , Fauci said that it ’ s “ conceivable ” for a “ very severe ” scenario to arise as coronavirus cases increase .

President Trump attempted to quell the panic that has ensued amid the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S. during a White House press briefing Sunday afternoon.
After shouting out to his meeting with executives from Target, Campbell’s and Costco, Trump advised against panic-buying in response to the outbreak.
“You don’t have to buy so much,” Trump said. “Take it easy, just relax. People are going in and buying more. I remember — I guess during the conversation Doug of Walmart said — that they’re buying more than they buy at Christmas. Relax. We’re doing great. It all will pass.”
Trump later added that the executives he met with earlier Sunday “have asked me to say, ‘Could you buy a little bit less please?’” which he thought he “would never hear that from a retailer.”
Trump’s remarks came shortly after the Federal Reserve announced that it’s cutting its benchmark interest rate to zero in an effort to protect the economy from the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.
The President’s remarks also stand in stark contrast to the sentiments shared by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director and coronavirus task force member Anthony Fauci during a series Sunday morning interviews.
Just two days after Trump declared a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak, Fauci said that it’s “conceivable” for a “very severe” scenario to arise as coronavirus cases increase.
Watch Trump’s remarks below:


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--Primaries Move Forward In At Least Three Of Four States Tuesday Despite COVID-19

In-person voting is set to occur mostly as usual tomorrow in all but one of the four Democratic presidential primary states scheduled to hold its nominating contest — despite public health officials who warn gathering at polling places poses a risk of spreading COVID-19 .
Florida , Illinois and Arizona are set to weigh in on the Democratic presidential nominee tomorrow , as well as on other offices , though the Trump administration announced Monday that it was discouraging all gatherings with more than 10 people — which describes many polling places .
In Ohio , the fourth state scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open question whether in-person voting will continue as planned .
The state ’ s governor , Mike DeWine , recommended Monday that the in-person vote be postponed until June 2 .
But , ultimately , that decision will be made by a judge , not the governor ’ s office .
In Florida , election officials showed no signs of turning back .
“ We are moving forward with our election tomorrow , ” Mark Ard , a spokesperson for the Florida Department of State , told TPM Monday .
Even in elderly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit by COVID-19 cases , voting will move forward .
“ We are aware that all Broward County schools and most municipal offices will be closed for the week , ” an automated away message from the country ’ s election office acknowledged .
“ The election , however , will take place as scheduled.
” Several polling locations around the state — as in other states with COVID-19 cases — were changed to steer voters away from senior residential facilities .
Elsewhere , some polling stations have balked at hosting the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites .
Arizona and Illinois similarly planned to keep Election Day on Tuesday , at least as of Monday afternoon , though with several changes .
In Arizona ’ s largest county , Maricopa , the number of polling locations was decreased to 151 , from 229 locations previously , due in part to a shortage of polling workers and cleaning supplies .
Discussing the change three days ago , the county ’ s election day director , Scott Jarrett , stopped midway through announcing the news of reduced polling locations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t do this , ” he said , before walking off .
Several unnamed supervisors told the Associated Press that Jarrett had been working without sleep to prepare for the election .
Illinois has benefited from a wave of early and remote voters this year , with Chicago smashing records for vote-by-mail applications and early voting .
Still , in-person voting will take place as planned , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said .
“ We have to have our elections continue , in my opinion .
This is the right thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press conference , the Sun Times reported .
“ Our democracy needs to go on .
If we cancel these elections , when would you have an election ?
”

In-person voting is set to occur mostly as usual tomorrow in all but one of the four Democratic presidential primary states scheduled to hold its nominating contest — despite public health officials who warn gathering at polling places poses a risk of spreading COVID-19.
Florida, Illinois and Arizona are set to weigh in on the Democratic presidential nominee tomorrow, as well as on other offices, though the Trump administration announced Monday that it was discouraging all gatherings with more than 10 people — which describes many polling places. In Ohio, the fourth state scheduled to vote tomorrow, it remains an open question whether in-person voting will continue as planned.
The state’s governor, Mike DeWine, recommended Monday that the in-person vote be postponed until June 2. But, ultimately, that decision will be made by a judge, not the governor’s office.
In Florida, election officials showed no signs of turning back.
“We are moving forward with our election tomorrow,” Mark Ard, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of State, told TPM Monday.
Even in elderly Broward County, which has been hard hit by COVID-19 cases, voting will move forward.
“We are aware that all Broward County schools and most municipal offices will be closed for the week,” an automated away message from the country’s election office acknowledged. “The election, however, will take place as scheduled.”
Several polling locations around the state — as in other states with COVID-19 cases — were changed to steer voters away from senior residential facilities. Elsewhere, some polling stations have balked at hosting the vote, forcing election officials to pick new sites.
Arizona and Illinois similarly planned to keep Election Day on Tuesday, at least as of Monday afternoon, though with several changes.
In Arizona’s largest county, Maricopa, the number of polling locations was decreased to 151, from 229 locations previously, due in part to a shortage of polling workers and cleaning supplies.
Discussing the change three days ago, the county’s election day director, Scott Jarrett, stopped midway through announcing the news of reduced polling locations.
“I’m sorry, I can’t do this,” he said, before walking off. Several unnamed supervisors told the Associated Press that Jarrett had been working without sleep to prepare for the election.
Illinois has benefited from a wave of early and remote voters this year, with Chicago smashing records for vote-by-mail applications and early voting.
Still, in-person voting will take place as planned, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.
“We have to have our elections continue, in my opinion. This is the right thing to do,” Pritzker said at a press conference, the Sun Times reported. “Our democracy needs to go on. If we cancel these elections, when would you have an election?”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--Arizona Election Official Stymied In Attempt To Blast Out Ballots Amid Poll Closures

Arizona ’ s top election officials have been enmeshed in a legal fracas surrounding mail-in voting after the state ’ s most populous county announced 78 poll closures just days before its primary .
The state lacked sufficient cleaning supplies to keep all the locations open amid the coronavirus outbreak .
The remaining 151 polling places will all be considered vote centers , meaning that voters can cast a ballot at any of the sites no matter their precinct .
But that wasn ’ t enough for Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes , a Democrat , who announced Friday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage of so severely cutting the number of polling locations by mailing out ballots to all registered Democrats .
However , as both Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs would soon point out , Fontes only had the power under the law to send out ballots to those on the early voting list or those who requested a ballot — sending Fontes ’ attempt to its death at the hands of a judge .
Fontes seemed to know that his proposal wasn ’ t a slam dunk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unchartered territory ” in a statement as he acknowledged the legal gray area this plan would operate in .
“ There will be some who will say there is no authority to mail ballots to all voters under the law , but there is no prohibition either , ” he said Friday .
He intended for voters to fill out the ballots and drop them off in receptacles outside the polls , to cut down on person-to-person contact .
Fontes told TPM that he acted out of concern for the vulnerable populations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s why I proposed what I did , of course I ’ m concerned , ” he said .
“ We have a lot of older voters and people who live with older voters .
Every human being is a vector for this virus.
” But for Brnovich , that was not enough to outweigh the silence of the law .
He filed a complaint in Maricopa County Superior Court later on Friday .
He emphasized that Fontes does not have the enumerated power to send ballots to voters who do not request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early voting list .
“ Arizona and its voters will be irreparably harmed if the Defendants are permitted to mail ballots without legal authority , thereby creating a swarm of illegal ballots and immense voter confusion , ” Brnovich wrote in his complaint .
Brnovich gained an unlikely ally in his opposition to Fontes ’ actions : Hobbs .
“ As you know , I fully agree with you that authority for counties to conduct all-mail elections is good policy , and certainly an appropriate contingency plan in the event of a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not currently authorized by the law , ” she wrote in an email to Fontes obtained by The Arizona Republic .
Her office did not respond to TPM ’ s request for comment .
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge sided with the bipartisan duo and granted a temporary restraining order to keep Fontes from mailing the ballots .
Fontes said that the order came down just in time to stop him from loading the trucks with ballots , the mailing of which had already been coordinated with USPS .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as the Republican governor ’ s administration , saying that as far as he ’ s concerned , “ there are no excuses .
The secretary of state and governor have some explaining to do.
” For now , it appears the primary will go ahead as planned , with fewer places to vote , but with those voting centers open to everybody , no matter their home precinct .
Still , it wouldn ’ t be the first time voting centers turned out to be less a panacea and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
In 2016 , Maricopa County rolled out its new voting center system for the presidential primaries .
On its face , the system seemed to be loaded with perks for voting rights activists : there would be more options for voters and fewer Election Day workers needed , meaning that those who are stationed could be more experienced and knowledgeable .
But in reality , the rollout was a disaster .
With only 60 vote centers to replace more than 200 precincts , voters waited in egregiously long lines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vote centers hurt minority communities , and that a lack of sufficient voter education created general chaos come Election Day .
Two years later , a snafu with check-in equipment at vote centers and polling places created so many issues during the 2018 midterms that some people had to travel to other polling locations to vote .
“ Those were not the same problems , those were different issues , ” said Fontes , whose administration was only in place for the 2018 midterms , not the 2016 rollout .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters could ’ ve gotten their ballots in the mail and received them today or tomorrow , ” he added , turning his attention back to the Tuesday primary .
He gasped and let an expletive fly on the phone — a news alert had just lit up his screen saying that President Donald Trump had issued an advisory against gatherings of 10 people or more…less than 24 hours before Arizonians were to take to the polls .
“ Is that an order or advisory ?
” he asked incredulously .
“ And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
”

Arizona’s top election officials have been enmeshed in a legal fracas surrounding mail-in voting after the state’s most populous county announced 78 poll closures just days before its primary. The state lacked sufficient cleaning supplies to keep all the locations open amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The remaining 151 polling places will all be considered vote centers, meaning that voters can cast a ballot at any of the sites no matter their precinct.
But that wasn’t enough for Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, who announced Friday that he’d try to mitigate the damage of so severely cutting the number of polling locations by mailing out ballots to all registered Democrats.
However, as both Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs would soon point out, Fontes only had the power under the law to send out ballots to those on the early voting list or those who requested a ballot — sending Fontes’ attempt to its death at the hands of a judge.
Fontes seemed to know that his proposal wasn’t a slam dunk from the beginning, calling the pandemic “unchartered territory” in a statement as he acknowledged the legal gray area this plan would operate in.
“There will be some who will say there is no authority to mail ballots to all voters under the law, but there is no prohibition either,” he said Friday. He intended for voters to fill out the ballots and drop them off in receptacles outside the polls, to cut down on person-to-person contact.
Fontes told TPM that he acted out of concern for the vulnerable populations in the state. “That’s why I proposed what I did, of course I’m concerned,” he said. “We have a lot of older voters and people who live with older voters. Every human being is a vector for this virus.”
But for Brnovich, that was not enough to outweigh the silence of the law.
He filed a complaint in Maricopa County Superior Court later on Friday. He emphasized that Fontes does not have the enumerated power to send ballots to voters who do not request a ballot or are named on the early voting list.
“Arizona and its voters will be irreparably harmed if the Defendants are permitted to mail ballots without legal authority, thereby creating a swarm of illegal ballots and immense voter confusion,” Brnovich wrote in his complaint.
Brnovich gained an unlikely ally in his opposition to Fontes’ actions: Hobbs.
“As you know, I fully agree with you that authority for counties to conduct all-mail elections is good policy, and certainly an appropriate contingency plan in the event of a public health emergency like this. Unfortunately, it is not currently authorized by the law,” she wrote in an email to Fontes obtained by The Arizona Republic.
Her office did not respond to TPM’s request for comment.
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge sided with the bipartisan duo and granted a temporary restraining order to keep Fontes from mailing the ballots.
Fontes said that the order came down just in time to stop him from loading the trucks with ballots, the mailing of which had already been coordinated with USPS.
In an interview Monday, Fontes blasted Hobbs, as well as the Republican governor’s administration, saying that as far as he’s concerned, “there are no excuses. The secretary of state and governor have some explaining to do.”
For now, it appears the primary will go ahead as planned, with fewer places to vote, but with those voting centers open to everybody, no matter their home precinct.
Still, it wouldn’t be the first time voting centers turned out to be less a panacea and more a headache for primary voters in the state.
In 2016, Maricopa County rolled out its new voting center system for the presidential primaries. On its face, the system seemed to be loaded with perks for voting rights activists: there would be more options for voters and fewer Election Day workers needed, meaning that those who are stationed could be more experienced and knowledgeable.
But in reality, the rollout was a disaster. With only 60 vote centers to replace more than 200 precincts, voters waited in egregiously long lines. Accusations were levied that the placement of the vote centers hurt minority communities, and that a lack of sufficient voter education created general chaos come Election Day.
Two years later, a snafu with check-in equipment at vote centers and polling places created so many issues during the 2018 midterms that some people had to travel to other polling locations to vote.
“Those were not the same problems, those were different issues,” said Fontes, whose administration was only in place for the 2018 midterms, not the 2016 rollout. “This one could’ve been solved, voters could’ve gotten their ballots in the mail and received them today or tomorrow,” he added, turning his attention back to the Tuesday primary.
He gasped and let an expletive fly on the phone — a news alert had just lit up his screen saying that President Donald Trump had issued an advisory against gatherings of 10 people or more…less than 24 hours before Arizonians were to take to the polls.
“Is that an order or advisory?” he asked incredulously. “And will my governor pay attention to it?”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--How Long Will This Last?

How Long Will This Last?

Nobody knows how long the extreme mitigation strategies to stave off COVID-19 will be required .
But one thing is increasingly clear : Flattening the curve may lessen the severity of the epidemic , but it will also extend its duration .
Successful mitigation means that while fewer people will be ill at any given time , the country could have to spend more time overall under quarantine .
President Trump told Americans on Monday to prepare to stay home until July or August , while other estimates suggest June .
China appears to have landed on the downward slope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ careful steps towards reopening its society .
Reports of the strategy have filled the airwaves and dominated government press conferences , with National Institute of Infectious Disease Chief Dr. Tony Fauci repeating the phrase .
Why is that ?
If the disease were allowed to spread throughout the population unblocked and unhindered by social distancing , it would peak relatively quickly .
Look here : The focus of the government ’ s health intervention is on having something like the purple curve , in which the disease spreads throughout the population , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – a situation where cases peak in a short time frame , unabated – would lead to a horrifying array of problems concentrated in the healthcare system .
“ The purpose of flattening the curve is to reduce the amount of disease , and to reduce the amount of disease would have a smaller impact on our hospitals and healthcare systems , ” Jeffrey Klausner , an adjunct professor of epidemiology at UCLA , told TPM .
When will infections peak in the United States .
That ’ s still an unknown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timeline to show the potential effect of successful U.S. mitigation strategies : The U.S. health care system may have the capacity to meet the needs of the country ’ s citizens in normal times , but it lacks surge capacity – in the event of a mass illness like the coronavirus which , according to some estimates , has a hospitalization rate of 20 percent and requires multi-week stays , an unabated spread of the illness could quickly overwhelm and collapse the country ’ s healthcare system .
So , then , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the rate of new cases begins to decrease .
Instead of a wave of new patients crashing on the country ’ s hospitals in the space of a week or two , rather , the cases would be more like a rising tide , spread out over many weeks or months .
That ’ s better from the perspective of health care providers , argued Gary Slutkin , a former WHO official tasked with reversing local AIDS epidemics .
“ If you ’ re slowing it down , it gives the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day , ” Slutkin said .
“ And that ’ s urgently important , because some people will die who otherwise wouldn ’ t because they wont have access to a ventilator , or there aren ’ t enough doctors or health care workers , or everyone is just scrambling too much.
” But therein lies the core paradox of a successful policy of flattening the curve : in reducing the speed of the coronavirus ’ s spread , it may end up prolonging the amount of time that the U.S. population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread .
To rephrase that : if the policy succeeds , the same number of people will likely get sick , just over a longer period of time .
This will help the hospitals cope , no doubt .
Fewer patients will be competing over the same limited number of ventilators , and hospitals will stay less crowded .
But it ’ s a real , paradoxical side effect of success in fighting the epidemic .
That slowing the disease ’ s spread means prolonging the time we all have to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that interventions like social distancing need to occur as soon as possible to have the desired effect .
“ Ordinarily in epidemics , you need to get as early as you can into the curve , ” Slutkin said .
“ The earlier you can crack it , you can break the chain , the less likely you are to have a continued chain.
” Slutkin added social distancing may also reduce the overall number of people infected , but that localities will need to act slowly and judiciously in determining when to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re months away from that , ” he said .
“ When we know that the local health departments can deal with the level that it ’ s dropped to , that ’ s when , and they ’ ll have to prove that they ’ re up to it .
”

Nobody knows how long the extreme mitigation strategies to stave off COVID-19 will be required.
But one thing is increasingly clear: Flattening the curve may lessen the severity of the epidemic, but it will also extend its duration.
Successful mitigation means that while fewer people will be ill at any given time, the country could have to spend more time overall under quarantine.
President Trump told Americans on Monday to prepare to stay home until July or August, while other estimates suggest June. China appears to have landed on the downward slope of the curve, and is taking careful steps towards reopening its society.
Reports of the strategy have filled the airwaves and dominated government press conferences, with National Institute of Infectious Disease Chief Dr. Tony Fauci repeating the phrase.
Why is that?
If the disease were allowed to spread throughout the population unblocked and unhindered by social distancing, it would peak relatively quickly. Look here:
"Flattening the curve": Why we need to cancel everything and stay home to help stop coronavirus https://t.co/lDdMbOZcVt pic.twitter.com/umAuqFIIxS — CBS News (@CBSNews) March 15, 2020
The focus of the government’s health intervention is on having something like the purple curve, in which the disease spreads throughout the population, but at a lower rate.
The opposite – a situation where cases peak in a short time frame, unabated – would lead to a horrifying array of problems concentrated in the healthcare system.
“The purpose of flattening the curve is to reduce the amount of disease, and to reduce the amount of disease would have a smaller impact on our hospitals and healthcare systems,” Jeffrey Klausner, an adjunct professor of epidemiology at UCLA, told TPM.
When will infections peak in the United States. That’s still an unknown, but the NYT graphed it along a timeline to show the potential effect of successful U.S. mitigation strategies:
How long will this last? If we don’t flatten the curve, models show the peak coming in July. If we flatten the curve, the pandemic lasts into 2021, with far fewer deaths.
https://t.co/JC3wya7RZa — Nicotra Laboratory (@nicotralab) March 13, 2020
The U.S. health care system may have the capacity to meet the needs of the country’s citizens in normal times, but it lacks surge capacity – in the event of a mass illness like the coronavirus which, according to some estimates, has a hospitalization rate of 20 percent and requires multi-week stays, an unabated spread of the illness could quickly overwhelm and collapse the country’s healthcare system.
So, then, as social distancing flattens the curve of cases, the rate of new cases begins to decrease. Instead of a wave of new patients crashing on the country’s hospitals in the space of a week or two, rather, the cases would be more like a rising tide, spread out over many weeks or months.
That’s better from the perspective of health care providers, argued Gary Slutkin, a former WHO official tasked with reversing local AIDS epidemics.
“If you’re slowing it down, it gives the health sector more time, and less cases per day,” Slutkin said. “And that’s urgently important, because some people will die who otherwise wouldn’t because they wont have access to a ventilator, or there aren’t enough doctors or health care workers, or everyone is just scrambling too much.”
But therein lies the core paradox of a successful policy of flattening the curve: in reducing the speed of the coronavirus’s spread, it may end up prolonging the amount of time that the U.S. population spends living under measures designed to slow the spread.
To rephrase that: if the policy succeeds, the same number of people will likely get sick, just over a longer period of time.
This will help the hospitals cope, no doubt. Fewer patients will be competing over the same limited number of ventilators, and hospitals will stay less crowded.
But it’s a real, paradoxical side effect of success in fighting the epidemic. That slowing the disease’s spread means prolonging the time we all have to spend living with it.
That also means that interventions like social distancing need to occur as soon as possible to have the desired effect.
“Ordinarily in epidemics, you need to get as early as you can into the curve,” Slutkin said. “The earlier you can crack it, you can break the chain, the less likely you are to have a continued chain.”
Slutkin added social distancing may also reduce the overall number of people infected, but that localities will need to act slowly and judiciously in determining when to begin the return to normal life.
“We’re months away from that,” he said. “When we know that the local health departments can deal with the level that it’s dropped to, that’s when, and they’ll have to prove that they’re up to it.”


talkingpointsmemo--2020-03-16--6.7 Million People Ordered To Shelter In Place In Bay Area

Nearly 7 million people have been ordered to “ shelter in place ” around the Bay Area of northern California .
Six Bay Area counties announced its “ shelter in place ” order Monday for all residents , directing them to practice social distancing by staying home for the next three weeks in an effort for public health officials to combat the spread of the coronavirus.The order , which goes into effect 12:01 a.m. Tuesday , affects more than 6.7 million in San Francisco , Santa Clara , San Mateo , Marin , Contra Costa and Alameda counties .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is the most restrictive yet in the country .
Although the order isn ’ t a full lockdown , it ’ s unclear how it will be enforced , but calls for the sheriff or chief of police to “ ensure compliance.
” “ The scientific evidence shows that at this stage of the ( coronavirus ) emergency , it is essential to slow virus transmission as much as possible to protect the most vulnerable and to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed , ” the order states .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is to limit interactions among people to the greatest extent practicable.
” The order bans non-essential gatherings of any size as well as non-essential travel “ on foot , bicycle , scooter , automobile or public transit.
” However , residents may travel to get necessary supplies , access health care and provide aid to family and friends in need of assistance .
While public transit remains operation for only essential travel , people are expected to keep six feet apart .
The order also advises elderly people and those with underlying health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need to acquire health care .
Regarding “ routine medical appointments ” and elective procedures , the order urges residents to either cancel , reschedule or do appointments remotely if possible .
The order directs residents to work from home or to stop working , unless they provide an essential service such as health care .

Nearly 7 million people have been ordered to “shelter in place” around the Bay Area of northern California.
Six Bay Area counties announced its “shelter in place” order Monday for all residents, directing them to practice social distancing by staying home for the next three weeks in an effort for public health officials to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
The order, which goes into effect 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, affects more than 6.7 million in San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties. It is effective until at least April 7 and is the most restrictive yet in the country.
Although the order isn’t a full lockdown, it’s unclear how it will be enforced, but calls for the sheriff or chief of police to “ensure compliance.”
“The scientific evidence shows that at this stage of the (coronavirus) emergency, it is essential to slow virus transmission as much as possible to protect the most vulnerable and to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed,” the order states. “One proven way to slow the transmission is to limit interactions among people to the greatest extent practicable.”
The order bans non-essential gatherings of any size as well as non-essential travel “on foot, bicycle, scooter, automobile or public transit.” However, residents may travel to get necessary supplies, access health care and provide aid to family and friends in need of assistance. While public transit remains operation for only essential travel, people are expected to keep six feet apart.
The order also advises elderly people and those with underlying health problems to stay inside except for when they need to acquire health care.
Regarding “routine medical appointments” and elective procedures, the order urges residents to either cancel, reschedule or do appointments remotely if possible.
The order directs residents to work from home or to stop working, unless they provide an essential service such as health care.