foxnews--2020-04-03--Husband surprises wife on 84th birthday after leaving Minnesota nursing home in COVID-19 lockdown

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Jerry Lindell was rehabbing at a Minnesota nursing home when the facility locked down to protect its residents from the coronavirus -- blocking his wife of 63 years from visiting , according to a local report .
But he finished his rehab in time to surprise her on her 84th birthday last Thursday , heartwarming video shows .
“ Hi honey , ” a surprised Beverley Lindell exclaims as her husband , also 84 , strides through their front door with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cellphone video their daughter , Loriee Barnes , recorded .
At first , she appears hesitant to give him a hug , raising social distancing concerns , but as soon as he is within reach they enter into a warm embrace .
“ Why can ’ t you ?
” he replies , taking her into his arms as she begins to cry tears of joy .
Barnes said she helped arrange the surprise in a Facebook post .
“ We have had a rough year , but I brought my dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom ’ s birthday present , ” she wrote .
“ Life is so awesome.
” Jerry Lindell was a patient at Meeker Manor Rehabilitation Center in Litchfield , Minn. , when the facility went into lockdown to protect its residents from the threat of the coronavirus , according to KARE-TV .
Andrea Ross , the nursing home ’ s administrator , told the station that seeing the couple reunite on video meant a lot to her , her staff and other residents enduring separation from their own families amid the shutdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ APP Minnesota Gov .
Tim Waltz issued a stay-at-home order on March 25 and has signed a $ 330 million COVID-19 response package as just part of the state ’ s attempts to slow the spread of the virus .
Minnesota had seen at least 789 confirmed cases of the coronavirus , with at least 22 deaths as of Friday afternoon .

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Jerry Lindell was rehabbing at a Minnesota nursing home when the facility locked down to protect its residents from the coronavirus -- blocking his wife of 63 years from visiting, according to a local report.
But he finished his rehab in time to surprise her on her 84th birthday last Thursday, heartwarming video shows.
“Hi honey,” a surprised Beverley Lindell exclaims as her husband, also 84, strides through their front door with a bouquet of flowers, as seen in cellphone video their daughter, Loriee Barnes, recorded.
“Happy birthday honey,” he responds.
At first, she appears hesitant to give him a hug, raising social distancing concerns, but as soon as he is within reach they enter into a warm embrace.
“I can’t hug you,” she says.
“Why can’t you?” he replies, taking her into his arms as she begins to cry tears of joy.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Barnes said she helped arrange the surprise in a Facebook post.
“We have had a rough year, but I brought my dad home from the nursing home for my mom’s birthday present,” she wrote. “Life is so awesome.”
Jerry Lindell was a patient at Meeker Manor Rehabilitation Center in Litchfield, Minn., when the facility went into lockdown to protect its residents from the threat of the coronavirus, according to KARE-TV.
Andrea Ross, the nursing home’s administrator, told the station that seeing the couple reunite on video meant a lot to her, her staff and other residents enduring separation from their own families amid the shutdown.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz issued a stay-at-home order on March 25 and has signed a $330 million COVID-19 response package as just part of the state’s attempts to slow the spread of the virus.
Minnesota had seen at least 789 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with at least 22 deaths as of Friday afternoon.


foxnews--2020-04-03--Reporter's Notebook: Congress' potential challenges with virtual voting amid coronavirus pandemic

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Why can ’ t they just vote from home ?
You ’ ll hear that question a lot in the coming weeks as the coronavirus pandemic deepens .
The House and Senate are already wrestling with the next phase of the coronavirus legislative response .
Work is underway behind the scenes .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi , D-Calif. , wants to address pensions in the next bill .
Concerns lurk over the viability of the U.S .
Postal Service .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif. , are preaching patience .
They want to evaluate where the nation is and deal with potential weaknesses in the phase three coronavirus law down the road .
But lawmakers will have to return to Capitol Hill to negotiate and vote on the next bill .
To say nothing of the bill after that .
And the bill after that .
And the bill after that .
Pelosi ordered House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report on possible alternatives to convening lawmakers to vote in person -- as the risk of person-to-person contact poses a grave threat .
“ We have to find ways to quickly respond to the massive problems we face -- which may mean taking personal risk , ” declared a draft of the report .
“ But we must do so thoughtfully .
Above all , we need to act in a way that keeps public safety at the forefront , while preserving the integrity of the institution so that we can continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may simply ask why Congress just can ’ t meet over Zoom .
After all , the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performed a tele-concert of the final moments of Gustav Mahler ’ s Third Symphony .
One high school choir crooned “ Somewhere Over the Rainbow ” via video conference .
But it doesn ’ t quite work that way in Congress .
There are monumental Constitutional , parliamentary and procedural hurdles that the House and Senate would have to consider to implement any sort of remote voting .
And Congress would want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very type of scenario that the globe faces now .
A pandemic is one .
Another could be nuclear war .
Despite commissioning a report on remote voting , Pelosi appears cool to the concept of a virtual Congress .
“ Let ’ s not waste time on something that is not going to happen , ” Pelosi said this week .
“ There is no way we can get into remote voting without serious conversations in the House and changing the rules.
” In fact , Fox News is told that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report was not so much to explore alternatives to in-person convergences -- but to demonstrate the colossal undertaking of implementing an e-Congress .
One thing is clear : the House and Senate simply can ’ t throw this together in a few weeks .
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin , D-Ill. , and Sen .
Rob Portman , R-Ohio , have both drafted a plan that would allow remote voting in the Senate for a month at a time if there is an emergency .
So far , the calls of Durbin and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the House , Pelosi at least asked for the study .
But it ’ s not like the House is close to members speaking from the well of the chamber , looking like a hologram of Princess Leia in Star Wars .
Article I , Section 5 of the Constitution grants the House and Senate authority to “ determine the Rules of its Proceedings.
” Thus , one body could implement some sort of virtual Congressional construct in times of crisis -- and the other could not .
TRUMP SLAMS 'PARTISAN ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'HERE WE GO AGAIN' Congress isn ’ t going to turn into the Matrix ( the Congrix ? )
any time soon .
Drafting terabytes of code won ’ t suddenly become more important than the Office of Legislative Counsel drafting bill text .
Pelosi isn ’ t going to trade in her title of “ House Speaker ” for “ Super Administrator.
” There ’ s no precedent for the House deploying any sort of “ remote voting ” schematic .
That includes the House voting via any alternative means during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can currently approve resolutions , amendments and bills via voice vote and unanimous consent .
Those methods don ’ t require a formal roll call vote where all 435 ( currently 429 ) members must filter into the chamber .
But Article I , Section 5 of the Constitution also mandates that the House and Senate have a quorum on hand to conduct business .
A quorum is at least half of the current membership in the same room at the same time .
This is usually not a problem unless somebody makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Massie , R-Ky. , last week .
House Rule XX currently includes provisions for diminishing the size of a quorum due to a catastrophic event .
But that provision also requires that the House also declares a number of seats vacant .
One idea discussed in the House report is the concept of “ paired ” voting .
House rules currently bar the practice .
That ’ s where members on opposite sides of an issue agree not to vote .
Thus , their votes are “ paired.
” House members used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was difficult in the 19th Century .
One might recall that Sens .
Steve Daines , R-Mont.
, and Lisa Murkowski , R-Ark.
, “ paired ” their votes on the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 .
Daines had to miss the vote due to his daughter ’ s wedding .
Murkowski opposed Kavanaugh ’ s confirmation .
Daines was for Kavanaugh .
But to offset Daines ’ s absence , Murkowski “ paired ” with her Montana colleague and voted “ present.
” The House does allow “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is a vote on an amendment , one often hears committee rooms echoing with various members yelling “ aye by proxy ” when their colleagues aren ’ t around .
The House report notes the institution could set itself up for a challenge in court if it approves a bill that becomes law that was passed via a proxy voting formula .
Finally , there is the “ cyber Congress ” option .
This is where lawmakers actually cast ballots remotely , via some super-encrypted system that includes multiple levels of authentication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has pushed for remote voting since he arrived on Capitol Hill in 2013 .
The House report notes that the current electronic voting system took three years from authorization to implementation in the 1970s .
Lawmakers pushed as far back as 1886 to launch electronic voting in the House .
Thomas Edison even patented an electronic voting apparatus back in 1869 .
But Congress rejected it .
The report argues that decentralized voting “ raises serious concerns for another person accessing a Member ’ s system and voting on their behalf , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The report asserts that a future remote system could include biometric authentication .
But “ this technology would take time to put into place.
” There is also concern about the House engineering a new system amid a global pandemic .
There ’ s fear that implementing a new regimen now would be slapdash at best -- and could be the second coming of the app used for the Iowa Democratic Caucus .
But Constitutional concerns might outweigh cyber ones .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Article I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about “ meeting ” and “ assembling ” and “ attendance.
” Is it even practical constitutionally for the House and Senate to vote virtually ?
And what if one body adopts a remote system and the other doesn ’ t ?
Would the other institution recognize the validity of such a vote ?
These are questions Congress will likely address once the pandemic fades .
Congress implemented a number of provisions for “ continuity of government ” after 9/11 .
Lawmakers will likely follow suit once the coronavirus scourge abates .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented those provisions after 9/11 had come and gone .
The attack was over .
Here , Congress must legislate and likely pass multiple , massive bills to preserve the very viability of the republic -- in the middle of one of the most significant challenges facing the United States .
It may seem perverse at a time of social distancing .
But perhaps the only option for House and Senate members is to risk their own health -- along with the health of others -- and vote in person on Capitol Hill @

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
Why can’t they just vote from home?
You’ll hear that question a lot in the coming weeks as the coronavirus pandemic deepens. The House and Senate are already wrestling with the next phase of the coronavirus legislative response.
Work is underway behind the scenes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wants to address pensions in the next bill. Concerns lurk over the viability of the U.S. Postal Service. President Trump is pushing $2 trillion in infrastructure. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., are preaching patience. They want to evaluate where the nation is and deal with potential weaknesses in the phase three coronavirus law down the road.
But lawmakers will have to return to Capitol Hill to negotiate and vote on the next bill. To say nothing of the bill after that. And the bill after that. And the bill after that.
THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK STATE BY STATE
Pelosi ordered House Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, D-Mass., to assemble a draft report on possible alternatives to convening lawmakers to vote in person -- as the risk of person-to-person contact poses a grave threat.
“We have to find ways to quickly respond to the massive problems we face -- which may mean taking personal risk,” declared a draft of the report. “But we must do so thoughtfully. Above all, we need to act in a way that keeps public safety at the forefront, while preserving the integrity of the institution so that we can continue to respond to this crisis.”
The layperson may simply ask why Congress just can’t meet over Zoom. After all, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performed a tele-concert of the final moments of Gustav Mahler’s Third Symphony. One high school choir crooned “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” via video conference.
But it doesn’t quite work that way in Congress.
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
There are monumental Constitutional, parliamentary and procedural hurdles that the House and Senate would have to consider to implement any sort of remote voting. And Congress would want to reserve the concept of remote voting for the very type of scenario that the globe faces now. A pandemic is one. Another could be nuclear war.
Despite commissioning a report on remote voting, Pelosi appears cool to the concept of a virtual Congress.
“Let’s not waste time on something that is not going to happen,” Pelosi said this week. “There is no way we can get into remote voting without serious conversations in the House and changing the rules.”
In fact, Fox News is told that part of the reason Pelosi ordered the report was not so much to explore alternatives to in-person convergences -- but to demonstrate the colossal undertaking of implementing an e-Congress.
One thing is clear: the House and Senate simply can’t throw this together in a few weeks.
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, have both drafted a plan that would allow remote voting in the Senate for a month at a time if there is an emergency. So far, the calls of Durbin and Portman have fallen on deaf ears. In the House, Pelosi at least asked for the study. But it’s not like the House is close to members speaking from the well of the chamber, looking like a hologram of Princess Leia in Star Wars.
Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution grants the House and Senate authority to “determine the Rules of its Proceedings.” Thus, one body could implement some sort of virtual Congressional construct in times of crisis -- and the other could not.
TRUMP SLAMS 'PARTISAN' PROBES AFTER PELOSI ANNOUNCES CORONAVIRUS COMMITTEE: 'HERE WE GO AGAIN'
Congress isn’t going to turn into the Matrix (the Congrix?) any time soon. Drafting terabytes of code won’t suddenly become more important than the Office of Legislative Counsel drafting bill text. Pelosi isn’t going to trade in her title of “House Speaker” for “Super Administrator.”
There’s no precedent for the House deploying any sort of “remote voting” schematic. That includes the House voting via any alternative means during the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. The House can currently approve resolutions, amendments and bills via voice vote and unanimous consent. Those methods don’t require a formal roll call vote where all 435 (currently 429) members must filter into the chamber. But Article I, Section 5 of the Constitution also mandates that the House and Senate have a quorum on hand to conduct business. A quorum is at least half of the current membership in the same room at the same time.
This is usually not a problem unless somebody makes it an issue, ala Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., last week. House Rule XX currently includes provisions for diminishing the size of a quorum due to a catastrophic event. But that provision also requires that the House also declares a number of seats vacant.
One idea discussed in the House report is the concept of “paired” voting. House rules currently bar the practice. That’s where members on opposite sides of an issue agree not to vote. Thus, their votes are “paired.” House members used to pair their votes when travel to Washington was difficult in the 19th Century. One might recall that Sens. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Ark., “paired” their votes on the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018. Daines had to miss the vote due to his daughter’s wedding. Murkowski opposed Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Daines was for Kavanaugh. But to offset Daines’s absence, Murkowski “paired” with her Montana colleague and voted “present.”
The House does allow “proxy” voting in committee. When there is a vote on an amendment, one often hears committee rooms echoing with various members yelling “aye by proxy” when their colleagues aren’t around. The House report notes the institution could set itself up for a challenge in court if it approves a bill that becomes law that was passed via a proxy voting formula.
Finally, there is the “cyber Congress” option. This is where lawmakers actually cast ballots remotely, via some super-encrypted system that includes multiple levels of authentication. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has pushed for remote voting since he arrived on Capitol Hill in 2013. The House report notes that the current electronic voting system took three years from authorization to implementation in the 1970s. Lawmakers pushed as far back as 1886 to launch electronic voting in the House. Thomas Edison even patented an electronic voting apparatus back in 1869. But Congress rejected it.
TRUMP TESTS NEGATIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS A 2ND TIME, WHITE HOUSE SAYS
The report argues that decentralized voting “raises serious concerns for another person accessing a Member’s system and voting on their behalf, including ‘deepfakes’ in a video-based system." The report asserts that a future remote system could include biometric authentication. But “this technology would take time to put into place.”
There is also concern about the House engineering a new system amid a global pandemic. There’s fear that implementing a new regimen now would be slapdash at best -- and could be the second coming of the app used for the Iowa Democratic Caucus.
But Constitutional concerns might outweigh cyber ones.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Article I of the Constitution is littered with language about “meeting” and “assembling” and “attendance.” Is it even practical constitutionally for the House and Senate to vote virtually? And what if one body adopts a remote system and the other doesn’t? Would the other institution recognize the validity of such a vote?
These are questions Congress will likely address once the pandemic fades. Congress implemented a number of provisions for “continuity of government” after 9/11. Lawmakers will likely follow suit once the coronavirus scourge abates.
But here’s the difference: Congress implemented those provisions after 9/11 had come and gone. The attack was over.
Coronavirus isn’t.
Here, Congress must legislate and likely pass multiple, massive bills to preserve the very viability of the republic -- in the middle of one of the most significant challenges facing the United States.
It may seem perverse at a time of social distancing. But perhaps the only option for House and Senate members is to risk their own health -- along with the health of others -- and vote in person on Capitol Hill.


foxnews--2020-04-03--'Running Man' carries large American flag on 7-mile run in support of workers battling coronavirus

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When his community needed some support , Chris Wauben came running .
Wauben , a resident of Holiday , Fla. , recently set out for a seven-mile run while carrying a 6-foot-by-10-foot American flag as part of his efforts to honor the brave health care workers battling the coronavirus crisis .
SEE IT : TEXAS FAMILY HOLDS 'PROM ON THE PORCH ' WHEN DAUGHTER 'S SCHOOL CANCELS EVENT “ I ’ ve been running with the American flag for probably about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding that he did his first 10K a few decades back — and wearing a Santa hat .
Then , about 10 years ago , Wauben completed a 30-mile run in Miami , this time wearing a Santa hat with a little American flag attached , and “ people absolutely loved it , '' he said .
In the years since , Wauben has become known as `` The Running Man '' of Florida , often seen carrying at least one flag on his inspirational runs .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this past Wednesday , and Wauben knew exactly what he wanted to do .
“ With everything going on , and watching people being so stressed out … I know how much the American flag brings smiles to peoples ’ faces , and just uplifts them , and makes them feel better , '' he said .
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS At around 9 a.m. , Wauben set out on the 10-mile run , carrying his oversized flag down the Campbell Causeway in Tampa .
“ From the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people [ were ] honking their horns , and waving , ” Wauben said , adding that one woman even approached him on a bike , telling him she just wanted to meet him .
That was “ one of the coolest things , ” Wauben said .
“ It makes me happy , making them happy.
” Ultimately , though , Wauben told Fox News he hopes his run will inspire America ’ s front-line workers to keep fighting the good fight .
“ I think this will really inspire the doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that we ’ re all going to make it through this OK , ” Wauben told Fox News .
“ And this just inspires them to keep on going , and stay strong .
”

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When his community needed some support, Chris Wauben came running.
Wauben, a resident of Holiday, Fla., recently set out for a seven-mile run while carrying a 6-foot-by-10-foot American flag as part of his efforts to honor the brave health care workers battling the coronavirus crisis.
SEE IT: TEXAS FAMILY HOLDS 'PROM ON THE PORCH' WHEN DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL CANCELS EVENT
“I’ve been running with the American flag for probably about 10 years now,” said Wauben, adding that he did his first 10K a few decades back — and wearing a Santa hat.
Then, about 10 years ago, Wauben completed a 30-mile run in Miami, this time wearing a Santa hat with a little American flag attached, and “people absolutely loved it," he said.
In the years since, Wauben has become known as "The Running Man" of Florida, often seen carrying at least one flag on his inspirational runs.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Fast forward to this past Wednesday, and Wauben knew exactly what he wanted to do.
“With everything going on, and watching people being so stressed out … I know how much the American flag brings smiles to peoples’ faces, and just uplifts them, and makes them feel better," he said.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
At around 9 a.m., Wauben set out on the 10-mile run, carrying his oversized flag down the Campbell Causeway in Tampa.
“From the second I got going, all the people [were] honking their horns, and waving,” Wauben said, adding that one woman even approached him on a bike, telling him she just wanted to meet him.
That was “one of the coolest things,” Wauben said. “It makes me happy, making them happy.”
CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS' CONTINUING CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Ultimately, though, Wauben told Fox News he hopes his run will inspire America’s front-line workers to keep fighting the good fight.
“I think this will really inspire the doctors and the nurses and the first responders, that we’re all going to make it through this OK,” Wauben told Fox News. “And this just inspires them to keep on going, and stay strong.”
Michael Bartiromo contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-04-03--Grupo Modelo suspends production of Corona and other beer brands amid coronavirus crisis in Mexico

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Grupo Modelo , which produces and exports several popular beer brands including Corona , Pacifica and Modelo , will be temporarily suspending production after its breweries were deemed non-essential by the Mexican government .
BUSCH OFFERS FREE BEER FOR PEOPLE WILLING TO ADOPT A DOG DURING HEALTH CRISIS The company confirmed the news via a press release shared to Twitter early on Friday , and pledged its “ total commitment ” to slowing the spread of coronavirus .
“ Grupo Modelo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the process of suspending its production and marketing operations for beer , ” wrote Grupo Modelo , per a translation of its press release .
The company added that the suspension was part of an agreement with Mexico ’ s federal government , as one of many “ extraordinary actions to attend to the health emergency generated by SARS-VoC2 virus.
” FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Grupo Modelo had said it was already in the process of slowing production to a “ minimum , ” but not stopping it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume once the health crisis was under control , citing some 15,000 families and 800,000 grocers that rely on beer production and beer sales for at least some of their income .
“ In the event that the federal government considers it opportune to issue a guarantee confirming beer as an [ essential ] agro-industrial product , at Grupo Modelo we are ready to execute a plan with more than 75 percent of our staff working from home and at the same time guaranteeing the supply of beer , ” the statement continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Grupo Modelo added that it has already donated 300,000 bottles of hand sanitizer for distribution to hospitals and medical centers , and said further efforts toward “ fighting this fight ” will be announced shortly .
“ Grupo Modelo will abide by the measures adopted by the Federal Government and reaffirms its total commitment to be part of the fight against the SARS CoV2 virus , ” the statement read .
A representative for Grupo Modelo , whose parent company is Anheuser Busch InBev , was not immediately available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect the supply chain for its beer .
Earlier this week , Mexico declared a health emergency after surpassing 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country , Reuters reported .
By Thursday , the country had reported of at least 1,500 cases and 50 deaths .

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Grupo Modelo, which produces and exports several popular beer brands including Corona, Pacifica and Modelo, will be temporarily suspending production after its breweries were deemed non-essential by the Mexican government.
BUSCH OFFERS FREE BEER FOR PEOPLE WILLING TO ADOPT A DOG DURING HEALTH CRISIS
The company confirmed the news via a press release shared to Twitter early on Friday, and pledged its “total commitment” to slowing the spread of coronavirus.
“Grupo Modelo announces that this Sunday it will complete the process of suspending its production and marketing operations for beer,” wrote Grupo Modelo, per a translation of its press release. The company added that the suspension was part of an agreement with Mexico’s federal government, as one of many “extraordinary actions to attend to the health emergency generated by SARS-VoC2 virus.”
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
Grupo Modelo had said it was already in the process of slowing production to a “minimum,” but not stopping it altogether, to make it easier to resume once the health crisis was under control, citing some 15,000 families and 800,000 grocers that rely on beer production and beer sales for at least some of their income.
“In the event that the federal government considers it opportune to issue a guarantee confirming beer as an [essential] agro-industrial product, at Grupo Modelo we are ready to execute a plan with more than 75 percent of our staff working from home and at the same time guaranteeing the supply of beer,” the statement continued.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Grupo Modelo added that it has already donated 300,000 bottles of hand sanitizer for distribution to hospitals and medical centers, and said further efforts toward “fighting this fight” will be announced shortly.
“Grupo Modelo will abide by the measures adopted by the Federal Government and reaffirms its total commitment to be part of the fight against the SARS CoV2 virus,” the statement read.
A representative for Grupo Modelo, whose parent company is Anheuser Busch InBev, was not immediately available to confirm whether the suspension of production would affect the supply chain for its beer.
CLICK HERE FOR FOX NEWS' CONTINUING CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Earlier this week, Mexico declared a health emergency after surpassing 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, Reuters reported. By Thursday, the country had reported of at least 1,500 cases and 50 deaths.


foxnews--2020-04-03--Rapper YNW Melly tests positive for coronavirus in Florida jail while awaiting double murder trial

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Rapper YNW Melly has tested positive for the novel coronavirus while awaiting trial for a double murder , his attorney confirmed to Fox News .
`` I can confirm he has tested positive for COVID-19 and I am moving for an emergency release for medical treatment , '' Florida attorney Bradford Cohen shared early Friday .
The attorney stressed the need for jails and prisons nationwide to better prepare for an influx of prisoners contracting the virus .
`` The jails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be prepared for what I anticipate is an explosion of cases across the country .
In anticipation , they should be provided heightened medical facilities and have contingency plans for immediate prisoner movement . ''
CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS The attorney added that prisons `` need to loosen the restrictions on alcohol-based wipes and hand sanitizer immediately . ''
`` Without better protocol , this will be an extremely dangerous and deadly situation , '' Cohen said .
An Instagram account for the 20-year-old Florida native , whose real name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive test results for COVID-19 late Thursday .
`` Melly has tested positive for COVID-19 today while awaiting his trial in Broward County Jail .
He 'll be filing a motion for restricted release in hopes of better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus , '' the Instagram post reads .
It continues : `` He hopes for your support and to recover soon # prayformelly send positive energy to him please . ''
The post received nearly 1 million likes on Instagram overnight .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty on two first-degree murder charges , according to Billboard .
Prosecutors reportedly are seeking the death penalty .
The rapper allegedly was joined by an accomplice named Cortlen Henry , who goes by the stage name of `` YNW Bortlen . ''
BLAKE SHELTON WILL GROW BACK MULLET AS A 'SYMBOL OF HOPE ' AMID CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The murder victims have been identified as Christopher `` Juvy '' Thomas Jr. and Anthony `` Sak '' Williams , according to Billboard .
On Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early release from prison for rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine because of his asthma , which makes the rapper-turned-informant more vulnerable to the novel virus .
YNW Melly joins Tom Hanks , Rita Wilson , Debi Mazar , Idris Elba and more stars who have tested positive for COVID-19 .

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Rapper YNW Melly has tested positive for the novel coronavirus while awaiting trial for a double murder, his attorney confirmed to Fox News.
"I can confirm he has tested positive for COVID-19 and I am moving for an emergency release for medical treatment," Florida attorney Bradford Cohen shared early Friday.
The attorney stressed the need for jails and prisons nationwide to better prepare for an influx of prisoners contracting the virus.
"The jails and prisons across the country need to be prepared for what I anticipate is an explosion of cases across the country. In anticipation, they should be provided heightened medical facilities and have contingency plans for immediate prisoner movement."
CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS
The attorney added that prisons "need to loosen the restrictions on alcohol-based wipes and hand sanitizer immediately."
"Without better protocol, this will be an extremely dangerous and deadly situation," Cohen said.
An Instagram account for the 20-year-old Florida native, whose real name is Jamell Demons, also confirmed his positive test results for COVID-19 late Thursday.
"Melly has tested positive for COVID-19 today while awaiting his trial in Broward County Jail. He'll be filing a motion for restricted release in hopes of better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus," the Instagram post reads.
HOW DANGEROUS IS CORONAVIRUS
It continues: "He hopes for your support and to recover soon #prayformelly send positive energy to him please."
The post received nearly 1 million likes on Instagram overnight.
In April 2019, the rapper pleaded not guilty on two first-degree murder charges, according to Billboard.
Prosecutors reportedly are seeking the death penalty. The rapper allegedly was joined by an accomplice named Cortlen Henry, who goes by the stage name of "YNW Bortlen."
BLAKE SHELTON WILL GROW BACK MULLET AS A 'SYMBOL OF HOPE' AMID CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
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The murder victims have been identified as Christopher "Juvy" Thomas Jr. and Anthony "Sak" Williams, according to Billboard.
On Thursday, a federal judge in Manhattan ordered an early release from prison for rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine because of his asthma, which makes the rapper-turned-informant more vulnerable to the novel virus.
YNW Melly joins Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Debi Mazar, Idris Elba and more stars who have tested positive for COVID-19.


foxnews--2020-04-03--AOC calls to drop Medicare age to ‘zero,’ approach coronavirus relief through ‘lens of reparations’

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y. , on Friday cited the coronavirus crisis in renewing calls for sweeping political changes , demanding the Medicare eligibility age be reduced to zero while also saying that coronavirus relief should be viewed through a “ lens of reparations.
” “ COVID deaths are disproportionately spiking in Black + Brown communities .
Why ?
Because the chronic toll of redlining , environmental racism , wealth gap , etc .
ARE underlying health conditions , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVERAGE “ Inequality is a comorbidity .
COVID relief should be drafted with a lens of reparations , ” she added .
She did not specify what that would mean in terms of a response , but made clear that she sees the impact of the virus on minority communities as a symptom of systemic racism in various forms -- a problem she has repeatedly sought to bring attention to since coming to Congress in 2019 .
Last year , she called for the Democratic Party to begin `` examining and pursuing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for slavery .
Meanwhile , she used the crisis to essentially renew calls for “ Medicare-for-all ” -- another left-wing item that she and fellow members of the “ Squad ” have made a cornerstone of their platform .
It is also a key part of the platform of AOC-backed Sen. Bernie Sanders ' presidential campaign .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Responding to a report that 30 million Americans could lose their private health insurance in the coming months because of the crisis , she tweeted : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 0 right now.
” That tweet comes a day after she tweeted in a response to a question about how Medicaid ’ s budgets would be able to cope with the crisis by saying : “ They can ’ t .
We need Medicare for All .
”

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., on Friday cited the coronavirus crisis in renewing calls for sweeping political changes, demanding the Medicare eligibility age be reduced to zero while also saying that coronavirus relief should be viewed through a “lens of reparations.”
“COVID deaths are disproportionately spiking in Black + Brown communities. Why? Because the chronic toll of redlining, environmental racism, wealth gap, etc. ARE underlying health conditions,” she tweeted.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
“Inequality is a comorbidity. COVID relief should be drafted with a lens of reparations,” she added.
She did not specify what that would mean in terms of a response, but made clear that she sees the impact of the virus on minority communities as a symptom of systemic racism in various forms -- a problem she has repeatedly sought to bring attention to since coming to Congress in 2019.
Last year, she called for the Democratic Party to begin "examining and pursuing an agenda of reparations" to black Americans for slavery.
Meanwhile, she used the crisis to essentially renew calls for “Medicare-for-all” -- another left-wing item that she and fellow members of the “Squad” have made a cornerstone of their platform. It is also a key part of the platform of AOC-backed Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Responding to a report that 30 million Americans could lose their private health insurance in the coming months because of the crisis, she tweeted: “We need to drop the Medicare eligibility age to 0 right now.”
That tweet comes a day after she tweeted in a response to a question about how Medicaid’s budgets would be able to cope with the crisis by saying: “They can’t. We need Medicare for All.”


foxnews--2020-04-03--CA doctor says coronavirus patient improving with plasma treatment after several medications failed

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Sign up here A California doctor and his patient are seeing the effects of a possible breakthrough coronavirus treatment using plasma , which they decided to try after several other options had failed .
Appearing on `` Fox & Friends '' with host Brian Kilmeade , St. Joseph Hospital Director Dr. Timothy Byun said Friday that they had tried drugs like hydroxychloroquine , azithromycin , and tocilizumab without seeing any improvements in the patient 's condition .
`` So , I mean , we really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We happened to find a plasma from a recovered person who was willing to donate , '' he explained .
`` So , that 's how it all started . ''
Byun said that his COVID-19 patient has made improvements in a couple of respects since starting on the plasma two days ago .
`` He has gotten a little bit healthier in terms of his oxygenation setting .
He was able to get off the vasopressor medication to increase the blood pressure .
He was able to stop that , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really too early to tell whether this treatment has been working . ''
Byun told Kilmeade that there is some evidence to suggest that his plasma approach would work based on history dating back to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic , but admitted he did n't know if it would work with this virus .
`` We are measuring his clinical parameters which would include blood pressure , his organ functions , hydrology , his ventilator settings , '' Byun stated further .
`` We are also following laboratory parameters such as inflammatory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is subsiding . ''
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP '' We do n't have a whole lot of data [ showing ] whether it 's going to work in this particular virus , '' Byun concluded .
`` Most recently , Chinese doctors have reported increasing outcomes in a small group of patients .
And , others in this country -- we 're not the first one but Houston Methodist Hospital as well as a couple of other hospitals in New York [ have ] tried this . ''

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A California doctor and his patient are seeing the effects of a possible breakthrough coronavirus treatment using plasma, which they decided to try after several other options had failed.
Appearing on "Fox & Friends" with host Brian Kilmeade, St. Joseph Hospital Director Dr. Timothy Byun said Friday that they had tried drugs like hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, and tocilizumab without seeing any improvements in the patient's condition.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
"So, I mean, we really had very little options to consider. We happened to find a plasma from a recovered person who was willing to donate," he explained. "So, that's how it all started."
Byun said that his COVID-19 patient has made improvements in a couple of respects since starting on the plasma two days ago.
"He has gotten a little bit healthier in terms of his oxygenation setting. He was able to get off the vasopressor medication to increase the blood pressure. He was able to stop that," he remarked. "But, it's really too early to tell whether this treatment has been working."
Byun told Kilmeade that there is some evidence to suggest that his plasma approach would work based on history dating back to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, but admitted he didn't know if it would work with this virus.
"We are measuring his clinical parameters which would include blood pressure, his organ functions, hydrology, his ventilator settings," Byun stated further. "We are also following laboratory parameters such as inflammatory biomarkers to see inflammation in his body is subsiding."
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"We don't have a whole lot of data [showing] whether it's going to work in this particular virus," Byun concluded. "Most recently, Chinese doctors have reported increasing outcomes in a small group of patients. And, others in this country -- we're not the first one but Houston Methodist Hospital as well as a couple of other hospitals in New York [have] tried this."


foxnews--2020-04-02--Dr. Deborah Birx admits US officials 'didn't know how contagious' coronavirus was early in outbreak

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Dr. Deborah Birx , the response coordinator for the White House coronavirus task force , told Fox News Thursday that initial data about the coronavirus outbreak from China left U.S. officials unable to properly prepare for when the virus made its way to the U.S. '' The bottom line is we did n't know how contagious it was , '' Brix told Martha MacCallum during a special Fox News digital town hall event .
`` And I think when you make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you do n't prepare in the way that you should prepare for the level of contagion that this COVID-19 exhibits . ''
MacCallum had asked Birx about evidence that the Chinese deliberately downplayed the scale and virulence of the coronavirus , which originated in the city of Wuhan late last year .
Birx recounted working on countering the HIV epidemic in Africa when the virus broke out and watching COVID-19 data coming in from China .
`` I think when we looked at the profile , first there was a question about human-to-human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it stops with that first set of transmission , '' Dr. Birx said .
`` So there was that first question , and I think when you 're in the midst of an epidemic , it is hard for you to be testing at a level that you need to to really look for those asymptomatic cases and really look for those people with mild disease .
`` So now we 're finding out that most of the reporting was around very severe cases . ''
Birx added that because the early data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very difficult situation '' officials there were not fully measuring asymptomatic or mild cases .
`` In that case , '' she said , `` that may be a significant portion of the epidemic , and so we did n't know how it was spreading . ''

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Dr. Deborah Birx, the response coordinator for the White House coronavirus task force, told Fox News Thursday that initial data about the coronavirus outbreak from China left U.S. officials unable to properly prepare for when the virus made its way to the U.S.
"The bottom line is we didn't know how contagious it was," Brix told Martha MacCallum during a special Fox News digital town hall event. "And I think when you make misassumptions around contagion early on, then you don't prepare in the way that you should prepare for the level of contagion that this COVID-19 exhibits."
THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK STATE BY STATE
MacCallum had asked Birx about evidence that the Chinese deliberately downplayed the scale and virulence of the coronavirus, which originated in the city of Wuhan late last year.
Birx recounted working on countering the HIV epidemic in Africa when the virus broke out and watching COVID-19 data coming in from China.
"I think when we looked at the profile, first there was a question about human-to-human transmission -- that's really key because it stops with that first set of transmission," Dr. Birx said. "So there was that first question, and I think when you're in the midst of an epidemic, it is hard for you to be testing at a level that you need to to really look for those asymptomatic cases and really look for those people with mild disease.
"So now we're finding out that most of the reporting was around very severe cases."
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Birx added that because the early data was produced by China during a "very difficult situation" officials there were not fully measuring asymptomatic or mild cases.
"In that case," she said, "that may be a significant portion of the epidemic, and so we didn't know how it was spreading."


foxnews--2020-04-02--Feds distribute thousands of masks, other supplies seized from hoarders during coronavirus pandemic

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The Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services are distributing nearly 200,000 N95 respirator masks and other medical supplies to New York and New Jersey after confiscating them from individuals hoarding the materials .
Fox News has learned that the FBI discovered the supplies last week in New Jersey during an enforcement operation by the Justice Department ’ s COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force and alerted HHS .
Under the Defense Production Act , HHS ordered that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government .
In addition to the 192,000 N95 respirator masks , the FBI found 598,000 medical-grade gloves and 130,000 surgical masks , procedure masks , N100 masks , surgical gowns , disinfectant towels , particulate filters , bottles of hand sanitizer and bottles of spray disinfectant .
“ Cracking down on the hoarding of vital supplies allows us to distribute this material to the heroic healthcare workers on the frontlines who are most in need , ” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement .
“ Thanks to the quick work of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice , and HHS , the seized resources were distributed in days to the doctors , nurses and first responders who need them.
” HHS is expected to pay the owner of the hoarded equipment pre-COVID-19 fair market value for the supplies .
After inspecting the supplies , HHS arranged for the delivery of the PPE ( personal protective equipment ) to the New Jersey Department of Health , the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene .
BARR SAYS DOJ WILL GO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are amassing critical medical equipment for the purpose of selling it at exorbitant prices , you can expect a knock at your door , ” Attorney General Bill Barr said in a statement .
“ The Department of Justice ’ s COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force is working tirelessly around the clock with all our law enforcement partners to ensure that bad actors can not illicitly profit from the COVID-19 pandemic facing our nation.
” The discovery of the materials comes after Azar and Barr last week implemented anti-price gouging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat COVID-19 and protect those on the frontlines .
That order came after states , like New York , which has become the epicenter of the country ’ s COVID-19 outbreak , complained about price-gouging on necessary PPE like N-95 masks .
As of Thursday morning , the U.S. reported more than 216,722 positive cases of COVID-19 and more than 5,137 deaths .

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The Justice Department and Department of Health and Human Services are distributing nearly 200,000 N95 respirator masks and other medical supplies to New York and New Jersey after confiscating them from individuals hoarding the materials.
Fox News has learned that the FBI discovered the supplies last week in New Jersey during an enforcement operation by the Justice Department’s COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force and alerted HHS.
HHS IMPLEMENTS ANTI-PRICE GOUGING ORDER AMID CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
Under the Defense Production Act, HHS ordered that the supplies be immediately given to the government.
In addition to the 192,000 N95 respirator masks, the FBI found 598,000 medical-grade gloves and 130,000 surgical masks, procedure masks, N100 masks, surgical gowns, disinfectant towels, particulate filters, bottles of hand sanitizer and bottles of spray disinfectant.
“Cracking down on the hoarding of vital supplies allows us to distribute this material to the heroic healthcare workers on the frontlines who are most in need,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement. “Thanks to the quick work of the White House, the Department of Justice, and HHS, the seized resources were distributed in days to the doctors, nurses and first responders who need them.”
HHS is expected to pay the owner of the hoarded equipment pre-COVID-19 fair market value for the supplies.
After inspecting the supplies, HHS arranged for the delivery of the PPE (personal protective equipment) to the New Jersey Department of Health, the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
BARR SAYS DOJ WILL GO AFTER PRICE GOUGERS, HOARDERS
“If you are amassing critical medical equipment for the purpose of selling it at exorbitant prices, you can expect a knock at your door,” Attorney General Bill Barr said in a statement. “The Department of Justice’s COVID-19 Hoarding and Price Gouging Task Force is working tirelessly around the clock with all our law enforcement partners to ensure that bad actors cannot illicitly profit from the COVID-19 pandemic facing our nation.”
The discovery of the materials comes after Azar and Barr last week implemented anti-price gouging and hoarding orders for necessary supplies to combat COVID-19 and protect those on the frontlines. That order came after states, like New York, which has become the epicenter of the country’s COVID-19 outbreak, complained about price-gouging on necessary PPE like N-95 masks.
As of Thursday morning, the U.S. reported more than 216,722 positive cases of COVID-19 and more than 5,137 deaths.
Fox News' Jake Gibson contributed to this report.


foxnews--2020-04-03--Geraldo Rivera: 3M reports are 'classic example' of America being addicted to Chinese manufacturing

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Sign up here American N95 mask-maker 3M 's tether to China during the coronavirus pandemic is a `` classic example '' of how China is holding American manufacturing hostage , Fox News correspondent-at-large Geraldo Rivera said Friday .
In an interview on `` Fox & Friends '' with hosts Steve Doocy , Ainsley Earhardt , and Brian Kilmeade , Rivera said that he had just bought stock in the company for his children 's trust a few weeks ago and was `` shocked '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was selling their products to the highest bidder , pushing President Trump to invoke the Defense Protection Act .
Although founded in Northern Minnesota in 1902 , one of 3M 's largest plants manufacturing these respirators is located in Shanghai , China .
`` China says to 3M : 'You make them here ; they stay here .
We want them .
You can not export them , ' '' Rivera said .
`` So , 3M is caught between a rock and a hard place -- between President Trump and President Xi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' Trump is saying : 'You 're an American company , you know , sell your goods to America . '
'' `` This is a classic example of why we 've become addicted to Chinese politics , Chinese manufacture , '' he asserted .
`` They are holding us hostage .
Even an American company ca n't export its masks from their Chinese plants to the United States . ''
3M has doubled mask production since January .
The company 's N95 masks are considered the gold standard by medical workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street Journal .
N-95 face masks made by 3M and other companies are in short supply among healthcare workers treating coronavirus patients .
President Trump slammed 3M in a tweet on Thursday in regards to the company 's production of protective masks .
`` We hit 3M hard today after seeing what they were doing with their Masks . '
P Act ' all the way .
Big surprise to many in government as to what they were doing - will have a big price to pay ! ''
he wrote Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do what they are supposed to do , '' he said at Thursday 's daily coronavirus briefing .
`` We look forward to working closely with the Administration to implement yesterday ’ s DPA order .
We will continue to maximize the amount of respirators we can produce on behalf of U.S. healthcare workers , as we have every single day since this crisis began , '' the company wrote in a statement responding to the president 's action .
In an interview on CNBC Friday morning , CEO Mike Roman responded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3M is not doing all it can to fight price gouging and unauthorized reselling is absurd .
The idea that we ’ re not doing everything we can to maximize deliveries of respirators in our home country – nothing is further from the truth , ” said Roman .
`` I think they have to be bused .
They 've got to be squeezed , '' Rivera told the `` Friends '' hosts .
`` The president has got to take the CEO of 3M and shake them up and say , 'You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You 've got to insist .
Your Chinese landlords let you sell these masks back to your own country . '
'' `` I think it 's outrageous .
I think it 's a scandal .
But , I also think that the president has got to go to the Chinese president and say , 'Listen , you 're holding our masks hostage , ' '' Rivera added .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP '' Not only that -- just to add to the outrage -- in early January when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was going on with this virus , they bought up masks that were outside China and brought them into China , '' he continued .
`` So , not only are they not letting our masks leave China , they 've taken , you know , from the world marketplace ... all the masks that are available for sale and brought them into China . ''

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American N95 mask-maker 3M's tether to China during the coronavirus pandemic is a "classic example" of how China is holding American manufacturing hostage, Fox News correspondent-at-large Geraldo Rivera said Friday.
In an interview on "Fox & Friends" with hosts Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, and Brian Kilmeade, Rivera said that he had just bought stock in the company for his children's trust a few weeks ago and was "shocked" and "embarrassed" after accusations that 3M was selling their products to the highest bidder, pushing President Trump to invoke the Defense Protection Act.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE
Although founded in Northern Minnesota in 1902, one of 3M's largest plants manufacturing these respirators is located in Shanghai, China.
"China says to 3M: 'You make them here; they stay here. We want them. You cannot export them,'" Rivera said. "So, 3M is caught between a rock and a hard place -- between President Trump and President Xi. Xi is saying 'no exports.' Trump is saying: 'You're an American company, you know, sell your goods to America.'"
"This is a classic example of why we've become addicted to Chinese politics, Chinese manufacture," he asserted. "They are holding us hostage. Even an American company can't export its masks from their Chinese plants to the United States."
3M has doubled mask production since January. The company's N95 masks are considered the gold standard by medical workers and public-health officials, according to The Wall Street Journal.
N-95 face masks made by 3M and other companies are in short supply among healthcare workers treating coronavirus patients.
President Trump slammed 3M in a tweet on Thursday in regards to the company's production of protective masks.
"We hit 3M hard today after seeing what they were doing with their Masks. 'P Act' all the way. Big surprise to many in government as to what they were doing - will have a big price to pay!" he wrote Thursday.
"Hopefully they'll be able to do what they are supposed to do," he said at Thursday's daily coronavirus briefing.
"We look forward to working closely with the Administration to implement yesterday’s DPA order. We will continue to maximize the amount of respirators we can produce on behalf of U.S. healthcare workers, as we have every single day since this crisis began," the company wrote in a statement responding to the president's action.
In an interview on CNBC Friday morning, CEO Mike Roman responded to the criticism.
"The idea that 3M is not doing all it can to fight price gouging and unauthorized reselling is absurd. The idea that we’re not doing everything we can to maximize deliveries of respirators in our home country – nothing is further from the truth,” said Roman.
"I think they have to be bused. They've got to be squeezed," Rivera told the "Friends" hosts. "The president has got to take the CEO of 3M and shake them up and say, 'You've got to make a stand here. You've got to insist. Your Chinese landlords let you sell these masks back to your own country.'"
"I think it's outrageous. I think it's a scandal. But, I also think that the president has got to go to the Chinese president and say, 'Listen, you're holding our masks hostage,'" Rivera added.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP
"Not only that -- just to add to the outrage -- in early January when the Chinese figured out what the hell was going on with this virus, they bought up masks that were outside China and brought them into China," he continued.
"So, not only are they not letting our masks leave China, they've taken, you know, from the world marketplace...all the masks that are available for sale and brought them into China."


foxnews--2020-04-03--Sen. Cory Gardner: Coronavirus spread because of Chinese Communist Party’s ineptitude and deceptions

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Early last December , people in Wuhan , China began showing symptoms of an unidentifiable respiratory disease in increasing numbers .
Today scientists have identified the source of this outbreak as a novel coronavirus that causes the disease now named COVID-19 .
They believe it was transmitted from an animal to a human .
Once the first people in Wuhan became sick , the coronavirus appears to have quickly evolved so it can be transmitted from human to human , making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four months since the start of the outbreak , the new coronavirus has created a pandemic .
It has infected more than 1 million people around the world that we know of , killed tens of thousands , and ground the global economy to a halt .
BOLTON CALLS FOR 'BLACK BOOK ' ON CHINA 'S 'ATROCIOUS ' CONDUCT ON CORONAVIRUS The more we learn about COVID-19 and its origins , the clearer it becomes that much of the death and suffering could have been avoided had the Chinese Communist Party taken this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began sounding the alarm early on , as patients with serious symptoms began filling Chinese hospitals in December .
Dr. Li Wenliang , a doctor in Wuhan , began alerting his former medical school classmates in December about COVID-19 and its similarities to another disease that caused a global crisis in 2002 : Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) .
Instead of heeding these warnings from experts on the frontlines , the Chinese Communist Party concealed information and punished Dr. Li .
He was reprimanded by Communist Party officials at his hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself for leaking information .
On Jan. 1 , before much of the world would learn of COVID-19 , the Wuhan Public Security Bureau summoned eight doctors to publicly admonish them for spreading “ rumors ” surrounding the new disease .
Dr. Li later died after contracting COVID-19 , as did numerous Chinese health care workers who bravely fought to save their compatriots .
In response , the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution I sponsored honoring Dr. Li ’ s courage that included some of his last words , that “ there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China .
Meanwhile , Chinese Communist Party officials desperate to avoid embarrassment put their own citizens at risk by making every effort to maintain business as usual .
They duped the World Health Organization ( WHO ) into complicity , as the WHO announced that Chinese officials found “ no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus , ” despite testimony from the Chinese doctors demonstrating otherwise a month earlier .
On Jan. 21 – the same day the U.S. confirmed our first COVID-19 case and after Thailand and South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese state-run People ’ s Daily newspaper acknowledged an epidemic was occurring .
The same day , without an ounce of shame or irony , the Chinese Communist Party stated : “ Anyone who deliberately delays and hides the reporting of [ virus ] cases out of his or her own self-interest will be nailed on the pillar of shame for eternity.
” Nevertheless , Chinese leaders allowed hundreds of millions of people to travel across mainland China during the Lunar New Year in late January , spreading the virus further throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent of the Chinese government ’ s failure to contain this disease .
It discovered that had the Chinese Communist Party taken steps to contain the virus “ one week , two weeks , or three weeks earlier , cases could have been reduced by 66 percent , 86 percent and 95 percent respectively – significantly limiting the geographical spread of the disease.
” Instead , the Communist leadership of China publicly disregarded the threat of the coronavirus , falsely claimed there were few signs of human-to-human transmission , and waited until Jan. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus to other governments .
Even now , the Chinese Communist Party refuses to admit fault and instead proclaims itself the model of how to contain the virus .
Chinese leaders have spread venomous propaganda that COVID-19 originated in the U.S. – even though the vast majority of the evidence indicates the disease originated in a “ wet market ” in Wuhan .
We have no reason to believe the number of COVID-19 cases reported by China is accurate .
Now the health of every individual and economy around the world is threatened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER This is why I ’ ve called for the formation of an interagency task force under the aegis of the National Security Council with the purpose of countering the sinister propaganda campaign coming from the Chinese Communist Party related to COVID-19 .
Here at home , COVID-19 has touched all 50 states and upended our very way of life .
As I write this , nearly 250,000 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the U.S. and nearly 6,000 have passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans have filed for unemployment compensation as our economy buckles and the American people have changed every aspect of our daily lives to guard against the spread of COVID-19 .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP We will come together in this time of need and we will persevere through this crisis as we have many others , but we would have never faced this if not for the Chinese Communist Party ’ s ineptitude and deceptions .
The Chinese Communist Party ’ s record is clear – it chose to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten the health and economy of the entire world to try and save face .
For that , the Chinese Communist Party “ will be nailed on the pillar of shame for eternity.
” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BY SEN. CORY GARDNER

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Early last December, people in Wuhan, China began showing symptoms of an unidentifiable respiratory disease in increasing numbers. Today scientists have identified the source of this outbreak as a novel coronavirus that causes the disease now named COVID-19. They believe it was transmitted from an animal to a human.
Once the first people in Wuhan became sick, the coronavirus appears to have quickly evolved so it can be transmitted from human to human, making it a highly infectious pathogen.
Only four months since the start of the outbreak, the new coronavirus has created a pandemic. It has infected more than 1 million people around the world that we know of, killed tens of thousands, and ground the global economy to a halt.
BOLTON CALLS FOR 'BLACK BOOK' ON CHINA'S 'ATROCIOUS' CONDUCT ON CORONAVIRUS
The more we learn about COVID-19 and its origins, the clearer it becomes that much of the death and suffering could have been avoided had the Chinese Communist Party taken this threat more seriously.
Doctors in Wuhan began sounding the alarm early on, as patients with serious symptoms began filling Chinese hospitals in December. Dr. Li Wenliang, a doctor in Wuhan, began alerting his former medical school classmates in December about COVID-19 and its similarities to another disease that caused a global crisis in 2002: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
Instead of heeding these warnings from experts on the frontlines, the Chinese Communist Party concealed information and punished Dr. Li. He was reprimanded by Communist Party officials at his hospital and forced to write a letter criticizing himself for leaking information.
On Jan. 1, before much of the world would learn of COVID-19, the Wuhan Public Security Bureau summoned eight doctors to publicly admonish them for spreading “rumors” surrounding the new disease.
Dr. Li later died after contracting COVID-19, as did numerous Chinese health care workers who bravely fought to save their compatriots. In response, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan resolution I sponsored honoring Dr. Li’s courage that included some of his last words, that “there should be more openness and transparency” in China.
Meanwhile, Chinese Communist Party officials desperate to avoid embarrassment put their own citizens at risk by making every effort to maintain business as usual. They duped the World Health Organization (WHO) into complicity, as the WHO announced that Chinese officials found “no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel coronavirus,” despite testimony from the Chinese doctors demonstrating otherwise a month earlier.
On Jan. 21 – the same day the U.S. confirmed our first COVID-19 case and after Thailand and South Korea confirmed their own cases – the Chinese state-run People’s Daily newspaper acknowledged an epidemic was occurring.
The same day, without an ounce of shame or irony, the Chinese Communist Party stated: “Anyone who deliberately delays and hides the reporting of [virus] cases out of his or her own self-interest will be nailed on the pillar of shame for eternity.”
Nevertheless, Chinese leaders allowed hundreds of millions of people to travel across mainland China during the Lunar New Year in late January, spreading the virus further throughout the country.
A new study highlights the extent of the Chinese government’s failure to contain this disease. It discovered that had the Chinese Communist Party taken steps to contain the virus “one week, two weeks, or three weeks earlier, cases could have been reduced by 66 percent, 86 percent and 95 percent respectively – significantly limiting the geographical spread of the disease.”
Instead, the Communist leadership of China publicly disregarded the threat of the coronavirus, falsely claimed there were few signs of human-to-human transmission, and waited until Jan. 12 to release genetic information about the virus to other governments.
Even now, the Chinese Communist Party refuses to admit fault and instead proclaims itself the model of how to contain the virus. Chinese leaders have spread venomous propaganda that COVID-19 originated in the U.S. – even though the vast majority of the evidence indicates the disease originated in a “wet market” in Wuhan.
We have no reason to believe the number of COVID-19 cases reported by China is accurate. Now the health of every individual and economy around the world is threatened because of Chinese attempts to hide the truth.
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This is why I’ve called for the formation of an interagency task force under the aegis of the National Security Council with the purpose of countering the sinister propaganda campaign coming from the Chinese Communist Party related to COVID-19.
Here at home, COVID-19 has touched all 50 states and upended our very way of life. As I write this, nearly 250,000 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in the U.S. and nearly 6,000 have passed away here.
A record 9.9 million Americans have filed for unemployment compensation as our economy buckles and the American people have changed every aspect of our daily lives to guard against the spread of COVID-19.
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We will come together in this time of need and we will persevere through this crisis as we have many others, but we would have never faced this if not for the Chinese Communist Party’s ineptitude and deceptions.
The Chinese Communist Party’s record is clear – it chose to sacrifice thousands of its own citizens and threaten the health and economy of the entire world to try and save face. For that, the Chinese Communist Party “will be nailed on the pillar of shame for eternity.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE BY SEN. CORY GARDNER


foxnews--2020-04-03--Dr. Nicole Saphier: Coronavirus – Deaths rising due to chronic illness, obesity should alarm us all

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While the attention has been focused on the national COVID-19 epicenter in New York , a startling reality is emerging from other areas of the country .
Things are looking particularly worrisome in Louisiana .
In the time since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans , ample improvements have been made to their health care system and medical responsiveness .
Yet , as cases of the novel-coronavirus continue to climb in the Pelican State , the published case fatality rate in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So far , it is twice that reported in New York City .
According to 2018 data , New York had 2.7 hospital beds per 100,000 people while Louisiana had 3.3 .
So why is it that people throughout the state , especially in the St. John Parish area , have the highest death rate from COVID-19 in the country ?
ARI FLEISCHER : TRUMP 'S CORONAVIRUS COMMUNICATIONS CHALLENGE – WHY THESE TWO THINGS ARE CRITICAL We know the answer is complicated and heavily depends on the level of testing , isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ominous reason may lie within the individuals living in this part of the country .
Although every person is at risk for falling ill from SARS-CoV-2 , there are known risk factors that are associated with a severe course of disease .
In New York City , the leading risk factor for death has been age , with nearly 50 % of deaths in those over 75 years of age .
However , approximately 80 percent of the people who have died in New York City from this illness had some form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mild pre-existing condition .
In contrast , Louisiana is only a couple weeks behind New York in its COVID-19 course , however early data from the region is showing the largest factor to be an existing chronic medical disease .
In fact , over 97 percent of people dying in Louisiana from COVID-19 have a prior illness , most often cardiovascular disease and diabetes .
Oftentimes , these two ailments accompany or are a direct result of excess body fat in the form of obesity .
According to 2018 CDC data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered obese , with the Southeast having the largest percent of obesity per population .
The burden of obesity goes far beyond vanity since obesity-related illnesses ( heart disease , diabetes , cancer ) comprise a significant amount of the leading causes of preventable , premature death .
Before the outbreak , nearly one in five American deaths were associated with poor diet alone .
The novel-coronavirus is wreaking havoc across the globe due to its highly contagious nature , asymptomatic spread and relatively high mortality rate .
However , the hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now dying from COVID-19 , and at a rapid pace in Louisiana , because of a lifetime of unhealthy eating and sedentary living rendering them vulnerable to this illness .
The two proven methods we have witnessed to slow or even stop the COVID-19 pandemic are personal responsibility and medical innovation ; Americans are much better at the second one .
We already have promising results in terms of potential treatments , a plethora of tests about to hit the market to help identify and mitigate spread , all while many intelligent people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine .
Not only do we have the public and private sector working together on the above innovations , but the private manufacturing industry has stepped up to help supply the needed Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) that we have found ourselves lacking .
As Americans are stepping up in our actions , some people are wrongly applauding authoritarian methods , despite evidence China has been dishonest about their data of the virus .
All the while , supporters of single-payer health care claim a more draconian , nationalized system would solve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tragedy underway in Spain and Italy as they struggle to provide medical care prove otherwise with fatality rates being reported up to 5 times that demonstrated in the United States .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER Interestingly though , Japan and Taiwan thus far have the greatest results thanks to a generally healthy population and established culture rewarding precautionary action .
There are many aspects of this pandemic we as individuals have little control over , however , as these countries have illustrated , it is not completely out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and future health crises .
The presence of obesity and subsequent chronic disease is not restricted to Louisiana but extends across the United States to other areas with high obesity rates like Mississippi , West Virginia , Oklahoma , Iowa and even Alaska .
As we find ourselves confined to the walls of our homes to slow the spread of COVID-19 , I am concerned we are binging on Netflix and munching on potato chips as we are “ protecting ” ourselves from the virus .
While we are safer at home avoiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and junk food will only make things worse for us .
I ’ m not a perfect example myself .
I do not get enough sleep , miss more daily workouts than I should , pick from the leftover Halloween candy all year and have decided pretzel thins with spicy guacamole may be my favorite quarantine snack .
Bottom line : life gets in the way for all of us aspiring to live healthily .
The rising number of deaths reported in our country because of underlying chronic illness and obesity should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us is immune to the possibility of becoming obese and developing illness .
While we live in the greatest nation in the world with our economic freedoms and access to innovation , we are our own weakest link by not being healthier when this pandemic invaded our borders .
While my house is far from a wellness retreat experience , I am also making sure that my family and I are eating the colors of the rainbow every day by having ample fruits , vegetables and lean proteins in our diets as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also outdoors being active when the work is finished and the sun is out .
If it ’ s bad weather outside , we are interacting indoors playing board games , reading together and having movie nights .
The combination of a healthy diet , physical activity and social interaction while adhering to the social-distance recommendations will give us the best chance of not only immediate wellness but long-term mental and physical health for us all .
It ’ s never too late to start taking charge of your own health , whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask to the grocery store temporarily or deciding to make better , long-term choices while you ’ re walking through the food aisles .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP If you are making the effort to avoid this virus why not take it one step further and change your diet ?
Try it today .
Your life depends on it .
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DR. NICOLE SAPHIER

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
While the attention has been focused on the national COVID-19 epicenter in New York, a startling reality is emerging from other areas of the country.
Things are looking particularly worrisome in Louisiana. In the time since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, ample improvements have been made to their health care system and medical responsiveness. Yet, as cases of the novel-coronavirus continue to climb in the Pelican State, the published case fatality rate in this section of the country is alarmingly high.
So far, it is twice that reported in New York City. According to 2018 data, New York had 2.7 hospital beds per 100,000 people while Louisiana had 3.3. So why is it that people throughout the state, especially in the St. John Parish area, have the highest death rate from COVID-19 in the country?
ARI FLEISCHER: TRUMP'S CORONAVIRUS COMMUNICATIONS CHALLENGE – WHY THESE TWO THINGS ARE CRITICAL
We know the answer is complicated and heavily depends on the level of testing, isolation and social-distancing, however, a more ominous reason may lie within the individuals living in this part of the country.
Although every person is at risk for falling ill from SARS-CoV-2, there are known risk factors that are associated with a severe course of disease.
In New York City, the leading risk factor for death has been age, with nearly 50% of deaths in those over 75 years of age. However, approximately 80 percent of the people who have died in New York City from this illness had some form of underlying chronic medical issue, oftentimes only a mild pre-existing condition.
In contrast, Louisiana is only a couple weeks behind New York in its COVID-19 course, however early data from the region is showing the largest factor to be an existing chronic medical disease. In fact, over 97 percent of people dying in Louisiana from COVID-19 have a prior illness, most often cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Oftentimes, these two ailments accompany or are a direct result of excess body fat in the form of obesity.
Not a single one of us is immune to the possibility of becoming obese and developing illness. While we live in the greatest nation in the world with our economic freedoms and access to innovation, we are our own weakest link by not being healthier when this pandemic invaded our borders.
According to 2018 CDC data, approximately 42 percent of American adults are considered obese, with the Southeast having the largest percent of obesity per population. The burden of obesity goes far beyond vanity since obesity-related illnesses (heart disease, diabetes, cancer) comprise a significant amount of the leading causes of preventable, premature death.
Before the outbreak, nearly one in five American deaths were associated with poor diet alone. The novel-coronavirus is wreaking havoc across the globe due to its highly contagious nature, asymptomatic spread and relatively high mortality rate. However, the hard to swallow truth is, many Americans are now dying from COVID-19, and at a rapid pace in Louisiana, because of a lifetime of unhealthy eating and sedentary living rendering them vulnerable to this illness.
The two proven methods we have witnessed to slow or even stop the COVID-19 pandemic are personal responsibility and medical innovation; Americans are much better at the second one. We already have promising results in terms of potential treatments, a plethora of tests about to hit the market to help identify and mitigate spread, all while many intelligent people are working round the clock on a vaccine.
Not only do we have the public and private sector working together on the above innovations, but the private manufacturing industry has stepped up to help supply the needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that we have found ourselves lacking.
As Americans are stepping up in our actions, some people are wrongly applauding authoritarian methods, despite evidence China has been dishonest about their data of the virus.
All the while, supporters of single-payer health care claim a more draconian, nationalized system would solve our problem. However, looking at the tragedy underway in Spain and Italy as they struggle to provide medical care prove otherwise with fatality rates being reported up to 5 times that demonstrated in the United States.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER
Interestingly though, Japan and Taiwan thus far have the greatest results thanks to a generally healthy population and established culture rewarding precautionary action.
There are many aspects of this pandemic we as individuals have little control over, however, as these countries have illustrated, it is not completely out of our reach to protect ourselves from this and future health crises.
The presence of obesity and subsequent chronic disease is not restricted to Louisiana but extends across the United States to other areas with high obesity rates like Mississippi, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Iowa and even Alaska.
As we find ourselves confined to the walls of our homes to slow the spread of COVID-19, I am concerned we are binging on Netflix and munching on potato chips as we are “protecting” ourselves from the virus. While we are safer at home avoiding the infection, an abundance of screen time and junk food will only make things worse for us.
I’m not a perfect example myself. I do not get enough sleep, miss more daily workouts than I should, pick from the leftover Halloween candy all year and have decided pretzel thins with spicy guacamole may be my favorite quarantine snack.
Bottom line: life gets in the way for all of us aspiring to live healthily.
The rising number of deaths reported in our country because of underlying chronic illness and obesity should alarm everyone. Not a single one of us is immune to the possibility of becoming obese and developing illness. While we live in the greatest nation in the world with our economic freedoms and access to innovation, we are our own weakest link by not being healthier when this pandemic invaded our borders.
While my house is far from a wellness retreat experience, I am also making sure that my family and I are eating the colors of the rainbow every day by having ample fruits, vegetables and lean proteins in our diets as much as I can.
We are also outdoors being active when the work is finished and the sun is out. If it’s bad weather outside, we are interacting indoors playing board games, reading together and having movie nights.
The combination of a healthy diet, physical activity and social interaction while adhering to the social-distance recommendations will give us the best chance of not only immediate wellness but long-term mental and physical health for us all.
It’s never too late to start taking charge of your own health, whether that’s deciding to wear a mask to the grocery store temporarily or deciding to make better, long-term choices while you’re walking through the food aisles.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
If you are making the effort to avoid this virus why not take it one step further and change your diet? Try it today.
Your life depends on it.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DR. NICOLE SAPHIER


foxnews--2020-04-01--James Otteson: Coronavirus crisis creates opportunity — and reveals this about ourselves and others

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Sign up here .
Crises disrupt lives .
They bring hardship and even tragedy .
But they can also clarify what is truly important and bring out the best in humanity .
Americans have long enjoyed unprecedented levels of wealth .
The astonishing array of goods , services and conveniences available to us has enabled us to solve or at least alleviate problems that previous generations considered intractable .
Yet this multitude of blessings can also lead us to expect life to be painless and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shocks like the pandemic now shaking society remind us of an unalterable truth : life is , indeed , hard .
There will never be a time when we have conquered pain , suffering and misfortune once and for all .
Ours is an imperfect world : bad things will inevitably happen .
MARCUS BROTHERTON : DURING CORONAVIRUS CRISIS , BATTLE IN VIETNAM OFFERS LESSONS ON SELFLESSNESS AND HEROISM Some may believe we have a right to be happy .
But as our Declaration of Independence observes , “ unalienable ” human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Happiness , ” not happiness itself .
There can be no guarantee we will attain happiness .
It is not a gift that can be bestowed upon us , and no one can owe it to us as a right .
On the contrary , happiness is an achievement .
It takes hard work to achieve , and even with hard work it remains uncertain and even elusive .
In the United States , and throughout much of the rest of the world , businesses have shut down , schools have sent students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to only “ essential ” functions .
As hard as this is on us , the need to distinguish what is “ essential ” from what is “ non-essential ” presents us with an opportunity .
It allows us to discover , for example , that some of the non-essentials are , in fact , luxuries .
They include things we might like to do , or have , if we already have all the essential bases covered and have time and money to spare .
In times of peace and plenty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually necessities and we can find ourselves worrying about things that emergencies expose as not as important as we had thought .
So , what is truly important ?
Family .
Friends .
Taking personal initiative to help neighbors who need our help .
When governments and businesses and the larger structures of society can no longer take care of the things they once did or claimed they would , the responsibility falls on us .
Because our time , money , love and concern are limited , however , we can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have to decide what is most important and put other things on a back burner .
The fact that life is hard does not mean that we should give up hope .
On the contrary , crises give us an opportunity to step back and reevaluate our lives , to ask ourselves what truly matters and what does not , and to refocus our attention and reorder our lives according to what gives our lives genuine meaning and purpose .
Crises remind us that we are an active , not passive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry and perseverance — even in the face of disappointment and defeat — are indispensable elements of a life worth leading .
Indeed , what makes life most worth living is using one ’ s time , talent and treasure in active service of worthy purpose .
We often do not know what we are really capable of until we have faced the prospect of failure and have summoned the will to rise to the challenge .
Emergencies can remind us that a truly happy life is not comprised of idle passing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tepid contentment .
It consists instead in striving and contending against an unforgiving , and sometimes merciless , world , and in finding joy in the small but profound graces of family , friends and neighbors who need one another .
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER Part of the dignity , even beauty , of humanity lies precisely in our ability to rise to the challenges we face .
We join in solidarity with one another ; we unite in service to one another , and we do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardship .
Yes , COVID-19 poses tremendous challenges and will leave too , too many tragedies in its wake .
But we have overcome even greater challenges in the past .
We will do so again .
Because great challenge sparks energy , courage and perseverance , it summons faith and solidarity .
And in so doing , it reveals the best of humanity .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.
Crises disrupt lives. They bring hardship and even tragedy. But they can also clarify what is truly important and bring out the best in humanity.
Americans have long enjoyed unprecedented levels of wealth. The astonishing array of goods, services and conveniences available to us has enabled us to solve or at least alleviate problems that previous generations considered intractable. Yet this multitude of blessings can also lead us to expect life to be painless and free from disappointment, tragedy and heartbreak.
Shocks like the pandemic now shaking society remind us of an unalterable truth: life is, indeed, hard. There will never be a time when we have conquered pain, suffering and misfortune once and for all. Ours is an imperfect world: bad things will inevitably happen.
MARCUS BROTHERTON: DURING CORONAVIRUS CRISIS, BATTLE IN VIETNAM OFFERS LESSONS ON SELFLESSNESS AND HEROISM
Some may believe we have a right to be happy. But as our Declaration of Independence observes, “unalienable” human rights include only “the pursuit of Happiness,” not happiness itself.
There can be no guarantee we will attain happiness. It is not a gift that can be bestowed upon us, and no one can owe it to us as a right. On the contrary, happiness is an achievement. It takes hard work to achieve, and even with hard work it remains uncertain and even elusive.
In the United States, and throughout much of the rest of the world, businesses have shut down, schools have sent students home, and governments have restricted activities to only “essential” functions. As hard as this is on us, the need to distinguish what is “essential” from what is “non-essential” presents us with an opportunity.
It allows us to discover, for example, that some of the non-essentials are, in fact, luxuries. They include things we might like to do, or have, if we already have all the essential bases covered and have time and money to spare. In times of peace and plenty, we can convince ourselves that luxuries are actually necessities and we can find ourselves worrying about things that emergencies expose as not as important as we had thought.
So, what is truly important? Family. Friends. Taking personal initiative to help neighbors who need our help. When governments and businesses and the larger structures of society can no longer take care of the things they once did or claimed they would, the responsibility falls on us. Because our time, money, love and concern are limited, however, we cannot do everything we might like. So, we have to decide what is most important and put other things on a back burner.
Crises remind us that we are an active, not passive, species, and that work, industry and perseverance — even in the face of disappointment and defeat — are indispensable elements of a life worth leading.
The fact that life is hard does not mean that we should give up hope. On the contrary, crises give us an opportunity to step back and reevaluate our lives, to ask ourselves what truly matters and what does not, and to refocus our attention and reorder our lives according to what gives our lives genuine meaning and purpose.
Crises remind us that we are an active, not passive, species, and that work, industry and perseverance — even in the face of disappointment and defeat — are indispensable elements of a life worth leading. Indeed, what makes life most worth living is using one’s time, talent and treasure in active service of worthy purpose. We often do not know what we are really capable of until we have faced the prospect of failure and have summoned the will to rise to the challenge.
Emergencies can remind us that a truly happy life is not comprised of idle passing of time, of momentary pleasure or of tepid contentment. It consists instead in striving and contending against an unforgiving, and sometimes merciless, world, and in finding joy in the small but profound graces of family, friends and neighbors who need one another.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR OPINION NEWSLETTER
Part of the dignity, even beauty, of humanity lies precisely in our ability to rise to the challenges we face. We join in solidarity with one another; we unite in service to one another, and we do not acquiesce in the face of even great hardship.
Yes, COVID-19 poses tremendous challenges and will leave too, too many tragedies in its wake. But we have overcome even greater challenges in the past. We will do so again. Because great challenge sparks energy, courage and perseverance, it summons faith and solidarity. And in so doing, it reveals the best of humanity.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP