theblaze--2020-03-19--'I should just come to you and cough on you!': Portland activist threatens Mayor Ted Wheeler for not

'I should just come to you and cough on you!': Portland activist threatens Mayor Ted Wheeler for not freezing rent amid coronavirus outbreak

' I should just come to you and cough on you ! '
: Portland activist threatens Mayor Ted Wheeler @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak 'What are you gon na do about that ? '

Now that the coronavirus is within our borders and spreading, it appears that some radicals in the far-left bastion of Portland, Oregon, are coming unglued — and eating their own.
What's going on?
Far-left Mayor Ted Wheeler — a lightning rod for criticism from conservatives over his handling of brutal Antifa rioting, violence, and general lawlessness in the city — announced a temporary halt on evictions amid the coronavirus outbreak that's crippling the economy, the Portland Tribune reported.
But Wheeler — who made the Tuesday announcement with Multnomah County Chairwoman Deborah Kafoury — got an earful from activists who hijacked the news conference at McCoy Health Department headquarters, the paper said.
First up was a black-clad activist who took over the podium microphone after Wheeler stepped away from it. The protester said in a rapid-fire delivery that the halt on evictions was of "no use to the people of Portland."
"Neither the virus nor the housing crisis will disappear at the end of the month or in three months or in six months," the activist said. "Freezing rent until the economy can safely recover is the only way to keep thousands more Portlanders off the streets."
He then led a rousing "Flatten the curve! Freeze the rents!" chant.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
After the first protester was done, another activist spoke up, yelling that "you will not be able to collect [rent] from us!" and telling Wheeler that "you need to be held to account!"
The mayor told the woman that "you need to go outside."
"No, I don't need to do anything!" the woman shot back. "I should just come to you and cough on you! What are you gonna do about that?"
Image source: YouTube screenshot
Wheeler replied in shock: "Really? You will say that in front of the entire meeting? You will come and cough on me?"
"Yeah!" the woman hollered back at the mayor repeatedly as the prospect of catching the coronavirus is on everybody's mind.
When Wheeler returned to the podium to answer questions, he noted that he believes the crisis will "bring out the best in all of us."
With that, a voice out of camera range — presumably the woman who threatened to cough on him — asked Wheeler, "Will it bring out the best in you as a capitalist?"
Wheeler shot back that "you got your time at the mic."
The woman replied, "No, no, no!" But the mayor wasn't having it, answering back, "Yes, yes, yes."
The Tribune said thousands were livestreaming the news conference or watching news station broadcasts online.
Portland city and county officials announce suspension of evictions during coronavirus outbreak youtu.be
What happened next?
The demonstrators were eventually led out of the room, the paper said — and sounds of repeated coughing were heard soon after the exchange between Wheeler and the woman activist.
From now on such press events will be closed to the public, the Tribune reported.
"Disruptive and threatening behavior is harmful, counterproductive, and could be criminal," County spokeswoman Julie Sullivan-Springhetti added to the paper. "Threatening to give people COVID and then repeatedly coughing in the face of a young security guard and reporters who have to show up to do their job is shocking and unacceptable."
(H/T: Andy Ngo)


theblaze--2020-03-19--LAUGH: Steven Crowder prank calls Nike about the origin of the COVID-19 (China)!

LAUGH : Steven Crowder prank calls Nike about the origin of the COVID-19 ( China ) !

Steven Crowder offers some comic relief at a time that humor is needed in a bad way. Listen to his prank call to Nike.com about closing its stores all over the world except locations in Asia and Chinatown to keep Nike employees safe from COVID-19. Ready. Your. Butts. This is hilarious...
PRANK CALL: Nike's Racist Coronavirus Policies! | Louder with Crowder youtu.be
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theblaze--2020-03-19--In defiance of past federal court ruling, Idaho lawmakers send bill banning transgender birth certif

In defiance of past federal court ruling, Idaho lawmakers send bill banning transgender birth certificate changes to governor

In defiance of past federal court ruling , Idaho lawmakers send bill banning transgender birth certificate changes to governor 'Biological @ @ @ @ @ fact , and it never goes away '

The Idaho Senate has sent a bill to Republican Gov. Brad Little that would prohibit transgender people from changing the sex on their birth certificates.
According to KBOI-TV, the Senate passed the measure Wednesday evening by a party-line vote of 27-6 after debating it on Tuesday evening.
The legislative findings section of the bill — H.B. 509 — argues, "The purpose of documenting factual information on vital records is to help the government fulfill one of its most basic duties: protecting the health and safety of its citizens," and that "Allowing individuals to alter their vital records, including birth certificates, based upon subjective feelings or experiences undermines the government's interest in having accurate vital records."
"Biological sex is a real scientific fact, and it never goes away," GOP state Rep. Julianne Young told the Associated Press when the state's lower chamber passed the bill by a vote of 53-16 late last month. "No amount of surgery, hormones or other procedures can change a person's biological sex."
However, if Gov. Little signs the measure into law, it will undoubtedly kick of a new battle for the state, as its passage comes two years after a federal judge ruled against a previous state prohibition on transgender people changing the sex on their birth certificates on 14th Amendment grounds.
"A rule providing an avenue to obtain a birth certificate with a listed sex that aligns with an individual's gender identity promotes the health, well-being, and safety of transgender people without impacting the rights of others," U.S. District Court Candy Dale wrote in March 2018. Dale wrote elsewhere in the ruling that "Social transition includes changes in clothing, name, pronouns, hairstyle, and identity documents to reflect one's gender identity."
"Idaho lawmakers might as well try to tear down the federal courthouse if they have this much contempt for the rule of law," reads a statement from Lambda Legal Counsel Peter Renn, a member of the legal team that argued against the previous birth certificate policy. "They are explicitly defying a court order and exposing Idaho taxpayers to footing the bill for significant financial consequences – all while putting transgender people back in harm's way for harassment and even violence, and once again making Idaho a national outlier."
However, GOP state Sen. Jim Rice says that it was appropriate to pass the bill anyway, even if it does lead to a court challenge.
"Sometimes in the course of exercising legislative authority, the time comes to take an issue and put it through that process," Rice told the Idaho Press-Tribune. "That's the organized process by which we maintain ordered liberty under the Constitution. It is not an inappropriate action for a legislature to decide to do something that they know will go through that process."


theblaze--2020-03-19--Tulsi Gabbard announces that she will suspend her presidential campaign and endorse Joe Biden

Tulsi Gabbard announces that she will suspend her presidential campaign and endorse Joe Biden She praised Bernie Sanders ' 'love @ @ @ @

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) announced Thursday that she will suspend her presidential campaign and endorse former Vice President Joe Biden to take on President Donald Trump in November's general election.
Gabbard made the announcement in a video message posted on Twitter.
In the announcement, the 38-year-old House member said that her decision was motivated by the ongoing outbreak of the coronavirus — formally known as COVID-19 — as well as the primary election results from earlier this week.
"After Tuesday's election, it's clear that Democratic Primary voters have chosen Vice President Joe Biden to be the person who will take on President Trump in the general election," Gabbard said.
On Tuesday, Democratic primary voters sided with Biden over rival presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in primary contests in Illinois, Florida, and Arizona.
"Although I may not agree with the Vice President on every issue, I know that he has a good heart and is motivated by his love for our country and the American people," Gabbard said. "I'm confident that he will lead our country guided by the spirit of aloha — respect and compassion — and thus help heal the divisiveness that has been tearing our country apart."
In suspending her campaign, Gabbard said that she would give her "full support" to Biden "in his quest to bring our country together."
At the same time, Gabbard sent her "best wishes to my friends Sen. Bernie Sanders, his wife Jane, Nina Turner, and their many supporters for the work they've done." She also praised the senator's "love for our country and the American people and his sincere desire to improve the lives of all Americans."
In regard to the ongoing viral spread, the House member said "the best way that I can be of service at this time is to continue to work for the health and wellbeing of the people of Hawaii and our country in Congress, and to stand ready to serve in uniform should the Hawaii National Guard be activated."
Gabbard added that now "is not the first time we have faced adversity together, and it will not be the last." She added that "as Americans and all of humanity, we face a common enemy" and urged people to "stand together once again, and work hand in hand to defeat this new enemy — the coronavirus."
Gabbard announced her candidacy in January 2019 but failed to generate widespread support among Democratic primary voters despite staying in after other candidates had dropped out. At the time of her announcement, she had won no Democratic primary elections in 2020 and only earned convention delegates in American Samoa on Super Tuesday earlier this month. Her RealClear national polling average on Thursday stood at 3.3% in comparison to Biden's 55.8% and Sanders' 35%.


theblaze--2020-03-19--Most Americans think the media have exaggerated the risks of coronavirus, poll says

Most Americans think the media have exaggerated the risks of coronavirus , poll says

Have you felt like the national media has overhyped the risks of the coronavirus? If so, a majority of Americans apparently agree with you.
Stay calm?
During the time of national and global emergencies, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the information coming in. The coronavirus pandemic is no exception.
Americans are being updated — not daily, not hourly — by the minute with stats on infections and deaths.
We're being told to stay home, keep our distance, stock up on necessities (but not too much), and prepare for the worst.
Schools are closed.
Businesses are suffering.
Sports are canceled.
The markets are ... not doing great. And experts are warning of a recession — maybe even a depression.
The White House warned that unemployment could hit 20%.
All the while, Americans are being told to stay calm.
What's the data?
With all of the craziness being reported by the media, most of our fellow citizens believe that the media have overblown the actual risks of COVID-19, according to a survey from Pew Research.
Pew reported Wednesday that though 89% of Americans say they're following the coronavirus news closely, 62% of them believe the media have exaggerated the risks, with more than a third (37%) saying the risks have been "greatly exaggerated."
Nearly half (48%) of those polled said they have seen at least some made-up news about COVID-19.
Republicans are significantly more likely to hold this view, but it's not just GOPers — a group long distrustful of the national media — who feel the media have exaggerated the risks. Nearly half of Democrats feel the same.
According to Pew's numbers, 77% of Republicans and 49% of Democrats say the news media have exaggerated COVID-19 risks.


theblaze--2020-03-19--Prosperity preacher Paula White solicits cash during coronavirus prayer session: 'We are a hospital

Prosperity preacher Paula White solicits cash during coronavirus prayer session: 'We are a hospital for those who are soul-sick'

Prosperity preacher Paula White solicits cash during coronavirus prayer session : 'We are a hospital for those who are soul-sick' @ @ @ @ @ sow a $ 91 seed '

Prosperity gospel preacher Paula White, who is also a spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump, recently solicited for cash donations during a prayer session for the coronavirus.
White, who heads the White House's "Faith and Opportunity Initiative" program, is a proponent of the prosperity gospel, a teaching that espouses that God promises to reward those who are faithful with health and wealth and general success.
On Tuesday, she held a prayer and teaching time live on her Facebook page intended to offer hope during the virus outbreak and teaching on the subject of prayer.
Near the end of the session, she urged viewers to support her ministry, which she described as a "hospital for those who are soul-sick."
"Churches do so much," White said. "Not just from a humanitarian standpoint, but the greatest thing we do is bring spiritual truths that transform. What we do as ministers of the gospel is so vitally important, because every single day, we are a hospital to the sick."
"Not necessarily the physically sick, though we also help take care of that. Many churches have health centers, etc.," she explained. "But we are a hospital for those who are soul-sick, those who are spiritually sick, because we bring forth the word of God, and we bring for truth that gets deep down in your soul in the way you think and you feel about things.
"Maybe you'd like to sow a $91 seed, and that's just putting your faith with Psalm 91," White continued. "Or maybe $9. Or whatever God tells you to do. If you want to be a blessing to Paula White Ministry or City of Destiny. We would love for you to help us and stand with us. We'd love for you to stand with your church. Don't forget: Now is not the time to abandon your covenant with God. It's a time that you go deeper. Stand with your pastor."
Paula White's Coronavirus Prayer youtu.be
White took leave from her church, New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, Florida, to serve as a spiritual adviser to the president in May 2019. In her current role, she still operates as head of Paula White Ministries.


theblaze--2020-03-19--#NeverTrump writer Jen Rubin attacks GOP coronavirus response, gets fact-checked by her own newspape

#NeverTrump writer Jen Rubin attacks GOP coronavirus response, gets fact-checked by her own newspaper

# NeverTrump writer Jen Rubin attacks GOP coronavirus response , gets fact-checked by her own newspaper She also said more @ @ @ @ @ from the coronavirus

The Washington Post's #NeverTrump so-called "conservative" columnist Jennifer Rubin falsely attacked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) in a column Tuesday. In her column, the self-described "conservative blogger" accused McConnell of delaying a vote on the House's coronavirus bill.
"The failure to take an immediate vote on the House's relief package last week was emblematic of the sloth and irresponsibility of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)," Rubin wrote while accusing the GOP leader of "fiddling while Rome burns." Rubin also said unless McConnell called a vote, he would be responsible for Americans dying, becoming ill, or experiencing economic hardship.
'Does ... the Post editorial page have editors?'
However, Rubin is wrong. As the Daily Caller pointed out, the Senate did not receive the House's relief package until Tuesday, not last week as she claimed.
"Does [Jennifer Rubin] or the Post editorial page have editors? How does one of Washington's biggest newspapers let egregious errors like this make it to publication?" National Republican Senatorial Committee senior adviser Matt Whitlock asked.
Embarrassing correction
The Post recognized the error and issued a correction to Rubin's column after the publication was blasted on Twitter by conservative leaders.
"An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) delayed a vote on the House's coronavirus relief package," the Post noted in its correction. "In fact, McConnell vowed to move at 'warp speed' on the bill and it was only delayed due to a demand from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) for an amendment on the bill. This version has been updated."
Rubin also recently predicted during an MSNBC appearance that more Republicans would die from the coronavirus than Democrats.
"And when you think about it, which party immediately canceled all of their rallies? Which party immediately started having their political figures really portray and use their lies as an example? It was the Democrats."
Adding, "[T]here will be less Democrat deaths because there will be less mass gatherings, there will be less opportunities for people to congregate and share this horrible disease."


theblaze--2020-03-19--Social media piles on former GOP strategist Rick Wilson after he mocks Melania Trump's 'Be Best' wit

Social media piles on former GOP strategist Rick Wilson after he mocks Melania Trump's 'Be Best' with ‘Be Infected’

Social media piles on former GOP strategist Rick Wilson after he mocks Melania Trump 's 'Be Best ' with ‘ @ @ @

Frequent CNN guest and former GOP strategist Rick Wilson took heavy fire on social media after mocking first lady Melania Trump's "Be Best" anti-bullying initiative by saying "#BeInfected" in response to an announcement about ads the first lady was going to record.
At the time of this writing, there are at least 9,415 cases of the coronavirus in the United States, with at least 150 deaths.
What are the details?
On Wednesday, the White House announced that Melania would be featured in public service announcements concerning the spread of COVID-19.
The PSAs, according to CNN, will address the "important ways Americans can protect themselves and those most at risk" from contracting and spreading the deadly disease. The outlet also reported that the PSAs will also feature Surgeon General Jerome Adams, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Deborah Birx, and other Trump administration officials.
In response, Wilson — an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump — tweeted, "#BeInfected," a clear jab at the first lady's #BeBest campaign.
Following massive backlash, Wilson said that he was clearly not being serious.
"ANYONE who thought I was wishing COVID on Melania is a f***wit," he wrote. "You know full well it was a riff on 'BeBest' and it's [sic] utter failure in the face of her husband's continued role as Global Troll in Chief and National Bully."
"That said," he continued, "fap to your fake-ass outrage all you like. None of your fake outrage will matter in a day or two. None."
Wilson recently made headlines after an inflammatory segment with CNN's Don Lemon in which he, the news host, and New York Times op-ed writer Wajahat Ali mocked Trump supporters as unintelligent and illiterate.
By early Thursday morning, Wilson was still trying to stem the tide of outrage being directed at him over the highly unnecessary tweet.
"As noted several times, it was a play off her failed #BeBest campaign, but the Trump outrage machine needs feeding," he insisted.


theblaze--2020-03-19--Texas man facing charges for allegedly lying about contracting coronavirus infection online in ‘soci

Texas man facing charges for allegedly lying about contracting coronavirus infection online in ‘social experiment’

Texas man facing charges for allegedly lying about contracting coronavirus infection online in ‘ social experiment ’ Authorities say that @ @ @ @ @ a panic

A man in Texas allegedly said that he wanted to conduct a "social experiment" by lying about having the coronavirus — formally known as COVID-19 — on social media. Now he's facing criminal charges.
According to a Wednesday report from KJAS-FM:
The Tyler County Sheriff's Department has announced that a man has now been arrested after he intentionally posted a false claim on his Facebook page that he tested positive for Coronavirus. District Attorney Lucas Babin says it caused a panic and actually tied up phone lines at Tyler County Hospital in Woodville with concerned residents phoning in.
The man has been identified as 23-year-old Michael Lane Brandin, of Woodville. Sheriff Bryan Weatherford says Brandin turned himself in on Tuesday and was charged with False Alarm or Report, which is a class A misdemeanor, and his bond was set at $1,000.00.
Meanwhile, Babin says Brandin told Tyler County investigators that he did it as a "social experiment" to make a point that you can't believe everything you read online. However, Babin said he believes that Brandin did it to shock people and to draw attention upon himself.
The Tyler County District Attorney's announced the charge Monday afternoon in a Facebook post. In a separate post sent out earlier that same day, the office reminded people that "Knowingly communicating, initiating, or circulating a false report/false alarm of COVID-19 that one *knows is false or baseless*, and that would ordinarily cause action by an official or interrupt the occupation of any place of assembly, can be a criminal offense in the State of Texas."
According to a Wednesday news release from the Sheriff's Office, the suspect turned himself into authorities on Tuesday.
Numbers provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services show that the state has so far seen 83 confirmed cases of the virus and two associated deaths.


theblaze--2020-03-19--Five crooks try robbing woman at gunpoint at ATM. But she also has a gun — and shoots 17-year-old in

Five crooks try robbing woman at gunpoint at ATM. But she also has a gun — and shoots 17-year-old in self-defense, cops say.

Five crooks try robbing woman at gunpoint at ATM .
But she also has a gun — and shoots 17-year-old @ @ @ @ @ .

Some people still haven't awakened to the harsh reality that lots of American citizens are exercising their right to arm themselves — and those who attempt to do them harm are going to pay the price.
What went down?
For today's installment of Clueless Crooks, we take you to Charlotte, North Carolina, where a woman decided to stop at an ATM at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The woman told police a group of five individuals tried to rob her at gunpoint while she was in her vehicle at the ATM on Beatties Ford Road near Montana Drive, WBTV-TV reported.
Image source: WBTV-TV video screenshot
Thing is, this woman also had a gun — and police said she shot a 17-year-old in self-defense, the station noted.
What happened to the teen?
The teen later called 911 and told police he'd had been shot, WBTV reported. Officers found him behind a church next to the ATM, WSOC-TV reported.
Image source: WBTV-TV video screenshot
He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, WBTV said.
What now?
Police told WBTV they're working to determine if the shooting was justified.


theblaze--2020-03-19--How bad is the coming recession going to be? Financial analysts brace for the worst

How bad is the coming recession going to be ?
Financial analysts brace for the worst

Although no one yet knows the extent of the damage the coronavirus pandemic will wreak on the global economy, financial analysts are bracing markets for the possibility of a global economic contraction that could fairly be called a second Great Depression in terms of its severity, if not its length.
According to CNN, analysts from JPMorgan Chase are predicting that China's economy will shrink an astounding 40% this quarter, which will, of course, have ripple effects across the globe. The firm also predicts that the United States economy will shrink at an annualized rate of 14% this quarter, a rate that is far worse than that of the deepest part of the 2008 recession.
If those predictions come to pass, they would represent the largest economic contractions for both regions in many decades. The firm also predicted that U.S. unemployment rate would rise to 6.25% before the end of the year.
It is worth noting that these projections include in their assumptions the probability that the United States and Europe will react to the crisis with massive government injections of stimulus spending into the market.
It is also worth noting that, historically, economists have not had a tremendous success rate when it comes to predicting recessions. As the left-leaning data crunchers at FiveThirtyEight have noted, the vast majority of recessions that have actually occurred in history were not predicted by economists, while many recessions that were predicted never came to pass.
Still, the belief that the coronavirus will cause a recession (at least) is a virtually universal one, as entire sectors of the global economy have ground to a standstill in an effort to halt the spread of the disease. Even President Donald Trump acknowledged earlier this week that a recession due to the virus is likely.
The only question that remains is: How bad will the effects be, and how long will it take the economy to recover?
The simplest answer is that no one knows, because the modern world has never seen anything like what is about to happen. As Curt Long, chief economist and vice president of research at the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions, told the New York Post, "We've never seen anything like what we're about to see in terms of the suddenness and severity of the shock, both to the broader economy and to the labor market in particular."
Still, while most economists are predicting rather severe economic damage, the good news is that most also agree that the downturn will be much shorter in duration than some previous economic downturns.
Gus Faucher, an economist with PNC Financial Services Group, echoed the sentiments of many economists when he told USA Today that the effects of the coronavirus would produce a "short but sharp" economic contraction.
Still, for those who work in the travel, food, and entertainment industries, the disruptions are likely to be serious indeed.


theblaze--2020-03-19--ICE opts to halt some immigration enforcement actions, focus on ‘public safety risks’ during coronav

ICE opts to halt some immigration enforcement actions, focus on ‘public safety risks’ during coronavirus outbreak

ICE opts to halt some immigration enforcement actions , focus on ‘ public safety risks ’ during coronavirus outbreak 'Individuals @ @ @ @ @ care because they fear civil immigration enforcement '

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is adjusting its enforcement operations in response to the ongoing outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus — formally known as COVID-19 — and will focus on those foreign nationals who pose threats to public safety or have criminal records.
"ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) will focus enforcement on public safety risks and individuals subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds," the agency announced Wednesday, adding that the changes would be effective immediately. "For those individuals who do not fall into those categories, ERO will exercise discretion to delay enforcement actions until after the crisis or utilize alternatives to detention, as appropriate."
None of the agency's detainees had tested positive for the virus as of Wednesday, a government spokesperson told The Hill.
The announcement also says that DHS' investigative arm, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), would "continue to carry out mission critical criminal investigations and enforcement operations as determined necessary to maintain public safety and national security." Examples of these essential operations include "investigations into child exploitation, gangs, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, human smuggling," and counterterrorism efforts.
When it comes to where remaining enforcement operations will be conducted during the ongoing public health crisis, ICE says that "individuals should not avoid seeking medical care because they fear civil immigration enforcement."
Citing its "sensitive locations policy" the agency says that officers "will not carry out enforcement operations at or near health care facilities, such as hospitals, doctors' offices, accredited health clinics, and emergent or urgent care facilities, except in the most extraordinary of circumstances."
The change comes after news reports this week detailed how ICE officers have continued with immigration arrests during the outbreak.
KMGH-TV reported Wednesday morning that immigration officials in Denver had made at least two arrests in the past week.
An L.A. Times story published Tuesday described immigration officials going to work "on a most unusual of days: the day after the California governor and L.A. mayor ordered people to ramp up their efforts of social distancing over the coronavirus."
"We're out here trying to protect the public by getting these criminal aliens off the street and out of our communities," ICE's ERO director in Los Angeles, David Marin, told the newspaper. "Asking us to stop doing that basically gives those criminals another opportunity to maybe commit more crimes, to create more victims."


theblaze--2020-03-19--Ilhan Omar applauds Trump's coronavirus leadership as 'incredible' and 'the right response in this c

Ilhan Omar applauds Trump's coronavirus leadership as 'incredible' and 'the right response in this critical time'

Ilhan Omar applauds Trump 's coronavirus leadership as 'incredible ' and 'the right response in this critical time '

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) is certainly no friend of President Donald Trump, but in a tweet Wednesday night, the Democratic congresswoman heaped praise on the president for his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.
Responding to a post by The Intercept's Lee Fang that detailed measures Trump has taken to provide economic relief to Americans amid the outbreak, Omar wrote, "politics aside, this is incredible and the right response in this critical time."
Then, in a follow-up tweet, Omar quoted Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), saying "unprecedented times require unprecedented leadership" — to which Omar added, "we are seeing that in our country right now."
"Finally, we should never let politics get in the way of good policy," Omar stated. "This is a great start and hope others will be part of a united front to push for good policies that will help us work through the economic anxiety the country is feeling right now."
Others have unexpectedly praised the president, too
Omar is not the only Democrat or left-leaning figure who has praised the president for his recent actions amid the outbreak.
Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a surprising statement, told reporters on Tuesday, "His team is on it. They've been responsive ... I want to say thank you."
On the same day and in similar fashion, CNN host Dana Bash lauded Trump's leadership, saying, "If you look at the big picture, this was remarkable by the president of the United States.
"This is a nonpartisan, this is an important thing to note and to applaud, from an American standpoint, from a human standpoint," she said. "He is being the kind of leader that people need, at least in tone, today and yesterday, in tone, that people need and want and yearn for in times of crisis and uncertainty."
Though in the very initial stages, the president adopted a more casual approach to handling the virus outbreak, in recent days he has taken on a much more serious attitude. The president has urged Americans to strictly follow social distancing guidelines and has enacted a number of measures to aid the states' response to the pandemic and alleviate the economic impact on the country's businesses and citizens.
The actions have included a national declaration of emergency, freeing up federal funding for state and local governments; invoking the Defense Production Act to expand production of hospital supplies; and signing phases 1 and 2 of a stimulus package that provides additional funding for health agencies, allows for free coronavirus testing, provides paid sick and family leave, and much more.
One day earlier, Omar bashed the president
It should be noted that Omar's surprising tweet Wednesday followed another tweet a day earlier in which the congresswoman politicized Ivanka Trump's suggestion of fun family activities to do while social distancing and criticized her father's immigration policies.
On Tuesday, president's daughter tweeted about camping out in the living room with the kids while staying at home, using the hashtag #TogetherApart.
Omar couldn't help but use the innocent tweet as a springboard for a political insult against the president. She wrote: "Thinking of all the families separated forcefully by your father's policies today. Share your ideas on how you plan to unite them. #TogetherApart[.]"


theblaze--2020-03-19--Texas GOP Gov. Abbott letting restaurants deliver alcohol with food orders to boost sales amid coron

Texas GOP Gov. Abbott letting restaurants deliver alcohol with food orders to boost sales amid coronavirus social distancing

'The State of Texas is committed to supporting retailers , restaurants , and their employees '

With the restaurant industry hitting a sudden, staggering slump due to closure orders stemming from coronavirus social distancing, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott offered a statewide reprieve that just may be what the doctor ordered.
What are the details?
Abbott on Wednesday issued an immediate waiver letting restaurants with mixed beverage permits deliver alcoholic beverages with food purchases to customers, including beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
The governor's office said the waiver is in response to the disproportionate financial hardship COVID-19 caused within the hospitality industry.
"The State of Texas is committed to supporting retailers, restaurants, and their employees," Abbott said. "These waivers will allow restaurants to provide enhanced delivery options to consumers during this temporary period of social distancing."
Abbott also directed the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to waive certain provisions to allow alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers to repurchase or sell back unopened product from restaurants, bars, and clubs affected by event cancellations due to COVID-19.
"These next few weeks it's important to support our restaurants," Abbott tweeted Wednesday night. "They're a great source of food for Texans."
How are folks reacting?
As you might guess, commenters on Abbott's tweet raised their glasses to him — and some asked him to make the waiver permanent:


theblaze--2020-03-20--'To Satan' — Chelsea Clinton is 'full of fury' at Trump and the Senate Republicans over coronavirus

'To Satan' — Chelsea Clinton is 'full of fury' at Trump and the Senate Republicans over coronavirus response

'To Satan ' — Chelsea Clinton is 'full of fury ' at Trump and the Senate Republicans over coronavirus response @ @ @ @ @ the harm done to children by the virus

Chelsea Clinton lashed out at President Donald Trump and the Senate Republicans supporting his agenda in a tweet where she claimed that some benefitted financially from the lack of response to the coronavirus threat.
"I am full of fury at @realDonaldTrump & Senate Republicans," she tweeted. "For making more vulnerable our already-vulnerable: our children, elderly, people in jail/detention, people who are homeless, people w/o insurance."
"To find out tonight some profited?" Clinton added. "As my Grandma Ginger wld say-To satan."
She added a link to a New York Times article detailing the harm done to children by the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
She was apparently referring to a report that Republican Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.) had dumped as much as $1.72 million worth of stocks a week before the market crashed over coronavirus concerns.
While Burr would not have directly "profited" by the sale as Clinton claimed, he almost certainly avoided massive losses by the timely and suspicious sale of stocks.
Other members of Congress were also accused of possibly using their privileged access to information about the pandemic to sell their stock market holdings. Burr denied the accusations and called the report "a tabloid-style hit piece."
In a second tweet, Clinton explained that although China "obfuscated" and was slow to respond to the virus outbreak, she blamed the Trump administration for not preparing enough for the coronavirus hitting the United States.
Here's more about Burr's response to the coronavirus:


theblaze--2020-03-20--Nikki Haley resigns from Boeing board, citing opposition to firm's bailout request

The former UN ambassador says the company should not ask for taxpayer funds amid COVID-19 crisis

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley stepped down from the board of aircraft manufacturer Boeing on Thursday, saying in her resignation letter that she "cannot in good faith support" the company's pursuit of a taxpayer bailout amid the COVID-19 crisis.
What are the details?
"While I know cash is tight, that is equally true for numerous other industries and for millions of small businesses," Haley wrote in a letter to the board. "I cannot support a move to lean on the federal government for a stimulus or bailout that prioritizes our company over others and relies on taxpayers to guarantee our financial position."
Haley, the Republican former governor of South Carolina, added, "I have long held strong convictions that this is not the role of government."
CNBC reported that earlier in the week, Boeing had announced "it is seeking $60 billion in government aid for itself and its massive supply chain because of the virus," and noted that President Donald Trump stated this week, "We have to protect Boeing."
Haley's departure comes less than a year after she joined the aerospace giant's board of directors. However, she noted in her letter that she has "had the pleasure of working with Boeing for almost ten years now," saying she "came to know the quality of the company" when she was a governor.
Boeing responded to Haley's resignation with a statement saying, "We appreciate her service on the board and wish her well," Axios reported.
Anything else?
The Washington Post pointed out that "the aerospace industry was not mentioned in a massive economic stimulus bill introduced by Senate Republicans on Thursday."
The newspaper also noted that "Boeing's request for government help comes as global air traffic is expected to decline and airline customers plan to push off new orders of jets" amid widespread travel restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Gov. Newsom orders unprecedented 'stay at home' order for 40 million residents in California

Gov .
Newsom orders unprecedented 'stay at home ' order for 40 million residents in California 'We need to recognize @ @

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom announced an order for the 40 million residents of California to stay at home in order to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the Golden State.
Newsom explained the reasoning behind his order in an address Thursday.
"We need to bend the curve in the state of California," he explained, "and in order to do that, we need to recognize reality. The fact is, the experience we're having on the ground throughout the state of California, the experience that's manifesting all across the United States and, for that matter, around the rest of the world, requires us to adjust our thinking and to adjust our activities."
There have been 19 deaths reported in California, and 958 have tested positive for the coronavirus.
Newsom also thanked President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for their support of his efforts to address the virus.
"There's a mutuality, and there's a recognition of our interdependence, that requires of this moment that we direct a statewide order for people to stay at home," Newsom continued.
"It's time for all of us to recognize as individuals and as a community, we need to do more," he said.
California is the third largest state in the union by square footage and the largest by population. If it were its own nation, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world.
Here's more about Newsom's order:


theblaze--2020-03-20--Senate intel chair dumped as much as $1.72 million in stock ahead of  market plunge over COVID-19

Senate intel chair dumped as much as $ 1.72 million in stock ahead of market plunge over COVID-19 Sen. Richard @ @ @ @ @ 'sold off a significant percentage ' of his holdings in one day

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) has come under fire after financial disclosures show the North Carolina Republican sold off somewhere between $628,000 and $1.72 million in stocks the week before markets tanked because of the coronavirus.
What are the details?
ProPublica reported Thursday that Burr "sold off a significant percentage of his stocks" — as much as $1.72 million worth — "on Feb. 13 in 33 separate transactions." An earlier version of the ProPublica piece estimated the selloff to have been as much as $1.6 million, but the outlet found more transactions after further digging.
The publication pointed out that "a week after Burr's sales, the stock market began a sharp decline and has lost about 30% since."
The news of Sen. Burr's selloff came while he was already taking heat Thursday over an NPR story published earlier in the day, citing a "secret recording" of the North Carolina Republican warning constituents during a private speech on Feb. 27 that COVID-19 "is more aggressive in its transmission than anything that we have seen in recent history."
NPR reported that Sen. Burr's remarks "were more stark than any he had delivered in more public forums" and wrote that on the same day, "President [Donald] Trump was tamping down fears and suggesting that the virus could be seasonal."
In response to the NPR article, Sen. Burr sent out a series of tweets Thursday afternoon, calling the story "a tabloid-style hit piece" and defending himself with documents showing that the Trump administration had, indeed, warned the public to prepare for disruptions stemming from the coronavirus during a news conference on Feb. 26 and elsewhere.
The senator added, "The message I shared with my constituents is the one public health officials urged all of us to heed as coronavirus spread increased."
Sen. Burr did not address his Feb. 13 stock sales in his Twitter thread regarding the NPR piece.
When asked by Politico about Burr's selloff, a spokesman for the senator issued a statement saying:
Senator Burr filed a financial disclosure form for personal transactions made several weeks before the U.S. and financial markets showed signs of volatility due to the growing coronavirus outbreak. As the situation continues to evolve daily, he has been deeply concerned by the steep and sudden toll this pandemic is taking on our economy. He supported Congress' immediate efforts to provide $7.8 billion for response efforts and this week's bipartisan bill to provide relief for American business and small families.
Several respondents on social media noted that the fact that the senator profited prior to the market volatility is precisely why he was facing scrutiny, likening his actions to insider trading.
Anything else?
Critics from the left and the right lashed out against Burr after the ProPublica story was published.
Charlie Kirk, president of conservative group Turning Point USA tweeted, "Shameful: While Richard Burr was receiving daily briefings on the Chinese Virus and reassuring Americans that the government was well equipped to handle the virus...He was also selling off $1.6 million in stocks which later tanked. Should conservatives be okay with this?"
Far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) tweeted, "As Intel chairman, @SenatorBurr got private briefings about Coronavirus weeks ago. Burr knew how bad it would be. He told the truth to his wealthy donors, while assuring the public that we were fine. THEN he sold off $1.6 million in stock before the fall. He needs to resign."


theblaze--2020-03-20--A grocery store spokesman admits shortages are unprecedented — and says when shelves will be restock

A grocery store spokesman admits shortages are unprecedented — and says when shelves will be restocked 'Bottom line , food @ @ @ @ @ panic , buy what you need '

A representative for grocery stores across the country says that there is no reason to be alarmed about shortages being documented on social media over the coronavirus pandemic.
Greg Ferrara, the president and CEO of the National Grocers Association, told Amna Nawaz of PBS that shoppers should stop panicking about empty shelves at grocery stores.
"Our supply chain is experiencing [a] truly unprecedented event with this crisis. We've never seen levels like this across the United States," said Ferrara.
"There's plenty of supply in the supply chain; we just need time to catch up," he explained.
Ferrara said that customers are buying a month's worth of groceries, which is causing the temporary shortages. He said that the supply chain has not been broken and store shelves should be restocked very quickly.
"There's plenty of food, and there's plenty of food in the pipeline, we're getting it to the shelves quickly, it's just going off the shelves as quickly as we get it on there," he said.
Ferrara also added that the increase in demand for groceries has led to a demand for workers.
"Bottom line, food is there, don't panic, buy what you need," concluded Nawaz.
"Yes," Ferrara replied.
Ferrara's association represents over 1,500 independent grocers operating close to 9,000 stores.
Here's the interview on PBS:


theblaze--2020-03-20--Staffer for Vice President Mike Pence tests positive for COVID-19

This is the first known case of a White House employee becoming infected

An aide to Vice President Mike Pence has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the first confirmed case of a White House employee becoming infected with the novel coronavirus.
What are the details?
The Hill reported the vice president's press secretary issued a statement on Friday, saying, "This evening we were notified that a member of the Office of the Vice President tested positive for the Coronavirus. Neither President Trump nor Vice President Pence had close contact with the individual. Further contact tracing is being conducted in accordance with CDC guidelines."
According to the Washington Examiner, Vice President Pence said during a White House briefing on Monday that he had not yet been tested for the virus, telling reporters, "I've not been tested yet," adding, "I'm in regular consultation with the White House physician and he said I've not been exposed to anyone for any period of time who has the coronavirus."
The vice president recently attended two separate gatherings where individuals later tested positive for the virus, including the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this month and a dinner at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort shortly thereafter.
Two attendees at CPAC were confirmed after the conference to have COVID-9, as was Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's communications secretary, who attended the Mar-a-Lago meeting.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Brit Hume blasts MSNBC reporter's 'bulls**t gotcha question' that Trump shot down

Veteran Fox News political analyst Brit Hume blasted the MSNBC reporter who elicited a strong response from President Donald Trump with what the president called a `` nasty '' question .
Hume resorted to uncharacteristically using expletives to express his displeasure .
`` Legitimate question my a** .
It was the kind of bullsh*t gotcha question which hack WH reporters have been asking for decades .
Hume went on to add that the president could have responded in a much better fashion .
`` But instead of going off on the reporter , '' added Hume , `` Trump should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its particulars was a message to people who are scared . ''
He was responding to criticism from David French of The Dispatch , who called the question a legitimate one , and called Trump 's response `` inexcusable . ''
' I think that 's a very nasty question' '' What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared ? ''
asked Alexander after going down a list of statistics of the harm from coronavirus .
`` I say that you 're a terrible reporter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump fired back .
`` I think that 's a very nasty question and I think that it 's a very bad signal that you 're putting out to the American people .
`` The American people are looking for answers and they are looking for hope , and you 're doing sensationalism , '' he concluded .
Brit Hume on White House response to coronavirus crisis : Trump 's words and actions matter

Veteran Fox News political analyst Brit Hume blasted the MSNBC reporter who elicited a strong response from President Donald Trump with what the president called a "nasty" question.
Hume resorted to uncharacteristically using expletives to express his displeasure.
"Legitimate question my a**. It was the kind of bullsh*t gotcha question which hack WH reporters have been asking for decades.
Hume went on to add that the president could have responded in a much better fashion.
"But instead of going off on the reporter," added Hume, "Trump should have said the whole briefing in all its particulars was a message to people who are scared."
He was responding to criticism from David French of The Dispatch, who called the question a legitimate one, and called Trump's response "inexcusable."
'I think that's a very nasty question'
Trump's fiery response to MSNBC reporter Peter Alexander made headlines on Friday.
"What do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?" asked Alexander after going down a list of statistics of the harm from coronavirus.
"I say that you're a terrible reporter, that's what I say," Trump fired back. "I think that's a very nasty question and I think that it's a very bad signal that you're putting out to the American people.
"The American people are looking for answers and they are looking for hope, and you're doing sensationalism," he concluded.
Here's from Hume on coronavirus:


theblaze--2020-03-20--Illinois governor issues statewide 'stay at home' order

The directive goes into effect Saturday evening

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) issued a statewide "shelter-in-place" order on Friday, requiring residents to stay out of public spaces unless making essential purchases for necessities such as groceries or gas amid the continued spread of the coronavirus.
The directive is set to run from Saturday at 5:00 p.m. through April 7.
What are the details?
The Chicago Tribune reported that Gov. Pritzker said he decided to issue the order after consulting with "some of the best medical experts, epidemiologists, mathematicians and modelers."
"I've asked every one of these experts, 'What action can I take to save the most lives?'" Pritzker said. "Well, they've all come back to me with one inescapable conclusion: To avoid the loss of potentially tens of thousands of lives, we must enact an immediate stay-at-home order for the state of Illinois."
When asked how the order would be enforced, the governor replied, "To be honest, we don't have the resources, the capacity, or the desire to police every individual's behavior."
He added, "I've instructed law enforcement to monitor for violations and take action when necessary, but that is not an option that anyone prefers."
According to WGN-TV, "the order will mean residents can still go to the grocery stores, put gas in their cars, take walks outside and make pharmacy runs. All local roads, including the interstate highways and tollways, will remain open to traffic, as well."
Illinois currently has 585 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, and five residents have died from the virus. WGN-TV reported that health officials in the state "estimate as many as 3,400 people may test positive for the COVID-19 virus within a week if current trajectories continue," which would mean a 700% spike.
Anything else?
Pritzker's move makes Illinois the third state in the U.S. to impose a stay-at-home order in reaction to the COVID-19 crisis, after California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued a shelter-in-place directive for his state on Thursday and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) did the same on Friday morning.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Trump administration cancels SAT testing amid COVID-19 pandemic

Admin also said students with student loans would be permitted to suspend payments for at least two months

The Trump administration has announced that it would be cancelling this year's SAT tests due to the COVID-19 pandemic gripping the country as well as the rest of the world.
What are the details?
On Friday, President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos ordered a nationwide cancellation of standardized testing across the board.
During a press briefing, the president added, "With many schools closed due to the virus, the Department of Education will not enforce standardized testing requirements, very importantly. ... For students in elementary school through high school for the current year, they've been through a lot."
"They've been going back and forth, school's open, school's not open," he continued, pointing out that the decision would make some students very happy. "Standardized testing, and, you know, we're not going to be enforcing that, so I think you can let the people know.
"Very unfortunate circumstance," he added.
In a statement, DeVos said, "Neither students nor teachers need to be focused on high-stakes tests during this difficult time."
What else?
The administration also announced that students with student loans would be permitted to suspend payments for at least two months.
"We've temporarily waived all interest on federally held student loans," he added. "They'll be very happy to hear that, and I've instructed them to take that action immediately."
"Today, Betsy DeVos has instructed federal lenders to allow borrowers to suspend their student loans and loan payments without penalty for at least the next 60 days," Trump said. "Borrowers should contact their lenders, but we've given them very strong instructions, so we've temporarily waived all interest on federally held student loans. That's a big thing that's gonna make a lot of students very happy."
According to USA Today, "leaders in 19 states had already announced the cancellation of annual exams, or that they would seek a federal waiver from the exams."


theblaze--2020-03-20--'Bulls**t attack on fake news': CNN's John King goes off on Trump after the president dressed down a

'Bulls**t attack on fake news': CNN's John King goes off on Trump after the president dressed down an NBC reporter

'Bulls**t attack on fake news ' : CNN 's John King goes off on Trump after the president dressed down @ @ @ @ @ , no shade , no bias — he just wanted to attack ' ... really @

CNN anchor John King lost it and cussed on air after President Donald Trump called MSNBC reporter Peter Alexander a "terrible reporter" during Friday afternoon's press briefing.
King came to Alexander's defense, labeling the president's remarks a "bulls**t attack on fake news."
"I sat in that room for just shy of 10 years — it was a perfectly valid question," King said as he opened the segment. "What the president did to Peter Alexander is reprehensible."
King then noted the president's propensity to lash out at liberal media outlets like CNN and NBC for their disparaging coverage of him.
"This is a Trump trademark, it was striking that this came — forgive me, bulls**t attack on fake news came — just moments after the secretary of state said the American people need to be careful about where they get their information and go to sources they can trust," he said.
"I get there are at times disagreements, there are at times contention between politicians and reporters — that was a 100% legitimate question with no hype, no shade, no bias — he just wanted to attack," King added.
What happened?
Moments earlier, during the daily White House press briefing, Trump and Alexander were involved in a disagreement over what level of optimism the president should exude to the American people when discussing the possibility that a promising treatment exists for COVID-19.
Trump, along with the director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, announced that a drug used to treat Malaria would be fast-tracked for testing by the Food and Drug Administration to examine its efficacy in treating patients infected with the novel coronavirus.
Trump and Fauci expressed optimism at the possibility that the drug could help infected Americans, though Fauci warned that nothing is guaranteed and that evidence is currently lacking.
It was Trump's unabashed optimism that Alexander took issue with.
"Is it possible that your impulse to put a positive spin on things may be giving Americans a false sense of hope?" Alexander asked.
Trump, clearly annoyed by the question, acknowledged Fauci's claims that "it may work and it may not work," but maintained that he feels hopeful.
"I feel good about it," he said. "That's all it is, just a feeling. I'm a smart guy. I feel good about it."
That wasn't good enough for Alexander, who pressed the issue further (and this is where most of the mainstream media outlets are starting the clip).
"So what do you say to Americans who are scared, though — nearly 200 dead, 14,000 who are sick, millions, as you witnessed, who are scared right now — what do you say to Americans who are watching you right now who are scared?" Alexander asked.
"I say that you're a terrible reporter, that's what I say," Trump responded. "I think that's a very nasty question and I think that it's a very bad signal that you're putting out to the American people."
"The American people are looking for answers and they are looking for hope, and you're doing sensationalism," he added.
Trump Berates Peter Alexander Over Coronavirus Question: 'You're A Terrible Reporter' | NBC News youtu.be
Later in the briefing, Fauci approached the podium again in response to a question and noted that he didn't see much of a difference between his outlook and the president's. He simply reiterated his claim that more testing was needed.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Dr. Fauci credits President Trump's China travel ban — opposed by Joe Biden — with preventing Italy'

Dr. Fauci credits President Trump's China travel ban — opposed by Joe Biden — with preventing Italy's disaster in US

Dr. Fauci credits President Trump 's China travel ban — opposed by Joe Biden — with preventing Italy 's disaster @ @

When President Donald Trump announced travel restrictions on China to prevent travelers from infecting Americans with the coronavirus, former Vice President Joe Biden blasted the decision as "hysterical xenophobia" at a campaign rally.
But now one of the country's leading experts on the illness, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says the president's travel restriction likely prevented a humanitarian crisis in the United States on the scale of the one that Italy is facing.
Shutting off travel from China might produce better results for U.S.
During an interview on MSNBC, anchor Lester Holt asked the world-renowned immunologist if there were demographic differences between the United States and Italy, which is now considered the hardest hit nation by the pandemic, which may result in different outcomes for the two countries.
Without hesitating, Fauci credited President Trump's Jan. 31 executive order suspending travel from China, where the virus originated, with preventing an Italian-level crisis in America.
"One of the things we did right was very early cut off travel from China to the United States," he said, while noting that "outside of China, where it originated, the countries in the world who have it are through travel."
Fauci also said that those who became infected with the virus early on got it "from China or indirectly from someone who went some place then came to that particular country. "
This is not the first time that Fauci has praised Trump's travel ban. During a March 12 press briefing, he told reporters "it was the right public health call." During a congressional briefing last week, the National Institutes of Health expert also lauded the president's decision to cut off travel from Europe.
"It was pretty compelling that we needed to turn off the source from that region," he said.
Biden opposed the travel bans
While scientists agree that President Trump's travels restrictions have helped the United States combat the coronavirus, Biden has repeatedly opposed the measures.
After Trump announced his European travel ban, the former vice president tweeted: "A wall will not stop the coronavirus. Banning all travel from Europe — or any other part of the world — will not stop it."
Biden's remarks were similar to the comments he made at a campaign rally after Trump announced the original restrictions on travel from China.
"This is no time for Donald Trump's record of hysteria and xenophobia, hysterical xenophobia, to uh, and fearmongering," he said at the time.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Texas diagnostic company will have 30,000 coronavirus home testing kits ready by Monday

Texas diagnostic company will have 30,000 coronavirus home testing kits ready by Monday Health workers administer tests to motorists at @ @ @ @ @ in Stamford , Connecticut , Friday .
( Photo by John Moore/Getty Images )

A company in Austin, Texas, announced that it will have 30,000 coronavirus home testing kits available by Monday, a significant breakthrough in addressing the widespread shortage of testing in the U.S., according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Who's responsible? The tests are from a company called Everlywell, a medical diagnostics company based in Austin that just last week put up $1 million of incentives to spur progress toward creating home testing solutions.
The company's capacity to offer more tests could expand significantly in the coming weeks.
"We plan to eventually have testing and diagnosis capacity for a quarter of a million people weekly. However, this process will take several weeks and could take a few months," an Everlywell statement said.
How do you get one? The tests will only be available in the United States. The first step is for patients to fill out a questionnaire on the Everlywell website, part of a screening process designed by the CDC.
The price of the test is currently $135, although Everlywell is reportedly working with the federal government toward a goal of offering the test at no cost. The company will reportedly make no profit on the tests.
"Given the momentum in Congress about providing free coronavirus testing for Americans, we want to do everything we can to make this test free," Everlywell founder Julia Cheek told the Statesman.
How does it work? Patients collect their swab sample at home and then give it to a government-certified lab. They can then receive their results in two days through a telemedicine visit.
U.S. testing shortage: While President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence assured reporters Friday that the availability of tests is improving, Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said although progress has been made, there is more that needs to be done and supply is not yet meeting demand.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Whoopi Goldberg suggests it’s the Trump administration’s fault that Americans are under quarantine

Whoopi Goldberg suggests it ’ s the Trump administration ’ s fault that Americans are under quarantine Surely not the @ @ @

Whoopi Goldberg, co-host on "The View," said that U.S. citizens would not be stuck in their homes under self-quarantine if America had decent leadership.
What are the details?
During the show's Friday broadcast, Goldberg said that a lack of leadership all but guaranteed Americans would be under lock and key in their homes to wait out the COVID-19 pandemic.
Co-host Sunny Hostin, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, insisted that Americans were under fire because they were caught unaware. She explained that Americans were not on guard because their president insisted that COVID-19 was a "hoax" — a suggestion that the president has vehemently denied.
In February, the president, instead, said that Democrats were politicizing the coronavirus outbreak and weaponizing it against his administration. For his part, Trump simply insisted that Democrats' criticism of his administration's response to it was a hoax in itself.
Here's what he said at the time (emphasis added):
Now the Democrats are politicizing the coronavirus. You know that, right? Coronavirus. They're politicizing it. We did one of the great jobs. You say, 'How's President Trump doing?' They go, 'Oh, not good, not good.' They have no clue. They don't have any clue. They can't even count their votes in Iowa, they can't even count. No they can't. They can't count their votes.
One of my people came up to me and said, 'Mr. President, they tried to beat you on Russia, Russia, Russia. That didn't work out too well. They couldn't do it. They tried the impeachment hoax. That was on a perfect conversation. They tried anything, they tried it over and over, they've been doing it since you got in. It's all turning, they lost, it's all turning. Think of it. Think of it. And this is their new hoax. But you know, we did something that's been pretty amazing. We're 15 people [cases of coronavirus infection] in this massive country. And because of the fact that we went early, we went early, we could have had a lot more than that.
What else?
"[Americans] listened to the president, who called it a hoax," Hostin insisted. "There are lives at stake."
Goldberg then went on to put the blame squarely on "leadership."
"The interesting thing about all of this is whatever channel you're watching, you're still watching from home," she began. "You're watching from inside your house. Because a pandemic has happened, and you are stuck, and whatever side you're on, you understand that when you have leadership you would not be — you would not be stuck in your house."


theblaze--2020-03-20--US sends message to Iran: Sanctions won't stop amid coronavirus outbreak

This week , the Trump administration imposed fresh sanctions on the regime

The United States sent a clear message to the Iranian regime this week: Economic sanctions won't stop because of the coronavirus.
Even as the infectious COVID-19 disease ravages the Middle Eastern country, killing one person every 10 minutes and infecting 50 people every hour, the U.S. has kept up its "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at deterring the regime's terrorist activities and nuclear aspirations.
This week, the Trump administration imposed fresh sanctions on the regime, blacklisting more than a dozen companies based around the world — including in the United Arab Emirates and China — and several nuclear scientists for aiding the export of Iran's petroleum products.
"The Trump administration will continue to target and isolate those who support the Iranian regime," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said of the move. "The Iranian regime uses revenues from petroleum and petrochemical sales to fund its terrorist proxies … instead of the health and well-being of the Iranian people."
Iran has blasted the move amid the country's struggle against the deadly COVID-19. As of Friday morning, more than 18,000 had tested positive for the virus in the country, resulting in over 1,400 deaths.
"Washington's increased pressure against Iran is a crime against humanity. All the world should help each other to overcome this disease," an Iranian official told Reuters.
U.S. officials have maintained that the sanctions, both existing and new, have no affect on U.S. humanitarian aid available to the country.
"Our policy of maximum pressure on the regime continues," U.S. special representative for Iranian affairs Brian Hook told reporters. "U.S. sanctions are not preventing aid from getting to Iran."
On Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo repeated the claim that the sanctions are not preventing medicines and assistance from going to Iran.
"Humanitarian assistance to Tehran is wide open," he said.
Furthermore, Hook added that the U.S. sent a diplomatic note to Iranian officials offering to help with the outbreak, but "it was quickly rejected."


theblaze--2020-03-20--Cops say teenage idiots are going around coughing on produce on purpose, filming it, and posting it

Cops say teenage idiots are going around coughing on produce on purpose, filming it, and posting it to social media

Cops say teenage idiots are going around coughing on produce on purpose , filming it , and posting it to @ @ @ @ @ to be the death of us all

Think that American young people aren't taking the coronavirus seriously? You might be right.
There have been multiple reports of millennials and teenagers ignoring CDC recommendations and statewide regulations about social distancing. No one will forget this guy:
And now we have this from Virginia police: Teenagers are engaging in a "disturbing trend" of filming themselves going into grocery stores and purposefully coughing on the produce and then posting the videos to social media.
Excuse me, what?
The Purcellville Police Department revealed on Facebook that a group of teenagers allegedly filmed themselves coughing on fruits and vegetables in a Virginia grocery store Wednesday and posted it to social media. Cops said they are investigating the reported incident, but they have no suspects at this time. The New York Post reported that the perpetrators remain at large.
"Yesterday, March 18, 2020, an incident occurred at a local grocery store involving juveniles reportedly coughing on produce, while filming themselves and posting it on social media," the department said. "Police responded and are currently investigating the incident. The grocery store immediately removed the items in question, and has taken appropriate measures to ensure the health of store patrons."
Apparently this is a thing
The department noted that the actions of the teenagers appears to be part of a growing and "disturbing trend" across the U.S.
More from the Purcellville PD:
We are asking for parental assistance in monitoring your teenagers' activities, as well as their social media posts to avoid the increase of any further such incidents. We have learned that this appears to be a disturbing trend on social media across the country, and we ask for help from parents to discourage this behavior immediately. Please talk with your children and explain to them why such behavior is wrong, especially given the current situation regarding the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). We also take this opportunity to remind parents and children of the Town of Purcellville's curfew, which states it is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years to loiter or remain on any street, park or public place in the town between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and daylight of the following day, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Mike Bloomberg's campaign donates $18M to the DNC, fires staff who say they were promised jobs throu

Mike Bloomberg's campaign donates $18M to the DNC, fires staff who say they were promised jobs through November

Mike Bloomberg 's campaign donates $ 18M to the DNC , fires staff who say they were promised jobs through @ @ @ @ @ could not be worse in midst of pandemic and economic shutdown

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who briefly (and expensively) ran for president this year, is donating $18 million to the Democratic National Committee instead of creating a super PAC to support the Democratic presidential nominee as he previously planned, NPR reported.
Bloomberg's donation is possible because of a loophole in campaign contribution limits. Since the money comes from his own campaign committee, there is no limit to how much he can donate. And since Bloomberg self-funded his entire campaign, he is essentially making an individual contribution of $18 million to the DNC.
Even a donation of that size is smaller than what some expected from him when he was planning to launch a super PAC. NPR reported that Bloomberg had hinted in the past that he might be contributing up to $1 billion to get a Democrat into the White House.
"While we considered creating our own independent entity to support the nominee and hold the president accountable, this race is too important to have many competing groups with good intentions but that are not coordinated and united in strategy and execution," a memo from Bloomberg's campaign to DNC Chairman Tom Perez read.
Broken promises: Bloomberg's campaign notably paid staffers higher-than-normal salaries and reportedly promised some of them they'd be on staff through the November election regardless of whether Bloomberg was still in the race or not. That is turning out to be too good to be true, however. From Business Insider:
When he exited the race March 4, former Mayor Mike Bloomberg of New York City promised to pay his staff through the end of the month and to keep offices in some key battleground states open through the race to support the Democratic Party.
But Business Insider talked to two former Bloomberg campaign staffers — who asked to remain anonymous because they signed nondisclosure agreements — who said they were shocked to be let go last week.
The Bloomberg campaign is closing offices in all but six battleground states. The offices that are remaining open are being transferred to the state parties. Laid-off staffers are now concerned about losing income and health insurance in the midst of a pandemic and an economic shutdown.
"I literally quit my previous job to be able to work on Mike's campaign, I upheld all of the promises I made to the campaign, I worked my ass off for the campaign, all to feel deceived and left without a job that I was promised," a former Virginia staffer told Business Insider.
After failing to be competitive on Super Tuesday, Bloomberg dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary and endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Authorities warn citizens of COVID-19 home robbery scams: ‘Do not let them in’

Authorities warn citizens of COVID-19 home robbery scams : ‘ Do not let them in ’ Suspects are reportedly wearing @ @ @ @ @ , and offering to 'test ' residents

Authorities are asking residents to be aware of intruders posing as "medical experts" who are simply just trying to gain access to victims' homes.
What are the details?
According to Newsweek, suspects are reportedly wearing white lab coats and masks, and showing up at homes offering free advice about how to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. Some suspects are also offering to "test" residents for the coronavirus.
Florida's Daytona Beach Police Department outlined the scenario on Facebook.
In a warning, the department wrote, "They're attempting to rob the house once they get inside, sometimes by force."
"If you see someone approaching your house in a white lab coat or mask claiming to be a CDC worker, do NOT let them in," the post added. "Please call 911 immediately!"
The Broward County Sheriff's Office in Florida also issued a similar warning to Facebook users.
"The CDC is not visiting residents' homes," a post about the matter read. "During these times, scammers are seeking opportunities to take advantage of consumers."
What else?
The outlet reported that similar type scams are also taking place in Ohio.
One local department posted about it on Facebook, writing, "Unfortunately some people will try and take advantage of the current situation. If someone comes to your door saying they are testing for this, close your door, DO NOT let them inside your home for any reason and immediately call the police."
The phenomenon isn't even isolate to the United States, the report notes: Police divisions in the United Kingdom are issuing similar warnings for their local areas.
One department tweeted, "We have heard reports that people may be taking advantage of vulnerable by posing as door-to-door coronavirus testers or Police to gain access to people's properties. Nobody is conducting such tests. If anyone attends your property and claims to be testing, call 999."
On Wednesday, Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, announced that people were reportedly attempting to prey on the elderly.
"Scammers have already devised numerous methods for defrauding people in connection with COVID-19," a media release pointed out. "They are setting up websites, contacting people by phone and email, and posting disinformation on social media platforms."


theblaze--2020-03-20--Yale, Harvard students demand ‘universal pass’ system for online classes amid coronavirus — with no

Yale, Harvard students demand ‘universal pass’ system for online classes amid coronavirus — with no chance of failure

Yale , Harvard students demand ‘ universal pass ’ system for online classes amid coronavirus — with no chance of @

Students at Yale University and Harvard University are urging the schools to implement a "universal pass" grading system amid the coronavirus outbreak ensuring that all students receive credit for their classes, the College Fix reported Friday.
A universal pass system would result in students receiving credit for every class they are currently enrolled in for the spring semester without any possibility of failure. The students would simply receive a "P" ("pass") on their transcripts instead of letter grades.
Yale students were the first to propose the idea
The measure was first proposed at Yale, where a coalition of undergraduates advocated for it on the basis of "equity."
According to the Yale Daily News, one of the students who is a proponent of the measure argued that "requiring undergraduates — many burdened by sickness, hectic home lives or living thousands of miles away from the University — to devote the same level of attention and focus to their classes as they would in the Elm City seems unfair."
On the other hand, "universal pass is just a very fair grading system," she added. "People come from different circumstances."
The argument for the measure hangs on the notion that, for many, campus was an equalizer. Now that students are forced away from campus, those who have consistent internet access and a stable home setting will have an inherent advantage, proponents say.
Critics of the universal pass system argue the problem would best be solved by an "opt-in" model, where students could choose whether or not they would like to forgo letter grades and instead adhere to a pass/fail system.
According to the report, Computer Science professor David Gelernter is among the critics. He argued that failure is a part of life: "If you don't take risks you aren't living, you're just rehearsing," he wrote in an email to the Yale Daily News.
A commenter on the article also shared his sentiment and argued that a universal pass system is not as equitable as it may first appear.
"I think professors can be more relaxed about grading without skipping grades entirely. What if someone does no work and someone else works hard at it, but they each receive a 'universal pass?' Does that result in equity?" the commenter asked.
Harvard students follow suit
At Harvard, students already have the option to take some of their classes on a pass/fail basis due to the coronavirus shutdown. But, taking their cues from Yale, some students feel that the current measure is "Insufficiently equitable," reported the Harvard Crimson.
"Given the variety of conditions that students are facing right now at home — whether that's limited internet access, or having to find a way to make money for the families, or the stress that having another individual in the household brings — it is my belief, and I think the belief in a lot of people in first-gen community, that there should be a different kind of grading accommodation for students during the semester," one student said.
Another student group went even further, suggesting that the school should implement a "Double A model." Under this model, students would either receive an "A" or an "A-minus" — those are the only options.
Proponents of this measure argue that letter grades are important for those students who desire to pursue admission to competitive graduate programs.
Whichever program, if any, is adopted, the school must "equalize" the differences in students' living situations and resources, one student asserted.
"When you're on campus, we all have the same resources," she said. "But when you put us all in different places, Harvard needs to make sure that the grades that end up at the end of semester don't just show differences in income and background."


theblaze--2020-03-20--New Hampshire lawsuit challenges state's coronavirus ban on big gatherings on First Amendment ground

New Hampshire lawsuit challenges state's coronavirus ban on big gatherings on First Amendment grounds

New Hampshire lawsuit challenges state 's coronavirus ban on big gatherings on First Amendment grounds 'We can choose to assemble @ @ @ @ @ '

The ongoing outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus — formally known as COVID-19 — has prompted state and local officials around the country to bar people from getting together in large groups and even leaving their homes in some cases. A recent lawsuit in New Hampshire, however, is challenging one of those orders on constitutional grounds.
According to a story published Thursday in the New Hampshire Union Leader, the plaintiffs in the case say that their First Amendment rights to peaceable assembly have been violated by Republican Gov. Chris Sununu's recent order banning gatherings of over 50 people:
"To be clear, of course we do not wish the spread of COVID-19," said Dan Hynes of Manchester, the lawyer representing the three people who brought the suit.
"However, the government should not be acting in an unconstitutional manner in order to possibly address their concerns."
In the court filing, Hynes said Sununu has every legal right to advise citizens not to gather in large crowds, but he said that mandating this behavior runs afoul of constitutional protections.
Sununu announced the statewide prohibition of "scheduled public gatherings over 50 people" on Monday along with a mandatory restriction on dine-in services at the state's restaurants and bars. The restrictions are in place until April 7.
"This action will help slow the spread of this virus in New Hampshire," Sununu said in a written statement. "We do not take this decision lightly. This will be hard, but we are all in this together."
"We can choose to assemble if that is our desire. What cannot occur is one man in a position of power deciding to strip us of our rights in the name of safety and without due process," one plaintiff said in the news release, according to the Associated Press.
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesman for Gov. Sununu told the Associated Press that the order was both within the governor's authority as well as in line other actions taken around the country, and said, "We are confident the court will agree."
On Thursday, New Hampshire health officials said the Granite State had 44 confirmed cases of the new disease up from 39 the day before, according to WHDH-TV.
New Hampshire isn't the only state to ban temporarily large public gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. The governors of New York, California, Ohio, Washington state, and Oregon took similar steps last week, according to the Washington Examiner.
This week, the governor of Wisconsin announced a public gatherings of 10 or more people, according Wisconsin Public Radio, while WCSH-TV reported that Maine's governor announced a ban on events of the same size.
On Monday, the White House issued guidance that people avoid getting together in groups of more than 10 people for two weeks in order to help slow the spread of the virus.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Unemployment claims could rise by nearly 2 million this week, Goldman Sachs estimates

A graph shows the DAX at the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday at Wall Street @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street stocks fell again early Thursday as central banks unveiled new stimulus measures and @ @ @ @ @ initial hit from the slowdown generated by the coronavirus outbreak .
( JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via @ @ @

Businesses nationwide have been devastated by the coronavirus-related shutdowns as state and local governments seek to "flatten the curve" and slow the spread of COVID-19, which means unemployment rates are spiking. One estimate from Goldman Sachs indicates more than 2 million people may file unemployment claims this week, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The outlook: Last week, the number of jobless claims jumped by 70,000 to 281,000, reaching the highest level since 2017. Oxford Economics said the rise was a "small preview of what's to come," according to NPR.
If Goldman Sachs' estimate is correct, that would be an understatement.
"State-level anecdotes point to an unprecedented surge in unemployment this week," a Goldman Sachs Economic Research report read. "These anecdotes suggest that the next jobless claims report covering March 15-21 will show that initial claims rose to roughly [2.25 million], the largest increase in initial jobless claims and the highest level on record."
The report pointed to severe declines in consumer spending in sports and entertainment, hotels, restaurants, and public transportation.
Trying to keep it quiet? The New York Times reported Thursday that the Trump administration instructed state labor officials to provide unemployment numbers in generalities rather than specifics until the federal government releases numbers next Thursday:
In an email sent Wednesday, the Labor Department instructed state officials to only "provide information using generalities to describe claims levels (very high, large increase)" until the department releases the total number of national claims next Thursday.
The email, which was shared with The New York Times, noted that the reports were monitored closely by financial markets and should therefore remain embargoed. "States should not provide numeric values to the public," wrote Gay Gilbert, the administrator of the department's Office of Employment Insurance.
Stimulus efforts: Congress and the White House are working on an economic stimulus package that could exceed $1 trillion and may include direct payments of $1,000 or more to Americans who are below a certain income threshold.
A Senate GOP proposal set that threshold at $75,000 annually for individuals and $150,000 for families. The amount of the aid check would diminish gradually for families that exceed that income, and individuals who make more than $99,000 per year or families that earn more than $198,000 would not be eligible. Some GOP senators have expressed concern about potential waste involved in sending direct cash payments to Americans who currently earn enough money as to presumably not be in need of the cash boost.
The proposal also includes measures to provide tax relief and/or easier access to loans for small businesses and corporations, particularly in severely-impacted industries such as the airline industry.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Trump administration officially moves Tax Day to July 15

Americans get an extra three months Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks beside President Donald Trump during a Coronavirus Task Force @ @ @ @ @ room of the White House .
( Kevin Dietsch/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images )

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced Friday morning that the Trump administration is moving this year's Tax Day from April 15 to July 15, giving Americans three extra months to file their income tax paperwork with the IRS.
What did Mnuchin say?
Secretary Mnuchin took to Twitter to say that, at President Donald Trump's direction, "we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties."
Now millions of Americans will have an extra 90 days to file their tax forms while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic that has interrupted life nationwide and sent the stock market on a rollercoaster ride.
The administration had announced Tuesday that most Americans would have an extra 90 days to pay their taxes, but had not extended the filing deadline. The grace period was for individuals who owe less than $1 million in taxes and companies that owe less than $10 million in taxes.
Until Friday's announcement, taxpayers were still required to file by April 15, even if they were going to take advantage of the 90-day grace period for payment.
Friday's move comes at an important time for Americans who may have an IRS bill this year. Instead of sending a check to the government during a time that thousands (maybe millions) of people are losing their jobs, Americans will be able to keep their cash for an extra three months to make ends meet.
However, Mnuchin encouraged taxpayers who are expecting refunds to file their tax returns promptly in order to get the money they're owed by the government.
"I encourage all taxpayers who may have tax refunds to file now to get your money," Mnuchin tweeted.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Commentary: Make no mistake, 'social distancing' is also going to cost a lot of lives, and no one kn

Commentary: Make no mistake, 'social distancing' is also going to cost a lot of lives, and no one knows how many

Commentary : Make no mistake , 'social distancing ' is also going to cost a lot of lives , and @ @ @ @ @ Is the cure worse than the disease ?

I will admit the obvious at the outset: I am not an infectious disease expert. Like a lot of people who are dealing with the coronavirus crisis, I am in the unenviable position of having to trust experts who often seem like they don't know what they are talking about either.
I suppose it's entirely possible, and even probable, that the current extraordinary measures being taken to combat the spread of coronavirus are necessary to prevent significant loss of human life. I'm not here to argue that point, and I myself am participating in social distancing, which is being advised by the experts.
But there's another side to this coin that isn't being adequately discussed, or even discussed at all, at least as far as I've seen. And that is the fact that the social distancing measures currently being imposed across the globe are also going to cost lives. Perhaps quite a lot of them.
There's a pretty significant amount of research that proves that wealth/prosperity and health are highly correlated. You probably didn't need scientific research to tell you this, but it exists anyway: The more money people have, the longer they tend to live, and the fewer health problems they tend to have.
This is true on both the individual and societal level. Wealthier economies produce longer average life spans, and wealthier individuals within each society tend to live longer. The correlation is so strong that it can be fairly said that if you want to make sure someone lives a long time, the best thing you can do for them is to make sure they have opportunity to maximize their personal wealth portfolio.
You can probably see where I am going with this, but I'll say it anyway: The social distancing measures we are currently putting in place are going to destroy a lot of wealth. An absolutely devastating amount of it.
And when I say "wealth," I don't just mean that the wealthy are going to lose money; in fact, lower-income people across the globe are likely to bear the brunt of the coming economic contraction, as they are the ones most likely to be laid off from industries that rely on person-to-person contact, like food, leisure, and travel.
Some economists have even gone so far as to predict the possibility of a second Great Depression as the result of our social distancing measures, and no one knows how long it will take the global economy to recover.
This is going to have deleterious effects on human health. Companies impacted by the coming recession are not going to be as able to produce or distribute life-saving or improving technology. Research and development into technologies that will continue to improve human health will suffer. And even where it does not, the people who will need to purchase such technology will be less able to afford it.
How many lives is it going to cost? I don't know. I can't quantify it and don't have the resources necessary to make even a reasonable guesstimate, to be perfectly honest. But it's going to be some, and potentially quite a few.
Will the social distancing measures we are putting into place save more lives than they are going to cost? I don't know the answer to that question, either. But it bothers me — and it should bother us all — that no one who is in a position to find the answer is even bothering to ask the question.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Bayer donates millions of tablets of malaria drug that could fight coronavirus to U.S. government

Bayer donates millions of tablets of malaria drug that could fight coronavirus to U.S. government President Trump said the drug @ @ @ @ @ encouraging early results '

Pharmaceutical company Bayer has responded to the ongoing outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus — formally known as COVID-19 — by donating millions of tablets of an anti-malarial drug that could be used to combat the disease to the United States government.
According to a story published Thursday at MarketWatch:
U.S. listed shares of Bayer AG bayry rose 3% in trading on Thursday afternoon after it said it had donated three million tablets of Resochin, a chloroquine product, to the U.S. The German drugmaker said that it is seeking an emergency use authorization for the drug in the U.S., where it is not approved. Health care providers in countries like China and France have been using chloroquine-based therapies to treat COVID-19 patients as there are no proven treatments for the disease.
At a Thursday press briefing, President Donald Trump said that he had directed the Food and Drug Administration to speed up trials of various drugs — including chloroquine — an action which he said could be a potential "game-changer" in fighting the disease.
"Nothing will stand in our way as we pursue any avenue to find what best works against this horrible virus," Trump said at the White House briefing. "Now, a drug called chloroquine — and some people would add to it 'hydroxy,' Hydroxychloroquine — So Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine. Now, this is a common malaria drug. It is also a drug used for strong arthritis ... But it is known as a malaria drug, and it's been around for a long time and it's very powerful."
The president also cautioned, "When you go with a brand-new drug, you don't know that that's going to happen" but that the anti-malarial has shown "very, very encouraging early results. And we're going to be able to make that drug available almost immediately."
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn explained that while chloroquine has been approved to treat other conditions, the agency wants to get more information about its efficacy against the coronavirus.
For now, "we're looking at drugs that are already approved for other indications; so they're already approved, as the President said, for other diseases," Hahn explained at the briefing.
"As an example, many Americans have read studies and heard media reports about this drug, chloroquine, which is an anti-malarial drug," Hahn explained. "It's already approved — as the President said — for the treatment of malaria, as well as an arthritis condition" but officials wants to get more information in the form of "a large, pragmatic clinical trial."
According to numbers aggregated by Johns Hopkins University, the United States has over 14,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Friday morning and has seen over 205 resulting deaths. The same data show that there are 246,000 confirmed cases of the virus globally.