buzzfeed--2020-04-12--“My President Is Not My God”: Some Churches Are Planning To Host Hundreds For Easter Sunday Services

“My President Is Not My God”: Some Churches Are Planning To Host Hundreds For Easter Sunday Services Despite The Coronavirus

The federal government recommends no one attend gatherings of more than 10 people , but some churches are still encouraging big congregations to attend Easter Sunday services .
When he picked up the phone and heard it was a reporter on the line , Louisiana Pastor Tony Spell almost immediately began reciting the Declaration of Independence .
“ We hold these truths to be self-evident , that all men are created equal , that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights , that among these are life , liberty , and the pursuit of happiness , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Church in Baton Rouge told BuzzFeed News Thursday morning over the phone .
“ My government is not my creator , my president is not my God , ” continued Spell , who was charged with six misdemeanors last week for continuing to hold in-person services despite the coronavirus pandemic .
“ The president did not give me my rights to worship God and to assemble in church , and no socialist government or godless president can take that right away.
” While the majority of churches in the country have chosen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choosing , when they can , to host their congregations online via livestream — several churches around the country have continued to hold services .
Many of them have big Easter Sunday plans , even as some church gatherings across the US have led to outbreaks among their congregants .
Glorious Way Church in Houston , Texas , plans to hold a socially distanced Easter morning service on Sunday , removing benches and using volunteer ushers to make sure family units stay six feet apart from one another , the distance recommended by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help prevent spreading the virus .
Solid Rock Church , a megachurch in Ohio , has stated it will keep holding services as long as the First Amendment of the Constitution is upheld , though a notice on its website says it is limiting its services , suspending collections and communion “ in a normal sense , ” and that there are not a “ large number of worshippers ” in the facility for services .
A link to “ Easter @ Solid Rock ” leads to an unrelated event , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show that the church plans on holding two services Sunday at their Lebanon ( “ North ” ) campus , as well as some “ adult classes ” for members of the church , including a finance class and one called “ Marriage Matters.
” A woman who answered Solid Rock ’ s phone told BuzzFeed News she has been advised to refer all callers to its website , due to “ all the bad press we ’ ve received ” for staying open .
The website has a notice saying they “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ohio ’ s order , and lists ways in which the church is attempting to mitigate the spread .
However , it also insists it is the church ’ s responsibility to stay open , quoting this line from the New Testament : “ Let us not give up the habit of meeting together , as some are doing .
Instead , let us encourage one another all the more , since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer .
Hebrews 10:25.
” The Bridge Church in Robstown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services leading up to Easter , Pastor Joel Garza told BuzzFeed News over the phone Thursday , as well as its normal Sunday services .
They disinfect the church before and after services , ask congregants to stay a “ safe distance ” from other families , and set up speakers in the parking lot for those who prefer to stay in their cars for service , but anywhere from 100 to 200 attendees have been showing up , Garza said , adding that he hopes more people come this Sunday for Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge , told BuzzFeed News he is sending 27 buses out to bring congregants to his church for Easter Sunday service , and that he expects about 2,000 people to attend .
The service will last all day with a rotating cast of congregants as more are bused in and out — about eight hours for the morning service and three hours in the evening , he said .
Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak , medical experts have advised against gatherings of more than a few people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) urged against the congregating of more than 50 people .
Just a few days later , President Donald Trump released his guidelines for slowing the spread of coronavirus , including avoiding “ social gatherings in groups of 10 or more people.
” Many houses of worship are obeying these guidelines , and some influential religious organizations and sects , including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , the Catholic Church , the US Council of Muslim Organizations , and various denominations of Judaism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are urging services take place online .
As BuzzFeed News reported last month , a poll conducted in mid-March found that nearly a fifth of religious Americans said they were still attending in-person services .
However , conditions have changed and worsened significantly since then , and some outbreaks have even occurred explicitly due to church gatherings .
At least 70 attendees of a church in Sacramento , California , were diagnosed with COVID-19 last week , and in March churches in Arkansas and Illinois saw dozens of citizens fall ill after attending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued stay-at-home orders have included exceptions for houses of worship .
New York , Pennsylvania , Texas , Michigan , and California have all issued stay-at-home orders that either designate houses of worship as “ essential ” ( exempting them from having to close ) or encourage them to close but exempt them from penalties .
For example , Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer banned all gatherings outside the home , but added that “ a place of religious worship , when used for religious worship , is not subject to penalty '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have directives that are not particularly clear on the guidelines for houses of worship .
South Carolina and Alabama did not explicitly address houses of worship , but left them out of their list of nonessential businesses required to close .
Louisiana Gov .
John Bel Edwards issued an executive order in mid-March that banned gatherings of more than 50 people , but made exceptions for traveling “ to-and-from ” houses of worship .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ’ s order exempts houses of worship from the state ’ s ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he then tweeted a plea to religious leaders to halt in-person services .
Even with these exemptions , some religious leaders , like Spell , have flouted directives so openly that they are now facing criminal charges .
“ Right now I have $ 5,000 in fines and am facing up to 900 days in jail , ” Spell said Thursday , adding that his congregation continues to support him and is even growing with each service , people coming from all over the country , he said , from as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at times , claimed his congregation is as big as 1,800 .
The Central Police Department in Baton Rouge confirmed Spell has to go to court on six counts , but said the court will decide on a fine amount and sentencing .
Asked if the department plans to break up Easter services at Life Tabernacle Church , the spokesperson told BuzzFeed , “ As far as us going up in the church Sunday , unless the government puts an order out and tells the chief , our hands are tied , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforce what he ’ s put out .
We ’ ve gone as far as we can go.
” Contrary to Spell ’ s claims , “ He does not have 1,800 people in that church .
Ever , ” the spokesperson said .
They added that the police department is on scene , monitoring the situation — but has not been invasive — and there are multiple agencies investigating the church .
In Florida , state and local governments grappled with confusing executive orders that all seem to center around megachurch pastor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay Church .
Howard-Browne was arrested on March 30 after refusing to close doors in response to social distancing guidelines .
Hillsborough County in Florida issued a “ safer-at-home ” order on March 27 for everyone , aside from essential workers .
All other residents were to leave their homes only for food , medicine , and essentials .
Three days later , on April 1 , Gov .
Ron DeSantis followed up with a statewide executive order declaring churches “ essential.
” He then signed a second order that would supersede “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by local officials in response to COVID-19.
” Thursday afternoon , Howard-Browne posted a powerful minutelong video with the caption “ The Church Shall Stand.
” “ And if it is the end , then so be it .
We ’ re willing to die for the cause of the Gospel , ” Howard-Browne 's voice boomed , calling the directive to close churches amid the pandemic an “ insidious plan to shut the church of Jesus Christ down.
” It ’ s still not clear if the church will open for Easter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christian Center in Lodi , California , was stopped by police before hosting in-person Palm Sunday services on April 5 .
The church that rented Duncan ’ s congregation space , Bethel Open Bible Church , had even changed the locks three weeks earlier to keep the pastor from holding services .
A receptionist for Bethel Open Bible Church told BuzzFeed News Thursday that she “ didn ’ t know ” whether the group would be holding Easter Sunday services as well .
The landlord did not return BuzzFeed News ’ request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Way Church in Houston told BuzzFeed News that they are working with law enforcement to continue to hold services .
Glorious Church has instituted strict social distancing rules , requiring people to wait in their cars until they are able to be ushered into the church by a volunteer and making sure every family unit is at least 6 feet apart .
In a phone call Thursday , Glorious Way Church Associate Pastor James Buntrock said that he has even hired law enforcement to be present at services to protect his congregation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case any “ activist type people ” try to show up to spread COVID-19 among the church attendees .
“ Nobody has threatened us directly here , ” Buntrock said , adding that they haven ’ t had any problems with members of the press either : “ But I 've heard rumors of those possibilities , ” he said , “ so I just wanted to be prepared.
” Texas ’ stay-at-home order explicitly labeled houses of worship “ essential services , ” and some churches , like Glorious Way and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We as essential organizations need to show up right now .
If nurses and doctors , or police officers and firefighters , didn ’ t show up , it would be considered dishonorable , ” Bridge Church leader Joel Garza told BuzzFeed News .
“ Yet churches , for whatever reason , seem to feel like it 's okay not to show up when our world needs us the most.
” Garza even went as far as to say that he believed attending services would help people fight off coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , depressed , it weakens your immune system , and they 're most susceptible to disease through depression , ” Garza said .
“ But if they come to church , they 're encouraged , they 're joyful , their immune system receives like a B-12 , and they 're able to go do better fighting off any kind of infirmities.
” American Psychological Association Director of Clinical Research and Quality Vaile Wright told BuzzFeed News Friday that there was “ certainly no evidence ” to suggest that attending church could boost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommending a distance of 6 feet between congregants was still in violation of the CDC ’ s recommendations .
“ Long-term stress can suppress the immune system and that can in turn lead to illness , and we do know social contact is a way to buffer stress .
However , the benefit that can come from that social contact does not have to be face to face , ” Wright said .
“ It ’ s important that we come together during these times of worship , but you have to balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay physically apart .
”

“Right now I have $5,000 in fines and am facing up to 900 days in jail,” Spell said Thursday, adding that his congregation continues to support him and is even growing with each service, people coming from all over the country, he said, from as far as Michigan and Minnesota. He has, at times, claimed his congregation is as big as 1,800.
The Central Police Department in Baton Rouge confirmed Spell has to go to court on six counts, but said the court will decide on a fine amount and sentencing.
Asked if the department plans to break up Easter services at Life Tabernacle Church, the spokesperson told BuzzFeed, “As far as us going up in the church Sunday, unless the government puts an order out and tells the chief, our hands are tied, ma’am. We can only enforce what he’s put out. We’ve gone as far as we can go.”
Contrary to Spell’s claims, “He does not have 1,800 people in that church. Ever,” the spokesperson said. They added that the police department is on scene, monitoring the situation — but has not been invasive — and there are multiple agencies investigating the church.
In Florida, state and local governments grappled with confusing executive orders that all seem to center around megachurch pastor Rodney Howard-Browne of the River at Tampa Bay Church. Howard-Browne was arrested on March 30 after refusing to close doors in response to social distancing guidelines.
Hillsborough County in Florida issued a “safer-at-home” order on March 27 for everyone, aside from essential workers. All other residents were to leave their homes only for food, medicine, and essentials. Three days later, on April 1, Gov. Ron DeSantis followed up with a statewide executive order declaring churches “essential.” He then signed a second order that would supersede “any conflicting official action or order issued by local officials in response to COVID-19.”
Thursday afternoon, Howard-Browne posted a powerful minutelong video with the caption “The Church Shall Stand.”
“And if it is the end, then so be it. We’re willing to die for the cause of the Gospel,” Howard-Browne's voice boomed, calling the directive to close churches amid the pandemic an “insidious plan to shut the church of Jesus Christ down.” It’s still not clear if the church will open for Easter.
Pastor Jon Duncan of Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi, California, was stopped by police before hosting in-person Palm Sunday services on April 5. The church that rented Duncan’s congregation space, Bethel Open Bible Church, had even changed the locks three weeks earlier to keep the pastor from holding services. A receptionist for Bethel Open Bible Church told BuzzFeed News Thursday that she “didn’t know” whether the group would be holding Easter Sunday services as well. The landlord did not return BuzzFeed News’ request for comment.
Other churches, like Glorious Way Church in Houston told BuzzFeed News that they are working with law enforcement to continue to hold services. Glorious Church has instituted strict social distancing rules, requiring people to wait in their cars until they are able to be ushered into the church by a volunteer and making sure every family unit is at least 6 feet apart.


buzzfeed--2020-04-09--Joe Biden Unceremoniously Became The Presumptive Nominee For President

This couldn ’ t have been how Joe Biden imagined his first public appearance as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president : speaking from his Delaware basement to a tiny audience scattered across the country as networks carried President Donald Trump on live TV .
But that was Biden ’ s reality Wednesday night , sticking to a virtual town hall that was planned before Bernie Sanders , his last significant rival , suspended his campaign earlier in the day .
There was no rallying cry , no call to join him in his effort to defeat Trump this fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s primary results clinched the nomination for Hillary Clinton , she addressed 3,600 supporters beneath a glass ceiling , a symbolic setting worthy of her historic moment as the first woman to be a major party ’ s candidate for president .
Biden , seated in front of some bookcases , peaked at about 1,700 viewers , according to a YouTube counter .
It was another striking example of how the coronavirus has preempted a national election .
Biden ’ s moment wasn ’ t much of one .
The only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top of his 45-minute event , when he offered kind , prepared words for Sanders before quickly pivoting to the pandemic .
“ Bernie ’ s always been a passionate voice for progress , ” Biden said , echoing sentiments he had shared hours earlier in an emailed statement and on Twitter .
“ He put his heart and soul not only into running for president but also the causes and issues he has been dedicated to his whole life .
He ’ s inspired and energized millions of supporters , especially young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a progressive vision for our country .
He didn ’ t just run a political campaign ; he created a movement .
And that ’ s a good thing for the nation and for our future.
” Biden ’ s campaign picked other spots to acknowledge the presumptive inevitability of his nomination this summer , whenever and however Democrats conduct their national convention .
“ It ’ s Joe Biden , and I will be your Democratic nominee for president , ” read a fundraising text message sent to the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hall event .
Earlier on Wednesday , at a virtual fundraiser , Biden ’ s wife , Jill , expressed relief .
“ Thank goodness we can finally get to work , ” she said , according to a pool report .
“ We could never presume that before .
This has all been all brand-new and happened so , so quickly.
” Everything is virtual and online now for the foreseeable future .
Biden has been addressing the country via video for several weeks , talking mostly about the coronavirus and criticizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The approach has yielded limited attention for a candidate who , because he has no official capacity to assist with the crisis , is not liable to make much news .
Until Wednesday , his biggest breakthrough , played to full dramatic effect by bored political reporters , was a back-and-forth over whether he ’ d call Trump to discuss the issue .
( They spoke Monday .
Judging by their respective accounts , it was an uneventful exercise . )
In practice , Sanders ’ departure didn ’ t change much for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heads-up that he planned to start his search for a running mate .
Greg Schultz , Biden ’ s first campaign manager who was replaced last month by Jen O ’ Malley Dillon , already had been making plans to transition into a role at the Democratic National Committee , where he ’ s expected to coordinate general election efforts between the campaign and party .
Rather than explicitly declare victory over Sanders , Biden kept with the plan Wednesday night : a discussion with union workers moderated by Yvanna Cancela , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topic was “ unemployment and issues facing working families ” — something Biden talks about as a candidate , but an area that was more central to Sanders ’ campaign .
The discussion was pegged specifically to the job losses and economic hardships related to the coronavirus , and Biden traded on his more folksy mannerisms .
Two of the women who asked questions addressed the former vice president by his first name .
“ You ’ re going to get through this , kiddo , ” Biden told Lovette Jacobs , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boston .
As he closed the town hall , Biden made a pitch clearly intended for Sanders ’ young supporters — a cohort he ’ s been aiming to reach in the weeks since his hold on the nomination strengthened .
“ This millennial generation , of which you ’ re a part , has gone through a hell of a circumstance over the last 15 years , ” he told Cancela as he winded up an argument for partial forgiveness of student loans .
“ They ended up in a situation where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous administration before us , they ended up in a situation where they were behind the 8-ball.
” Biden continued .
“ Now you have this so-called new generation , Z generation , coming along , and they ’ re missing out on so much .
… They ’ re not having their graduation parties .
They ’ re not having their prom .
They ’ re not having commencement .
They ’ re having to give up on an awful lot of things.
” Outreach to younger Sanders voters has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing for Biden .
A recent poll from ABC News and the Washington Post found that 15 % of Sanders ’ supporters would vote for Trump over Biden .
His first statement on Sanders ’ departure Wednesday acknowledged the weight their movement carries .
“ While the Sanders campaign has been suspended , ” Biden said in the initial remarks emailed by his campaign , “ its impact on this election and on elections to come is far from over .
”

This couldn’t have been how Joe Biden imagined his first public appearance as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president: speaking from his Delaware basement to a tiny audience scattered across the country as networks carried President Donald Trump on live TV.
But that was Biden’s reality Wednesday night, sticking to a virtual town hall that was planned before Bernie Sanders, his last significant rival, suspended his campaign earlier in the day.
There was no rallying cry, no call to join him in his effort to defeat Trump this fall. Nearly four years ago, when California’s primary results clinched the nomination for Hillary Clinton, she addressed 3,600 supporters beneath a glass ceiling, a symbolic setting worthy of her historic moment as the first woman to be a major party’s candidate for president. Biden, seated in front of some bookcases, peaked at about 1,700 viewers, according to a YouTube counter.
It was another striking example of how the coronavirus has preempted a national election. Biden’s moment wasn’t much of one.
The only mention of the race came at the top of his 45-minute event, when he offered kind, prepared words for Sanders before quickly pivoting to the pandemic.
“Bernie’s always been a passionate voice for progress,” Biden said, echoing sentiments he had shared hours earlier in an emailed statement and on Twitter. “He put his heart and soul not only into running for president but also the causes and issues he has been dedicated to his whole life. He’s inspired and energized millions of supporters, especially young voters, to join him in championing a progressive vision for our country. He didn’t just run a political campaign; he created a movement. And that’s a good thing for the nation and for our future.”
Biden’s campaign picked other spots to acknowledge the presumptive inevitability of his nomination this summer, whenever and however Democrats conduct their national convention.
“It’s Joe Biden, and I will be your Democratic nominee for president,” read a fundraising text message sent to the former vice president’s supporters before the virtual town hall event.
Earlier on Wednesday, at a virtual fundraiser, Biden’s wife, Jill, expressed relief. “Thank goodness we can finally get to work,” she said, according to a pool report. “We could never presume that before. This has all been all brand-new and happened so, so quickly.”
Everything is virtual and online now for the foreseeable future. Biden has been addressing the country via video for several weeks, talking mostly about the coronavirus and criticizing Trump’s handling of it. The approach has yielded limited attention for a candidate who, because he has no official capacity to assist with the crisis, is not liable to make much news. Until Wednesday, his biggest breakthrough, played to full dramatic effect by bored political reporters, was a back-and-forth over whether he’d call Trump to discuss the issue. (They spoke Monday. Judging by their respective accounts, it was an uneventful exercise.)
In practice, Sanders’ departure didn’t change much for Biden. He already had given Sanders a heads-up that he planned to start his search for a running mate. Greg Schultz, Biden’s first campaign manager who was replaced last month by Jen O’Malley Dillon, already had been making plans to transition into a role at the Democratic National Committee, where he’s expected to coordinate general election efforts between the campaign and party.
Rather than explicitly declare victory over Sanders, Biden kept with the plan Wednesday night: a discussion with union workers moderated by Yvanna Cancela, a state senator in Nevada. The topic was “unemployment and issues facing working families” — something Biden talks about as a candidate, but an area that was more central to Sanders’ campaign. The discussion was pegged specifically to the job losses and economic hardships related to the coronavirus, and Biden traded on his more folksy mannerisms. Two of the women who asked questions addressed the former vice president by his first name. “You’re going to get through this, kiddo,” Biden told Lovette Jacobs, an electrical worker who appeared via video from Boston.
As he closed the town hall, Biden made a pitch clearly intended for Sanders’ young supporters — a cohort he’s been aiming to reach in the weeks since his hold on the nomination strengthened.
“This millennial generation, of which you’re a part, has gone through a hell of a circumstance over the last 15 years,” he told Cancela as he winded up an argument for partial forgiveness of student loans. “They ended up in a situation where … because of the financial crisis in the previous administration before us, they ended up in a situation where they were behind the 8-ball.”
Biden continued. “Now you have this so-called new generation, Z generation, coming along, and they’re missing out on so much. … They’re not having their graduation parties. They’re not having their prom. They’re not having commencement. They’re having to give up on an awful lot of things.”
Outreach to younger Sanders voters has been and will continue to be a tricky thing for Biden. A recent poll from ABC News and the Washington Post found that 15% of Sanders’ supporters would vote for Trump over Biden. His first statement on Sanders’ departure Wednesday acknowledged the weight their movement carries.
“While the Sanders campaign has been suspended,” Biden said in the initial remarks emailed by his campaign, “its impact on this election and on elections to come is far from over.”


buzzfeed--2020-04-09--Former Clinton Staffers Invited To “Bye, Bye Bernard” Zoom Call (It’s Now Canceled)

Less than an hour after Bernie Sanders told supporters he was ending his presidential campaign , dozens of staffers who worked for his opponent four years ago received the same mass email : a link to a Zoom video call scheduled for 4 p.m. “ Invitation : Bye , bye Bernard ( HFA celebration toast ) , ” the email to former Hillary Clinton staffers read on early Wednesday afternoon , according to screenshots provided by two people .
“ He ’ s finally gone ( again ! )
.
Join for a celebratory toast if you can !
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Later on Wednesday , the name of the Zoom call had been changed to a more generic “ HFA end of primary celebration toast , ” with no mention of Sanders .
By 3:30 p.m. , according to recipients , the call was canceled .
The Democratic operatives who lived through 2016 joke , somewhat bitterly , about the primary that never ended — a one-on-one race between two candidates , and campaign teams , who didn ’ t particularly respect or like one another .
“ Nobody likes him , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a documentary .
“ Nobody wants to work with him .
He got nothing done .
He was a career politician.
” The latest , last gasp of animosity took the form of a 4 p.m. video call in the middle of a pandemic that has turned would-be private toasts and impromptu early afternoon drinks into open calendar invites and Zoom conference calls .
The invite , which made the rounds among groups of friends who worked for Clinton in 2016 , spanned a fraction of the “ Hillary for America ” team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operation that numbered thousands of people by the end of the 2016 race .
The organizer of the Zoom call encouraged friends and former colleagues to “ loop ” in others .
Not all former Clinton aides share the boss ’ s personal distaste for the 78-year-old Vermont senator .
And on debate stages over the last year , many of his rivals expressed their admiration for his consistency and ideas , though few shared a friendship with Sanders , a politician long known for his brusque personal affect .
The recipients of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screenshots shared on Wednesday , include staffers who went on to work for a vast cross-section of the 2020 Democratic field , including Pete Buttigieg , Joe Biden , Amy Klobuchar , Cory Booker , Kirsten Gillibrand , Kamala Harris , Steve Bullock , Elizabeth Warren , Andrew Yang , and Michael Bloomberg .
Biden , who is poised to secure the Democratic nomination at the party ’ s national convention later this year , released a lengthy statement praising Sanders and the “ movement ” he ’ s built over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to know : I ’ ll be reaching out to you .
You will be heard by me .
As you say , ” Biden said on Wednesday , offering a tribute to the Sanders campaign slogan , “ ‘ Not me , us.
’ ” Reached through a spokesperson , Clinton had no comment on Sanders ’ s departure from the race .

Less than an hour after Bernie Sanders told supporters he was ending his presidential campaign, dozens of staffers who worked for his opponent four years ago received the same mass email: a link to a Zoom video call scheduled for 4 p.m.
“Invitation: Bye, bye Bernard (HFA celebration toast),” the email to former Hillary Clinton staffers read on early Wednesday afternoon, according to screenshots provided by two people.
“He’s finally gone (again!). Join for a celebratory toast if you can! And yes, you can loop :)”
Later on Wednesday, the name of the Zoom call had been changed to a more generic “HFA end of primary celebration toast,” with no mention of Sanders.
By 3:30 p.m., according to recipients, the call was canceled.
The Democratic operatives who lived through 2016 joke, somewhat bitterly, about the primary that never ended — a one-on-one race between two candidates, and campaign teams, who didn’t particularly respect or like one another.
“Nobody likes him,” Clinton herself said earlier this year in a documentary. “Nobody wants to work with him. He got nothing done. He was a career politician.”
The latest, last gasp of animosity took the form of a 4 p.m. video call in the middle of a pandemic that has turned would-be private toasts and impromptu early afternoon drinks into open calendar invites and Zoom conference calls.
The invite, which made the rounds among groups of friends who worked for Clinton in 2016, spanned a fraction of the “Hillary for America” team, known internally as HFA — an operation that numbered thousands of people by the end of the 2016 race. The organizer of the Zoom call encouraged friends and former colleagues to “loop” in others.
Not all former Clinton aides share the boss’s personal distaste for the 78-year-old Vermont senator. And on debate stages over the last year, many of his rivals expressed their admiration for his consistency and ideas, though few shared a friendship with Sanders, a politician long known for his brusque personal affect.
The recipients of the calendar invite, according to the screenshots shared on Wednesday, include staffers who went on to work for a vast cross-section of the 2020 Democratic field, including Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, Steve Bullock, Elizabeth Warren, Andrew Yang, and Michael Bloomberg.
Biden, who is poised to secure the Democratic nomination at the party’s national convention later this year, released a lengthy statement praising Sanders and the “movement” he’s built over the last five years.
“We also want you to know: I’ll be reaching out to you. You will be heard by me. As you say,” Biden said on Wednesday, offering a tribute to the Sanders campaign slogan, “‘Not me, us.’”
Reached through a spokesperson, Clinton had no comment on Sanders’s departure from the race.


buzzfeed--2020-04-09--These Walmart Employees Are Scared For Their Lives Working Through The Coronavirus Pandemic

Nearly a dozen Walmart employees across the US said they ’ re worried corporate managers and customers are n't taking the coronavirus seriously enough .
WASHINGTON — Every day , as Sarah leaves work , she washes her hands and sprays the soles of her shoes with Lysol .
When she gets home , she reaches one arm into the house and grabs a bag with a change of clothes she left that morning on the table by the front door .
Then , she changes her clothes outside , sprays her work clothes with Lysol , and puts them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets inside , she immediately washes her work clothes and takes a shower .
As an employee at Walmart in Texas , Sarah is considered an essential worker , staffing a store that ’ s among the rare US businesses still open during the coronavirus outbreak .
Several weeks ago , during the first week of March , she approached her manager about having hand sanitizer at the cash registers .
“ She told us no , ” said Sarah , who asked that only her first name be used because she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conditions at her store .
“ [ The manager ] said there 's some in the cash office , which is locked .
… You can just ask them , but that 's not really feasible .
We ca n't stop and ask somebody to come up there [ and ] unlock a door so we can use hand sanitizer .
Turns out , there was n't even any in there.
” By the second week of March , Walmart had provided some gloves for employees at her store , but Sarah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She added that though stores have started closing early to make more time for cleaning , the focus at her store is instead on restocking , and extra cleaning only happens if employees take it upon themselves .
“ We 're asking for these things , these necessary things , to keep us safe [ and ] keep the store clean , and we 're not being provided with them , ” she told BuzzFeed News .
To make matters worse , Sarah ’ s husband has diabetes , putting him in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused by the novel coronavirus .
That ’ s why she ’ s so vigilant about cleaning and washing whenever she comes home .
And she isn ’ t alone .
Eleven Walmart employees from across the country told BuzzFeed News that as the coronavirus outbreak worsens in the US , their stores don ’ t have standard sanitary supplies , employees lack basic protective gear , and customers and corporate managers alike are not taking the problems seriously enough .
Other employees said they were concerned about their safety in the break @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new workers hired to help keep the stores up and running during the pandemic .
The employees all asked to speak anonymously or use only their first names because they were worried about getting in trouble at work for speaking to the media .
A 23-year-old Walmart employee in Southern California said he takes care of his grandmother , who , at 86 , is at a high risk for COVID-19 .
A Tennessee employee said she lives with her dad , who has diabetes and heart problems .
Both said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gear at their stores , and what they do have is in increasingly short supply .
“ Cleaning supplies are basically out .
We ran out of gloves the other day and we had to , like , basically buy gloves that came into the store as products for customers , ” the California employee said in a recent phone interview with BuzzFeed News .
“ There 's no hand sanitizer left for customers .
… I always tell people , ‘ Do n't use a cart .
We do n't have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re touching all the hands of the people who touched it over the past few days.
” Cashiers are calling out frequently , he said , and the store is short-staffed in the midst of the crisis .
Though the store is technically restricting its capacity , he said , the limits aren ’ t being enforced , and sometimes hundreds of people are in the store at once .
“ They have n't enforced anything safety-wise , ” he said .
“ I have n't gotten an email or a directive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I need you to clean all the registers , all the touchscreens , and PIN pads.
’ That 's all been on my own doing.
” As of last Wednesday , he said , he had heard that the company would be sending masks and gloves , installing plexiglass barriers , and placing stickers near checkout lanes reminding people to social-distance , but that it could take up to three weeks for the installation .
The Tennessee employee said her store had received gloves but no masks , and because she has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t fit her .
Already , many Walmart employees have contracted the virus .
On Sunday , a company spokesperson announced that two employees from one Chicago-area store had died from COVID-19 .
“ We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of two associates at our Evergreen Park store , and we are mourning along with their families , ” the statement said .
“ While neither associate had been at the store in more than a week , we took action to reinforce our cleaning and sanitizing measures , which include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store.
” It ’ s particularly frustrating , many employees said , because Walmart originally announced it would waive their entire attendance policy for the month of April .
( Workers get “ points ” when they call out of shifts .
Getting five points means the worker will be fired . )
But later , workers noted , they received information from the company that said employees who take more than two weeks work during the outbreak will not have their job protected .
“ If you choose to self-quarantine you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive pay but you ’ re not required to , ” reads the policy , a copy of which was shared with BuzzFeed News .
“ You 'll receive a maximum of two work weeks of pay if you 're required to quarantine by a government agency or by Walmart or if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
” Employees diagnosed with COVID-19 “ may be eligible for additional pay replacement for up to 26 weeks , ” according to the policy , despite the fact that tests remain in extremely short supply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are encouraging people without severe symptoms to avoid getting tested .
Wilson told BuzzFeed News there are instances where employee leave can be extended .
“ We encourage the associates to speak with their management team to make arrangements for their particular situation , ” she said .
Asked about the test shortage and whether an employee ’ s leave can be extended without a test , Wilson later added , `` A confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis by a physician is sufficient to activate our COVID-19 policy , including up to 26 weeks of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition to our COVID-19 policy , Walmart offers paid sick leave to ALL hourly associates in the U.S. , including part time , through protected paid time off ( PPTO ) in addition to standard paid time off ( PTO ) . ''
One Arizona employee told BuzzFeed News she recently had to train 13 new employees in a small room .
Her store has started taking employees ’ temperatures when they arrive for shifts — but for safety reasons she decided she would begin holding a series of smaller trainings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said during a recent phone interview .
“ I do n't know , but I 'm still exposing myself to 12 , 16 people , even though they 're not all together , but I figured that ’ s probably the best option that I have right now.
” Her store has gloves for employees but no masks , and no sanitizing wipes for customers to wipe down their carts .
“ I 'm able to stay in my office in the back .
I 've set up kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associates ca n't get into my actual little cubbyhole in an office , ” she said .
“ And I still do n't feel 100 % safe .
… I do n't want to be here.
” Another employee at a Massachusetts store said she works at a service desk that ’ s less than 2 feet wide , and recently she had to train another employee to work the desk , forcing them into close proximity for hours .
“ I am literally within spitting distance of customers in front of me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I told my supervisor that coughing children had given me a panic attack , she said , ‘ Well , you do n't have to be here.
’ … I really wanted to be like , ‘ Well , are you going to pay my bills ?
’ I 'm not there for fun.
” She keeps her own hand sanitizer and said she ’ s washing her hands so often and they ’ ve gotten so dry that water hurts her skin .
Meanwhile , the bargain DVD bin at her store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they continue to accept returns , something some other essential retail stores have shut down .
“ [ At the DVD bin , ] they reach in where 90 people have reached in in the last three days .
And then they take it out with everything that 's on it .
Then they bring it to the register , ” she said .
“ So the cashiers got it .
And it 's on the belt , so it 's on there .
And when you really start looking at it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much , it will literally make me sick to my stomach.
” Another employee in Texas , who has worked for Walmart for 19 years , said that break rooms are a major issue .
“ If it 's been a rough day and you 're going to take a break and you want to sit down , you 're pretty much forced to sit next to somebody , ” he said .
“ There are some people that work at the store [ who ] are self-quarantining themselves because they were around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know if they have it or not but , you know , they 're just trying to be careful about it .
But you hear that and you think , Wow , I was sitting next to that guy like two days ago.
” Wilson said the company has recently instituted new standards in break and meeting rooms to make more space for social distancing , including setting up break areas outside the store where possible .
Additionally , she said , Walmart has called off as many non-essential meetings as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longtime Texas employee has a daughter who has had pneumonia and could be at a high risk if she contracted the virus , he said , making the situation particularly scary .
He has had a cough for a few weeks ; after talking to a doctor , he learned it ’ s likely bronchitis , not COVID-19 .
Still , his manager recently sent him home from work out of an abundance of caution .
“ Even my store manager said , ‘ I do n't think you have it , ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are gon na be panicky .
You know , I agree , ” he said .
The problem for him , though , is that because it isn ’ t the coronavirus , he has to use paid time off — and he ’ s already very low on days .
“ I have to use my own time , which only has , like , three days .
I ’ ve already used two of those days , ” he said .
“ I still have my cough .
If I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home — after that , I can not afford to stay home.
” He said customers at his store have not been following social distancing guidelines and there have at times been as many as about 250 people in the store at once .
“ I am trying not to be panicky about it , but I 'm really just kind of waiting to catch it , to be honest with you , ” he said .
A few days after the phone call with BuzzFeed News , he followed up and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for employees ; he also shared the questions Walmart is now asking staffers before shifts : “ Do you have any of the following symptoms ?
: Fever/feverish , chills , dry cough , difficulty breathing or digestive symptoms such as diarrhea , vomiting or abdominal pain .
“ Have you traveled via airplane internationally or domestically in the last 14 days ?
“ Have you had close contact with a confirmed/probable COVID-19 case ?
” The worker said the store was not checking employees ’ temperatures , however .
( Wilson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company is still in the process of sending thermometers to every store .
Once stores receive thermometers , she said , it will be the standard for them to check employee temperatures . )
The employee in Tennessee whose father has diabetes and heart problems said she recently overheard her manager telling another employee that a worker in the store had contracted the virus — though there was never an official announcement to the rest of the staff .
“ If I did n't happen to be in the break room , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the manager , but I went in and told everyone , ” she said .
“ I work as a cashier , so I went and I told everyone in the front as I could .
A lot of them had n't even heard about it yet.
” Another Illinois employee told BuzzFeed News last week the store was running very low on hand sanitizer and that workers at her store have been required to buy their own masks if they wanted them .
The day after a phone call with BuzzFeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a text message , “ somebody at our store has been confirmed to have the coronavirus .
they have not told us who , nor what department .
… i officially started my leave of absence and will no longer be going .
… im almost certain they ’ re not gon na handle it well.
” Many employees also described daily stress with customers mistreating employees while they stock up on food and household products .
“ The last three weeks have been some of the toughest I ’ ve ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Black Friday plus a snowstorm or hurricane prep , with 60 % of your staff calling out , ” one Pennsylvania employee told BuzzFeed News .
The Tennessee employee said a customer recently threw a package of Honey Buns at a store manager , hitting her in the face , and that another customer hit her in the leg with a pack of Clorox wipes .
“ The amount of people that are just cursing us out right now , ” she said .
“ There have been times [ when ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety from the coronavirus but my safety from the people who are trying to shop there because of all the worry , all the stress that this pandemic is causing right now.
” The Arizona employee said she doesn ’ t think higher-ups at the corporation really care .
“ It ’ s more like , ‘ We know you ’ re scared , but serving our communities is more important ’ — which I know it 's important , but it 's hard to kind of reconcile that with that [ being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people I work with , ” she said during a phone call with BuzzFeed News .
In an email , she said that on a recent conference call , she was struck when an employee asked what to do when a customer says they are positive for COVID-19 but still want to shop .
“ Why should we have to prepare for that ?
” she wrote .
“ I doubt the presidents and chief executive officers have anyone showing up in their corner offices asking that question .
”

Already, many Walmart employees have contracted the virus. On Sunday, a company spokesperson announced that two employees from one Chicago-area store had died from COVID-19.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of two associates at our Evergreen Park store, and we are mourning along with their families,” the statement said. “While neither associate had been at the store in more than a week, we took action to reinforce our cleaning and sanitizing measures, which include a deep-cleaning of key areas of the store.”
It’s particularly frustrating, many employees said, because Walmart originally announced it would waive their entire attendance policy for the month of April. (Workers get “points” when they call out of shifts. Getting five points means the worker will be fired.)
But later, workers noted, they received information from the company that said employees who take more than two weeks work during the outbreak will not have their job protected.
“If you choose to self-quarantine you can use paid time off in order to receive pay but you’re not required to,” reads the policy, a copy of which was shared with BuzzFeed News. “You'll receive a maximum of two work weeks of pay if you're required to quarantine by a government agency or by Walmart or if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.”
Employees diagnosed with COVID-19 “may be eligible for additional pay replacement for up to 26 weeks,” according to the policy, despite the fact that tests remain in extremely short supply across the country and public health experts are encouraging people without severe symptoms to avoid getting tested.
Wilson told BuzzFeed News there are instances where employee leave can be extended. “We encourage the associates to speak with their management team to make arrangements for their particular situation,” she said.
Asked about the test shortage and whether an employee’s leave can be extended without a test, Wilson later added, "A confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis by a physician is sufficient to activate our COVID-19 policy, including up to 26 weeks of pay replacement, even without a test. In addition to our COVID-19 policy, Walmart offers paid sick leave to ALL hourly associates in the U.S., including part time, through protected paid time off (PPTO) in addition to standard paid time off (PTO)."
One Arizona employee told BuzzFeed News she recently had to train 13 new employees in a small room. Her store has started taking employees’ temperatures when they arrive for shifts — but for safety reasons she decided she would begin holding a series of smaller trainings.
“Maybe I'm being selfish,” she said during a recent phone interview. “I don't know, but I'm still exposing myself to 12, 16 people, even though they're not all together, but I figured that’s probably the best option that I have right now.”
Her store has gloves for employees but no masks, and no sanitizing wipes for customers to wipe down their carts.
“I'm able to stay in my office in the back. I've set up kind of a barrier so that you know my associates can't get into my actual little cubbyhole in an office,” she said. “And I still don't feel 100% safe. … I don't want to be here.”
Another employee at a Massachusetts store said she works at a service desk that’s less than 2 feet wide, and recently she had to train another employee to work the desk, forcing them into close proximity for hours.
“I am literally within spitting distance of customers in front of me,” she said. “When I told my supervisor that coughing children had given me a panic attack, she said, ‘Well, you don't have to be here.’ … I really wanted to be like, ‘Well, are you going to pay my bills?’ I'm not there for fun.”
She keeps her own hand sanitizer and said she’s washing her hands so often and they’ve gotten so dry that water hurts her skin.
Meanwhile, the bargain DVD bin at her store is still open, she said, and they continue to accept returns, something some other essential retail stores have shut down.
“[At the DVD bin,] they reach in where 90 people have reached in in the last three days. And then they take it out with everything that's on it. Then they bring it to the register,” she said. “So the cashiers got it. And it's on the belt, so it's on there. And when you really start looking at it, it just— If I focus too much, it will literally make me sick to my stomach.”
Another employee in Texas, who has worked for Walmart for 19 years, said that break rooms are a major issue.
“If it's been a rough day and you're going to take a break and you want to sit down, you're pretty much forced to sit next to somebody,” he said. “There are some people that work at the store [who] are self-quarantining themselves because they were around somebody that was diagnosed later. They don't know if they have it or not but, you know, they're just trying to be careful about it. But you hear that and you think, Wow, I was sitting next to that guy like two days ago.”
Wilson said the company has recently instituted new standards in break and meeting rooms to make more space for social distancing, including setting up break areas outside the store where possible. Additionally, she said, Walmart has called off as many non-essential meetings as possible to avoid employee gatherings.


buzzfeed--2020-04-10--Will I Get A Check From The US Government, And How? Here’s Everything You Need To Know.

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 US government is sending out $ 1,200 stimulus checks to the large majority of adults during the coronavirus outbreak , but many are going to miss out .
Most adults with a US Social Security number will receive a payment , but Congress set restrictions on who qualifies .
People who earn more than $ 99,000 per year will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many college students or adults who are listed as dependents on someone else ’ s tax return ( this includes some adults with disabilities and some elderly parents ) .
Immigrants who do not have Social Security numbers will not qualify for the payments either .
Additionally , not every person who qualifies will receive $ 1,200 — some will get more , some less .
The payments are based on your income listed on your most recent tax return , as well as the number of child dependents you have .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax filers will receive some kind of payment , according to the Tax Foundation .
Here are the answers to many common questions about the payments : How much money will I get ?
United States residents who have Social Security numbers with income of up to $ 75,000 will receive payments of $ 1,200 .
For every $ 100 you earn above that threshold your payment shrinks by $ 5 .
Someone making $ 85,000 , for example , will take home $ 700 .
The payments phase out entirely at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use the Washington Post ’ s online calculator to see how large your payment will be .
Your income level is based on the last tax return you filed last year ( for 2018 income ) or this year if you 've filed already ( for 2019 income ) .
If you do not normally file taxes , see below .
Both the payments and the limits are doubled for your home if you file your taxes jointly .
Couples with household income of up to $ 150,000 will receive a $ 2,400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the payments shrink and stop entirely at $ 198,000 .
You can use the Washington Post ’ s online calculator to see how large your payment will be .
What if I have kids ?
Parents with children ages 16 or younger will get an additional $ 500 per child ( as long as you ’ ve claimed them as a dependent on your tax returns ) .
If you split custody , whichever parent has claimed your child on their tax returns will get the $ 500 benefit .
Single parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of household ” have higher limits to qualify for the payments than single people without kids .
Single parents who make up to $ 112,500 will get the full $ 1,200 benefit .
The system then works the same way with payments shrinking by $ 5 for every $ 100 you earn above that threshold up to $ 136,500 .
You will also qualify for $ 500 per dependent child you have who is age 16 or younger .
You can use the Washington Post ’ s online calculator to see how large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have no income ?
There is no minimum income threshold .
Even if you make $ 0 you qualify for the $ 1,200 payment .
If you have not filed a recent tax return you can send the IRS your payment information through their web portal here .
Advocacy groups are warning that many people who are unhoused may not receive payments because they do not have a Social Security number , a bank account , or a fixed address to send the payments to .
At least 3.4 million people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill did not receive payment , and that aid had a more strict $ 3,000 minimum income threshold .
What if I haven ’ t filed my taxes in 2018 or 2019 ?
The best thing to do is quickly file your 2019 taxes .
You can do this for free using the IRS free filing program .
How do I get the money ?
If you have received a tax refund through direct deposit in the past , you don ’ t have to do anything , the IRS will just deposit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes for people who are on Social Security or disability ( more on that below ) .
Those payments are expected to go out as soon as the end of this week and should be in people ’ s accounts within two weeks , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said .
If you don ’ t have direct deposit , the IRS will send you a physical check .
But that could take time — one IRS report estimated that some people might not get payments until September , according to the Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will happen faster .
Paper checks are expected to start going out on April 24 , starting with the lowest-income people , the Post reported There is another option : The IRS is working on setting up a form on its website for people to fill in their direct deposit information to get that money faster .
The IRS said on Friday that the form , which they 're calling the `` Get My Payment tool '' will be live by April 17 and will allow people to input their banking information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment .
If you do not usually file a tax return ( people who make under $ 12,200 do not have to file ) the IRS has created another web portal for you to enter your payment information .
When will I get the money ?
The Treasury Department has said that everyone with direct deposit should get the payments before April 24 .
Then they ’ ll start sending out paper checks , which could take months ( see above ) .
The IRS is launching a `` Get My Payment '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track the status of their stimulus payments .
Nope .
You ’ ll get the full amount you qualify for .
What about college students and young adults ?
This is a big loophole in the law : Many college students and young adults will not qualify for these payments .
It depends on whether your parents claimed you as a “ dependent ” on their most recent tax returns ( whether they filed this year for 2019 or last year for 2018 ) .
If so , you will not get any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or older they won ’ t get $ 500 for you either .
If your parents did not claim you as a dependent , such as young people who entered the workforce after college , you will qualify for the payments .
This is another of the law ’ s major loopholes : Any adult that you claim as a dependent on your tax returns — including adult children with disabilities living at home and elderly parents — will not qualify for the payments , and you will not get any additional money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and people on DACA status ?
You do not need to be an American citizen to qualify for the payments — but you do need a Social Security number .
So immigrants with green cards or certain work visas , such as the popular H-1B visa , will qualify .
Temporary workers , undocumented workers , and nonresident aliens will not .
The National Immigration Law Center argues that millions of immigrants who pay taxes will be cut out from receiving assistance .
Immigrants who pay taxes , but do not have Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nor will their children , even if they are citizens , if they are claimed as dependents .
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities called this group a “ glaring ” omission and said that the center is pushing Congress to include these immigrants in future legislation to retroactively allow them to get the payments .
DACA recipients are eligible for Social Security numbers , which will allow them to qualify for payments .

WASHINGTON — The US government is sending out $1,200 stimulus checks to the large majority of adults during the coronavirus outbreak, but many are going to miss out.
Most adults with a US Social Security number will receive a payment, but Congress set restrictions on who qualifies. People who earn more than $99,000 per year will not receive any money; neither will many college students or adults who are listed as dependents on someone else’s tax return (this includes some adults with disabilities and some elderly parents). Immigrants who do not have Social Security numbers will not qualify for the payments either.
Additionally, not every person who qualifies will receive $1,200 — some will get more, some less. The payments are based on your income listed on your most recent tax return, as well as the number of child dependents you have. Still, as many as 93.6% of tax filers will receive some kind of payment, according to the Tax Foundation.
Here are the answers to many common questions about the payments:
How much money will I get?
United States residents who have Social Security numbers with income of up to $75,000 will receive payments of $1,200. For every $100 you earn above that threshold your payment shrinks by $5. Someone making $85,000, for example, will take home $700. The payments phase out entirely at an income of $99,000. You can use the Washington Post’s online calculator to see how large your payment will be.
Your income level is based on the last tax return you filed last year (for 2018 income) or this year if you've filed already (for 2019 income). If you do not normally file taxes, see below.
What if I’m married?
Both the payments and the limits are doubled for your home if you file your taxes jointly. Couples with household income of up to $150,000 will receive a $2,400 payment. At higher household income levels, the payments shrink and stop entirely at $198,000. You can use the Washington Post’s online calculator to see how large your payment will be.
What if I have kids?
Parents with children ages 16 or younger will get an additional $500 per child (as long as you’ve claimed them as a dependent on your tax returns). If you split custody, whichever parent has claimed your child on their tax returns will get the $500 benefit.
What if I’m a single parent?
Single parents who file their taxes as “head of household” have higher limits to qualify for the payments than single people without kids. Single parents who make up to $112,500 will get the full $1,200 benefit. The system then works the same way with payments shrinking by $5 for every $100 you earn above that threshold up to $136,500. You will also qualify for $500 per dependent child you have who is age 16 or younger. You can use the Washington Post’s online calculator to see how large your payment will be.
What if I have no income?
There is no minimum income threshold. Even if you make $0 you qualify for the $1,200 payment. If you have not filed a recent tax return you can send the IRS your payment information through their web portal here.
Advocacy groups are warning that many people who are unhoused may not receive payments because they do not have a Social Security number, a bank account, or a fixed address to send the payments to. At least 3.4 million people who qualified for assistance in the 2008 stimulus bill did not receive payment, and that aid had a more strict $3,000 minimum income threshold.
What if I haven’t filed my taxes in 2018 or 2019?
The best thing to do is quickly file your 2019 taxes. You can do this for free using the IRS free filing program.
How do I get the money?
If you have received a tax refund through direct deposit in the past, you don’t have to do anything, the IRS will just deposit the money into your account. Same goes for people who are on Social Security or disability (more on that below). Those payments are expected to go out as soon as the end of this week and should be in people’s accounts within two weeks, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said.
If you don’t have direct deposit, the IRS will send you a physical check. But that could take time — one IRS report estimated that some people might not get payments until September, according to the Washington Post, though the Treasury Department believes it will happen faster. Paper checks are expected to start going out on April 24, starting with the lowest-income people, the Post reported
There is another option: The IRS is working on setting up a form on its website for people to fill in their direct deposit information to get that money faster. The IRS said on Friday that the form, which they're calling the "Get My Payment tool" will be live by April 17 and will allow people to input their banking information and track the status of their stimulus payment.
If you do not usually file a tax return (people who make under $12,200 do not have to file) the IRS has created another web portal for you to enter your payment information.
When will I get the money?
The Treasury Department has said that everyone with direct deposit should get the payments before April 24. Then they’ll start sending out paper checks, which could take months (see above). The IRS is launching a "Get My Payment" tool by April 17 to let people track the status of their stimulus payments.
Is the money taxable?
Nope. You’ll get the full amount you qualify for.
What about college students and young adults?
This is a big loophole in the law: Many college students and young adults will not qualify for these payments. It depends on whether your parents claimed you as a “dependent” on their most recent tax returns (whether they filed this year for 2019 or last year for 2018). If so, you will not get any money, and if you are 17 or older they won’t get $500 for you either.
If your parents did not claim you as a dependent, such as young people who entered the workforce after college, you will qualify for the payments.
What about adult dependents?
This is another of the law’s major loopholes: Any adult that you claim as a dependent on your tax returns — including adult children with disabilities living at home and elderly parents — will not qualify for the payments, and you will not get any additional money on their behalf.
What about immigrants and people on DACA status?
You do not need to be an American citizen to qualify for the payments — but you do need a Social Security number. So immigrants with green cards or certain work visas, such as the popular H-1B visa, will qualify. Temporary workers, undocumented workers, and nonresident aliens will not. The National Immigration Law Center argues that millions of immigrants who pay taxes will be cut out from receiving assistance.
Immigrants who pay taxes, but do not have Social Security numbers, will not qualify. Nor will their children, even if they are citizens, if they are claimed as dependents. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities called this group a “glaring” omission and said that the center is pushing Congress to include these immigrants in future legislation to retroactively allow them to get the payments.
DACA recipients are eligible for Social Security numbers, which will allow them to qualify for payments.


buzzfeed--2020-04-10--A Woman Gave Birth In A Border Patrol Station Still Wearing Her Pants. Now The Agents Involved Are B

A Woman Gave Birth In A Border Patrol Station Still Wearing Her Pants. Now The Agents Involved Are Being Accused Of Abuse.

A US Border Patrol agent stands near a crossing to Mexico at the San Ysidro port of entry along the US–Mexico border near San Diego .
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 .
They were soon apprehended by a Border Patrol agent .
The woman was in clear distress , and her husband begged the agent for medical attention , the complaint says , but instead the agent loaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them a “ rough ride ” ( an abusive practice in which some border agents reportedly purposefully drive badly so as to fling detainees around the car ) , the complaint says , and brought them to the Chula Vista Border Patrol Station for processing .
As they crossed the desert , the woman began to feel contractions and immense pain , she later told the ACLU .
Even before they set out on their journey , she had a severe cough — but now it was growing worse .
Her husband grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the middle of the desert , the family told the ACLU , but the call did not go through .
On Feb. 16 this year , the woman began receiving calls from the persecutors the family was fleeing , the complaint states .
They began to harass her and threaten her , saying they knew she was in Tijuana and could come find her and her family .
Their next immigration hearing wasn ’ t until May , a year after they first arrived at the border , and the family decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They set out to cross the border illegally , outside the port of entry , understanding they were likely to be apprehended by ICE , but that they would be safer in US detainment than in the camps .
The family participating in the ACLU ’ s complaint , whose names were redacted from the complaint for their safety , is from Guatemala .
Like many asylum-seekers in their situation , the family was fleeing violence and persecution in their home country .
The father and 27-year-old mother traveled from their home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego in mid-May 2019 , nine months before she gave birth .
They were sent back to Mexico and spent nine months in a camp in Tijuana , presenting themselves at the border for three separate immigration hearings , the complaint said .
During their wait , the woman became pregnant , with a due date of mid-March 2020 .
Both complaints recommend that DHS stop detaining pregnant people entirely — or , if necessary , not for more than 12 hours — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnant migrants .
Wednesday ’ s complaint also recommends that “ fast-track deportation ” policies , like the Trump administration ’ s “ Migrant Protection Protocols ” ( often referred to as the “ Remain in Mexico ” program or MPP ) , not be applied to pregnant detainees .
These protocols send people seeking asylum in the US back to Mexico while they await legal immigration proceedings , and have created densely populated , underserved , and dangerous camps along the US–Mexico border .
There is limited housing , food , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its inhabitants are often targeted by cartels .
Wednesday ’ s complaint is the second in a series filed by the ACLU about the treatment of pregnant people in Customs and Border Protection custody .
The first , filed in late January , accused CBP of many instances of “ heinous abuse or neglect ” when dealing with pregnant people in their custody and said the agency was even violating its own policies .
Alongside the complaint , Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal is writing a letter to Department of Homeland Security Inspector General @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a copy obtained by BuzzFeed News .
The letter is signed by 12 other members of Congress , including Sens .
Kamala Harris , Cory Booker , and Amy Klobuchar , and it seconds the ACLU ’ s demand for an investigation into the woman ’ s specific incident , as well as several similar instances of the mistreatment ( including incidents previously reported by BuzzFeed News ) of pregnant people in immigration custody , and an overhaul of DHS policies on the detainment of pregnant people .
The dramatic birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BuzzFeed News and filed Wednesday by the ACLU and Jewish Family Service of San Diego with the US Department of Homeland Security ’ s Office of the Inspector General .
The complaint , based on interviews with the family and a review of the woman ’ s medical records , accuses the Border Patrol agents involved of abuse , demanding the inspector general conduct an investigation .
After about 30 minutes , her husband could hear the baby crying through the fabric of her pants .
He lowered them and saw his baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ages 2 and 12 , looked on .
They were in the midst of being processed by agents at the Chula Vista Border Patrol Station near San Diego , and she had repeatedly asked the agents for help , telling them how much pain she was in .
Instead , she was repeatedly told to sit down and wait to be processed , she said .
She gave birth to her baby while standing up , holding on to the side of a trash can in a Border Patrol station , she and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union .
She was still wearing her pants .
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A few days after the incident , CBP put out a press release stating that when the family was apprehended , “ the mother did not appear to be in distress and did not request any medical attention.
” The press release says the station ’ s medical staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ prepared an area for the mother to give birth.
” “ Thanks to the medical resources available in our stations , this woman and her child were well cared for and received immediate medical attention , ” Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke said in the statement .
“ Our agents are well trained to manage the unexpected , and I ’ m proud of the work they did in caring for this mother.
” In response to BuzzFeed News ’ request for comment complaint , a CBP public affairs specialist said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint were “ serious ” and that the agency “ would certainly want to look into this and make sure there have been no inaccuracies in our release nor any policies broken by our employees , ” the specialist wrote in an email Wednesday , “ and we would definitely want to present our findings to the public.
” The specialist added that looking into the allegations would require “ coordination between local offices in San Diego and Washington , DC HQ , ” he wrote , which will take time .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement to BuzzFeed News before releasing it publicly on Twitter , stating that , after reading over the complaint , the agency `` strongly disagrees with the unsubstantiated allegations against our agents . ''
`` CBP treats those in our custody with dignity and respect and provides multiple avenues to report any misconduct , '' the spokesperson wrote .
`` We take all allegations seriously and investigate all formal complaints . ''
According to internal CBP records , the statement continued , CBP medical staff performed `` what appear to be nothing short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agents on scene and welcomes the response of DHS OIG . ''
But the family says that while they were being processed , the woman ’ s “ pain became excruciating and intolerable ” and her cough worsened , according to the complaint .
Sitting down exacerbated the pain , so she stood up and held onto a trash can for support , bracing it in pain as agents repeatedly yelled at her to sit down .
As her family and about 20 strangers looked on , she began to give birth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit , she partially delivered her baby into her pants ” a month before her due date , the complaint says .
After her husband removed her pants , “ a border patrol agent and multiple medical staff also reached for the baby , some without gloves , and the baby was born , ” the complaint states .
Shortly after , she was separated from her family and brought to a local hospital where she stayed for two nights .
As she received postpartum care , a border agent remained in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privacy .
In the hospital , she was also diagnosed with influenza , the complaint says .
The 27-year-old requested a change of clothes and a shower in the hospital , her attorney with the ACLU , Monika Langarica , told BuzzFeed News on Tuesday .
She was given a fresh pair of pants , but her other requests were denied .
She was not allowed to shower for days after crossing the desert and giving birth .
“ Her experience outlines a number of manifestations of abuse , ” Langarica told BuzzFeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the utmost level of privacy when she was receiving postpartum care .
Being denied a shower after birth is abusive .
She asked for a shower and she was denied a shower .
It ’ s a need for people to have access to these necessities.
” After she was discharged from the hospital , the Border Patrol agent brought her back to the station with her newborn — and , because she had symptoms of the flu , put her and her family into a quarantine cell , an earlier version of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These cells are notoriously freezing cold , but when the woman asked for a blanket for her newborn , she was denied , the complaint claims .
It wasn ’ t until the family was transferred to a family shelter run by Jewish Family Service of San Diego that she was allowed to shower and the family was given medical attention .
There , the shelter interviewed them about their experiences and contacted the ACLU .
The family is now safe and healthy and reunited with family members in another part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director of immigration services at Jewish Family Service of San Diego , told BuzzFeed News on Tuesday .
“ We ’ ve been in contact with her and … letting her know what advocacy is happening on her behalf , ” Clark said .
“ It was such a horrific experience that , she ’ s expressed to us , if shedding light on her case could make a difference in this happening to other people , that ’ s all the more reason to continue to move forward with the complaint.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the treatment of pregnant people under Trump ’ s Department of Homeland Security .
In December 2017 , the Trump administration quietly overturned an Obama-era policy of only holding pregnant people in immigration custody in extreme circumstances .
Instead , the new directive allowed DHS to detain pregnant people unless they were in their third trimester of pregnancy .
Since then , there have been dozens of reports of mistreatment of pregnant people , including a 2018 BuzzFeed News investigation , cited in the ACLU ’ s January complaint , which found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this new policy .
People in all stages of their pregnancies told BuzzFeed News they had been detained , shackled around the belly , abused , and denied medical care .
The investigation has triggered congressional demands for investigations similar to the ones filed Wednesday .
However , there appears to have been little follow-up by the Trump administration , and the department has undergone several high-level personnel changes since BuzzFeed News published its investigation in the summer of 2018 .
“ It ’ s not lost on me that things like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trauma have happened for years and continue to happen , ” Clark said .
If nothing happens as a result of this complaint , Jewish Family Service and the ACLU could potentially “ take the impact litigation route , ” Clark said .
Langarica , the attorney with the ACLU , said the organization will “ monitor the situation ” and “ continue assessing our options , ” though she would not say specifically whether it planned to sue the Department of Homeland Security .
In this case , the mom delivered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
“ But the circumstance could easily have been one where the child was born and there were complications , and there was not the medical intervention required to deal with a situation like that , nor the expertise at the Border Patrol facility , whether they were medical professionals or not , ” she said .
Risks of labor outside of a hospital or without medical assistance can be life-threatening or lead to long-term disabilities , the complaint states .
Underlying issues common to people seeking asylum , like malnutrition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmitted infections , can place the pregnant person at an even higher risk .
This is why Border Patrol stations are not a place for pregnant people , Langarica and Clark both argued .
Their complaint recommends that pregnant people have medical care prioritized above all else and be released as soon as possible to their family networks outside of the immigration system that could better care for them .
“ I have a young toddler , and every time I reread this complaint I think back to my own birth experience and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s , ” Clark told BuzzFeed News ahead of the complaint ’ s release .
“ All of the things needed postpartum were not provided to the mom in this case , and they could have easily been provided .
The whole thing from beginning to end … it ’ s horrific .
”

A few days after the incident, CBP put out a press release stating that when the family was apprehended, “the mother did not appear to be in distress and did not request any medical attention.” The press release says the station’s medical staff “noticed she was in labor” and “prepared an area for the mother to give birth.”
“Thanks to the medical resources available in our stations, this woman and her child were well cared for and received immediate medical attention,” Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke said in the statement. “Our agents are well trained to manage the unexpected, and I’m proud of the work they did in caring for this mother.”
In response to BuzzFeed News’ request for comment complaint, a CBP public affairs specialist said Wednesday that the allegations made in the complaint were “serious” and that the agency “would certainly want to look into this and make sure there have been no inaccuracies in our release nor any policies broken by our employees,” the specialist wrote in an email Wednesday, “and we would definitely want to present our findings to the public.”
The specialist added that looking into the allegations would require “coordination between local offices in San Diego and Washington, DC HQ,” he wrote, which will take time.
On Thursday, a CBP spokesperson sent another statement to BuzzFeed News before releasing it publicly on Twitter, stating that, after reading over the complaint, the agency "strongly disagrees with the unsubstantiated allegations against our agents."
"CBP treats those in our custody with dignity and respect and provides multiple avenues to report any misconduct," the spokesperson wrote. "We take all allegations seriously and investigate all formal complaints."
According to internal CBP records, the statement continued, CBP medical staff performed "what appear to be nothing short of heroic actions of medical personnel and agents on scene and welcomes the response of DHS OIG."
But the family says that while they were being processed, the woman’s “pain became excruciating and intolerable” and her cough worsened, according to the complaint. Sitting down exacerbated the pain, so she stood up and held onto a trash can for support, bracing it in pain as agents repeatedly yelled at her to sit down. As her family and about 20 strangers looked on, she began to give birth.
“In the midst of another coughing fit, she partially delivered her baby into her pants” a month before her due date, the complaint says. After her husband removed her pants, “a border patrol agent and multiple medical staff also reached for the baby, some without gloves, and the baby was born,” the complaint states.
Shortly after, she was separated from her family and brought to a local hospital where she stayed for two nights. As she received postpartum care, a border agent remained in the room with her, not allowing her privacy. In the hospital, she was also diagnosed with influenza, the complaint says.
The 27-year-old requested a change of clothes and a shower in the hospital, her attorney with the ACLU, Monika Langarica, told BuzzFeed News on Tuesday. She was given a fresh pair of pants, but her other requests were denied. She was not allowed to shower for days after crossing the desert and giving birth.
“Her experience outlines a number of manifestations of abuse,” Langarica told BuzzFeed News. “She should have had the utmost level of privacy when she was receiving postpartum care. Being denied a shower after birth is abusive. She asked for a shower and she was denied a shower. It’s a need for people to have access to these necessities.”
After she was discharged from the hospital, the Border Patrol agent brought her back to the station with her newborn — and, because she had symptoms of the flu, put her and her family into a quarantine cell, an earlier version of the complaint provided to BuzzFeed News stated. These cells are notoriously freezing cold, but when the woman asked for a blanket for her newborn, she was denied, the complaint claims.
It wasn’t until the family was transferred to a family shelter run by Jewish Family Service of San Diego that she was allowed to shower and the family was given medical attention. There, the shelter interviewed them about their experiences and contacted the ACLU.
The family is now safe and healthy and reunited with family members in another part of the US, Kate Clark, senior director of immigration services at Jewish Family Service of San Diego, told BuzzFeed News on Tuesday.
“We’ve been in contact with her and … letting her know what advocacy is happening on her behalf,” Clark said. “It was such a horrific experience that, she’s expressed to us, if shedding light on her case could make a difference in this happening to other people, that’s all the more reason to continue to move forward with the complaint.”
This is not the first complaint filed about the treatment of pregnant people under Trump’s Department of Homeland Security. In December 2017, the Trump administration quietly overturned an Obama-era policy of only holding pregnant people in immigration custody in extreme circumstances. Instead, the new directive allowed DHS to detain pregnant people unless they were in their third trimester of pregnancy.
Since then, there have been dozens of reports of mistreatment of pregnant people, including a 2018 BuzzFeed News investigation, cited in the ACLU’s January complaint, which found that even the department was even flouting this new policy. People in all stages of their pregnancies told BuzzFeed News they had been detained, shackled around the belly, abused, and denied medical care.
The investigation has triggered congressional demands for investigations similar to the ones filed Wednesday. However, there appears to have been little follow-up by the Trump administration, and the department has undergone several high-level personnel changes since BuzzFeed News published its investigation in the summer of 2018.
“It’s not lost on me that things like this and cases with very extreme situations and trauma have happened for years and continue to happen,” Clark said. If nothing happens as a result of this complaint, Jewish Family Service and the ACLU could potentially “take the impact litigation route,” Clark said.
Langarica, the attorney with the ACLU, said the organization will “monitor the situation” and “continue assessing our options,” though she would not say specifically whether it planned to sue the Department of Homeland Security.
In this case, the mom delivered a healthy baby, Clark said to BuzzFeed News. “But the circumstance could easily have been one where the child was born and there were complications, and there was not the medical intervention required to deal with a situation like that, nor the expertise at the Border Patrol facility, whether they were medical professionals or not,” she said.
Risks of labor outside of a hospital or without medical assistance can be life-threatening or lead to long-term disabilities, the complaint states. Underlying issues common to people seeking asylum, like malnutrition, anemia, infectious diseases, and sexually transmitted infections, can place the pregnant person at an even higher risk.
This is why Border Patrol stations are not a place for pregnant people, Langarica and Clark both argued. Their complaint recommends that pregnant people have medical care prioritized above all else and be released as soon as possible to their family networks outside of the immigration system that could better care for them.
“I have a young toddler, and every time I reread this complaint I think back to my own birth experience and how different it was from this woman’s,” Clark told BuzzFeed News ahead of the complaint’s release. “All of the things needed postpartum were not provided to the mom in this case, and they could have easily been provided. The whole thing from beginning to end … it’s horrific.”