buzzfeed--2020-03-19--Tulsi Gabbard Is Ending Her Very Different 2020 Presidential Campaign

`` After Tuesday 's election , it is clear that Democratic primary voters have chosen Vice President Joe Biden to be the person who will take on President Trump in the general election .
I know Vice President Biden and his wife , and I 'm grateful to have called his son Beau a friend , who also served in the National Guard .
Although I may not agree with the vice president on every issue , I know that he has a good heart and he 's motivated by his love for our country and the American people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident that he will lead our country guided by the spirit of aloha , respect , and compassion , and thus help heal the divisiveness that has been tearing our country apart .
So today I 'm suspending my presidential campaign and offering my full support to Vice President Joe Biden in his quest to bring our country together . ''
In a video , she also made explicit that she would not be splintering from the party , and would instead back leading candidate Joe Biden .
Tulsi Gabbard is ending her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Democratic Party establishment whose nomination she had hoped to secure .
Gabbard , a member of Congress representing Hawaii , did not run a typical campaign .
She has not qualified for a Democratic debate since November , and she barely had any campaign infrastructure in Iowa , the first voting state .
She instead banked on New Hampshire , a libertarian-minded state , as a launching pad for her anti-interventionist ideology .
She came in a distant seventh place in the state but continued her campaign into Nevada ( where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Carolina .
She has consistently performed far behind the top candidates in all primaries and has had limited public campaign events since early February .
She won two total delegates after a strong finish in American Samoa , trailing Democrats like Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg who dropped out of the race before Super Tuesday .
She has long had supporters on the far left of her party — especially after she left a top spot with the Democratic National Committee in 2016 to support Bernie Sanders ' campaign — as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ron Paul in earlier years .
But her race may be most remembered for some of the attacks she landed on her opponents , from early debate moments with Sen. Kamala Harris on her prosecutorial record to her decision to sue Hillary Clinton .
Along the way , she frustrated progressives and other Democrats by being the only member of Congress to vote `` present '' for President Donald Trump 's impeachment .
Gabbard has long insisted she would not run third-party , despite constant questions for years about her intentions .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate , '' she told BuzzFeed News several times in New Hampshire .

Gabbard, a member of Congress representing Hawaii, did not run a typical campaign. She has not qualified for a Democratic debate since November, and she barely had any campaign infrastructure in Iowa, the first voting state. She instead banked on New Hampshire, a libertarian-minded state, as a launching pad for her anti-interventionist ideology. She came in a distant seventh place in the state but continued her campaign into Nevada (where she didn't really register) and South Carolina.
She has consistently performed far behind the top candidates in all primaries and has had limited public campaign events since early February. She won two total delegates after a strong finish in American Samoa, trailing Democrats like Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg who dropped out of the race before Super Tuesday.
She has long had supporters on the far left of her party — especially after she left a top spot with the Democratic National Committee in 2016 to support Bernie Sanders' campaign — as well as among independents who had aligned with Ron Paul in earlier years.
But her race may be most remembered for some of the attacks she landed on her opponents, from early debate moments with Sen. Kamala Harris on her prosecutorial record to her decision to sue Hillary Clinton. Along the way, she frustrated progressives and other Democrats by being the only member of Congress to vote "present" for President Donald Trump's impeachment.
Gabbard has long insisted she would not run third-party, despite constant questions for years about her intentions. “I am not running as a third-party candidate," she told BuzzFeed News several times in New Hampshire.


buzzfeed--2020-03-19--Despite The Coronavirus Outbreak, Senators Said They Will Keep Going To The Capitol And Voting Toget

Despite The Coronavirus Outbreak, Senators Said They Will Keep Going To The Capitol And Voting Together

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
WASHINGTON — Hours before the world learned members of Congress tested positive for the coronavirus , senators insisted they needed to keep physically coming to the Capitol to show leadership .
A few senators are calling for committees to meet via teleconference and for votes to be cast by some method other than forcing members to be in the same room .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme isolation measures are the only way to avoid overrunning the health system , which could cause millions of deaths .
COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , is particularly lethal to older people , and the average senator is 63 years old .
Dick Durbin started the push Tuesday when he took the Senate floor to ask why they were still meeting despite pleading with Americans to stay home and work remotely .
“ It ’ s time for the Senate to wake up to the 21st century and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that allows us to communicate to each other without any risk to public health , ” he said .
But the movement quickly hit a brick wall .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected changing the voting rules , and , based on conversations with many senators , there was no groundswell of support Wednesday for working remotely .
Quite the opposite : Several senators argued it is important for them to be seen working in the Capitol .
“ I think it ’ s important that we let the country know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we ’ re not leaving until we get it done , ” said Sen. Mike Rounds .
Sen. Joni Ernst said senators showing up for work shows leadership .
Sen. Thom Tillis said that , just as it is critical for health care workers to show up to work , it is also critical for senators to be there and do their jobs .
“ There is what I consider the obligation of example and reassurance , ” said Sen. Kevin Cramer .
“ And I think us being here provides that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did enact new social distancing policies .
Votes are held open for a half an hour so senators can show up one or two at a time , vote , then head back to their offices .
This was only partly effective .
With the usual crowd of tourists gone and reporters down to a skeleton crew , the Capitol felt half deserted .
But only half .
Security continues to attend the doors , staffers run the cafeterias and keep the place clean , political aides ferry around their bosses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing to mixed results .
Some walked to votes side by side , discussing the next big economic aid bill .
At one point , Sen. Bernie Sanders had to squeeze around Sen. Susan Collins , who was in an impromptu hallway media scrum .
Everyone is supposed to keep several feet of distance , but this breaks down regularly .
Because of all this , a few senators openly said that showing up to the Capitol freaks them out .
“ Yeah , more than normally , ” said Sen. Jon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaf to require senators to congregate at the same time Americans are being told that self-isolating is a matter of life or death .
“ It makes me wonder if leadership around here really understands what the magnitude of this is , ” he said .
Sen. Rand Paul , not a big fan of government in normal times , said Congress should probably practice what it preaches .
Still , they remain a clear minority .
Several senators told BuzzFeed News , from a few feet away , that their social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the House , more than two dozen members signed a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to let them vote remotely .
The House is planned to be in recess this week and next , while the Senate currently plans to sit indefinitely until a coronavirus aid package is passed .
Two members of Congress have now tested positive for COVID-19 , and an employee of Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell ’ s became the first Hill staffer to test positive .
Several senators have come into contact with infected people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ted Cruz , Rick Scott , Cory Gardner , and Lindsey Graham .
House Reps. Matt Gaetz , Mark Meadows , Doug Collins , and Paul Gosar have done the same .
Ultimately , Congress may find the decision is made for them .
Sen. Marco Rubio said that one reason to act quickly is that physically meeting may soon become impossible .
Before it was confirmed that members had tested positive , he floated that very possibility .
“ I don ’ t think we can operate as if we can just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whenever we want , ” he said .
Do you have questions you want answered ?
You can always get in touch .
And if you 're someone who is seeing the impact of this firsthand , we ’ d also love to hear from you ( you can reach out to us via one of our tip line channels ) .

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus. To help keep this news free, become a member and sign up for our newsletter, Outbreak Today.
WASHINGTON — Hours before the world learned members of Congress tested positive for the coronavirus, senators insisted they needed to keep physically coming to the Capitol to show leadership.
A few senators are calling for committees to meet via teleconference and for votes to be cast by some method other than forcing members to be in the same room. Experts and government officials are warning that extreme isolation measures are the only way to avoid overrunning the health system, which could cause millions of deaths. COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, is particularly lethal to older people, and the average senator is 63 years old.
Dick Durbin started the push Tuesday when he took the Senate floor to ask why they were still meeting despite pleading with Americans to stay home and work remotely. “It’s time for the Senate to wake up to the 21st century and to make sure we’re using technology that allows us to communicate to each other without any risk to public health,” he said.
But the movement quickly hit a brick wall. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected changing the voting rules, and, based on conversations with many senators, there was no groundswell of support Wednesday for working remotely. Quite the opposite: Several senators argued it is important for them to be seen working in the Capitol.
“I think it’s important that we let the country know that we’re still on the job and we’re not leaving until we get it done,” said Sen. Mike Rounds.
Sen. Joni Ernst said senators showing up for work shows leadership. Sen. Thom Tillis said that, just as it is critical for health care workers to show up to work, it is also critical for senators to be there and do their jobs.
“There is what I consider the obligation of example and reassurance,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer. “And I think us being here provides that.”
McConnell rejected remote voting, but he did enact new social distancing policies. Votes are held open for a half an hour so senators can show up one or two at a time, vote, then head back to their offices.
This was only partly effective. With the usual crowd of tourists gone and reporters down to a skeleton crew, the Capitol felt half deserted. But only half. Security continues to attend the doors, staffers run the cafeterias and keep the place clean, political aides ferry around their bosses and set up press conferences.
Senators tried social distancing to mixed results. Some walked to votes side by side, discussing the next big economic aid bill. At one point, Sen. Bernie Sanders had to squeeze around Sen. Susan Collins, who was in an impromptu hallway media scrum. Everyone is supposed to keep several feet of distance, but this breaks down regularly. Because of all this, a few senators openly said that showing up to the Capitol freaks them out.
“Yeah, more than normally,” said Sen. Jon Tester.
Tester said it was tone deaf to require senators to congregate at the same time Americans are being told that self-isolating is a matter of life or death. “It makes me wonder if leadership around here really understands what the magnitude of this is,” he said.
Sen. Rand Paul, not a big fan of government in normal times, said Congress should probably practice what it preaches.
Still, they remain a clear minority. Several senators told BuzzFeed News, from a few feet away, that their social distancing measures and handwashing should be sufficient. In the House, more than two dozen members signed a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to let them vote remotely. The House is planned to be in recess this week and next, while the Senate currently plans to sit indefinitely until a coronavirus aid package is passed.
Two members of Congress have now tested positive for COVID-19, and an employee of Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell’s became the first Hill staffer to test positive. Several senators have come into contact with infected people and subsequently self-quarantined, such as Sens. Ted Cruz, Rick Scott, Cory Gardner, and Lindsey Graham. House Reps. Matt Gaetz, Mark Meadows, Doug Collins, and Paul Gosar have done the same.
Ultimately, Congress may find the decision is made for them. Sen. Marco Rubio said that one reason to act quickly is that physically meeting may soon become impossible. Before it was confirmed that members had tested positive, he floated that very possibility.
“I don’t think we can operate as if we can just bring the Senate and the House back whenever we want,” he said.
Do you have questions you want answered? You can always get in touch. And if you're someone who is seeing the impact of this firsthand, we’d also love to hear from you (you can reach out to us via one of our tip line channels).


buzzfeed--2020-03-19--Two Members Of Congress Have Tested Positive For The Coronavirus

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
`` I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better , ” the lawmaker said in the statement .
“ However , it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick and mitigate the spread of this virus .
We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 58-year-old Republican from Florida , said he began experiencing symptoms on Saturday “ including a fever and headache , ” according to a statement from his office .
He was informed that he tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , on Wednesday .
WASHINGTON — Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Ben McAdams announced Wednesday that they have tested positive for the coronavirus , becoming the first members of Congress to do so since the pandemic was declared .
He added that he continued to work from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , McAdams announced his diagnosis on Twitter , saying he got tested after developing `` a fever , a dry cough and labored breathing . ''
Please read my statement on contracting # COVID19 .
I have self-quarantined since first having symptoms and consulted with my doctor .
# utpol At the start of the 116th Congress , the average age of House representatives was 57.6 years , and the average age among senators was 62.9 years , according to the Congressional Research Service .
Many members are in their seventies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk for the disease .
While the House is currently out on recess with members back home in their districts , the Senate has continued to work in spite of the national recommendation that people not gather in groups of more than 10 people .
The House is expected to return as well ; both chambers are working on legislation to address the coronavirus .
Although Diaz-Balart and McAdams are the first members of Congress to be diagnosed with the disease , several others have self-quarantined in recent days after contact with someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes Sen. Ted Cruz and Reps. Matt Gaetz and Doug Collins , all of whom did so after coming into contact with a person last month at the Conservative Political Action Conference who was diagnosed with the disease .
Gaetz and Collins each also met with President Donald Trump following the conference .
Cruz extended his original self-quarantine after learning he had interacted with a second person who tested positive .
He concluded his quarantine Tuesday .
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham , a top ally of Trump 's , also self-quarantined on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with at least two individuals who tested positive for the disease .
He announced on Twitter on Sunday night that his test came back negative .
Graham had been at Trump ’ s Mar-a-Lago property the weekend of March 7 with the president as well as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro , whose press secretary recently tested positive .
Democratic Rep. Julia Brownley was the first member of Congress to self-quarantine after coming into contact with a person who tested positive who was not at CPAC .
Sen. Rick Scott announced last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after being in contact with a member of the Brazilian delegation who tested positive .
“ My office was alerted today by the Brazilian Embassy that a member of President Bolsanaro ’ s delegation tested positive for Coronavirus .
On Monday , I met with [ Bolsanaro ] in Miami , and while I do not believe I interacted with the infected person , that individual was in the same room as me , ” Scott said in a statement .
Scott said he had no symptoms and was quarantining out of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who served as one of the Democratic impeachment managers , announced Tuesday that he was self-quarantining as well after interacting with a constituent who tested positive .
Diaz-Balart is not the first major Florida politician to test positive for the disease — Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said last week that he had contracted COVID-19 after meeting with Bolsonaro .

At the start of the 116th Congress, the average age of House representatives was 57.6 years, and the average age among senators was 62.9 years, according to the Congressional Research Service. Many members are in their seventies and eighties, putting them at the highest risk for the disease.
While the House is currently out on recess with members back home in their districts, the Senate has continued to work in spite of the national recommendation that people not gather in groups of more than 10 people. The House is expected to return as well; both chambers are working on legislation to address the coronavirus.
Although Diaz-Balart and McAdams are the first members of Congress to be diagnosed with the disease, several others have self-quarantined in recent days after contact with someone who has been tested positive. This includes Sen. Ted Cruz and Reps. Matt Gaetz and Doug Collins, all of whom did so after coming into contact with a person last month at the Conservative Political Action Conference who was diagnosed with the disease. Gaetz and Collins each also met with President Donald Trump following the conference.
Cruz extended his original self-quarantine after learning he had interacted with a second person who tested positive. He concluded his quarantine Tuesday.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a top ally of Trump's, also self-quarantined on Thursday, March 12, after coming into contact with at least two individuals who tested positive for the disease. He announced on Twitter on Sunday night that his test came back negative.
Graham had been at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property the weekend of March 7 with the president as well as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whose press secretary recently tested positive.
Democratic Rep. Julia Brownley was the first member of Congress to self-quarantine after coming into contact with a person who tested positive who was not at CPAC. Sen. Rick Scott announced last week that he, too, was self-quarantining after being in contact with a member of the Brazilian delegation who tested positive.
“My office was alerted today by the Brazilian Embassy that a member of President Bolsanaro’s delegation tested positive for Coronavirus. On Monday, I met with [Bolsanaro] in Miami, and while I do not believe I interacted with the infected person, that individual was in the same room as me,” Scott said in a statement.
Scott said he had no symptoms and was quarantining out of an abundance of caution.
Rep. Jason Crow, who served as one of the Democratic impeachment managers, announced Tuesday that he was self-quarantining as well after interacting with a constituent who tested positive.
Diaz-Balart is not the first major Florida politician to test positive for the disease — Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said last week that he had contracted COVID-19 after meeting with Bolsonaro.


buzzfeed--2020-03-19--Trump Translated His English-Only Guidance On The Coronavirus Into Spanish After Members Of Congress

Trump Translated His English-Only Guidance On The Coronavirus Into Spanish After Members Of Congress Complained

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter , Outbreak Today .
WASHINGTON — Members of Congress are outraged that President Donald Trump released White House guidelines to address the coronavirus in just one language during the global pandemic .
Now some are taking translations into their own hands to help spread information on how to respond to the pandemic to non-English speakers .
The English-only two-page document titled “ The President ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quick how-to guide of what to do if you feel symptoms or have tested positive for the disease .
The document ultimately directs people to their state and local authorities .
But the White House , in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , have only published an English version of the guidelines .
( The CDC does have some information on its website in other languages . )
Latino Rebels first reported that the guidance was English-only and contacted the White House on Monday night .
The Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines on Twitter Thursday evening .
BOLD PAC , the political arm for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus , created its own translation of the guidelines for Spanish speakers and posted it on Twitter on Tuesday .
A spokesperson for the PAC , Jazmin Vargas , said she relied on BOLD PAC ’ s bilingual staff and double-checked translation with Spanish-language media for the final product .
But , Vargas said , “ the President has the biggest platform in the country.
” “ It is not only cruel but irresponsible for this Administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accessible to everyone — in a language they can understand and trust , ” Rep. Tony Cárdenas , who chairs BOLD PAC , told BuzzFeed News in a statement Wednesday .
`` We are a diverse nation with more than 40 million Americans who speak Spanish at home and over 20 percent of Americans who speak another language .
It 's a failure of leadership on behalf of the White House to ignore this reality.
” More than 25 million US residents self-reported having limited English proficiency , according to census data compiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on immigration policy .
A spokesperson for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the lawmaker concurs with BOLD PAC in that “ there has been a dangerous lack of communication to Spanish-speaking communities from White House.
” Asked by BuzzFeed News if it had plans to offer coronavirus information in other languages earlier Wednesday , the White House said it would do so “ as soon as possible ” but did not specify when .
The Spanish language guidelines were posted hours later .
Members of Congress who also represent Asian American communities were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling of information to non-English speakers .
“ It is crucial that we are getting the message out however we can , and the White House and Trump administration definitely has the capability to put out these translations , ” Rep. Grace Meng , who chairs ASPIRE PAC , the political arm for Asian American members of Congress , told BuzzFeed News .
She credited grassroots organizations and “ in-language ” media for helping with translations to the large Asian community that she represents in New York City .
Meng said the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media largely because of the president ’ s anti-Chinese rhetoric when speaking about the pandemic .
In a press conference Wednesday , Trump referred to the coronavirus as the “ China virus ” and denied that the term was racist when pushed by reporters .
“ What happens when you don ’ t have translations , is that , what we ’ re seeing , for example , in the Chinese community , in the Bangladeshi community we have many people who are not able to read or watch mainstream media outlets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows where , ” Meng said .
“ But it is in-language and so they are believing it.
” Meng said she ’ s heard rumors in her community along the lines of , “ Oh , someone at a certain supermarket has the virus .
Stay away !
” Rep. Ted Lieu of California echoed Meng ’ s sentiment in a statement to BuzzFeed News .
“ There ’ s lots we don ’ t know about COVID-19 [ the disease caused by the novel coronavirus ] , but what we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone sick — that includes Americans and US residents who speak languages other than English , ” Lieu said .
“ Social distancing and measures to reduce its spread require buy-in from everyone , regardless of whether they speak English , Spanish , Mandarin , Arabic or something else .
We are all safer when all Americans act together to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
For that to work , everyone needs access to critical information .
”

WASHINGTON — Members of Congress are outraged that President Donald Trump released White House guidelines to address the coronavirus in just one language during the global pandemic. Now some are taking translations into their own hands to help spread information on how to respond to the pandemic to non-English speakers.
The English-only two-page document titled “The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America” is a quick how-to guide of what to do if you feel symptoms or have tested positive for the disease. The document ultimately directs people to their state and local authorities. But the White House, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have only published an English version of the guidelines. (The CDC does have some information on its website in other languages.)
Latino Rebels first reported that the guidance was English-only and contacted the White House on Monday night. The Trump administration released a Spanish language version of the guidelines on Twitter Thursday evening.
BOLD PAC, the political arm for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, created its own translation of the guidelines for Spanish speakers and posted it on Twitter on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the PAC, Jazmin Vargas, said she relied on BOLD PAC’s bilingual staff and double-checked translation with Spanish-language media for the final product.
But, Vargas said, “the President has the biggest platform in the country.”
“It is not only cruel but irresponsible for this Administration to not make critical public health information accessible to everyone — in a language they can understand and trust,” Rep. Tony Cárdenas, who chairs BOLD PAC, told BuzzFeed News in a statement Wednesday. "We are a diverse nation with more than 40 million Americans who speak Spanish at home and over 20 percent of Americans who speak another language. It's a failure of leadership on behalf of the White House to ignore this reality.”
More than 25 million US residents self-reported having limited English proficiency, according to census data compiled by Migration Policy Institute, a nonprofit focused on immigration policy.
A spokesperson for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said the lawmaker concurs with BOLD PAC in that “there has been a dangerous lack of communication to Spanish-speaking communities from White House.”
Asked by BuzzFeed News if it had plans to offer coronavirus information in other languages earlier Wednesday, the White House said it would do so “as soon as possible” but did not specify when. The Spanish language guidelines were posted hours later.
Members of Congress who also represent Asian American communities were also dismayed by the administration’s handling of information to non-English speakers.
“It is crucial that we are getting the message out however we can, and the White House and Trump administration definitely has the capability to put out these translations,” Rep. Grace Meng, who chairs ASPIRE PAC, the political arm for Asian American members of Congress, told BuzzFeed News. She credited grassroots organizations and “in-language” media for helping with translations to the large Asian community that she represents in New York City.
Meng said the coronavirus has received lots of attention from ethnic media largely because of the president’s anti-Chinese rhetoric when speaking about the pandemic. In a press conference Wednesday, Trump referred to the coronavirus as the “China virus” and denied that the term was racist when pushed by reporters.
“What happens when you don’t have translations, is that, what we’re seeing, for example, in the Chinese community, in the Bangladeshi community we have many people who are not able to read or watch mainstream media outlets and they are getting false information from God knows where,” Meng said. “But it is in-language and so they are believing it.”
Meng said she’s heard rumors in her community along the lines of, “Oh, someone at a certain supermarket has the virus. Stay away!”
Rep. Ted Lieu of California echoed Meng’s sentiment in a statement to BuzzFeed News.
“There’s lots we don’t know about COVID-19 [the disease caused by the novel coronavirus], but what we do know is that coronavirus can make nearly anyone sick — that includes Americans and US residents who speak languages other than English,” Lieu said. “Social distancing and measures to reduce its spread require buy-in from everyone, regardless of whether they speak English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic or something else. We are all safer when all Americans act together to prevent the spread of coronavirus. For that to work, everyone needs access to critical information.”


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--Congress Passed A Major Coronavirus Aid Bill And Is Already Working On Another

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( third from left ) walks from his office to the Senate floor at the Capitol , March 18 .
The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus .
To help keep this news free , become a member and sign up for our newsletter Outbreak Today .
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a multibillion-dollar coronavirus aid package Wednesday .
It is expected to be quickly signed into law by President Donald Trump .
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed by a vote of 90–8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , orders free coronavirus testing , and mandates paid sick leave and childcare leave — but only for certain employees .
Many Senate Republicans criticized the package .
But most held their noses and voted for it after the White House lobbied to pass the bill immediately rather than get bogged down with amendments .
“ I do not believe we should let perfection be the enemy of something that will help even a subset of workers , ” said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell before the bill passed on Wednesday .
The bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 billion worth of aid .
The Senate will now turn to negotiating a much larger aid bill — potentially worth up to $ 1 trillion — to save the economy , primarily focused on keeping small businesses and the airline industry afloat .
An $ 8.3 billion spending package to fight and treat the virus passed in early March .
The House first passed the Families First Act early Saturday morning .
In response to Republican objections , significant amendments were passed Monday , including limiting who will qualify for paid sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of paid sick leave to employees who have COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
They will be paid their entire salary , up to $ 511 per day ( which works out to about $ 130,000 per year ) .
However , the bill contains many loopholes that allow employers not to offer sick leave .
Large companies with over 500 employees are exempt , and businesses with under 50 employees can be exempted as well .
Health providers such as hospitals and nursing homes are also exempt .

The journalists at BuzzFeed News are proud to bring you trustworthy and relevant reporting about the coronavirus. To help keep this news free, become a member and sign up for our newsletter Outbreak Today.
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed a multibillion-dollar coronavirus aid package Wednesday. It is expected to be quickly signed into law by President Donald Trump.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed by a vote of 90–8. It expands Medicaid and unemployment benefits, orders free coronavirus testing, and mandates paid sick leave and childcare leave — but only for certain employees.
Many Senate Republicans criticized the package. But most held their noses and voted for it after the White House lobbied to pass the bill immediately rather than get bogged down with amendments.
“I do not believe we should let perfection be the enemy of something that will help even a subset of workers,” said Majority Leader Mitch McConnell before the bill passed on Wednesday.
The bill is projected to authorize well over $100 billion worth of aid. The Senate will now turn to negotiating a much larger aid bill — potentially worth up to $1 trillion — to save the economy, primarily focused on keeping small businesses and the airline industry afloat. An $8.3 billion spending package to fight and treat the virus passed in early March.
The House first passed the Families First Act early Saturday morning. In response to Republican objections, significant amendments were passed Monday, including limiting who will qualify for paid sick leave. The bill offers two weeks of paid sick leave to employees who have COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. They will be paid their entire salary, up to $511 per day (which works out to about $130,000 per year).
However, the bill contains many loopholes that allow employers not to offer sick leave. Large companies with over 500 employees are exempt, and businesses with under 50 employees can be exempted as well. Health providers such as hospitals and nursing homes are also exempt.


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--Trump Announced New Measures To Fight The Coronavirus And Also Said It Wasn't Racist To Keep Calling

Trump Announced New Measures To Fight The Coronavirus And Also Said It Wasn't Racist To Keep Calling It The "China Virus"

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that , in an effort to fight the coronavirus pandemic , he will invoke the Defense Production Act , which will help increase the production of necessary medical supplies like ventilators .
“ It can do a lot of good things if we need it , ” he said of the DPA .
“ No matter what you have , it ’ s not enough .
If we need to use it , we ’ ll be using it at full speed ahead.
” Ahead of Wednesday ’ s White House briefing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump to invoke the act , as did Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders .
The White House also announced Wednesday that the Department of Housing and Urban Development is suspending all evictions and foreclosures until the end of April , and that Health and Human Services will issue a regulation that will allow doctors to practice across state lines .
Vice President Mike Pence asked Americans to postpone any elective surgeries , and formally announced that the US and Canada have mutually agreed to close the border to any nonessential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the China virus ” at the press conference and argued it wasn ’ t a racist term .
When a reporter noted that dozens of Chinese Americans have faced racist attacks because of the virus in recent weeks , the president doubled down .
“ It 's not racist at all , no .
Not at all , ” Trump said .
“ It comes from China .
”

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that, in an effort to fight the coronavirus pandemic, he will invoke the Defense Production Act, which will help increase the production of necessary medical supplies like ventilators.
“It can do a lot of good things if we need it,” he said of the DPA. “No matter what you have, it’s not enough. If we need to use it, we’ll be using it at full speed ahead.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s White House briefing, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Trump to invoke the act, as did Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
The White House also announced Wednesday that the Department of Housing and Urban Development is suspending all evictions and foreclosures until the end of April, and that Health and Human Services will issue a regulation that will allow doctors to practice across state lines. Vice President Mike Pence asked Americans to postpone any elective surgeries, and formally announced that the US and Canada have mutually agreed to close the border to any nonessential travelers.
Trump also called the coronavirus “the China virus” at the press conference and argued it wasn’t a racist term. When a reporter noted that dozens of Chinese Americans have faced racist attacks because of the virus in recent weeks, the president doubled down.
“It's not racist at all, no. Not at all,” Trump said. “It comes from China.”


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--Conservative Media Still Isn't Sure What To Think About The Coronavirus

On Monday afternoon , as portions of the United States planned to shut down due to the novel coronavirus , the right-wing website Gateway Pundit delivered a message : It was misinformation .
“ The Coronavirus Fatality Rate Reported by the Media Is COMPLETELY INACCURATE , ” the pro-Trump site said .
“ The Actual Rate Is LESS THAN THE FLU – MEDIA LYING AGAIN !
” The claim that the “ liberal media ” concocted a coronavirus panic followed a pattern that has occurred in hyperpartisan media from the beginning of the crisis : downplaying its significance , blaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hammering Democrats for trying to capitalize on it .
All this has had an impact : Only 40 % of Republicans now say the coronavirus is a real threat , down from 72 % last month .
“ Don ’ t believe what the media is telling you , ” the Gateway Pundit said .
But , in their efforts to protect the president ( who finally seems to have grasped the virus ’ s full dangers ) , the Gateway Pundit , One America News Network , and Fox News run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump administration , including impeachment , Russian election interference , and payouts to Stormy Daniels , the coronavirus could kill large numbers of viewers or readers .
If it did , it might be hard to rebuild trust .
“ It 's definitely a risk , ” Mohamad Bazzi , an associate professor of journalism at NYU , told BuzzFeed News .
“ This feels like a culmination of the risk-taking , where it 's now putting tens and hundreds of thousands of American lives at risk , as opposed to some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the world.
” “ What 's different about this crisis , compared to constant cascading of crises the Trump administration has either caused or made worse , is that people can actually see what 's happening , ” Eric Alterman , distinguished professor of English and journalism at Brooklyn College and author of Lying in State , told BuzzFeed News .
“ They could n't really see what was happening at the border .
They could n't really see what was happening in Puerto Rico .
They could n't really see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ukraine .
But this one people can see.
” Still , a reckoning for the pro-Trump media is not assured .
“ It seems to have been absolutely correct when Trump said he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and his people would n't give a shit , ” Alterman said .
“ So it 's quite possible that as long as they have someone to blame — the liberal media , immigrants , China — he can keep it up .
Nobody knows how long .
I 'm not making a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think we 're already seeing the signs of a shift from Trump and from his supporters to basically pretend that the last two months did n't happen , ” he said .
“ To say he 'd been planning for this and preparing for this all along.
” Many on Fox News are only now warning of the virus ’ s dangers , after weeks of shrugging it off , as the fast-moving pandemic has changed peoples ' lives — and minds .
Jesse Watters , a personality on Fox News ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s taking social distancing seriously , after claiming earlier this month that he wasn ’ t afraid of the virus .
Last Friday , Fox Business put Trish Regan ’ s show on hiatus after she said the coronavirus was “ another attempt to impeach the president.
” And Fox News ’ Tucker Carlson ’ s warning about the dangers of the coronavirus last Monday — a break with his network ’ s broader tone — resonated with the president .
But while Fox News appeared to be coming around to the expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , late on Tuesday , the Gateway Pundit published a story claiming the World Health Organization had `` severely overstated the fatality rate '' of the outbreak .

On Monday afternoon, as portions of the United States planned to shut down due to the novel coronavirus, the right-wing website Gateway Pundit delivered a message: It was misinformation.
“The Coronavirus Fatality Rate Reported by the Media Is COMPLETELY INACCURATE,” the pro-Trump site said. “The Actual Rate Is LESS THAN THE FLU – MEDIA LYING AGAIN!”
The claim that the “liberal media” concocted a coronavirus panic followed a pattern that has occurred in hyperpartisan media from the beginning of the crisis: downplaying its significance, blaming the mainstream media for overhyping it, and hammering Democrats for trying to capitalize on it. All this has had an impact: Only 40% of Republicans now say the coronavirus is a real threat, down from 72% last month.
“Don’t believe what the media is telling you,” the Gateway Pundit said.
But, in their efforts to protect the president (who finally seems to have grasped the virus’s full dangers), the Gateway Pundit, One America News Network, and Fox News run a risk.
Unlike previous challenges for the Trump administration, including impeachment, Russian election interference, and payouts to Stormy Daniels, the coronavirus could kill large numbers of viewers or readers. If it did, it might be hard to rebuild trust.
“It's definitely a risk,” Mohamad Bazzi, an associate professor of journalism at NYU, told BuzzFeed News. “This feels like a culmination of the risk-taking, where it's now putting tens and hundreds of thousands of American lives at risk, as opposed to some other risks that might have impacted other parts of the world.”
“What's different about this crisis, compared to constant cascading of crises the Trump administration has either caused or made worse, is that people can actually see what's happening,” Eric Alterman, distinguished professor of English and journalism at Brooklyn College and author of Lying in State, told BuzzFeed News. “They couldn't really see what was happening at the border. They couldn't really see what was happening in Puerto Rico. They couldn't really see whatever the hell he did with Russia and Ukraine. But this one people can see.”
Still, a reckoning for the pro-Trump media is not assured. “It seems to have been absolutely correct when Trump said he could shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and his people wouldn't give a shit,” Alterman said. “So it's quite possible that as long as they have someone to blame — the liberal media, immigrants, China — he can keep it up. Nobody knows how long. I'm not making a prediction.”
Bazzi felt similarly. “I think we're already seeing the signs of a shift from Trump and from his supporters to basically pretend that the last two months didn't happen,” he said. “To say he'd been planning for this and preparing for this all along.”
Many on Fox News are only now warning of the virus’s dangers, after weeks of shrugging it off, as the fast-moving pandemic has changed peoples' lives — and minds. Jesse Watters, a personality on Fox News’ The Five, said Monday he’s taking social distancing seriously, after claiming earlier this month that he wasn’t afraid of the virus. Last Friday, Fox Business put Trish Regan’s show on hiatus after she said the coronavirus was “another attempt to impeach the president.” And Fox News’ Tucker Carlson’s warning about the dangers of the coronavirus last Monday — a break with his network’s broader tone — resonated with the president.
But while Fox News appeared to be coming around to the expert consensus on the severity of the pandemic, late on Tuesday, the Gateway Pundit published a story claiming the World Health Organization had "severely overstated the fatality rate" of the outbreak.


buzzfeed--2020-03-20--Members Of Congress Are Asking Nancy Pelosi To Let Them Vote Remotely Amid The Coronavirus Pandemic

“ The image of over 430 members and approximately 100 staffers clustered together on the House floor during votes is inconsistent with public health guidance.
” WASHINGTON — More than two dozen members of Congress have signed onto a bipartisan letter asking Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to allow the House to vote remotely as the coronavirus pandemic rages on .
“ Tonight we ask that you bring to the floor a simple rule change that would permit remote voting for Members of Congress during this national public health emergency , ” the letter says .
Members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week , but are expected to return to vote on a third coronavirus stimulus bill , likely next week .
“ We in Congress are asking businesses , schools , [ and ] local governments to execute strong plans to ensure continuity of essential services : Congress should be no exception .
… We are undermining our bipartisan message to the American people when we come together [ on ] the crowded House floor to vote , ” the letter , which is still in progress and currently signed by 28 members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 430 members and approximately 100 staffers clustered together on the House floor during votes is inconsistent with public health guidance from public health officials.
” CNN first reported the existence of the letter .
There ’ s a lot we still don ’ t know about the coronavirus outbreak .
Our newsletter , Outbreak Today , will do its best to put everything we do know in one place — you can sign up here .
Do you have questions you want answered ?
You can always get in touch .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impact of this firsthand , we ’ d also love to hear from you ( you can reach out to us via one of our tip line channels ) .
The letter comes after President Donald Trump discouraged gatherings larger than 10 people to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , on Monday .
The same day , Washington , DC , Mayor Muriel Bowser closed bars , restaurants , and gyms throughout the city .
DC ’ s metro service has also reduced service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter on Sunday , Pelosi encouraged Capitol Hill employees to promote social distancing , including teleworking from home during the weeklong in-district work period .
But Pelosi has consistently maintained that the Capitol will remain open in the face of a public health crisis .
Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
“ We must lead by example .
During this global pandemic , we need to do all that we can to follow the guidance of medical experts and the Center for Disease Control , ” Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members who signed onto the letter , told BuzzFeed News Wednesday .
“ Forcing members into a confined spaces and hours of public travel goes against the health guidance of the CDC to combat the coronavirus .
If remote voting is necessary to slow the spread of the virus , then Congress can and should adjust parliamentary rules to allow it.
” The sergeant-at-arms , in consultation with the House attending physician and leadership , limited visitor tours in the Capitol on Thursday until April 1 .
“ We recognize this is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi and McCarthy .
“ But the moment demands that we have the courage to change .
The House of Representatives should expect of itself the same flexibility and high standards of hygiene that we are asking of others.
” This is a developing story .
Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.

WASHINGTON — More than two dozen members of Congress have signed onto a bipartisan letter asking Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to allow the House to vote remotely as the coronavirus pandemic rages on.
“Tonight we ask that you bring to the floor a simple rule change that would permit remote voting for Members of Congress during this national public health emergency,” the letter says.
Members are at home in their districts for a week, but are expected to return to vote on a third coronavirus stimulus bill, likely next week.
“We in Congress are asking businesses, schools, [and] local governments to execute strong plans to ensure continuity of essential services: Congress should be no exception. … We are undermining our bipartisan message to the American people when we come together [on] the crowded House floor to vote,” the letter, which is still in progress and currently signed by 28 members, says. “The image of over 430 members and approximately 100 staffers clustered together on the House floor during votes is inconsistent with public health guidance from public health officials.”
CNN first reported the existence of the letter.


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--A Progressive Challenger Has Beaten One Of The Last Anti-Abortion Democrats In Congress

WASHINGTON — In an election marked by low turnout and lack of basic voting supplies because of coronavirus concerns , Marie Newman , a progressive , pro-abortion rights challenger to incumbent Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski has won the Democratic primary in Illinois ’ s 3rd Congressional District .
It ’ s a major victory for the progressive movement , and an especially welcome one after a disappointing loss in Texas earlier this month , where Jessica Cisneros fell short in her primary challenge against incumbent Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar , another anti-abortion moderate Democrat .
Decision Desk HQ called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 p.m. ; she led Lipinski , 47 % to 44 % , with 68 % of precincts reporting .
Last week , ahead of the election , Illinois officials told BuzzFeed News they planned to go forward with voting without any adjustments or changes .
Later , they joined with officials from Arizona , Ohio , and Florida — all of which had primaries scheduled for Tuesday — to release a statement saying that they were “ working closely with our state health officials to ensure that our poll workers and voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” '' Unlike concerts , sporting events or other mass gatherings where large groups of people travel long distances to congregate in a confined space for an extended period of time , polling locations see people from a nearby community coming into and out of the building for a short duration , '' the release said .
( Ohio ’ s governor later decided to close the polls Tuesday due to the coronavirus . )
But voting Tuesday in Illinois was nothing short of disastrous .
Voters and poll workers in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t have any hand sanitizer , or that if they did , it was only because poll workers brought bottles in themselves .
One worker said she had to turn away dozens of people because she hadn ’ t received voting supplies from the state , and another voter , Matt Lindner , reported having been turned away when he went to vote .
“ A functioning democracy should not have this , ” Lindner said .

WASHINGTON — In an election marked by low turnout and lack of basic voting supplies because of coronavirus concerns, Marie Newman, a progressive, pro-abortion rights challenger to incumbent Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski has won the Democratic primary in Illinois’s 3rd Congressional District.
It’s a major victory for the progressive movement, and an especially welcome one after a disappointing loss in Texas earlier this month, where Jessica Cisneros fell short in her primary challenge against incumbent Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar, another anti-abortion moderate Democrat.
Decision Desk HQ called the race for Newman Tuesday night just after 10 p.m.; she led Lipinski, 47% to 44%, with 68% of precincts reporting.
Last week, ahead of the election, Illinois officials told BuzzFeed News they planned to go forward with voting without any adjustments or changes.
Later, they joined with officials from Arizona, Ohio, and Florida — all of which had primaries scheduled for Tuesday — to release a statement saying that they were “working closely with our state health officials to ensure that our poll workers and voters can be confident that voting is safe.”
"Unlike concerts, sporting events or other mass gatherings where large groups of people travel long distances to congregate in a confined space for an extended period of time, polling locations see people from a nearby community coming into and out of the building for a short duration," the release said. (Ohio’s governor later decided to close the polls Tuesday due to the coronavirus.)
But voting Tuesday in Illinois was nothing short of disastrous. Voters and poll workers in the state told BuzzFeed News that many polling places didn’t have any hand sanitizer, or that if they did, it was only because poll workers brought bottles in themselves.
One worker said she had to turn away dozens of people because she hadn’t received voting supplies from the state, and another voter, Matt Lindner, reported having been turned away when he went to vote.
“A functioning democracy should not have this,” Lindner said.


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--Joe Biden Won Tuesday's Primaries. It Felt Completely Beside The Point.

Joe Biden is blowing out Bernie Sanders in Florida , Illinois , and Arizona on Tuesday night .
Also , over 6,000 people in the country have tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , and it 's difficult to think about anything else .
Even in a normally functioning world , this primary night would have lacked drama ( Ohio 's primary was ordered shuttered amid coronavirus fears ) .
Biden , in the last two weeks , has built up a lead in delegates and polling support that looks basically impossible for Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already lost most of its suspense .
And this is not a normally functioning world .
When the federal government strongly recommends not being in a group of more than 10 people , voting and campaigning take on a very different mood .
What ’ s the greater civic responsibility right now : voting in our democracy or slowing the spread of the coronavirus by avoiding the crowds many polling centers bring out ?
Outcomes of individual state primaries , where turnout is significantly different than what it would have been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you remember anything that happened in the presidential debate Sunday night ?
Aside from the brief terror I felt when Biden coughed twice at its start , I do not .
I get paid to remember these things .
The primary isn ’ t exactly over : Sanders is , for now , still in it .
Tulsi Gabbard is still out there , presumably surfing .
It just feels beside the point when most of us are sitting in our homes waiting for something catastrophic to happen .
At this moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sure when the next primary votes will be .
This is not to pretend the differences in policy and approach between Sanders and Biden aren ’ t meaningful , that democracy should be disregarded in a crisis , or that the candidates don ’ t represent very different ideas for what the future of this country could look like .
It ’ s just hard to think about January 2021 when there ’ s so much uncertainty about next Monday .
The whole of this primary campaign has been bizarre .
Twenty-eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their candidacies , including a scammy small-city Florida mayor and a surprisingly successful small-city Indiana mayor , two Johns , two Joes , a mass of men with last names beginning with the letter B , and Marianne Williamson .
When the primaries were beginning , many candidates were unable to campaign because they were in the middle of trying to remove the current president from office .
Now with the primaries winding down , the remaining candidates are unable to campaign because they ’ re in the middle of a pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those of us who have been covering this election and for the people working within it .
It ’ s a feeling of running in sleet as fast as you possibly can while your family is shouting at you for your attention , and then suddenly hitting a wall and everything going silent .
The Iowa caucus disaster was six weeks ago .
Biden ’ s collapse in New Hampshire , what I and many others thought could ’ ve been the end of his campaign , was five .
Just about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Nevada looking like the likely nominee .
It ’ s barely been two weeks since Biden came back in South Carolina and rallied the establishment , two weeks since Super Tuesday when he swept up .
I was in Iowa for a little over a week leading up to the caucuses there , starting to read stories in the hotel lobby with other campaign reporters about the virus going around China .
International businesses had started canceling travel .
We were able to get an extra few days at our nice hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the not-so-nice hotel , and it seemed like a pretty good deal .
I went to Las Vegas for the first time in my life in the days before the Nevada caucuses and got absolutely lost trying to figure out how to find the street from inside the sprawling neon .
I spent about 15 minutes watching a dozen men play craps shoulder to shoulder , completely unable to figure out what the rules were .
When I landed back at JFK in New York after , I first noticed how many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel like artifacts of another world .
Joe Biden is winning the primary , Joe Biden seems likely to keep winning the primary , and I have no idea when any of us will next be in a place like a casino .

Joe Biden is blowing out Bernie Sanders in Florida, Illinois, and Arizona on Tuesday night. Also, over 6,000 people in the country have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and it's difficult to think about anything else.
Even in a normally functioning world, this primary night would have lacked drama (Ohio's primary was ordered shuttered amid coronavirus fears). Biden, in the last two weeks, has built up a lead in delegates and polling support that looks basically impossible for Sanders to overcome. The Democratic presidential primary had already lost most of its suspense.
And this is not a normally functioning world.
When the federal government strongly recommends not being in a group of more than 10 people, voting and campaigning take on a very different mood. What’s the greater civic responsibility right now: voting in our democracy or slowing the spread of the coronavirus by avoiding the crowds many polling centers bring out? Outcomes of individual state primaries, where turnout is significantly different than what it would have been in a normal environment, feel unremarkable.
Do you remember anything that happened in the presidential debate Sunday night? Aside from the brief terror I felt when Biden coughed twice at its start, I do not. I get paid to remember these things.
The primary isn’t exactly over: Sanders is, for now, still in it. Tulsi Gabbard is still out there, presumably surfing. It just feels beside the point when most of us are sitting in our homes waiting for something catastrophic to happen. At this moment, we can’t even say for sure when the next primary votes will be.
This is not to pretend the differences in policy and approach between Sanders and Biden aren’t meaningful, that democracy should be disregarded in a crisis, or that the candidates don’t represent very different ideas for what the future of this country could look like. It’s just hard to think about January 2021 when there’s so much uncertainty about next Monday.
The whole of this primary campaign has been bizarre. Twenty-eight Democrats at one point or another declared their candidacies, including a scammy small-city Florida mayor and a surprisingly successful small-city Indiana mayor, two Johns, two Joes, a mass of men with last names beginning with the letter B, and Marianne Williamson. When the primaries were beginning, many candidates were unable to campaign because they were in the middle of trying to remove the current president from office. Now with the primaries winding down, the remaining candidates are unable to campaign because they’re in the middle of a pandemic.
It’s a particularly unsettling sensation for those of us who have been covering this election and for the people working within it. It’s a feeling of running in sleet as fast as you possibly can while your family is shouting at you for your attention, and then suddenly hitting a wall and everything going silent. The Iowa caucus disaster was six weeks ago. Biden’s collapse in New Hampshire, what I and many others thought could’ve been the end of his campaign, was five. Just about four weeks ago, Sanders came out of Nevada looking like the likely nominee. It’s barely been two weeks since Biden came back in South Carolina and rallied the establishment, two weeks since Super Tuesday when he swept up.
I was in Iowa for a little over a week leading up to the caucuses there, starting to read stories in the hotel lobby with other campaign reporters about the virus going around China. International businesses had started canceling travel. We were able to get an extra few days at our nice hotel in Des Moines before getting bumped to the not-so-nice hotel, and it seemed like a pretty good deal. I went to Las Vegas for the first time in my life in the days before the Nevada caucuses and got absolutely lost trying to figure out how to find the street from inside the sprawling neon. I spent about 15 minutes watching a dozen men play craps shoulder to shoulder, completely unable to figure out what the rules were. When I landed back at JFK in New York after, I first noticed how many people were wearing masks.
These moments now feel like artifacts of another world. Joe Biden is winning the primary, Joe Biden seems likely to keep winning the primary, and I have no idea when any of us will next be in a place like a casino.


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--Live Results: Arizona, Florida, And Illinois Democratic Primaries

This post will be updated as results come in .

Live Results: Arizona, Florida, And Illinois Democratic Primaries
This post will be updated as results come in.


buzzfeed--2020-03-18--*Could* TV Networks Actually Air Old Basketball Tournaments?

Last week , when it began to look likely that the NCAA would cancel March Madness , MSNBC ’ s Steve Kornacki proposed a solution : “ If there ’ s no NCAA tournament this year , ” he wrote on Twitter , “ I think CBS should go into the archives and assemble all the footage from one from years ago — commercials , pregame and halftime shows , in-game updates , everything .
Use 1992 or something .
Then just run it all like it ’ s new.
” Since then , the leagues have canceled or postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA season , the NHL season , spring training and the Major League Baseball season , and more because of the coronavirus .
Basically the only thing remaining on the schedule to cover live is the NFL draft , while more and more people get stranded at home .
So could TV networks air old college basketball tournaments ?
Or the 2000 NBA playoffs ?
What about the 1997 Masters where Tiger won that first time ?
I emailed representatives for a few of the major broadcasters earlier today with this general question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoffs and tournaments , or what issues might prevent them from doing so .
A spokesperson for ESPN quickly pointed me to a Tuesday Q & A with Burke Magnus , an EVP , about their programming plans without live sports to air ( or even talk about ) .
The general answer is ... it 's thinking about airing old games : Re-airing full-game presentations is not a right that we or other media companies typically have at our disposal at all times .
Each one of these circumstances requires individual conversations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine what ’ s possible .
Since we ’ ve heard from fans that would love to relive full-game presentations , particularly at this moment in time , we are exploring that possibility for events and content that we don ’ t have re-air rights already .
We are working with the leagues themselves to free up the possibility to show encore presentations and discussing how we can present them .
In some instances , we aren ’ t even the original rightsholder , which is the case for the Men ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Event programming will continue to be supplemented by ESPN live studio and news programming , plus original shows and films .
Basically , there are some real rights issues here .
At a minimum , you ’ d need a willing partnership between network and league .
Elsewhere in the Q & A , Magnus said the network is currently geared toward covering the NFL draft ( which is supposed to continue , just minus events ) but are also looking at scaling “ fun , compelling archival content and/or themed and stunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a time that there are virtually no other live sports to watch.
” But the beauty of Steve ’ s original suggestion is that a full tournament would provide narrative .
In a situation where everyone is at home and isolated , you ’ re looking for something that could potentially create a communal experience with a beginning , middle , end , and surprises .
To get this , you need something that runs end to end — not just the one-off selection of Yankees Classics that air on the YES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t too recent to give a little mystery and fuzziness .
( Nobody really remembers most of anything from , for example , 1992 ’ s March Madness — except the Grant Hill–Christian Laettner play . )
You need this to air with a little fanfare in an easily accessible place — nobody wants to harass their friends to dig up some random grainy clips on YouTube .
And you need some good surprises in there too , like the actual ads from forever ago , since there ’ s no joy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cool 25 years ago .
You need an old basketball tournament !
That ’ s what you need !

Last week, when it began to look likely that the NCAA would cancel March Madness, MSNBC’s Steve Kornacki proposed a solution:
“If there’s no NCAA tournament this year,” he wrote on Twitter, “I think CBS should go into the archives and assemble all the footage from one from years ago — commercials, pregame and halftime shows, in-game updates, everything. Use 1992 or something. Then just run it all like it’s new.”
Since then, the leagues have canceled or postponed March Madness, the Masters, the NBA season, the NHL season, spring training and the Major League Baseball season, and more because of the coronavirus. Basically the only thing remaining on the schedule to cover live is the NFL draft, while more and more people get stranded at home.
So could TV networks air old college basketball tournaments? Or the 2000 NBA playoffs? What about the 1997 Masters where Tiger won that first time?
I emailed representatives for a few of the major broadcasters earlier today with this general question of whether they would consider airing old playoffs and tournaments, or what issues might prevent them from doing so.
A spokesperson for ESPN quickly pointed me to a Tuesday Q&A with Burke Magnus, an EVP, about their programming plans without live sports to air (or even talk about).
The general answer is...it's thinking about airing old games:
Re-airing full-game presentations is not a right that we or other media companies typically have at our disposal at all times. Each one of these circumstances requires individual conversations with the specific league or property to determine what’s possible. Since we’ve heard from fans that would love to relive full-game presentations, particularly at this moment in time, we are exploring that possibility for events and content that we don’t have re-air rights already. We are working with the leagues themselves to free up the possibility to show encore presentations and discussing how we can present them. In some instances, we aren’t even the original rightsholder, which is the case for the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament, for example. Event programming will continue to be supplemented by ESPN live studio and news programming, plus original shows and films.
Basically, there are some real rights issues here. At a minimum, you’d need a willing partnership between network and league.
Elsewhere in the Q&A, Magnus said the network is currently geared toward covering the NFL draft (which is supposed to continue, just minus events) but are also looking at scaling “fun, compelling archival content and/or themed and stunt event programming that will provide a diversion at a time that there are virtually no other live sports to watch.”
(I also emailed reps for CBS Sports, Turner Sports, and Fox Sports earlier with the same question — no answer as of yet.)
But the beauty of Steve’s original suggestion is that a full tournament would provide narrative. In a situation where everyone is at home and isolated, you’re looking for something that could potentially create a communal experience with a beginning, middle, end, and surprises.
To get this, you need something that runs end to end — not just the one-off selection of Yankees Classics that air on the YES Network.
You need something that isn’t too recent to give a little mystery and fuzziness. (Nobody really remembers most of anything from, for example, 1992’s March Madness — except the Grant Hill–Christian Laettner play.) You need this to air with a little fanfare in an easily accessible place — nobody wants to harass their friends to dig up some random grainy clips on YouTube. And you need some good surprises in there too, like the actual ads from forever ago, since there’s no joy like seeing what was supposed to be cool 25 years ago.
You need an old basketball tournament! That’s what you need!


buzzfeed--2020-03-17--The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Made Voting In Illinois Today A Full Mess

Voters and poll workers reported chaos , nonfunctional polling places , unsanitary conditions , and low turnout across the state of Illinois on Tuesday as the primary election continued despite the coronavirus outbreak .
After the state scrambled to move polling places away from nursing homes and other vulnerable populations , some voters said they were unable to vote because their new polling places lacked basic voting supplies .
With scores of election judges and volunteers dropping out at the last minute in the face of the outbreak , the city of Chicago was asking “ able bodied voters ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way to deal with understaffed polling locations , according to an email viewed by BuzzFeed News .
The Cook County Clerk ’ s Office posted that it was “ waving all training requirements ” for applicants who wanted to serve as election judges .
“ This was a very rushed process , and our local election officials are trying to handle it the best way that they can , ” said Matt Dietrich , a spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections .
He said local areas had been “ doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaning supplies to polling locations .
“ Everyone needs to keep in mind that this is an unprecedented situation , ” he added .
Some election workers who did show up , meanwhile , said they felt unsafe because of a lack of sanitary supplies .
Some precincts had zero hand sanitizer , voters said , or only a few bottles that had been brought in by poll workers themselves .
Rebecca Gross , 16 , a high school student who is staffing one of two precincts being served by a polling place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago , said Tuesday morning that her precinct had still not received the `` blue box '' full of election materials necessary to conduct voting , as of late morning .
They had turned away roughly 70 voters so far Tuesday , Gross estimated .
Gross said she and others working at the precinct had been told the materials would be on their way around 7 a.m. , but they still had n't arrived , and that staff had now been told it might not come at all .
She said she and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board of Elections `` countless times '' in an effort to get the box .
They have begun redirecting voters to an early-voting location in their ward .

Voters and poll workers reported chaos, nonfunctional polling places, unsanitary conditions, and low turnout across the state of Illinois on Tuesday as the primary election continued despite the coronavirus outbreak.
After the state scrambled to move polling places away from nursing homes and other vulnerable populations, some voters said they were unable to vote because their new polling places lacked basic voting supplies.
With scores of election judges and volunteers dropping out at the last minute in the face of the outbreak, the city of Chicago was asking “able bodied voters” to act as last-minute poll workers as a way to deal with understaffed polling locations, according to an email viewed by BuzzFeed News. The Cook County Clerk’s Office posted that it was “waving all training requirements” for applicants who wanted to serve as election judges.
“This was a very rushed process, and our local election officials are trying to handle it the best way that they can,” said Matt Dietrich, a spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections. He said local areas had been “doing everything they possibly could” to provide cleaning supplies to polling locations.
“Everyone needs to keep in mind that this is an unprecedented situation,” he added.
Some election workers who did show up, meanwhile, said they felt unsafe because of a lack of sanitary supplies. Some precincts had zero hand sanitizer, voters said, or only a few bottles that had been brought in by poll workers themselves.
Rebecca Gross, 16, a high school student who is staffing one of two precincts being served by a polling place at the Broadway United Methodist Church in Chicago, said Tuesday morning that her precinct had still not received the "blue box" full of election materials necessary to conduct voting, as of late morning. They had turned away roughly 70 voters so far Tuesday, Gross estimated.
Gross said she and others working at the precinct had been told the materials would be on their way around 7 a.m., but they still hadn't arrived, and that staff had now been told it might not come at all. She said she and the other workers had called the Chicago Board of Elections "countless times" in an effort to get the box. They have begun redirecting voters to an early-voting location in their ward.


buzzfeed--2020-03-17--The US Government Is Spending Millions Of Dollars To Respond To The Coronavirus Crisis

Dozens of government contracts awarded in recent weeks reveal how the administration is trying to deal with the spread of the virus .
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has awarded dozens of government contracts to businesses in recent weeks in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus and show how the federal government is planning to spend millions of dollars to respond to the growing crisis .
The recent flurry of contracts , some awarded without an open competition , reflect the urgency with which the US government is attempting to contain the coronavirus outbreak , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , has already killed more than 3,100 people in China .
Congress has approved an $ 8.3 billion emergency spending package to help agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fight the spread of the virus , and President Donald Trump declared a national state of emergency to free up billions more in funding .
Between the start of this year and Monday , the Department of Health and Human Services has issued $ 5.8 million in contracts mentioning the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of 2019 combined .
( Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that have been around for years ; the novel coronavirus , which originated in Wuhan , China , in 2019 is the current strain . )
When the term “ COVID-19 ” is added , the total hits $ 7.3 million .
Government-wide spending mentioning just “ coronavirus ” sits at $ 7.5 million — higher than any of the 10 preceding years .
Government departments and agencies are making plans to buy everything from cleaning wipes to respirator masks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contracts will undoubtedly increase in the weeks ahead as the number of cases increases .
The figure also leaves out many contracts connected to the outbreak that don ’ t explicitly mention the coronavirus in their description .
Earlier this month , FEMA said that due to the “ significant increase of the COVID-19 virus , ” it was looking for disinfecting wipes and sprayers , as well as “ the ability to immediately deploy personnel to provide and administer disinfectant cleaning services ” for FEMA facilities in Oregon , Alaska , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been home to a recent coronavirus outbreak .
“ The contract is currently being competed and we can ’ t comment on contracts being competed , ” a FEMA spokesperson said .
The government is also looking to purchase masks to deal with the outbreak .
Last week , the Department of Veterans Affairs said it was paying a Florida-based company $ 338,234 for special air purifying masks as part of the “ COVID-19 response.
” Neither Veterans Affairs nor the company , Native Instinct , returned a request for comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 519,000 in other contracts since the outbreak began for more breathing equipment and an “ emergency diesel generator w/ trailer , ” among other things , but it ’ s uncertain if the items are connected to the coronavirus response .
The Treasury Department ’ s Bureau of the Fiscal Service also said last week that it was spending $ 13,878 on a “ bulk order ” of 3M-brand “ respirator masks.
” The name of the contractor was not provided .
The Fiscal Service did not answer questions about whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response .
The urgent spending presents a possible windfall for contractors who land deals to provide the government the goods and services it needs to quickly handle an outbreak that threatens to kill scores of Americans .
But urgency , especially if combined with understaffing or lack of experience , can also lead to poorly sourced or written contracts , as evidenced during past national crises .
“ Unfortunately there are lots of examples of waste , fraud , and corruption when the government spends money quickly , ” said Sean Moulton , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Government Oversight who specializes in government spending .
“ But the problems that lead to poor spending decisions in emergency situations have been around for years — poor planning and preparation , inadequate competition , and minimal accountability and transparency .
We issued a report after Hurricane Katrina ( almost 14 years ago ) detailing these problems that is still directly relevant today .
We have n't adequately addressed these shortcomings for hurricane response spending much less for other emergencies.
” “ Obviously in disaster situations the urgency of need necessitates a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That is why we have continually encouraged Uncle Sam to fully review and vet disaster response contractors ahead of time and have contracts and rates in place for goods and services .
Such steps , plus including contract provisions for additional oversight and accountability of performance and billing , will ensure that taxpayers are not being gouged by profiteers.
” There ’ s a lot we still don ’ t know about the coronavirus outbreak .
Our newsletter , Outbreak Today , will do its best to put everything we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign up here .
Do you have questions you want answered ?
You can always get in touch .
And if you 're someone who is seeing the impact of this firsthand , we ’ d also love to hear from you ( you can reach out to us via one of our tip line channels ) .
One of the contractors hired to help respond to the coronavirus outbreak has experience with a poorly written contract .
Bruce Wagner , whose company Rapid Deployment has received more than $ 26 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs a second company whose deal with FEMA after Katrina came under scrutiny by a government watchdog .
FEMA paid that company , Clearbrook , more than $ 76 million to provide base camps for first responders to live in after the storm ravaged Louisiana in 2005 .
But later that year , the Department of Homeland Security ’ s inspector general said it had “ identified several significant problems with the contract and its billings , ” and urged FEMA to stop paying Clearbrook until the issues were fixed .
The inspector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review recommending that FEMA disallow $ 16.4 million in charges that Clearbrook had billed .
A lawyer who responded to questions from BuzzFeed News on behalf of Wagner said that Clearbrook is “ a separate and distinct company from ” Rapid Development and that the issue with the FEMA contract has been resolved .
“ After a lengthy internal review by the Office of Investigator General , with Clearbrook ’ s full cooperation , no penalties or charges were levied against Clearb [ r ] ook and the contract was final billed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracting agency , ” attorney John P. Browning said in an email Thursday .
FEMA directed questions about the contract to the Inspector General ’ s Office , which didn ’ t respond to a request for comment .
HHS did not respond to questions for this story , either .
In more than two dozen recent contracts and modifications with Rapid Deployment , the government lists many of the emergency services it has hired the Alabama-based company to provide , including meals , port-a-potties , generators , and more at US quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly exposed to the virus abroad have been repatriated and subject to two-week quarantines at military bases across the country .
The largest single contract awarded to the company so far is valued at $ 16.2 million and was sole-sourced , according to publicly available documentation .
“ Any delay in the contract award would have resulted in serious injury to the agency 's mission and to the lives of hundreds of citizens/repatriates arriving in the United States , or to individuals within the United States that interacted with the repatriates that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” CDC officials wrote when justifying why an open bidding process wasn ’ t an option .
“ The time available to solicit and issue award could easily be measured in hours/days.
” At the time , the officials said the “ core nature of the services to be provided are commercial in nature — housekeeping and providing food/drinks , ” and listed four military bases in California , Texas , and Hawaii as the locations needing the services .
The government listed additional military bases in California , Texas , and New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company .
Rapid Deployment — which said it has also done work in “ Iraq , Lebanon , Yugoslavia , Nigeria and other countries , conflicts , and disasters ” — has been hired to provide everything from janitorial to laundry services at the bases .
“ All operations and contract performance is being achieved as planned , ” Browning said .
The tasks share similarities with Clearbrook ’ s responsibilities after Katrina , a storm that killed more than 1,000 people and ravaged New Orleans .
At the time , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Katrina disaster responders at seven base camps throughout Louisiana , ” the DHS inspector general said in its first writeup on the contract in November 2005 .
Over a year later , the Inspector General ’ s Office published a longer review of the Clearbrook contract .
“ As a result of FEMA ’ s haste to establish base camps , and the shortage of trained and experienced contracting officials , the Clearbrook contract was not effectively awarded and administered , leading to contractual deficiencies , excessive billings , and questionable costs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2007 report read .
The $ 16.4 million were charges for “ staging costs ” that the Inspector General ’ s Office concluded should have been included in the fixed rate for the camps .
“ There was no evidence that direct costs could be billed separately , ” the report said .
But nearly three years later , FEMA had yet to recoup the money , according to a local news report .
FEMA had responded to the audit in 2008 , saying it wouldn ’ t pursue a claim because most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the story said .
Wagner ’ s company is among several helping the US government respond to the coronavirus crisis .
In late February , the US Army published a notice announcing its plans to sole-source the purchase of a medical testing device known as the Panther Fusion platform , acknowledging issues with the CDC ’ s tests for the virus .
“ The deployment of the U.S. CDC Emergency Use Authorization assay has been plagued by problems with reagents , thus delaying implementation of testing in U.S. civilian and DOD laboratories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February .
It said that as a result , current testing systems were slower and limited in their “ ability to scale up to high-volume testing required in the dynamically changing epidemic situation.
” The Panther Fusion platform “ can be implemented for rapid coronavirus detection , ” the notice said , adding that “ Gen Probe is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the Panther System.
” The Army did not respond to questions about the notice .

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has awarded dozens of government contracts to businesses in recent weeks in an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus and show how the federal government is planning to spend millions of dollars to respond to the growing crisis.
The recent flurry of contracts, some awarded without an open competition, reflect the urgency with which the US government is attempting to contain the coronavirus outbreak, which the World Health Organization recently declared a pandemic. COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has already killed more than 3,100 people in China. Congress has approved an $8.3 billion emergency spending package to help agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fight the spread of the virus, and President Donald Trump declared a national state of emergency to free up billions more in funding.
Between the start of this year and Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued $5.8 million in contracts mentioning the term “coronavirus” — more than all of 2019 combined. (Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that have been around for years; the novel coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China, in 2019 is the current strain.) When the term “COVID-19” is added, the total hits $7.3 million. Government-wide spending mentioning just “coronavirus” sits at $7.5 million — higher than any of the 10 preceding years.


buzzfeed--2020-03-17--Ohio’s Governor Said Primary Polls Will Be Closed Tuesday Because Of The Coronavirus

Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine gives an update on the state 's preparedness efforts in Cleveland , Feb. 27 .
Ohio will close its polls for Tuesday ’ s presidential primary , citing a health emergency due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus .
The decision came late Monday , after hours of confusion and after a judge ruled against a lawsuit by private citizens endorsed by Gov .
Mike DeWine to postpone the primary until June 2 .
DeWine had said earlier Monday that state officials could not unilaterally change the date of a primary and recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date .
`` During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis , to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at a unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus , ” DeWine said in a statement late Monday night .
“ As such , Health Director Dr. Amy Acton will order the polls closed as a health emergency .
While the polls will be closed tomorrow , Secretary of State Frank LaRose will seek a remedy through the courts to extend voting options so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be granted that opportunity . ''
Polls were due to open in Ohio at 6:30 on Tuesday morning .
Online court records in Franklin County , Ohio , where Monday ’ s lawsuit was filed , showed an appeal to the judge ’ s ruling had been filed , with LaRose listed as a respondent .
It was not clear late Monday what would happen to early votes already cast or if the state would tabulate any results Tuesday .

Ohio will close its polls for Tuesday’s presidential primary, citing a health emergency due to concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
The decision came late Monday, after hours of confusion and after a judge ruled against a lawsuit by private citizens endorsed by Gov. Mike DeWine to postpone the primary until June 2.
DeWine had said earlier Monday that state officials could not unilaterally change the date of a primary and recommended extending absentee voting until the June makeup date.
"During this time when we face an unprecedented public health crisis, to conduct an election tomorrow would force poll workers and voters to place themselves at a unacceptable health risk of contracting coronavirus,” DeWine said in a statement late Monday night. “As such, Health Director Dr. Amy Acton will order the polls closed as a health emergency. While the polls will be closed tomorrow, Secretary of State Frank LaRose will seek a remedy through the courts to extend voting options so that every voter who wants to vote will be granted that opportunity."
Polls were due to open in Ohio at 6:30 on Tuesday morning.
Online court records in Franklin County, Ohio, where Monday’s lawsuit was filed, showed an appeal to the judge’s ruling had been filed, with LaRose listed as a respondent.
It was not clear late Monday what would happen to early votes already cast or if the state would tabulate any results Tuesday.