hotair--2020-04-02--Imagine how much worse this might have been if the virus had arrived two weeks later

Normally I ’ m a “ glass half empty ” guy .
But reading this fascinating WSJ piece about how a single soccer match helped seed Italy ’ s catastrophe makes it easy to look at the glass half full , even at a moment as grim as we ’ re in .
As bad as things are right now , consider how much wider the contagion might be if St. Patrick ’ s Day parades and pub crawls had been held as scheduled .
New York City ’ s parade was canceled less than a week before the big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Chicago ’ s .
Imagine millions of people across the country shoulder to shoulder in the streets and in bars , passing this plague around because it hadn ’ t yet fully landed on the public ’ s radar .
What would hospitals in major cities look like now ?
Imagine the NCAA holding March Madness as scheduled , with tens of thousands of people packing into arenas over three weeks .
Imagine full houses at baseball stadiums , with 40-50,000 plus in attendance , on MLB ’ s opening day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ South By Southwest had been held in Austin as scheduled instead of being canceled a week out .
More than 400,000 people from around the country attended SXSW events in 2017 .
In Italy , it took one match with a crowd of 40,000 to light the fuse on an epidemic that ’ s killed more than 13,000 people .
Atalanta , a team from Italy ’ s stricken northern region of Bergamo , played Valencia in a Champions League match on February 19 , a day when there were three — three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Local interest was so intense that the match was moved to Milan to accommodate more spectators .
Atalanta won and everyone went back home to Bergamo .
Then all hell broke loose .
“ Two weeks after Feb. 19 , there was an incredible explosion of cases , ” said Dr. Francesco Le Foche , an immunologist in charge of infectious disease at Policlinico Umberto I in Rome .
“ The match played a huge role in disseminating coronavirus throughout Lombardy and in Bergamo in particular.
” … Atalanta supporter Luca Brignoli , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ride to the San Siro from downtown Milan , bodies jammed against the door .
He remembers milling around the piazza in front of the stadium , where fans from both sides mixed and drank and snacked from food trucks .
He wonders how many people might have coughed or sneezed while navigating the stadium ’ s turnstiles and narrow passages… “ We underestimated this infection , ” said Martina Cambiaghi , Lombardy ’ s minister for sport—and one of the 40,000 in the San Siro .
“ After the match , fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in restaurants in Milan , not only in Bergamo .
This event was the great accelerator .
But really we didn ’ t know that it was a problem.
” Less than three weeks after the match , Bergamo alone had a thousand cases of coronavirus .
Today they have 8,800 , the single hottest hot spot in the country apart from — you guessed it — Milan .
It could have been worse here .
But of course , it could have been better too .
( Glass half empty ! )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gras , a key reason why New Orleans looks like the next U.S. epicenter for the disease .
NBA and college basketball games , as well as NHL hockey games , continued in early March too despite the fact that the virus was already taking off in Italy and showing us what lay in store for America soon .
There ’ s a glass-half-full view of that too , though .
Apart from March Madness , the virus arrived at a low-stakes moment for American sports .
The NBA and NHL playoffs hadn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had , the two leagues might have dawdled about canceling games .
Baseball season was still weeks away and football season , both pro and college , was over .
If in fact the virus is more active in cooler weather , mid-February to mid-March is the most optimal time it could have erupted here to minimize the number of sports spectators infecting each other at games .
In any other period from October through June , there ’ d be at least three pro sports going .
If 40,000 in a stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 packing into the Big House in Michigan for a couple of weekends in late October and early November while the virus was beginning to spread .
And then dispersing across the state and the country to carry the virus home during Thanksgiving break .
It could have been worse .
But , having been spared the worst-case scenario , let ’ s not do stupid things going forward to enable smaller gatherings that ’ ll spread the virus anyway .
Please ?

Normally I’m a “glass half empty” guy. But reading this fascinating WSJ piece about how a single soccer match helped seed Italy’s catastrophe makes it easy to look at the glass half full, even at a moment as grim as we’re in.
As bad as things are right now, consider how much wider the contagion might be if St. Patrick’s Day parades and pub crawls had been held as scheduled. New York City’s parade was canceled less than a week before the big day. So were Boston’s and Chicago’s. Imagine millions of people across the country shoulder to shoulder in the streets and in bars, passing this plague around because it hadn’t yet fully landed on the public’s radar. What would hospitals in major cities look like now?
Imagine the NCAA holding March Madness as scheduled, with tens of thousands of people packing into arenas over three weeks. Imagine full houses at baseball stadiums, with 40-50,000 plus in attendance, on MLB’s opening day. Or, beyond sports, imagine if South By Southwest had been held in Austin as scheduled instead of being canceled a week out. More than 400,000 people from around the country attended SXSW events in 2017.
In Italy, it took one match with a crowd of 40,000 to light the fuse on an epidemic that’s killed more than 13,000 people. Atalanta, a team from Italy’s stricken northern region of Bergamo, played Valencia in a Champions League match on February 19, a day when there were three — three — confirmed COVID-19 cases in Italy. Local interest was so intense that the match was moved to Milan to accommodate more spectators. Atalanta won and everyone went back home to Bergamo. Then all hell broke loose.
“Two weeks after Feb. 19, there was an incredible explosion of cases,” said Dr. Francesco Le Foche, an immunologist in charge of infectious disease at Policlinico Umberto I in Rome. “The match played a huge role in disseminating coronavirus throughout Lombardy and in Bergamo in particular.”… Atalanta supporter Luca Brignoli, 57, thinks back to his subway ride to the San Siro from downtown Milan, bodies jammed against the door. He remembers milling around the piazza in front of the stadium, where fans from both sides mixed and drank and snacked from food trucks. He wonders how many people might have coughed or sneezed while navigating the stadium’s turnstiles and narrow passages… “We underestimated this infection,” said Martina Cambiaghi, Lombardy’s minister for sport—and one of the 40,000 in the San Siro. “After the match, fans were in pubs, in bars, in restaurants in Milan, not only in Bergamo. This event was the great accelerator. But really we didn’t know that it was a problem.”
Less than three weeks after the match, Bergamo alone had a thousand cases of coronavirus. Today they have 8,800, the single hottest hot spot in the country apart from — you guessed it — Milan.
It could have been worse here. But of course, it could have been better too. (Glass half empty!) COVID-19 arrived too late to stop Mardi Gras, a key reason why New Orleans looks like the next U.S. epicenter for the disease. NBA and college basketball games, as well as NHL hockey games, continued in early March too despite the fact that the virus was already taking off in Italy and showing us what lay in store for America soon.
There’s a glass-half-full view of that too, though. Apart from March Madness, the virus arrived at a low-stakes moment for American sports. The NBA and NHL playoffs hadn’t begun yet. If they had, the two leagues might have dawdled about canceling games. Baseball season was still weeks away and football season, both pro and college, was over. If in fact the virus is more active in cooler weather, mid-February to mid-March is the most optimal time it could have erupted here to minimize the number of sports spectators infecting each other at games. In any other period from October through June, there’d be at least three pro sports going.
If 40,000 in a stadium in Milan was this dangerous, imagine 100,000 packing into the Big House in Michigan for a couple of weekends in late October and early November while the virus was beginning to spread. And then dispersing across the state and the country to carry the virus home during Thanksgiving break.
It could have been worse. But, having been spared the worst-case scenario, let’s not do stupid things going forward to enable smaller gatherings that’ll spread the virus anyway. Please?


hotair--2020-04-02--Putin extends shutdown for a month, Moscow residents tracked by mandatory cell phone app

Vladimir Putin had already given everyone the week off to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Today he announced the shut down was being extended for the month of April : “ The threat remains , and experts believe that the epidemic is yet to reach its peak in the world , including our country , ” Putin said .
Russia reported 771 new cases today which was a 43 % jump over yesterday , but the official total is still below 4,000 cases .
Most of those cases are in Moscow where , as of today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ install a new phone tracking app : Starting Thursday , Muscovites will have their movements tracked through a mandatory app required on their smartphones .
Don ’ t have one ?
The city says it will lend out devices .
“ The main goal is , together with the patient , encourage that he does not go outside , ” said Eduard Lysenko , the head of the city ’ s Department for Information and Technology , in an interview with Echo of Moscow radio… The new tools will merge with existing street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identify residents who stray from their homes and/or quarantines , say authorities .
What ’ s to prevent people from simply leaving their phones at home and going outside ?
Anyone outside can be stopped by police and would have to show their with their personal QR code .
In addition , laws passed this week make violating quarantine a crime punishable by fines and prison time .
People are still allowed to leave the house to go to the grocery store but only on alternating days .
Russia is also cracking down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice means anyone who offers an opinion which varies from the official government line can be fined for spreading “ misinformation.
” The AP found at least nine cases against ordinary Russians accused of spreading “ untrue information ” on social media and via messenger apps , with at least three of them receiving significant fines .
Police statements offered few details but clearly indicated those involved were merely sharing opinions or rumors , rather than deliberately spreading misinformation .
A 32-year-old woman was fined $ 380 — a significant sum in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about $ 550 — for posting on social media something she heard on a bus about the virus in her region .
A 26-year-old man was fined a similar amount for a comment he made under a news report claiming a woman died of the virus in a hospital .
Another woman faces a fine of about $ 380- $ 1,200 for posting about virus cases in her region where no infections were officially reported .
Cell phones started as an extension of personal freedom to communicate with the world from anywhere .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they become a monitoring device used to ensure compliance .
I wonder if the new mandatory government app allows the government to turn on the cameras and microphones in anyone ’ s phone as well ?
Do they have a government version of Siri listening in for unapproved conversations about the virus ?
The fact that this is all being overseen by a former KGB agent who plans to be president for life is pretty chilling .
Russia ’ s problems are considerably worse than the virus .

Vladimir Putin had already given everyone the week off to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Today he announced the shut down was being extended for the month of April: “The threat remains, and experts believe that the epidemic is yet to reach its peak in the world, including our country,” Putin said.
Russia reported 771 new cases today which was a 43% jump over yesterday, but the official total is still below 4,000 cases. Most of those cases are in Moscow where, as of today, everyone is required to download and install a new phone tracking app:
Starting Thursday, Muscovites will have their movements tracked through a mandatory app required on their smartphones. Don’t have one? The city says it will lend out devices. “The main goal is, together with the patient, encourage that he does not go outside,” said Eduard Lysenko, the head of the city’s Department for Information and Technology, in an interview with Echo of Moscow radio… The new tools will merge with existing street cameras and face recognition software to quickly identify residents who stray from their homes and/or quarantines, say authorities.
What’s to prevent people from simply leaving their phones at home and going outside? Anyone outside can be stopped by police and would have to show their with their personal QR code. In addition, laws passed this week make violating quarantine a crime punishable by fines and prison time. People are still allowed to leave the house to go to the grocery store but only on alternating days.
Russia is also cracking down on “fake news” which in practice means anyone who offers an opinion which varies from the official government line can be fined for spreading “misinformation.”
The AP found at least nine cases against ordinary Russians accused of spreading “untrue information” on social media and via messenger apps, with at least three of them receiving significant fines. Police statements offered few details but clearly indicated those involved were merely sharing opinions or rumors, rather than deliberately spreading misinformation. A 32-year-old woman was fined $380 — a significant sum in a country with an average monthly salary of about $550 — for posting on social media something she heard on a bus about the virus in her region. A 26-year-old man was fined a similar amount for a comment he made under a news report claiming a woman died of the virus in a hospital. Another woman faces a fine of about $380-$1,200 for posting about virus cases in her region where no infections were officially reported.
Cell phones started as an extension of personal freedom to communicate with the world from anywhere. But in the hands of autocratic governments, they become a monitoring device used to ensure compliance. I wonder if the new mandatory government app allows the government to turn on the cameras and microphones in anyone’s phone as well? Do they have a government version of Siri listening in for unapproved conversations about the virus? The fact that this is all being overseen by a former KGB agent who plans to be president for life is pretty chilling. Russia’s problems are considerably worse than the virus.


hotair--2020-04-02--Conservative cable outlet kicked out of WH daily briefings

Wednesday evening an ominous tweet appeared from the White House Correspondents ’ Association ( WHCA ) .
It was announced that the association ’ s board voted to “ remove a news outlet from the rotation for a seat in the briefing room.
” No doubt this tweet raised eyebrows from those reading it , that was certainly my reaction .
Who was the reporter and why didn ’ t the association name the reporter or the organization involved in this move ?
If the association was making a public announcement , why not get all the information out there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know .
Were the glaring omissions just a way to create more of a buzz ?
Reactions ran along the usual partisan lines – conservatives mocked the suppression of freedom of the press and blasted the WHCA for not releasing the “ who ” of the 5 w ’ s of a story – who , what , when , where , and why .
Liberals applauded the announcement .
Soon enough other reporters were tweeting out the scoop .
The reporter is Chanel Rion , a White House correspondent for One America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news outlet .
And , this tweet pointed to a little bit of irony : Well , everyone got all wee-weed up but the truth is , Ms. Rion was violating social distancing rules and so she lost her seat in the White House briefing room .
As it turns out , the WHCA is practicing social distancing guidelines during the daily press briefings with President Trump and the COVID-19 task force .
If a news organization doesn ’ t have one of the 14 seats available in the rotation of the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporter is not allowed at the briefing .
Simple enough , right ?
There are 14 seats available each day and there is some kind of rotation system in place .
Ms. Rion not once but twice violated the social distancing policy when she showed up two days without officially having a seat assigned to OANN .
She was not supposed to be there .
The WHCA asked reporters in March not to attend White House press briefings if they do not have a seat .
The association has limited seating in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on social distancing amid the COVID-19 outbreak .
The WHCA Board in an email to correspondents did not name the reporter or the outlet in question but said the reporter twice attended White House briefings “ in contravention ” of the policy .
OANN did not have a seat in the briefing room on Tuesday or Wednesday yet Ms. Rion showed up and participated by asking questions to President Trump .
The Washington Post reports that the White House bent the rules and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing – she is known for her softball questions to the president and he likes OANN , especially as FNC becomes more critical of him in their reporting .
Rion and her employer , a tiny conservative cable outlet known as OANN , appear to have gotten special permission from the White House , in violation of the guidelines .
The reasons , and the source of the approval , are unclear , but OANN and Rion have a history of reporting favorably about Trump .
Rion herself has pushed conspiracy theories that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unfounded allegation that officials in Ukraine secretly manipulated the 2016 election to help Hillary Clinton .
Trump , in turn , has tweeted praise of OANN ’ s reporting dozens of times .
The White House , in effect , on Tuesday bent the rules — which were designed to ensure the health of journalists , the president and the nation ’ s top public-health officials — in granting access and a national spotlight to a correspondent from an obscure but Trump-friendly news outlet .
I ’ m all for calling out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this case , it looks like the decision was made by the WHCA after Rion ’ s second violation of the social distancing policy .
There is also the fact that she stood at the back of the room during the press briefings .
That in itself is a violation of the new rules .
Those in attendance are to sit in their assigned seats , no standing allowed .
WHCA President Jonathan Karl ( ABC News ) says he alerted White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham after Rion ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder and CEO emailed a response to the action taken by WHCA .
It sounds as though OANN has lost its seat in the briefing room , at least for now , as a part of the WHCA vote .
“ We are writing to inform you that the WHCA Board has voted this evening to remove a news outlet from the rotation for a seat in the briefing room.
” The conservative cable outlet is out of the briefing room because of their reporter ’ s behavior .
In this case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but her for that .
Now , more than ever , social distancing guidelines should be adhered to while we try to flatten the curve , don ’ t you think ?
Now the question is how long before President Trump gives Ms. Rion a sit-down interview on OANN ?

Wednesday evening an ominous tweet appeared from the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA). It was announced that the association’s board voted to “remove a news outlet from the rotation for a seat in the briefing room.”
No doubt this tweet raised eyebrows from those reading it, that was certainly my reaction. Who was the reporter and why didn’t the association name the reporter or the organization involved in this move? If the association was making a public announcement, why not get all the information out there. It does represent reporters, you know. Were the glaring omissions just a way to create more of a buzz?
WHCA Statement on Removing News Organization from News Briefing Seat Rotation pic.twitter.com/KL3XcPq7Rt — WHCA (@whca) April 1, 2020
Reactions ran along the usual partisan lines – conservatives mocked the suppression of freedom of the press and blasted the WHCA for not releasing the “who” of the 5 w’s of a story – who, what, when, where, and why.
So why not name the news organization? It's extremely obvious why you're actually doing this. — Lyndsey Fifield (@lyndseyfifield) April 1, 2020
Liberals applauded the announcement. Soon enough other reporters were tweeting out the scoop. The reporter is Chanel Rion, a White House correspondent for One America News Network, a small conservative cable news outlet.
Good. They shouldn't be allowed into the White House in the first place. — Jessy Han (@hjessy_) April 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/BenThankan/status/1245492205399277568
And, this tweet pointed to a little bit of irony:
You unironicaly tweeted this yesterday. Pot, meet kettle. https://t.co/iz44Y2Ddj2 — Mark Dice (@MarkDice) April 1, 2020
Well, everyone got all wee-weed up but the truth is, Ms. Rion was violating social distancing rules and so she lost her seat in the White House briefing room. As it turns out, the WHCA is practicing social distancing guidelines during the daily press briefings with President Trump and the COVID-19 task force. If a news organization doesn’t have one of the 14 seats available in the rotation of the White House correspondents, that organization’s reporter is not allowed at the briefing. Simple enough, right? There are 14 seats available each day and there is some kind of rotation system in place. Ms. Rion not once but twice violated the social distancing policy when she showed up two days without officially having a seat assigned to OANN. She was not supposed to be there.
The WHCA asked reporters in March not to attend White House press briefings if they do not have a seat. The association has limited seating in the briefing room to 14 outlets per day in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on social distancing amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The WHCA Board in an email to correspondents did not name the reporter or the outlet in question but said the reporter twice attended White House briefings “in contravention” of the policy.
OANN did not have a seat in the briefing room on Tuesday or Wednesday yet Ms. Rion showed up and participated by asking questions to President Trump. The Washington Post reports that the White House bent the rules and gave her permission to be in the briefing – she is known for her softball questions to the president and he likes OANN, especially as FNC becomes more critical of him in their reporting.
Rion and her employer, a tiny conservative cable outlet known as OANN, appear to have gotten special permission from the White House, in violation of the guidelines. The reasons, and the source of the approval, are unclear, but OANN and Rion have a history of reporting favorably about Trump. Rion herself has pushed conspiracy theories that advance his political interests, such as the unfounded allegation that officials in Ukraine secretly manipulated the 2016 election to help Hillary Clinton. Trump, in turn, has tweeted praise of OANN’s reporting dozens of times. The White House, in effect, on Tuesday bent the rules — which were designed to ensure the health of journalists, the president and the nation’s top public-health officials — in granting access and a national spotlight to a correspondent from an obscure but Trump-friendly news outlet.
I’m all for calling out discriminatory actions against conservative media outlets but in this case, it looks like the decision was made by the WHCA after Rion’s second violation of the social distancing policy. There is also the fact that she stood at the back of the room during the press briefings. That in itself is a violation of the new rules. Those in attendance are to sit in their assigned seats, no standing allowed.
WHCA President Jonathan Karl (ABC News) says he alerted White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham after Rion’s first violation on Tuesday. OANN’s founder and CEO emailed a response to the action taken by WHCA.
In an email, OANN founder and chief executive Charles Herring said Rion’s presence “was appropriate” and that she was invited to attend the briefing. He declined to say who invited her or why.
It sounds as though OANN has lost its seat in the briefing room, at least for now, as a part of the WHCA vote. “We are writing to inform you that the WHCA Board has voted this evening to remove a news outlet from the rotation for a seat in the briefing room.” The conservative cable outlet is out of the briefing room because of their reporter’s behavior. In this case, it’s hard to blame anyone but her for that. Now, more than ever, social distancing guidelines should be adhered to while we try to flatten the curve, don’t you think?
Now the question is how long before President Trump gives Ms. Rion a sit-down interview on OANN?


hotair--2020-04-02--Georgia governor: I just found out that asymptomatic people can infect others

Watching this clip , I realized I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue .
No , just kidding .
I never stopped .
Sniffing glue : Now more than ever .
The governor , Brian Kemp , said this yesterday in the course of explaining why he was finally issuing a statewide stay-at-home order , much later than many of his colleagues have .
In his defense , it ’ s not like Georgia borders a state with a major emerging outbreak like [ checks notes ] Florida .
Did he misspeak ?
I can buy that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asymptomatics transmit the virus even though ( a ) Anthony Fauci ’ s been talking about it since January 31 and ( b ) it ’ s the , uh , key factor in why containing the outbreak is so difficult .
But it ’ s impossible to believe his commissioner of public health , Dr. Kathleen Toomey , didn ’ t know .
The farking CDC is located in Georgia , for cripes sake .
Is this what Kemp meant to say ?
Not that he didn ’ t know asymptomatic people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t realize the extent of it ?
No one wants to shut down the local economy before it ’ s absolutely necessary but I remember reading about a German study as far back as March 9 that found “ very high levels of virus emitted from the throat of patients from the earliest point in their illness —when people are generally still going about their daily routines.
” That was an early-ish clue that not only are people with minor symptoms or no symptoms infectious , they may be more infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That was a red alert as to why massive social distancing was urgently needed .
Anyone could be spreading it at any given time , no matter how healthy they seemed .
A new study from China supports the theory that asymptomatic carriers are dangerous : A study of 94 patients in Guangzhou , China , found “ the highest viral load in throat swabs at the time of symptom onset ” and concluded that meant that patients would be most infectious right before or at the time when symptoms started appearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pre-print and has not yet been peer-reviewed , but lead author Dr. Gabriel Leung , dean of medicine at the University of Hong Kong , said it has been accepted for publication in the journal Nature Medicine .
Another study , also conducted by researchers in Hong Kong and published in the journal Lancet last week , found that viral load , this time in a saliva sample , was “ highest during the first week after symptom onset and subsequently declined with time.
” Relatedly , there are reports floating around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard in the south , particularly the deep south .
If so , it ’ ll be a combination of two things : Bad governance in the form of governors not shuttering businesses early and lots of preexisting health problems that make cases more severe .
It ’ s not a surprise that New Orleans looks to be the next epicenter , possibly with a much higher death rate than New York City : New Orleans residents suffer from obesity , diabetes and hypertension at rates higher than the national average , conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can make patients more vulnerable to COVID-19 , the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus .
Some 97 % of those killed by COVID-19 in Louisiana had a preexisting condition , according to the state health department .
Diabetes was seen in 40 % of the deaths , obesity in 25 % , chronic kidney disease in 23 % and cardiac problems in 21 % … The New Orleans metropolitan statistical area ranks among the worst in the United States for the percentage of residents with diabetes , high blood pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of CDC data shows .
An estimated 39 % have high blood pressure , 36 % are obese and about 15 % have diabetes .
The CDC found recently that 78 percent of COVID-19 patients in the U.S. who needed ICU care had an underlying condition .
The Atlantic notes that southern states ( if you include Oklahoma ) comprise the entire top 10 of U.S. states by percentage of population diagnosed with hypertension .
Poor health in the south is already pushing up the death toll among younger people , a cohort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the disease in other regions .
Per the Atlantic , in Kemp ’ s home state of Georgia , 49 percent of coronavirus deaths thus far were people under 70 years of age .
In Colorado , one of the healthier U.S. states , it ’ s 20 percent .
Seventeen percent of Georgia deaths were patients aged 40-59 .
In Washington state , which had the earliest outbreak in the U.S. , that figure is six percent .
It ’ s nice that red-state governors like Kemp and Mississippi ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bona fides by holding off to the last possible moment before giving in to coronavirus “ panic ” or whatever , but Trump gave in many days ago .
That was their cover to start shutting down immediately .
Why did they wait an extra minute , knowing that they ’ d have to issue that order soon anyway ?
I ’ ll leave you with this 2017 map from the CDC of hypertension rates in U.S. states .
Bluer shades mean a higher percentage .
Take this disease seriously , southerners .

Watching this clip, I realized I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.
No, just kidding. I never stopped.
Sniffing glue: Now more than ever.
The governor, Brian Kemp, said this yesterday in the course of explaining why he was finally issuing a statewide stay-at-home order, much later than many of his colleagues have. In his defense, it’s not like Georgia borders a state with a major emerging outbreak like [checks notes] Florida.
https://twitter.com/andishehnouraee/status/1245513642319151110
Did he misspeak? I can buy that a U.S. governor somehow missed the news that asymptomatics transmit the virus even though (a) Anthony Fauci’s been talking about it since January 31 and (b) it’s the, uh, key factor in why containing the outbreak is so difficult. But it’s impossible to believe his commissioner of public health, Dr. Kathleen Toomey, didn’t know. The farking CDC is located in Georgia, for cripes sake.
Is this what Kemp meant to say? Not that he didn’t know asymptomatic people were transmitting the virus but that he didn’t realize the extent of it?
Kemp appears to have been citing a new number that the CDC placed on asymptomatic cases. CDC Director Robert Redfield said Monday on NPR that the number of people who have the coronavirus but are asymptomatic may be as high as 25 percent. But the idea that those people were transmitting the virus isn’t news at all.
No one wants to shut down the local economy before it’s absolutely necessary but I remember reading about a German study as far back as March 9 that found “very high levels of virus emitted from the throat of patients from the earliest point in their illness —when people are generally still going about their daily routines.” That was an early-ish clue that not only are people with minor symptoms or no symptoms infectious, they may be more infectious than they are after symptoms finally develop. That was a red alert as to why massive social distancing was urgently needed. Anyone could be spreading it at any given time, no matter how healthy they seemed.
A new study from China supports the theory that asymptomatic carriers are dangerous:
A study of 94 patients in Guangzhou, China, found “the highest viral load in throat swabs at the time of symptom onset” and concluded that meant that patients would be most infectious right before or at the time when symptoms started appearing. That study was published online as a pre-print and has not yet been peer-reviewed, but lead author Dr. Gabriel Leung, dean of medicine at the University of Hong Kong, said it has been accepted for publication in the journal Nature Medicine. Another study, also conducted by researchers in Hong Kong and published in the journal Lancet last week, found that viral load, this time in a saliva sample, was “highest during the first week after symptom onset and subsequently declined with time.”
Relatedly, there are reports floating around today speculating that coronavirus might hit especially hard in the south, particularly the deep south. If so, it’ll be a combination of two things: Bad governance in the form of governors not shuttering businesses early and lots of preexisting health problems that make cases more severe. It’s not a surprise that New Orleans looks to be the next epicenter, possibly with a much higher death rate than New York City:
New Orleans residents suffer from obesity, diabetes and hypertension at rates higher than the national average, conditions that doctors and public health officials say can make patients more vulnerable to COVID-19, the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus. Some 97% of those killed by COVID-19 in Louisiana had a preexisting condition, according to the state health department. Diabetes was seen in 40% of the deaths, obesity in 25%, chronic kidney disease in 23% and cardiac problems in 21%… The New Orleans metropolitan statistical area ranks among the worst in the United States for the percentage of residents with diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, a Reuters analysis of CDC data shows. An estimated 39% have high blood pressure, 36% are obese and about 15% have diabetes.
The CDC found recently that 78 percent of COVID-19 patients in the U.S. who needed ICU care had an underlying condition. The Atlantic notes that southern states (if you include Oklahoma) comprise the entire top 10 of U.S. states by percentage of population diagnosed with hypertension. Poor health in the south is already pushing up the death toll among younger people, a cohort that’s less vulnerable to succumbing to the disease in other regions. Per the Atlantic, in Kemp’s home state of Georgia, 49 percent of coronavirus deaths thus far were people under 70 years of age. In Colorado, one of the healthier U.S. states, it’s 20 percent. Seventeen percent of Georgia deaths were patients aged 40-59. In Washington state, which had the earliest outbreak in the U.S., that figure is six percent.
It’s nice that red-state governors like Kemp and Mississippi’s Tate Reeves want to prove their MAGA bona fides by holding off to the last possible moment before giving in to coronavirus “panic” or whatever, but Trump gave in many days ago. That was their cover to start shutting down immediately. Why did they wait an extra minute, knowing that they’d have to issue that order soon anyway?
I’ll leave you with this 2017 map from the CDC of hypertension rates in U.S. states. Bluer shades mean a higher percentage. Take this disease seriously, southerners.


hotair--2020-04-02--LA mayor: Don't wait for the CDC -- wear masks in public now

Two glimpses of common sense emerged out of California in the coronavirus crisis .
In Los Angeles , mayor Eric Garcetti told 4 million Angelenos to stay home as much as possible , but when going out , cover their faces .
“ This will be the look , ” Garcetti declared as he modeled his own face mask for public outings .
The instructions run counter to current guidance from CDC and state medical authorities , but Garcetti argued that it ’ s the best way to keep asymptomatic carriers from spreading COVID-19 : The mayor of Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat the coronavirus when they walk out in public , even as state health officials shied away from requiring a coverup .
Homemade cloth masks , or even a “ tucked-in bandanna , ” will help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the nation ’ s second-largest city and remind people to practice safe social distancing , Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday as he donned a black cloth mask to make his point .
I know this looks surreal , ” Garcetti said .
“ We ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other like this … This will be the look.
” But he urged people against using medical-grade masks , such as N95 or surgical masks , which are in short supply and needed for health care workers and first responders .
Garcetti also said people should only use masks when they are going out to shop for food or perform other essential tasks .
Two days ago , the CDC reportedly began reconsidering its initial guidance on masks in public .
The delay on changing this stance is understandable to some degree for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t want to leave people with the impression that face masks will make it safe to congregate in public again , which Garcetti also addressed by scolding , “ This isn ’ t an excuse to suddenly all go out.
” Second , they don ’ t want to create a run on surgical and N95 masks that are already in short supply for health-care workers , another point Garcetti emphasizes .
However , the use of homemade masks , industrial masks , and leftover clinic masks ( which is what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sense .
Anything that contains respiratory droplets to the individual makes it less likely for transmission to occur in close proximity to each other .
Masks mainly operate as containment for the asymptomatic rather than protection for the uninfected , but there ’ s at least some value for both .
Any serious effort to restart public interaction will have to include face shields or masks of some sort , or else we will start seeing a new wave of infections as asymptomatic carriers come out of seclusion .
In other words @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quality usually in short supply in California ’ s governing class .
In another rare outbreak of common sense , San Francisco has decided to eliminate another potential transmission source — reusable grocery bags : In the latest sign of how dramatically the coronavirus pandemic is altering the social landscape , even the liberal San Francisco Bay Area this week banned reusable grocery bags as a sanitary measure , dismaying recycling advocates who say durable sacks should still be allowed at stores .
The provision was among a host of lifestyle changes imposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rewrite of their first-in-the-nation March 16 order that required millions of residents to shelter at home .
The counties have been credited with taking early actions that may have helped slow the spread in California .
The Bay Area counties reduced the types of businesses and facilities that can stay open to the public and tightened requirements for those still operating , including grocery stores , pharmacies and restaurants still open for takeout or delivery .
Among the updated requirements in the order , which lasts through May 3 : “ Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mugs , or other reusable items from home.
” The rule appears to be the most stringent coronavirus-related restriction placed on reusable bags in California , which has banned single-use plastic bags since 2016 .
California allows the 70 or so jurisdictions whose local bans preceded the state ban , including most of the Bay Area , Los Angeles County and Sacramento County , to preempt state law .
Eco-warriors might be dismayed , but reusable grocery bags are potential infection sources even in the best of times for grocery stores .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ environments much better , even if that means that we have more plastic or paper disposal than usual .
Modern plastic bags are more biodegradable , and paper doesn ’ t act as much as a medium for viral and bacterial growth .
In a time of pandemic , we can ’ t afford to keep reintroducing material from people ’ s homes into places where food and other necessities are sold and bagged .

Two glimpses of common sense emerged out of California in the coronavirus crisis. In Los Angeles, mayor Eric Garcetti told 4 million Angelenos to stay home as much as possible, but when going out, cover their faces. “This will be the look,” Garcetti declared as he modeled his own face mask for public outings. The instructions run counter to current guidance from CDC and state medical authorities, but Garcetti argued that it’s the best way to keep asymptomatic carriers from spreading COVID-19:
The mayor of Los Angeles urged 4 million residents to wear masks to combat the coronavirus when they walk out in public, even as state health officials shied away from requiring a coverup. Homemade cloth masks, or even a “tucked-in bandanna,” will help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the nation’s second-largest city and remind people to practice safe social distancing, Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday as he donned a black cloth mask to make his point. I know this looks surreal,” Garcetti said. “We’re going to have to get used to seeing each other like this … This will be the look.” But he urged people against using medical-grade masks, such as N95 or surgical masks, which are in short supply and needed for health care workers and first responders. Garcetti also said people should only use masks when they are going out to shop for food or perform other essential tasks.
Two days ago, the CDC reportedly began reconsidering its initial guidance on masks in public. The delay on changing this stance is understandable to some degree for two reasons. One, the CDC doesn’t want to leave people with the impression that face masks will make it safe to congregate in public again, which Garcetti also addressed by scolding, “This isn’t an excuse to suddenly all go out.” Second, they don’t want to create a run on surgical and N95 masks that are already in short supply for health-care workers, another point Garcetti emphasizes.
However, the use of homemade masks, industrial masks, and leftover clinic masks (which is what I have been using) makes lots of sense. Anything that contains respiratory droplets to the individual makes it less likely for transmission to occur in close proximity to each other. Masks mainly operate as containment for the asymptomatic rather than protection for the uninfected, but there’s at least some value for both. Any serious effort to restart public interaction will have to include face shields or masks of some sort, or else we will start seeing a new wave of infections as asymptomatic carriers come out of seclusion.
In other words, this is common sense, a quality usually in short supply in California’s governing class. In another rare outbreak of common sense, San Francisco has decided to eliminate another potential transmission source — reusable grocery bags:
In the latest sign of how dramatically the coronavirus pandemic is altering the social landscape, even the liberal San Francisco Bay Area this week banned reusable grocery bags as a sanitary measure, dismaying recycling advocates who say durable sacks should still be allowed at stores. The provision was among a host of lifestyle changes imposed Tuesday by six Bay Area counties in a rewrite of their first-in-the-nation March 16 order that required millions of residents to shelter at home. The counties have been credited with taking early actions that may have helped slow the spread in California. The Bay Area counties reduced the types of businesses and facilities that can stay open to the public and tightened requirements for those still operating, including grocery stores, pharmacies and restaurants still open for takeout or delivery. Among the updated requirements in the order, which lasts through May 3: “Not permitting customers to bring their own bags, mugs, or other reusable items from home.” The rule appears to be the most stringent coronavirus-related restriction placed on reusable bags in California, which has banned single-use plastic bags since 2016. California allows the 70 or so jurisdictions whose local bans preceded the state ban, including most of the Bay Area, Los Angeles County and Sacramento County, to preempt state law.
Eco-warriors might be dismayed, but reusable grocery bags are potential infection sources even in the best of times for grocery stores. Single-use bags allow stores to control their environments much better, even if that means that we have more plastic or paper disposal than usual. Modern plastic bags are more biodegradable, and paper doesn’t act as much as a medium for viral and bacterial growth. In a time of pandemic, we can’t afford to keep reintroducing material from people’s homes into places where food and other necessities are sold and bagged.


hotair--2020-04-02--Looks like our sailors are escaping the Roosevelt

When I wrote yesterday about the COVID-19 outbreak on the USS Roosevelt , I urged in the strongest possible terms that the Navy abandon some of their usual protocols and get our squids off of the ship and into some form of safe shelter on Guam .
( Hopefully without tipping the island over , of course . )
It sounds like rational thinking has prevailed because the Pentagon announced last night that they ’ ll be doing just that , at least for most of the crew .
The downside to this is that one of our premier military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of action for weeks to come , if not months .
( Associated Press ) Nearly 3,000 sailors aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier where the coronavirus has spread will be taken off the ship by Friday , Navy officials said Wednesday as they struggle to quarantine crew members in the face of an outbreak .
So far , fewer than 100 of the nearly 5,000 sailors assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt , now docked in Guam , have tested positive for the virus , but the Navy is moving sailors into various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms in the coming days .
Navy leaders are talking with government officials in the U.S. territory to identify rooms for the crew members .
Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly , however , made it clear that while several thousand will leave the ship , other sailors will remain on board in order to continue to protect the ship and run critical systems .
This represents something of a compromise between what the Captain had been requesting and doing nothing .
The latter was clearly unacceptable , but a complete evacuation of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly true for our nuclear-powered vessels .
You don ’ t just shut down a reactor on a moment ’ s notice , nor bring it back up to power with the snap of your fingers .
Somebody has to be on board to tend to the equipment .
Similarly , you can ’ t just turn the Roosevelt into a ghost ship .
Crew members will have to be available to stand watch and prevent intruders from boarding .
And others have to remain behind to ensure that the skeleton crew is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this point , as the Navy spokesperson pointed out , is to get enough test kits to test every last crew member and make sure that all of the infected sailors are taken ashore and put under medical care .
The entire ship will need to be sterilized in the meantime .
Still , leaving nearly 2,000 people on the ship seems excessive .
It will certainly cut down on some of the crowding , which is a very good thing , but those sailors are still going to be running into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If they miss even one sailor who is infected but still asymptomatic , we could be right back the same boat ( pardon the pun ) one week from now and have to evacuate even more of the crew anyway .
The longer these preventative measures drag on , the longer the Roosevelt will be out of service and the more obvious the gap in our deployed naval forces will become .
It seems like we could cut the staffing down to a few hundred and still maintain the minimum requirements for both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy .
Remember , these are the men and women who volunteered to put their lives on the line to defend all of us .
It ’ s bad enough that they risk their lives protecting us in the event of a battle .
They don ’ t need to worry about being taken out by an invisible , microscopic enemy on a plague ship .

When I wrote yesterday about the COVID-19 outbreak on the USS Roosevelt, I urged in the strongest possible terms that the Navy abandon some of their usual protocols and get our squids off of the ship and into some form of safe shelter on Guam. (Hopefully without tipping the island over, of course.) It sounds like rational thinking has prevailed because the Pentagon announced last night that they’ll be doing just that, at least for most of the crew. The downside to this is that one of our premier military assets in the region will be out of action for weeks to come, if not months. (Associated Press)
Nearly 3,000 sailors aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier where the coronavirus has spread will be taken off the ship by Friday, Navy officials said Wednesday as they struggle to quarantine crew members in the face of an outbreak. So far, fewer than 100 of the nearly 5,000 sailors assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, now docked in Guam, have tested positive for the virus, but the Navy is moving sailors into various facilities and probably will begin using hotel rooms in the coming days. Navy leaders are talking with government officials in the U.S. territory to identify rooms for the crew members. Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, however, made it clear that while several thousand will leave the ship, other sailors will remain on board in order to continue to protect the ship and run critical systems.
This represents something of a compromise between what the Captain had been requesting and doing nothing. The latter was clearly unacceptable, but a complete evacuation of the ship was also impossible. This is particularly true for our nuclear-powered vessels. You don’t just shut down a reactor on a moment’s notice, nor bring it back up to power with the snap of your fingers. Somebody has to be on board to tend to the equipment.
Similarly, you can’t just turn the Roosevelt into a ghost ship. Crew members will have to be available to stand watch and prevent intruders from boarding. And others have to remain behind to ensure that the skeleton crew is fed and cared for. The key at this point, as the Navy spokesperson pointed out, is to get enough test kits to test every last crew member and make sure that all of the infected sailors are taken ashore and put under medical care. The entire ship will need to be sterilized in the meantime.
Still, leaving nearly 2,000 people on the ship seems excessive. It will certainly cut down on some of the crowding, which is a very good thing, but those sailors are still going to be running into each other on a regular basis. If they miss even one sailor who is infected but still asymptomatic, we could be right back the same boat (pardon the pun) one week from now and have to evacuate even more of the crew anyway.
The longer these preventative measures drag on, the longer the Roosevelt will be out of service and the more obvious the gap in our deployed naval forces will become. It seems like we could cut the staffing down to a few hundred and still maintain the minimum requirements for both maintenance and security while keeping the troops healthy. Remember, these are the men and women who volunteered to put their lives on the line to defend all of us. It’s bad enough that they risk their lives protecting us in the event of a battle. They don’t need to worry about being taken out by an invisible, microscopic enemy on a plague ship.


hotair--2020-04-02--Breaking: NYC orders EMS to not transport cardiac-arrest patients without a

Breaking: NYC orders EMS to not transport cardiac-arrest patients without a pulse

In any acute shortage situation , rationing becomes inevitable .
In New York City , that has gone way beyond face masks and personal protective equipment .
Starting immediately , emergency medical services have been ordered not to bring cardiac-arrest cases to hospitals unless the patients have a pulse , a move designed to save capacity in the coronavirus pandemic : The memo , distributed late Wednesday to New York officials and first responders , said certain near-death patients will likely not be able to be saved while city hospitals are overrun with COVID-19 patients .
Effective immediately , patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a hospital if first responders can not get a pulse on their own while administering CPR , the memo states .
“ These orders are binding and the FDNY will devise a plan for implementation , ” Deputy Fire Commissioner Frank Dwyer told ABC News .
In a blunt advisory on March 29 , the Nassau County Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee on Long Island stated , “ There is no medical benefit to transporting patients in cardiac arrest with CPR in progress.
” The statement goes on to justify the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates increase when patients are not moved during CPR .
First responders aren ’ t even authorized to move a pulse-less patient at all , unless the location is unsafe for them to attend the patient .
The new policy will remain in place until the peak of hospitalizations in the city passes , and no one ’ s sure when that will be .
That is a harsh and yet perhaps understandable rationing decision , under the circumstances .
The situation in the city ’ s hospitals is “ quite horrible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier in the week , and they simply can ’ t even keep up with the avalanche of coronavirus patients .
The sheer volume of cases is creating excess deaths , the phenomenon that shelter-in-place orders are designed to prevent elsewhere : A doctor at a major public hospital in New York City described having worn a single N95 mask , a critical tool in protection from the coronavirus , for an entire week .
Normally , the Brooklyn doctor would change it after every visit with a patient .
Colleague after colleague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been falling sick with the virus .
Patients were coming in for unrelated health issues and suddenly testing positive for coronavirus after coming to the hospital .
“ The situation is quite horrible and they ’ re saying we haven ’ t hit the peak yet and we ’ re doing all sorts of crazy things to keep up , ” the doctor , who spoke on the condition of anonymity , said .
“ We ’ re having so many patients dying.
” The doctor said medical staff have been fighting over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been asked to care for patients in their 70s and 80s , orthopedic doctors and cardiologists have been asked to help treat coronavirus patients and urologists have been working as senior intensive care unit staff .
… “ We don ’ t have enough access to supplies on a regular basis , let alone when there is a crisis , ” the doctor said .
“ We are overwhelmed , extremely tired , working extremely long hours and it ’ s becoming in some cases dangerous because it ’ s not enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mistakes can be made and certain things can be missed.
” If doctors can ’ t keep up with the patients with pulses , they won ’ t be able to do much for those without pulses .
That ’ s just a hard fact in a pandemic crisis that overwhelms a health care system , locally or otherwise .
It ’ s called “ triage ” in wartime , and that ’ s precisely the situation in New York City .
For everywhere else in the country , it ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t take this seriously .
Until we have reinforced the health-care system with supplies , personnel , and treatments , the best way to prevent this kind of triage becoming the norm across the US is to keep our distance and slow down the exponential transmission of COVID-19 .
Meanwhile , just for the sake of information …

In any acute shortage situation, rationing becomes inevitable. In New York City, that has gone way beyond face masks and personal protective equipment. Starting immediately, emergency medical services have been ordered not to bring cardiac-arrest cases to hospitals unless the patients have a pulse, a move designed to save capacity in the coronavirus pandemic:
The memo, distributed late Wednesday to New York officials and first responders, said certain near-death patients will likely not be able to be saved while city hospitals are overrun with COVID-19 patients. Effective immediately, patients in cardiac arrest will not be transported to a hospital if first responders cannot get a pulse on their own while administering CPR, the memo states. “These orders are binding and the FDNY will devise a plan for implementation,” Deputy Fire Commissioner Frank Dwyer told ABC News. In a blunt advisory on March 29, the Nassau County Regional Emergency Medical Advisory Committee on Long Island stated, “There is no medical benefit to transporting patients in cardiac arrest with CPR in progress.” The statement goes on to justify the new protocol with a statistic saying successful resuscitation rates increase when patients are not moved during CPR.
First responders aren’t even authorized to move a pulse-less patient at all, unless the location is unsafe for them to attend the patient. The new policy will remain in place until the peak of hospitalizations in the city passes, and no one’s sure when that will be.
That is a harsh and yet perhaps understandable rationing decision, under the circumstances. The situation in the city’s hospitals is “quite horrible,” one NYC doctor told NBC News earlier in the week, and they simply can’t even keep up with the avalanche of coronavirus patients. The sheer volume of cases is creating excess deaths, the phenomenon that shelter-in-place orders are designed to prevent elsewhere:
A doctor at a major public hospital in New York City described having worn a single N95 mask, a critical tool in protection from the coronavirus, for an entire week. Normally, the Brooklyn doctor would change it after every visit with a patient. Colleague after colleague, including nurses and residents, have been falling sick with the virus. Patients were coming in for unrelated health issues and suddenly testing positive for coronavirus after coming to the hospital. “The situation is quite horrible and they’re saying we haven’t hit the peak yet and we’re doing all sorts of crazy things to keep up,” the doctor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said. “We’re having so many patients dying.” The doctor said medical staff have been fighting over rationed personal protective equipment, pediatric doctors have been asked to care for patients in their 70s and 80s, orthopedic doctors and cardiologists have been asked to help treat coronavirus patients and urologists have been working as senior intensive care unit staff. … “We don’t have enough access to supplies on a regular basis, let alone when there is a crisis,” the doctor said. “We are overwhelmed, extremely tired, working extremely long hours and it’s becoming in some cases dangerous because it’s not enough,” the doctor said. “Mistakes can be made and certain things can be missed.”
If doctors can’t keep up with the patients with pulses, they won’t be able to do much for those without pulses. That’s just a hard fact in a pandemic crisis that overwhelms a health care system, locally or otherwise. It’s called “triage” in wartime, and that’s precisely the situation in New York City.
For everywhere else in the country, it’s a warning of what will come if people don’t take this seriously. Until we have reinforced the health-care system with supplies, personnel, and treatments, the best way to prevent this kind of triage becoming the norm across the US is to keep our distance and slow down the exponential transmission of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, just for the sake of information …


hotair--2020-04-02--Background checks in the era of the coronavirus

Now that gun shops have been declared essential businesses in several states where they had previously been closed , the normal ebb and flow of commerce can continue .
Let ’ s hope that the owners of these shops are ready to serve customers in a safe , socially distant fashion because they may wind up being quite busy indeed .
The Associated Press is reporting that we set an all-time record for background checks last month as citizens rushed to prepare themselves for the possibility of widespread civic unrest if the pandemic grows even worse .
Background checks required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers in the past month , fueled by a run on guns from Americans worried about their safety during the coronavirus crisis .
According to figures from the FBI , 3.7 million background checks were done in March — the most for a single month since the system began in 1998 .
It eclipsed the previous record , set in December 2015 , when 3.3 million checks were conducted .
Background checks are the key barometer of gun sales , but the FBI ’ s monthly figures also incorporate checks for firearm permits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each background check also could be for the sale of more than one gun .
In terms of the new and previous records for background checks , we ’ re dealing with two very different phenomena .
In 2015 it was becoming increasingly obvious that either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders were going to be the nominee for the Democrats and they might hold the White House for four more years .
There were also a number of high profile mass shootings making many citizens nervous .
This led to a greater interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election was over , the “ Trump Effect ” kicked in and both background checks and sales of firearms decreased .
Nobody was worried about new gun control or confiscation laws coming down the pipe with Donald Trump in the White House and the GOP still holding both chambers of Congress .
What we ’ re seeing now , however , is almost certainly a reaction to fears that there could be widespread unrest and lawlessness if the pandemic spins totally out of control .
If we ’ re actually heading for Mad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure they can defend their own castles .
( Perhaps The Stand would be a better reference in this case . )
The Gray Lady was quick to point out what a terrible trend this represents .
The article frets over the idea that “ adding firearms into stressed-out households filled with people cooped up during lockdown orders will lead to increased levels of domestic violence and suicides.
” While we ’ re on the subject , those background checks are already leading to actual purchases .
During the same period , gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( NY Times ) Americans bought about two million guns in March , according to a New York Times analysis of federal data .
It was the second-busiest month ever for gun sales , trailing only January 2013 , just after President Barack Obama ’ s re-election and the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School .
With some people fearful that the pandemic could lead to civil unrest , gun sales have been skyrocketing .
In the past , fear of gun-buying restrictions has been the main driver of spikes in gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass shootings and terrorist attacks alone .
That ’ s a lot of firearms .
But before any of you liberals out there start setting your hair on fire , keep one thing in mind .
These figures represent the people who go through the legal process to lawfully purchase a weapon .
They are statistically the least likely to go on to commit a crime with one .
In fact , they ’ re probably the most likely to wind up being the “ good guy/gal with a gun ” who saves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show up .
( The ones who probably have unregistered firearms and never went through background checks because they couldn ’ t pass them . )
We ’ re not in panic territory yet , folks , and I remain hopeful that we ’ re not going to get there .
But it never hurts to be prepared .

Now that gun shops have been declared essential businesses in several states where they had previously been closed, the normal ebb and flow of commerce can continue. Let’s hope that the owners of these shops are ready to serve customers in a safe, socially distant fashion because they may wind up being quite busy indeed. The Associated Press is reporting that we set an all-time record for background checks last month as citizens rushed to prepare themselves for the possibility of widespread civic unrest if the pandemic grows even worse.
Background checks required to buy firearms have spiked to record numbers in the past month, fueled by a run on guns from Americans worried about their safety during the coronavirus crisis. According to figures from the FBI, 3.7 million background checks were done in March — the most for a single month since the system began in 1998. It eclipsed the previous record, set in December 2015, when 3.3 million checks were conducted. Background checks are the key barometer of gun sales, but the FBI’s monthly figures also incorporate checks for firearm permits that are required in some states. Each background check also could be for the sale of more than one gun.
In terms of the new and previous records for background checks, we’re dealing with two very different phenomena. In 2015 it was becoming increasingly obvious that either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders were going to be the nominee for the Democrats and they might hold the White House for four more years. There were also a number of high profile mass shootings making many citizens nervous. This led to a greater interest in people arming themselves.
Once the election was over, the “Trump Effect” kicked in and both background checks and sales of firearms decreased. Nobody was worried about new gun control or confiscation laws coming down the pipe with Donald Trump in the White House and the GOP still holding both chambers of Congress. What we’re seeing now, however, is almost certainly a reaction to fears that there could be widespread unrest and lawlessness if the pandemic spins totally out of control. If we’re actually heading for Mad Max territory, people want to make sure they can defend their own castles. (Perhaps The Stand would be a better reference in this case.)
The Gray Lady was quick to point out what a terrible trend this represents. The article frets over the idea that “adding firearms into stressed-out households filled with people cooped up during lockdown orders will lead to increased levels of domestic violence and suicides.”
While we’re on the subject, those background checks are already leading to actual purchases. During the same period, gun sales also spiked to near-record levels. (NY Times)
Americans bought about two million guns in March, according to a New York Times analysis of federal data. It was the second-busiest month ever for gun sales, trailing only January 2013, just after President Barack Obama’s re-election and the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. With some people fearful that the pandemic could lead to civil unrest, gun sales have been skyrocketing. In the past, fear of gun-buying restrictions has been the main driver of spikes in gun sales, far surpassing the effects of mass shootings and terrorist attacks alone.
That’s a lot of firearms. But before any of you liberals out there start setting your hair on fire, keep one thing in mind. These figures represent the people who go through the legal process to lawfully purchase a weapon. They are statistically the least likely to go on to commit a crime with one. In fact, they’re probably the most likely to wind up being the “good guy/gal with a gun” who saves your butt when the actual bad guys show up. (The ones who probably have unregistered firearms and never went through background checks because they couldn’t pass them.)
We’re not in panic territory yet, folks, and I remain hopeful that we’re not going to get there. But it never hurts to be prepared.


hotair--2020-04-02--<span class='red'>Breaking: Jobless claims hit 6.6 million last week; Update: CARES Act targeting? U

Breaking: Jobless claims hit 6.6 million last week; Update: CARES Act targeting? Update: 9.6% unemployment?

We knew it would be bad — but not quite this bad .
New jobless claims topped 6.6 million the past week , well beyond last week ’ s stunning record 3.3 million claims and far past the 4-5 million economists projected .
The US economy has now lost nearly 10 million jobs in the coronavirus pandemic , an economic disaster of epic proportions : The torrent of Americans filing for unemployment insurance continued last week as more than 6.6 million new claims were filed , the Labor Department reported Thursday .
Economists surveyed by Dow Jones estimated 3.1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filings in the first wave of what has been a record-shattering swelling of the jobless ranks .
The week ended March 28 totaled 6,648,000 Before the coronavirus shut down major parts of the U.S. economy , the highest week for claims was 695,000 in 1982 .
The Great Recession high was 665,000 in March 2009 .
If that ’ s not bad enough , the number could actually be higher .
The wave of applicants overwhelmed some state systems , meaning more jobless claims might spill over into the next few weeks even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some economists said the actual number of unemployed could be much higher , since many applicants had experienced trouble filing a claim , as state labor departments became overwhelmed .
… Michael Feroli , the chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan , said he had been expecting a “ pretty gnarly ” number .
He and his colleagues forecast 3.5 million applications .
“ I wouldn ’ t want to tell fairytales about why not to worry about it , ” he said .
“ It ’ s possible we could see large numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it appears that markets mainly expected something of this magnitude .
The news didn ’ t bring an immediate sell-off : Until the relief funds and business loans start getting distributed , we can expect to see more of this .
However , once those resources do become available , it ’ s possible that many of the newly jobless might get recalled back to their previous employers .
That was the point of rushing the $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act quickly through Congress .
The trick now is to get Treasury ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running fast , which may be easier said than done : The race to release $ 250 billion in coronavirus stimulus aid has cast a new light on a long-understood problem : The machinery of Washington often is lumbering , and in some cases , digitally deficient , complicating even the most well-intentioned attempts to provide Americans relief in an economic crisis .
Twice over the past two decades , the IRS has played a critical role in dispersing aid to workers ravaged by an economic downturn , including the 2008 recession , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in checks to Americans .
But the stakes are far more dire as the coronavirus outbreak in the United States continues to worsen , leaving more than 3,000 dead and millions suddenly jobless .
The sudden downturn threatens to thrust the country into a prolonged recession — unless federal officials can dole out the $ 2 trillion in new aid to businesses and consumers quickly and effectively .
Exactly how and when people receive their share of federal dollars , however , will depend on a mix of still-unfolding factors .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly , while there are still jobs and businesses left to save .
Update : As Jill Schlesinger says , we saw numbers like this before — just not all at once .
It took months to add up jobless claims to eight figures in the Great Recession , and the problem is that we might still have a month or so to go before we can start reopening the economy : Update : We should keep a couple of things in mind with these numbers , too .
The scale is wildly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CARES Act directly targeted this phenomenon in two ways — individual stimulus payments and expanded unemployment insurance .
The people impacted by these layoffs , or at least most of them , will get their full salary on unemployment for the next four months if necessary rather than the usual stipend , so they will be able to keep paying their bills for a while .
It does , however , point out just how important it is to find a way back to normal — and fast .
Update : This was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t expect this to be fully reflected in the March jobs report that comes out tomorrow .
Economists expect a job loss in the low-to-mid five-figure range , in part because the surveys on which jobs reports are based took place before employers started shutting down .
The April jobs report will be bloody , but if Treasury gets its act together , perhaps somewhat mitigated .

We knew it would be bad — but not quite this bad. New jobless claims topped 6.6 million the past week, well beyond last week’s stunning record 3.3 million claims and far past the 4-5 million economists projected. The US economy has now lost nearly 10 million jobs in the coronavirus pandemic, an economic disaster of epic proportions:
The torrent of Americans filing for unemployment insurance continued last week as more than 6.6 million new claims were filed, the Labor Department reported Thursday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones estimated 3.1 million, a week after nearly 3.3 million filings in the first wave of what has been a record-shattering swelling of the jobless ranks. The week ended March 28 totaled 6,648,000 Before the coronavirus shut down major parts of the U.S. economy, the highest week for claims was 695,000 in 1982. The Great Recession high was 665,000 in March 2009.
If that’s not bad enough, the number could actually be higher. The wave of applicants overwhelmed some state systems, meaning more jobless claims might spill over into the next few weeks even if the layoffs stabilize:
Still, some economists said the actual number of unemployed could be much higher, since many applicants had experienced trouble filing a claim, as state labor departments became overwhelmed. … Michael Feroli, the chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan, said he had been expecting a “pretty gnarly” number. He and his colleagues forecast 3.5 million applications. “I wouldn’t want to tell fairytales about why not to worry about it,” he said. “It’s possible we could see large numbers for a couple weeks.”
Still, it appears that markets mainly expected something of this magnitude. The news didn’t bring an immediate sell-off:
U.S. stock futures hold gains after weekly jobless claims pic.twitter.com/vge1ASFFfM — Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) April 2, 2020
Until the relief funds and business loans start getting distributed, we can expect to see more of this. However, once those resources do become available, it’s possible that many of the newly jobless might get recalled back to their previous employers. That was the point of rushing the $2.2 trillion CARES Act quickly through Congress. The trick now is to get Treasury’s distribution of the funds up and running fast, which may be easier said than done:
The race to release $250 billion in coronavirus stimulus aid has cast a new light on a long-understood problem: The machinery of Washington often is lumbering, and in some cases, digitally deficient, complicating even the most well-intentioned attempts to provide Americans relief in an economic crisis. Twice over the past two decades, the IRS has played a critical role in dispersing aid to workers ravaged by an economic downturn, including the 2008 recession, when the agency sent roughly $100 billion in checks to Americans. But the stakes are far more dire as the coronavirus outbreak in the United States continues to worsen, leaving more than 3,000 dead and millions suddenly jobless. The sudden downturn threatens to thrust the country into a prolonged recession — unless federal officials can dole out the $2 trillion in new aid to businesses and consumers quickly and effectively. Exactly how and when people receive their share of federal dollars, however, will depend on a mix of still-unfolding factors.
They’d better start figuring it out quickly, while there are still jobs and businesses left to save.
Update: As Jill Schlesinger says, we saw numbers like this before — just not all at once. It took months to add up jobless claims to eight figures in the Great Recession, and the problem is that we might still have a month or so to go before we can start reopening the economy:
JUST IN: Over 6.6 million filed for unemployment last week. "This is like a flood and the waters are still rising and it's going to seem like these numbers are horrible for weeks on end. But soon, we hope that the flood waters will recede. We just don't know when." –@jillonmoney pic.twitter.com/75N8mXlfq0 — CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) April 2, 2020
Update: We should keep a couple of things in mind with these numbers, too. The scale is wildly unprecedented, but not unanticipated. The CARES Act directly targeted this phenomenon in two ways — individual stimulus payments and expanded unemployment insurance. The people impacted by these layoffs, or at least most of them, will get their full salary on unemployment for the next four months if necessary rather than the usual stipend, so they will be able to keep paying their bills for a while.
It does, however, point out just how important it is to find a way back to normal — and fast.
Update: This was my rough calculation as well:
Using February statistics as a baseline, national unemployment has jumped from 3.5% to 9.6% in 2 weeks. That’s insane. https://t.co/UzbA0XVZpB — Matthew Daley (@MattDaleyOH) April 2, 2020
Don’t expect this to be fully reflected in the March jobs report that comes out tomorrow. Economists expect a job loss in the low-to-mid five-figure range, in part because the surveys on which jobs reports are based took place before employers started shutting down. The April jobs report will be bloody, but if Treasury gets its act together, perhaps somewhat mitigated.


hotair--2020-04-02--AOC: Cuomo's plan to suspend mortgage payments is racist

The surge in New York Governor Andrew Cuomo ’ s popularity recently has been attributed to his “ steady ” response to the coronavirus pandemic gripping parts of his state , particularly in New York City .
He ’ s been busy issuing all manner of executive orders intended to provide relief to the people most directly affected by the virtual shutdown of movement and commerce , grinding many businesses to a halt and leading to massive numbers of people without employment .
One of these measures isn ’ t sitting too well with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , however .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeowners who may be unable to make their mortgage payments during the worst of the pandemic , suspending those payments for up to three months for qualifying residents .
So what ’ s wrong with that ?
According to AOC , he ’ s leaving renters behind and favoring the wealthy .
And since minorities tend to be less likely to own their own homes , that makes the policy racist… of course .
( NY Post ) Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took aim at Gov .
Andrew Cuomo ’ s decision to suspend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus outbreak , accusing him of giving “ preferential treatment ” to wealthier New Yorkers .
“ If you called for a suspension or moratorium on mortgage payments , then we should also call for that same treatment on rent payments , ” AOC said during an appearance on WNYC ’ s “ The Brian Lehrer Show ” Tuesday .
“ We ’ re kind of creating a class and race issue .
We ’ re essentially rewarding and offering preferential treatment to landowners and folks who are more wealthy , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of relief to renters , ” the Democratic socialist continued .
AOC ’ s complaints tie into the “ rent strike ” that many New York City renters are attempting to pull off , with the support of Ocasio-Cortez .
But the protests demonstrate either a lack of understanding of the underlying facts or a willful blindness to them .
First of all , the renters aren ’ t seeking a delay in paying their rent .
They are seeking a “ forgiveness ” of the rent payments so they will basically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months .
As I previously explained , that ’ s not really an option for most landlords absent another massive stimulus boost from the federal government .
But the Governor has already made provisions for renters by suspending all evictions for three months , giving them time to receive their federal stimulus checks and begin receiving federally enhanced unemployment benefits .
The situation with the homeowners is entirely different .
They aren ’ t having the total principal of their mortgages reduced by an amount equal to three months worth of payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tacked on to the end of their mortgage ’ s lifespan .
In each situation , the affected individuals are being given the same period of time to get caught up and resume normal payments , whether it ’ s a landlord or a lender receiving the funds .
As far as calling the policy “ racist ” goes , this is the usual kvetching that ’ s applied to any broad government policy .
The reality is that this isn ’ t a question of the color of people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have available .
People who make the least money in areas with the highest housing costs are the ones most likely to end up renting .
And in many dense urban centers , that may mean the minority residents will be affected in disproportionate numbers , but the policies themselves apply to all people equally .
Further , the homeownership figures in Gotham portray a less straightforward picture than the one AOC is painting .
As of 2018 ( the last year for which we have complete figures ) homeownership in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it varied wildly depending on where you live .
In Manhattan , it was only 24 % , with the Bronx being even worse at 20 % .
But in Queens , it was 45 % and on Staten Island , it was seventy ( ! )
.
The racial breakdown of homeownership also held some surprises .
If you think whites were the most likely to own their own homes in the Big Apple , guess again .
Asians lead the pack with a 41 % rate , while whites came in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents don ’ t have the lowest homeownership rate .
That “ prize ” goes to Hispanics at 19 % .
It ’ s always easy to play the race card and this case is no exception .
But when you look at the realities underlying the way the pandemic and the government ’ s response to it are affecting people , the picture is far too complicated to paint this in simple , black and white terms .
( Pardon the pun . )

The surge in New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s popularity recently has been attributed to his “steady” response to the coronavirus pandemic gripping parts of his state, particularly in New York City. He’s been busy issuing all manner of executive orders intended to provide relief to the people most directly affected by the virtual shutdown of movement and commerce, grinding many businesses to a halt and leading to massive numbers of people without employment. One of these measures isn’t sitting too well with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, however.
The order in question provided relief to homeowners who may be unable to make their mortgage payments during the worst of the pandemic, suspending those payments for up to three months for qualifying residents. So what’s wrong with that? According to AOC, he’s leaving renters behind and favoring the wealthy. And since minorities tend to be less likely to own their own homes, that makes the policy racist… of course. (NY Post)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took aim at Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision to suspend mortgage payments but not rental payments during the coronavirus outbreak, accusing him of giving “preferential treatment” to wealthier New Yorkers. “If you called for a suspension or moratorium on mortgage payments, then we should also call for that same treatment on rent payments,” AOC said during an appearance on WNYC’s “The Brian Lehrer Show” Tuesday. “We’re kind of creating a class and race issue. We’re essentially rewarding and offering preferential treatment to landowners and folks who are more wealthy, and we’re not offering that same kind of relief to renters,” the Democratic socialist continued.
AOC’s complaints tie into the “rent strike” that many New York City renters are attempting to pull off, with the support of Ocasio-Cortez. But the protests demonstrate either a lack of understanding of the underlying facts or a willful blindness to them.
First of all, the renters aren’t seeking a delay in paying their rent. They are seeking a “forgiveness” of the rent payments so they will basically be given free rent for at least three months. As I previously explained, that’s not really an option for most landlords absent another massive stimulus boost from the federal government. But the Governor has already made provisions for renters by suspending all evictions for three months, giving them time to receive their federal stimulus checks and begin receiving federally enhanced unemployment benefits.
The situation with the homeowners is entirely different. They aren’t having the total principal of their mortgages reduced by an amount equal to three months worth of payments. The payments are simply being deferred and tacked on to the end of their mortgage’s lifespan. In each situation, the affected individuals are being given the same period of time to get caught up and resume normal payments, whether it’s a landlord or a lender receiving the funds.
As far as calling the policy “racist” goes, this is the usual kvetching that’s applied to any broad government policy. The reality is that this isn’t a question of the color of people’s skin, but the amount of income they have available. People who make the least money in areas with the highest housing costs are the ones most likely to end up renting. And in many dense urban centers, that may mean the minority residents will be affected in disproportionate numbers, but the policies themselves apply to all people equally.
Further, the homeownership figures in Gotham portray a less straightforward picture than the one AOC is painting. As of 2018 (the last year for which we have complete figures) homeownership in the five boroughs was 33%, but it varied wildly depending on where you live. In Manhattan, it was only 24%, with the Bronx being even worse at 20%. But in Queens, it was 45% and on Staten Island, it was seventy(!).
The racial breakdown of homeownership also held some surprises. If you think whites were the most likely to own their own homes in the Big Apple, guess again. Asians lead the pack with a 41% rate, while whites came in second at 37%. And Black residents don’t have the lowest homeownership rate. That “prize” goes to Hispanics at 19%.
It’s always easy to play the race card and this case is no exception. But when you look at the realities underlying the way the pandemic and the government’s response to it are affecting people, the picture is far too complicated to paint this in simple, black and white terms. (Pardon the pun.)


hotair--2020-04-02--Plouffe: Trump's going to win in November, you know

Well , it ’ s not every day that a former Obama staffer honestly assesses the state of the upcoming November election , much less Obama ’ s former campaign manager , yet , here we are .
President Trump is “ very dangerous ” to Joe Biden ’ s bid for president because of his loyal supporters , according to David Plouffe .
Plouffe , speaking on the “ Fox News Rundown ” podcast Thursday predicted that there will be a historic level of voter turnout in support of the president when election day comes in November .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak aside , Trump voters will come out and support him for re-election .
“ You look at the economic situation and say , ‘ How can an incumbent win in that ?
’ But , you know , no one ’ s blaming Trump for the damage , ” Plouffe explained .
” … I think if you can lay his crisis response at his feet and connect that to the economy , I do think that ’ s some headwind he ’ s got to run into.
” “ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no matter what happens , [ the question is ] can Donald Trump win Wisconsin ?
Can he win Michigan ?
Can he win Pennsylvania ?
Can he win Florida ?
’ Sure , because his base is so solid .
And I think he ’ s going to turn out voters almost at a historical level on his behalf , so that makes him very dangerous if you ’ re Joe Biden.
” Joe Biden does not occupy any political office right now and is stuck in his basement for the duration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign events and fundraisers to keep Biden in the headlines , Trump holds an advantage .
Let ’ s face it , all Biden has right now is the ability to do some television interviews and Facebook live town halls with supporters .
He ’ s breaking in a podcast , too , but so far his video events have been , well , let ’ s just say they have produced very limited success .
What Joe Biden has to hope for is that voters will begin to blame President Trump for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the great national hunkering down phase in stopping the spread of the outbreak .
With unemployment numbers skyrocketing and businesses facing an uncertain future , the economy will not suddenly bounce back even if the coronavirus pandemic magically ended today .
It ’ s going to be a long economic recovery .
We know that the left has been hoping for a recession for some time now , especially with the success Trump ’ s economic policies have brought .
As recently as last August , a recession was seen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Man from office .
That was before the great American Impeachmentpoolza trial , though .
During that fiasco , The Resistance and their cohorts in the media relied heavily on a conviction in the Senate to get rid of him .
Unfortunately for Biden and his campaign , Sleepy Joe is really not good during interviews .
He consistently comes away with at least one flub for critics to latch on to , usually more .
His history of gaffes isn ’ t so charming anymore .
Trump supporters are enthusiastic and ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden supporters are simply settling for the one candidate in the very large Democrat field that the DNC decided had a shot at defeating Trump in November .
Biden isn ’ t inspiring Independents to move to him from Trump and he isn ’ t intriguing voters with new ideas and big policy initiatives that they haven ’ t heard from everyone else .
David Plouffe is floating the fever dreams of the far left as they plan for the November election – virtual conventions for both parties this summer and then an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could possibly go wrong , right ?
A national election with only mail-in ballots ?
Just the thought of that gives me a headache .
The roaring economy was Trump ’ s biggest reason for re-election .
Now he has to hope that his leadership through the coronavirus crisis is seen as competent and successful once the pandemic ebbs and the economy begins to recover .
For now , Team Biden and super PACs who support his candidacy have launched video ads against Trump on the question of his competency .
Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for fighting the coronavirus – mostly with the help of Obama ’ s Ebola czar , Ron Klain .
Everything that has been suggested , though , is already being done by Trump and the coronavirus task force .
A little late out of the gate but now beginning to respond to Team Biden criticism , America First Action SuperPAC has made a $ 10M buy in the all-important swing states of Wisconsin , Michigan , and Pennsylvania .
The longer the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic continues in the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ task force receive .
That ’ s a problem for Biden .
Why should American voters switch leadership if the current people in charge are doing what needs to be done ?
Independent-leaning voters , along with enthusiastic conservative and Republican voters will likely pull off the re-election of Trump in November .
All of Trump ’ s past personal baggage is known and baked into the equation .
Biden , even after 40 plus years in the national spotlight in elected office , has to worry about personal attacks rising up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If others from the past come forward as she has , the media won ’ t be able to ignore that kind of charge forever .
Reade ’ s charge is believable given Biden ’ s history of being handsy and invading personal space by sniffing hair and massaging the shoulders of women .
Creepy Uncle Joe .
So , it ’ s pretty interesting to hear David Plouffe admit that Trump still has the wind at his back as far as re-election goes .
Trump takes the opportunity to speak to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus task force and that is a huge advantage , even if some of the media are beginning to cut short their coverage .
That shows how successful the briefings are and that ’ s to Trump ’ s advantage .

Well, it’s not every day that a former Obama staffer honestly assesses the state of the upcoming November election, much less Obama’s former campaign manager, yet, here we are. President Trump is “very dangerous” to Joe Biden’s bid for president because of his loyal supporters, according to David Plouffe.
Plouffe, speaking on the “Fox News Rundown” podcast Thursday predicted that there will be a historic level of voter turnout in support of the president when election day comes in November. The pandemic and the economic consequences of the coronavirus outbreak aside, Trump voters will come out and support him for re-election.
“You look at the economic situation and say, ‘How can an incumbent win in that?’ But, you know, no one’s blaming Trump for the damage,” Plouffe explained. ” … I think if you can lay his crisis response at his feet and connect that to the economy, I do think that’s some headwind he’s got to run into.” “But,” Plouffe continued, “almost no matter what happens, [the question is] can Donald Trump win Wisconsin? Can he win Michigan? Can he win Pennsylvania? Can he win Florida?’ Sure, because his base is so solid. And I think he’s going to turn out voters almost at a historical level on his behalf, so that makes him very dangerous if you’re Joe Biden.”
Joe Biden does not occupy any political office right now and is stuck in his basement for the duration of the pandemic response. Without traditional campaign events and fundraisers to keep Biden in the headlines, Trump holds an advantage. Let’s face it, all Biden has right now is the ability to do some television interviews and Facebook live town halls with supporters. He’s breaking in a podcast, too, but so far his video events have been, well, let’s just say they have produced very limited success.
What Joe Biden has to hope for is that voters will begin to blame President Trump for the recession we are beginning to experience due to the great national hunkering down phase in stopping the spread of the outbreak. With unemployment numbers skyrocketing and businesses facing an uncertain future, the economy will not suddenly bounce back even if the coronavirus pandemic magically ended today. It’s going to be a long economic recovery. We know that the left has been hoping for a recession for some time now, especially with the success Trump’s economic policies have brought. As recently as last August, a recession was seen as the cure to oust the bad Orange Man from office. That was before the great American Impeachmentpoolza trial, though. During that fiasco, The Resistance and their cohorts in the media relied heavily on a conviction in the Senate to get rid of him.
Unfortunately for Biden and his campaign, Sleepy Joe is really not good during interviews. He consistently comes away with at least one flub for critics to latch on to, usually more. His history of gaffes isn’t so charming anymore. Trump supporters are enthusiastic and ready to go vote for his re-election while Biden supporters are simply settling for the one candidate in the very large Democrat field that the DNC decided had a shot at defeating Trump in November. Biden isn’t inspiring Independents to move to him from Trump and he isn’t intriguing voters with new ideas and big policy initiatives that they haven’t heard from everyone else.
David Plouffe is floating the fever dreams of the far left as they plan for the November election – virtual conventions for both parties this summer and then an all mail-in election. Sure, what could possibly go wrong, right? A national election with only mail-in ballots? Just the thought of that gives me a headache.
The roaring economy was Trump’s biggest reason for re-election. Now he has to hope that his leadership through the coronavirus crisis is seen as competent and successful once the pandemic ebbs and the economy begins to recover. For now, Team Biden and super PACs who support his candidacy have launched video ads against Trump on the question of his competency. Joe Biden has offered up his “plan” for fighting the coronavirus – mostly with the help of Obama’s Ebola czar, Ron Klain. Everything that has been suggested, though, is already being done by Trump and the coronavirus task force.
A little late out of the gate but now beginning to respond to Team Biden criticism, America First Action SuperPAC has made a $10M buy in the all-important swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
“It’s time to put Sleepy Joe Biden to bed,” said Brian Walsh, president of America First Action PAC. “This is our first round of spending, with much more to come. By the time November rolls around, voters in battleground states are going to know why Joe Biden is weak, wrong and been around for too long to lead the United States of America.”
The longer the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic continues in the United States, the more positive coverage Trump and the task force receive. That’s a problem for Biden. Why should American voters switch leadership if the current people in charge are doing what needs to be done? Independent-leaning voters, along with enthusiastic conservative and Republican voters will likely pull off the re-election of Trump in November. All of Trump’s past personal baggage is known and baked into the equation. Biden, even after 40 plus years in the national spotlight in elected office, has to worry about personal attacks rising up, like the one from Tara Reade. If others from the past come forward as she has, the media won’t be able to ignore that kind of charge forever. Reade’s charge is believable given Biden’s history of being handsy and invading personal space by sniffing hair and massaging the shoulders of women. Creepy Uncle Joe.
So, it’s pretty interesting to hear David Plouffe admit that Trump still has the wind at his back as far as re-election goes. Trump takes the opportunity to speak to the public with the daily briefings with the coronavirus task force and that is a huge advantage, even if some of the media are beginning to cut short their coverage. That shows how successful the briefings are and that’s to Trump’s advantage.