theblaze--2020-03-20--BREAKING: Cuomo orders a mandatory shut-down of all non-essential business in NY

BREAKING : Cuomo orders a mandatory shut-down of all non-essential business in NY Entities that refuse to comply will be @

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) has issued an executive order shutting down all non-essential business in the state of New York in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Cuomo said compliance with the order is not optional and businesses and entities that do not comply will be fined.
At a press conference Friday morning, the New York governor said "We need everyone to be safe, otherwise no one can be safe." The executive order comes as Cuomo announced that New York has confirmed over 7,000 of its residents are infected with the deadly virus, making it the highest of any state in the country.
Cuomo said concerns with 'PAUSE' policy should be directed at him
Cuomo's order, titled "PAUSE," extends to non-vulnerable populations and includes:
1) Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations, or social events) are cancelled or postponed at this time.
2) Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced.
3) When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others.
4) Businesses and entities that provide essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least 6 feet.
5) Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where you come in close contact with people.
6) Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary, and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least 6 feet from other riders.
7) Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care, and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health.
8) Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations.
9) Precaution: Isopropyl alcohol wipes.
The governor recognized his actions "will cause disruption." He added: "They'll cause employees to stay at home. I understand that. They will cause much unhappiness. I understand that also."
CNN reported Cuomo also acknowledged that New Yorkers should direct their frustrations at him. "I accept full responsibility. If someone is unhappy, if somebody wants to blame someone, or complain about someone, blame me. There is no one else who is responsible for this decision."
Coordinating with other states
The New York Posted reported that Cuomo's lock-down measures and sanctions for violations are being coordinated with New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
"Regional action is the best," Cuomo added.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Kylie Jenner complies with surgeon general’s request to appeal to millennials about squashing COVID-

Kylie Jenner complies with surgeon general’s request to appeal to millennials about squashing COVID-19 with self-quarantine

Kylie Jenner complies with surgeon general ’ s request to appeal to millennials about squashing COVID-19 with self-quarantine

Reality star and social media influencer Kylie Jenner is speaking out at the request of Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who asked Jenner to reiterate the dangers of going out in public during the COVID-19 outbreak.
What are the details?
Jenner, 22, told her 166 million Instagram followers that it is important to remain indoors and away from people as the coronavirus wreaks havoc around the world.
Jenner, who said she hadn't left the house in nine days, said that she was spending her time with her daughter, putting together puzzles, and relaxing.
"I listened to the surgeon general this morning, and even though I've already been doing my daily reminders [do practice social distancing], he definitely encouraged me to come on here and talk to you guys," she said.
Adams appeared on Thursday's "Good Morning America," where he implored popular influencers and celebrities to spread awareness of the importance of social distancing and self-quarantine.
"We are seeing new data from Italy that suggests that young people may be at a higher risk than what we previously thought," he warned during his appearance. "Think about your grandfather, think about your grandmother, think about the fact you're spreading disease that could ultimately be what kills them."
That same night, Jenner begged her followers, "Please stay inside, practice social distancing, self-quarantine. If you live with your parents, you don't want to go home and get your parents sick. You might have it and not even know and be affecting other people. It's serious, and the only way to slow this down is if we do this, because there's not a cure right now."
Jenner, who is very popular among millennials, added, "No one is immune to this. Millennials are not immune to this. New evidence actually shows that a large percentage of people in the hospital right now are young adults."
She concluded, "Staying at home is fun, guys! Tweet me what you've been doing."
What else?
New data has reported that at least 29% of the first 2,500 cases of COVID-19 in the United States were people ages 20-44 years. Of that number, at least 20% were required to be hospitalized, 12% of that number needed intensive care treatment, and 55% of all cases were under the age of 65.
(H/T: Daily Mail)


theblaze--2020-03-20--Poll: Americans rally around Trump with 56% approving of his handling of the coronavirus crisis

Poll : Americans rally around Trump with 56 % approving of his handling of the coronavirus crisis Americans also gave @ @ @ @ @ economy , jobs , and other key issues

A pair of polls released Friday morning show the nation rallying around President Donald Trump as the "wartime" leader directs the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Surveys by ABC News / Ipsos and Axios / Harris found that more than half of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the crisis.
Trump earns high marks on his handling of COVID-19
According to the nationwide ABC News / Ipsos study taken March 18-19, 55% of Americans approve of the president's management of COVID-19, compared to 43% who disapprove of his performance. Trump's approval on this issue is nearly reversed from last week when the same pollsters found 43% approved of his handling of the coronavirus while 54% disapproved.
A separate national poll by Harris Insights taken March 17-18 for news organization Axios finds nearly identical numbers, with a growing number of Americans giving high marks to Trump during the crisis. According to the researchers, 56% of Americans approve of Trump's management of COVID-19, an improvement from 51% who said the same during the survey's first wave on March 14-15.
Americans give Trump a 53% job approval rating and 60% on jobs and the economy
The Harris study also found Trump's overall job approval rating climbing to 53% — one of the highest points of his presidency and up from 46% just two weeks ago — as a majority of Americans support his handling of key areas of public life.
On economic issues, for example, 60% of Americans approve of Trump's management of the economy and efforts to stimulate job creation during the crisis, as forecasters are predicting the country will likely be in a recession for at least half of the year as a result of the pandemic that originated in China.
A majority of Americans also approve of the president's handling of other key issues. For example, 53% of respondents told pollsters they approve of Trump's immigration policies while a resounding 58% said they approve of his efforts to combat terrorism. Meanwhile, 52% said they approve of Trump's management of the nation's foreign affairs.
The poll also found that 61% of Americans trust the president to provide accurate information during the outbreak, an improvement of 4 points from the survey's first wave of interviews performed on Saturday and Sunday.
Most Americans are canceling outings and taking precautions
Both the Harris and ABC News studies also find the vast majority of Americans are taking the coronavirus seriously.
According to the Harris poll, for instance, 76% said they are leaving their residence as little as possible while only 24% indicated they are going outside as they normally would. The ABC News study found a similar result with 72% of Americans saying they have cancelled or postponed plans, such as going out to dinner, vacations, and attending religious services.
The ABC News survey also found that 79% of Americans said they are concerned that they or someone they know will be infected with the coronavirus.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Distressing video of an Italian hospital shows just how badly the coronavirus is overwhelming health

Distressing video of an Italian hospital shows just how badly the coronavirus is overwhelming health care workers 'We have to @ @ @ @

A distressing video of a hospital in Bergamo — the city in Italy hardest hit by COVID-19 — shows overwhelmed health care workers struggling to control the massive outbreak of the coronavirus in their community.
The video, uploaded by Sky News on Thursday, shows doctors and nurses scrambling to treat direly ill patients in the packed hospital. Patients can be seen gasping for air in an emergency arrivals room, which was converted into an intensive care unit after the regular ICU reached capacity.
Dr. Roberto Cosentini, the head of emergency care at Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital, told Sky News that the COVID-19 disease is much worse than the common flu because it rapidly develops into a "very severe pneumonia" in many patients.
"It's a massive strain for every health system," he continued. "We see every day 50 to 60 patients who come to our emergency department with pneumonia, and most of them are so severe they need very high volumes of oxygen.
"And so we had to reorganize our emergency room and our hospital — three levels of intensive care," Cosentini added.
The shocking centre of the COVID-19 crisis youtu.be
Italy's coronavirus death toll surpassed China's this week as Europe becomes the new epicenter of the global pandemic. As of Thursday afternoon, 3,405 Italians had died since contracting the virus.
The country's health care system is near the brink of collapse. The Italian military has been deployed to transport the bodies of the deceased to be cremated.
Lorenzo D'Antiga, director of the Paediatric Unit and Transplant Centre at the same hospital in Bergamo, described the situation as "dramatic" in a recent interview with Euronews.
"We've saturated our bed availability, we are really in trouble, we have to send patients away to other hospitals, all the intensive care units in the regions are full so actually this is really a big big problem," he said.
D'Antiga said one of the most pressing problems is that the hospital is experiencing an inflow of patients every day, but not an outflow. To manage the intake, the hospital is having to turn all of its units into intensive care units to treat the ill.
"The situation is really dramatic, the mood is really depressing," he added. "Relatives can't stay with patients during their admission and some others die without anyone around. It's also forbidden to have funerals, so even the last prayer can't be done properly."
Bergamo doctor: 'We are having to turn patients away' youtu.be
(H/T: Business Insider)


theblaze--2020-03-20--Domino's is trying to fill around 10,000 jobs to meet coronavirus-driven delivery demand

Domino 's is trying to fill around 10,000 jobs to meet coronavirus-driven delivery demand Do you know someone who needs @ @ @

As a result of the efforts to combat and slow the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus — formally known as COVID-19 — restaurant dining rooms have been closed down, people have been staying home, and the world's largest pizza delivery chain says that it needs more people to help with the uptick delivery demand.
According to a Thursday report at CNBC, the company expects to hire somewhere around 10,000 new workers in roles ranging from delivery drivers and pizza makers to commercially licensed truck drivers for its supply chain centers.
Company CEO Richard Allison explained that the hiring surge wouldn't only benefit the chain's hungry, homebound customers, but also people from other areas of the service industry who have found themselves in tough financial situations because of the virus' spread.
"While many local, state, and federal rules are closing dine-in restaurants, the opportunity to keep feeding our neighbors through delivery and carryout means that a small sense of normalcy is still available to everyone," company CEO Richard Allison said in a Thursday announcement that the company is looking for both part-time and full-time workers.
"Our corporate and franchise stores want to make sure they're not only feeding people, but also providing opportunity to those looking for work at this time, especially those in the heavily-impacted restaurant industry," the CEO added.
Those interested in applying for one of the positions can do so on its employment website, the announcement says.
As federal, state and local government officials around the country have worked to combat the spread of the virus, many in the restaurant industry have found themselves at a loss due to mandates that have limited their customers to pickup, delivery and drive-through options. In addition to the orders, the White House has also issued a set of guidelines on Monday advising people to avoid eating in bars, restaurants and food courts for two weeks in order to slow the spread of the virus.
These virus-driven market changes have given businesses already known for their delivery service — like Domino's — a particular advantage amid the response. In response to Thursday's announcement, the pizza chain's stock increased 11% while the company has also been outperforming the S&P 500 index as of late, according to Investors Business Daily.


theblaze--2020-03-20--Editorial: How did the New York Times end up publishing a piece of Chinese propaganda?

Editorial : How did the New York Times end up publishing a piece of Chinese propaganda ?

I don't read the New York Times anymore (and haven't for years), but Thursday night I saw someone tweet a Times piece titled, "World Feared China Over Coronavirus. Now the Tables Are Turned," and I couldn't help myself.
It shouldn't be surprising anymore to find a piece that might literally be communist propaganda in the pages of the Old Grey Lady — after all, I lived through the Cold War when such a thing was a regular occurrence, and Tom Friedman has been publishing communist China's press releases as columns in the NYT for years.
It is still jarring, though, to see what unbelievable suckers NYT writers can apparently be for even the most fantastic and unbelievable claims, as long as those claims are made by a totalitarian communist regime. The actual thesis of Thursday's piece was that China has done a much better job of containing the coronavirus than has most of the West and that the Chinese government (and people!) are now sitting around wondering why we in the West are all so bad at containing the coronavirus.
Seriously.
Here is just one of the pieces of obvious bovine fecal material that slipped through the layers and layers of editors and fact checking that we are constantly assured exist at the Times: "But on Thursday, [China] reported no new local cases for the first time since the outbreak began. Its uncompromising response — locking down cities, shutting factories, testing thousands — seems to have brought China's contagion under control."
Now, it might be technically true that China reported no new local cases on Thursday. However, only the world's most irresponsible journalist — or the world's biggest idiot — would print that claim without pointing out that it's obviously false.
The chances that there were zero new cases of coronavirus in China on Thursday are, well, zero. You do not have to be an expert in infectious diseases to know that this is not how they work. You just have to be possessed of the common sense and skepticism that God gave the average fifth-grader.
If President Donald Trump had announced Thursday that there were no new cases of coronavirus reported by the United States government, the Times would have printed five news articles debunking the claim and three opinion columns about what an irresponsible leader Trump was for making such an obviously false claim. But when the Chinese government — which has literally kicked out Western journalists so no one can see what is going on — made the same claim, the Times just uncritically printed it.
Of course, numerous courageous whistleblowers from inside China have stated the obvious — that the Chinese government's claims of a miraculous recovery are fake. But no one should need those whistleblowers to know that the ChiComms' claims were obvious lies, any more than North Korea needs whistleblowers to tell the world that Kim Jong Il did not actually bowl a perfect 300 the first time he ever bowled.
Making up fantastic lies about the perfection of their government and leadership is what communist governments do. It's a signature hallmark of communism to never ever admit that the government has made a mistake and to further claim that the government has accomplished fantastic miracles that Western governments could not replicate (because, in every case, no government could actually do those things).
But even if you got a job at the Times without somehow being aware of how communist governments have operated for the last 100 years, any person possessed of a fully formed cerebral cortex should have known not to uncritically reprint such fantastical claims about China's success at controlling the spread of the virus, especially after China kicked out all journalists who don't work for its state-sanctioned media.
So why didn't these reporters and editors from the Times?
I think a lot about Stephen Glass, in my line of work. Glass, if you will remember, hoodwinked his editors at the liberal New Republic for years with stories that were entirely made up. He quoted people who didn't exist. He retold stories that never happened. And when his malfeasance was finally exposed, his editors had a day of reckoning. And what they admitted, frankly, was that they did not check his work as diligently as they should have because his stories confirmed their pre-existing biases and beliefs.
Newspaper editors ought to have pictures of Stephen Glass hung on their walls, if they don't want to end up getting embarrassed like the New Republic was. Because that lesson — always question stories that confirm your beliefs the most — is a necessary one.
I try to be fair and accurate with the facts as an editor. But I am not so unaware of myself that I don't think I have natural biases and beliefs. I'm aware that I tend strongly toward libertarianism and suspicion of government power, regardless of which major political party is in power.
So when I see a story that tends to suggest that government is doing a great job or that a burdensome regulation is necessary, my pre-existing beliefs provide skepticism for me. I automatically look to poke holes in the story and question the underlying assumptions therein specifically because they challenge my core beliefs.
However, when a story confirms those beliefs and biases, the natural tendency is to let your fact-checking guard down. "Why, of course this story is true," I might think to myself, "Because of course government and regulation are mostly evil." This is where danger arises both as a private citizen and also as a person in the news business.
And this, I think, is where the Times got suckered into being a national laughingstock Thursday — again. The media have somehow convinced themselves that it's really important to obsess about the fact that President Trump refers to coronavirus sometimes as a "Chinese virus," and they hate him so much that they would like to believe that even the obviously corrupt and dishonest Chinese government is doing better at controlling coronavirus than he is. After all, that would help sell their most treasured belief, which is that he should be defeated at the ballot box in November.
And so, because of these pre-existing biases, the Times let down its guard and allowed really obvious lies to slip through uncritically.
It should be noted that this is the most charitable possible explanation for this travesty of an article. It is, I suppose, possible that the Times is following the craven example of the NBA and openly kowtowing to the Chinese in an attempt to get its reporters back into China.
Either way, it's a shame. The world could use honest reporting in the middle of this crisis about what's really going on in China. Sadly, they will not get it from the New York Times.


theblaze--2020-03-20--YouTube and Netflix slash video quality in UK, EU amid coronavirus outbreak

YouTube and Netflix will temporarily reduce video quality in the United Kingdom and European Union amid the COVID-19 outbreak .
The move is said to prevent users from overwhelming the internet with streaming requests and will run for at least 30 days , according to Newsweek .
What are the details ?
On Friday , YouTube — which is owned by Google — announced that the decision was made to ensure `` smooth functioning of the internet '' during a time of worldwide crisis .
The move will also free up internet bandwidth for employees telecommuting to their places of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Newsweek , `` While we have seen only a few usage peaks , we have measures in place to automatically adjust our system to use less network capacity . ''
`` Following the meeting by Google 's CEO , Sundar Pichai , YouTube 's CEO , Susan Wojcicki , and [ E.U . ]
Commissioner [ Theirry ] Breton , we are making a commitment to temporarily default all traffic in the EU to Standard Definition , '' the spokesperson added .
`` We will continue working with member state governments and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system , while also delivering a good user experience . ''
Netflix issued similar directives in the area on Thursday .
In a statement , the company said , `` We estimate this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent while also ensuring a good quality service for our members . ''
`` Millions of Europeans are adapting to social distancing measures thanks to digital platforms , helping them to telework , e-learn , and entertain themselves , '' he said .
`` I warmly welcome the initiative that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ functioning of the internet during the COVID-19 crisis by having YouTube switch all E.U .
traffic to Standard Definition by default .
... We will closely follow the evolution of the situation together . ''

YouTube and Netflix will temporarily reduce video quality in the United Kingdom and European Union amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The move is said to prevent users from overwhelming the internet with streaming requests and will run for at least 30 days, according to Newsweek.
What are the details?
On Friday, YouTube — which is owned by Google — announced that the decision was made to ensure "smooth functioning of the internet" during a time of worldwide crisis.
The move will also free up internet bandwidth for employees telecommuting to their places of employment.
A spokesperson for the company told Newsweek, "While we have seen only a few usage peaks, we have measures in place to automatically adjust our system to use less network capacity."
"Following the meeting by Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, YouTube's CEO, Susan Wojcicki, and [E.U.] Commissioner [Theirry] Breton, we are making a commitment to temporarily default all traffic in the EU to Standard Definition," the spokesperson added. "We will continue working with member state governments and network operators to minimize stress on the system, while also delivering a good user experience."
Netflix issued similar directives in the area on Thursday.
In a statement, the company said, "We estimate this will reduce Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent while also ensuring a good quality service for our members."
What else?
Breton hailed the move in a statement.
"Millions of Europeans are adapting to social distancing measures thanks to digital platforms, helping them to telework, e-learn, and entertain themselves," he said. "I warmly welcome the initiative that Google has taken to preserve the smooth functioning of the internet during the COVID-19 crisis by having YouTube switch all E.U. traffic to Standard Definition by default. ... We will closely follow the evolution of the situation together."


theblaze--2020-03-20--China is faking its recovery from the coronavirus outbreak: report

The first batch of 137 medical team members in Liaoning Province returned to Shenyang City from Wuhan City .
Shenyang @ @ @ @ @ police cars to open the road , and lined up at 11 intersections along Qingnian @ @ @ @ @ the medical staff home Friday .
( Costfoto/Barcroft Media via Getty Images )

According to reports from the Chinese government, the worst of the coronavirus outbreak in the communist nation has passed, and even the hardest-hit regions have started returning to normal.
Those reports are being disputed by local Chinese officials who say the government is using deceptive measures to create the appearance of normal business operations and productivity, according to the Chinese media outlet Caixin.
Back to normal? For the first time since the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was discovered, China has reported no new infections. For the past couple of days, the number of new reported deaths has been in the single digits.
As a result, some of the businesses in China that were forced to shut down have begun reopening, and some travel restrictions have been lifted (although that is creating some new issues, including a fear of imported COVID-19 cases).
Not what it seems: Although the Chinese government, well-known for concealing or manipulating information, would obviously prefer the world seeing signs of strength and recovery, that might not be the case. Chinese whistleblowers tell Caixin they're working to create an appearance that things are back to normal when they're not:
Beijing has spent much of the outbreak pushing districts to carry on business as usual, with some local governments subsidizing electricity costs and even installing mandatory productivity quotas. Zhejiang, a province east of the epicenter city of Wuhan, claimed as of Feb. 24 it had restored 98.6 percent of its pre-coronavirus work capacity.
But civil servants tell Caixan that businesses are actually faking these numbers. Beijing had started checking Zhejiang businesses' electricity consumption levels, so district officials ordered the companies to start leaving their lights and machinery on all day to drive the numbers up, one civil servant said. Businesses have reportedly falsified staff attendance logs as well — they "would rather waste a small amount of money on power than irritate local officials," Caixan writes.
The number of reported coronavirus cases worldwide has now surpassed the number in China, and Italy alone has more reported deaths than China, despite having nearly 40,000 few reported cases.
(H/T: Yahoo News)


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--2020-03-21--'Time to hunt turkeys and deer': Americans share stories of job loss and slow business amid outbreak

'Time to hunt turkeys and deer ' : Americans share stories of job loss and slow business amid outbreak The @ @ @ @ @ an economic toll as citizens stay home

Americans are generally following government guidance to stay home when able as COVID-19 spreads across the U.S., and while social distancing initiatives are sure to fight the pandemic — individual stories from the inevitable economic fallout have already emerged.
What are the details?
Goldman Sachs has predicted an "apocalyptic" increase in unemployment filings for this week. While that is unsettling enough, their figure of a project 2 million jobless claims does not take into account those who are self-employed and not even able to seek assistance amid the fallout.
As people stay home and states are increasingly requiring that they do so, more and more individuals and businesses are being hurt.
Wage-earners and small business owners of all stripes have taken to social media to share their stories of struggle and concern as layoffs, shutdowns, and slow traffic (or no traffic at all) have placed them in dire situations.
The Daily Wire's Matt Walsh asked his nearly 300,000 Twitter followers on Friday, "If you've lost your job or income because of the shut downs, I'd be interested to know your story. How are you making it through? How much longer can you sustain yourself? Do you have kids to feed? Will you have a job to return to after this?"
One person told Walsh to "settle down," saying that "it's been a week" and "nobody has been without income for more than 5 days." But overwhelmingly, the responses were delivered with an ominous tone.
"I was informed I was being laid off today," a follower wrote. "3 kids and a mortgage. I have a little reserve fund, but ultimately am relying on being rehired. If the job doesn't come back, my whole existence changes drastically."
Another tweeted, "Mechanic in Michigan, business has slowed, looking at a lay off. 53 years old, divorced. Time to hunt turkeys and deer, whatever is needed."
"Minnesota ordered us to close our business," a third respondent wrote. "This is our only source of income. Yes, we have a child to feed, mortgage, car payment, rent payment for our businesses, loan payment for our businesses, we are both self employed so we have to pay our own insurance...the list goes on."
"All dentists in Colorado have been executive ordered by the governor to shut down," added one woman. "We have 5 children. We will be ok for a few weeks. My husbands staff will not be ok [crying emoji] but we can't afford to pay them when our doors are closed. Scary scary times."
Freelance journalist Yashar Ali is one of countless individuals across the U.S. who have launched private campaigns to assist workers hit by the COVID-19 economic impact. On Thursday, he announced that he had partnered with two non-profit groups capable of assisting in distributing the funds from a GoFundMe he started to provide direct cash to hourly workers.
One particular response he received touched his heart. A woman wrote:
Hello, I was searching for organizations that help provide relief to workers in the restaurant industry. I am a single mother of 3 children and was just recently laid off from my sole source of income due to the mandated shutdown in ny state. I cannot seem to get an unemployment claim filed due to the volume of calls and do not have any savings to speak of as we live check to check each week. My children are all home full time as the schools are closed and I am very concerned as to how I will provide for my children or pay any bills without any income in sight. if you have any information regarding programs that may be able to help would you please forward it to my email so that i may apply. I understand the nation is in crisis and so (many) families are in need so even if its merely pointing me in the right direction i would greatly appreciate the information. Thank you for all you are doing.


theblaze--2020-03-21--Chinese ambassador praises Hillary Clinton for scolding Trump on 'racist' coronavirus narrative

'Do n't fall for it .
Do n't let your friends and family fall for it . '

A Chinese ambassador praised Hillary Clinton for scolding President Donald Trump on a popular media narrative that he was using racist rhetoric when emphasizing the origin of the coronavirus.
"It is true. Justice always speak loudly," tweeted Lin Songtian, the Chinese ambassador to South Africa.
He reposted a tweet from Hillary Clinton accusing Trump of employing "racist rhetoric" against China.
"The president is turning to racist rhetoric to distract from his failures to take the coronavirus seriously early on, make tests widely available, and adequately prepare the country for a period of crisis," Clinton tweeted.
"Don't fall for it," she added. "Don't let your friends and family fall for it."
Lin has implied in previous tweets that the coronavirus might have originated in a place other than Wuhan, China.
"Some US politicians' blame game by calling it 'Chinese virus' is groundless and unacceptable," he tweeted. "Scientists with justice in the world will show us the evidence of its true origin."
Critics have accused the president of using racist and xenophobic terms when calling coronavirus the "Chinese virus" or the "Wuhan virus," and pointed to incidents where Asian Americans experienced bigotry over the pandemic.
Despite claims propagated through Chinese propaganda, the coronavirus almost certainly originated in China and spread to the rest of the globe because of the communist government's incompetence.
Here's more about the Chinese virus scandal:


theblaze--2020-03-21--Walmart to hire 150,000 more workers, awards $365 million in bonuses to employees for working throug

Walmart to hire 150,000 more workers, awards $365 million in bonuses to employees for working through pandemic

Walmart to hire 150,000 more workers , awards $ 365 million in bonuses to employees for working through pandemic This @ @ @ @ @ many

Big box grocery giant Walmart announced that they would be rewarding their workers with bonuses, and hiring 350,000 more workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
While the government response to the virus is taking an immense toll on the United States economy, Walmart appears to be benefitting from the increase of Americans shopping to stock up for quarantines.
The bonuses totaling $365 million will come to $300 for each full-time employee and $150 for each part-time employee.
Walmart is also shortening the hiring two-week application process to get people approved for work within 24 hours. Those jobs will begin as temporary jobs but could transition to permanent jobs over time.
Those new workers will likely come from industries that have been devastated by the response of some state governments to the coronavirus. Some states have seen such a great increase in unemployment applications that their systems are shutting down.
Walmart is also working to help provide coronavirus testing to respond to the pandemic.
Amazon, the online competitor to Walmart, also so an increase in sales and announced that they would be seeking to hire 100,000 new employees in order to meet the jump in demand.
Here's a Walmart exec on the bonuses:


theblaze--2020-03-21--Gas prices projected to fall to 99 cents per gallon–Here's why

Gas prices projected to fall to 99 cents per gallon–Here 's why

Remember back in the 1990s when gas was less than $1 per gallon? Will coronavirus fears cause the oil market to plummet? Pat Gray and Keith Malinak talk about the potential to pay 99 cents per gallon at the pump and what that means for Texas.
Catch "Pat Gray Unleashed" every weekday morning at 7 AM - 9 AM/EST on BlazeTV.
Use code PAT to save $10 off one year of BlazeTV.
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To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-03-21--Missouri shuts down capitol building after lawmaker tests positive for coronavirus

Missouri shuts down capitol building after lawmaker tests positive for coronavirus The Speaker of the House says , 'We anticipated @ @ @ @ @ '

Missouri has locked down its capitol building after officials learned a member of the state's House of Representatives tested positive for COVID-19, signalling to states across the nation that more legislatures could face a shut-down.
What are the details?
Speaker of the House Elijah Haahr (R) tweeted out a bipartisan press release from leaders in the state's lower chamber on Friday evening, announcing:
We have learned a member of the House of Representatives has tested positive for the coronavirus. We are still working to notify members and staff that might have been in contact with the member and have requested all employees stay out of the Capitol for at least the next 10 days.
While we learn more and work closely with (the Department of Health and Human Services) to take every precaution necessary, we keep this member and their family in our thoughts and prayers in their battle to return back to health.
The lawmaker who tested positive was later identified as Rep. Joe Runions (D), 79, who had fallen ill and had been hospitalized since Saturday, The Kansas City Star reported. According to Democratic leadership, Rep. Runions had not been in the capitol building since March 12.
Nonetheless, other capitol employees and constituents may have come in contact with Mr. Runions and could be infected, leading House leadership to shut down the building for a thorough scrubbing.
Speaker Haahr says they were ready for this to happen.
"I created the House Committee on Disease Prevention on Feb. 27 before the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Missouri," Haahr told TheBlaze. "After testimony from experts on infectious disease, we anticipated this situation would occur."
He added, "The Capitol is currently undergoing a deep clean and sanitization. As the situation evolves, we are reviewing options for re-opening and measures to protect the health of our members and staff."
Anything else?
A number of states — including Missouri — have already closed their capitol buildings to visitors, but several remain open to lawmakers conducting state business.
Yet, Missouri is not the first state to close its capitol building due to a legislator contracting COVID-19. On Thursday, Hawaii shuttered its capitol building after a state senator tested positive.
Meanwhile, New York's state capitol remains open to lawmakers, despite three assembly members testing positive for the virus.


theblaze--2020-03-21--Coronavirus lockdown measures could last at least 18 MONTHS, researchers say

Coronavirus lockdown measures could last at least 18 MONTHS , researchers say But will Americans stand for that ?

Stuck in quarantine and going a little bit crazy? Homeschooling the kids already driving you nuts?
On the radio program Friday, Glenn Beck predicted we'd be in this situation for at least 8 weeks, but now a group of researchers in London are thinking we could be social distancing for much longer. In fact, their report says that as long as one person in the world has coronavirus, dangerous outbreaks of COVID-19 will continue to occur and spread.
The researchers say the world should continue practicing social distancing every time a small outbreak occurs, to prevent it from becoming something bigger. And they propose implementing lockdown measures for the next 12 to 18 months, unless we find a vaccine (which could take even longer). They say it could be two months on of quarantine, one month off.
If that's the case, will Americans stand for that? asked Glenn. Or will we eventually say "enough is enough?"
Watch the video below to catch more of the conversation:
HOW LONG WILL SOCIAL DISTANCING LAST!? Report predicts 18 MONTHS of Coronavirus Quarantine, Lockdown youtu.be
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theblaze--2020-03-21--New York Times says hand sanitizer is less safe against coronavirus while ads sell hand sanitizer to

New York Times says hand sanitizer is less safe against coronavirus while ads sell hand sanitizer to 'keep the corona away'

New York Times says hand sanitizer is less safe against coronavirus while ads sell hand sanitizer to 'keep the corona @ @ @ @ @ is too much price gouging

Thursday, Stu Does America host Stu Burgiuere took a look at the New York Times' online coverage of most effective ways to slow the spread of coronavirus. Why is this worth discussing?
Only in the New York times can you learn about how hand sanitizer is inferior to soap and water as a method for keeping hands coronavirus free. And be price gouged by coronavirus-inspired ads for hand sanitizer all from one news source.
So, if you are looking for a $10 travel size bottle of bootleg hand sanitizer look no further than the New York Times coronavirus coverage.
Here's an online review from a "totally legitimate" customer:
"Regular hand washing and face masks are the best way to keep the corona away," one "totally legitimate."
Here's Stu for the full story...
The New York Times: Price Gouging Projection? youtu.be
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theblaze--2020-03-20--Mark Levin: 'Equality' does NOT mean we're all equal — and that's a great thing

Mark Levin : 'Equality ' does NOT mean we 're all equal — and that 's a great thing And @ @ @ @ @ the left

On Friday's "LevinTV," Mark Levin had a few fiery words of wisdom for those radical leftists who think that "equality" means that we're all equal.
"We're not all equal -- and that's a great thing. That's something to be celebrated!" Levin asserted. "We're not equal. We are individual human beings with our own DNA. With our own motivation. With our own personality. With our own desires. That's the way it's supposed to be. 'Equality' means equality of justice. Equality under the law. That is, in a civil society, we should all be treated like human beings. It doesn't mean that we're all equal individually, one with the other," he continued.
"If we're all equal, then we're all robots. And that's the problem with the left," Levin added. "That's the reason why 100 million people have been slaughtered under communism, because we're not all equal. We don't fit into the Marxist-Engles-Saul Alinsky radical progressive communist mindset. That is a theory. That has no relationship to humanity!"
Watch the video clip below:
Watch the full episode here.
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theblaze--2020-03-20--Explosion destroys Detroit home — police say woman lit a crack pipe near a gas leak

Police are still looking for a man who went missing from the explosion

A Detroit, Michigan, home was destroyed by an explosion and fire that police believe was sparked when a woman lit up a crack pipe near a gas leak.
The explosion rocked the neighborhood on the city's west side on Friday.
Police say they found a 46-year-old woman with burns to her face, arms and legs at the property when they arrived. They also found a 42-year-old man with similar injuries behind the home.
The explosion blew out the windows from other homes nearby, in addition to other damage.
Detroit Deputy Fire Commissioner Dave Fornell told The Detroit News that the woman "claimed she was lighting a crack pipe when the explosion happened."
A neighbor from across the street from the explosion said it sounded like a bomb going off.
"It was really loud," said 25-year-old Abraham Alagi. "At the same time I could hear glass shattering. Then I realized that was coming from my front windows."
Initially police believed that the explosion killed a 65-year-old man who was in the home at the time also, but they later said that he might have walked away after the blast. They are officially calling him missing until they find his whereabouts.
Here's a local news report about the blast:


theblaze--2020-03-21--Larry the Cable Guy destroys Hollywood celebrities over viral video of them singing 'Imagine'

Larry the Cable Guy destroys Hollywood celebrities over viral video of them singing 'Imagine' 'Marx would be proud of that @ @

Comedian Larry the Cable Guy, whose real name is Daniel Whitney, blasted Hollywood celebrities this week over a viral video featuring more than a dozen celebrities signing John Lennon's hit song "Imagine."
Whitney highlighted the hypocritical nature of the video because Hollywood celebrities have largely ignored the homelessness epidemic in Los Angeles.
"Here's a message from people with a lot of possessions that can take a year off of work and not flinch telling everyone outa work to imagine a world with no possessions while people are living in the street a half mile away from 'em," Whitney said.
Responding to a fan who said the video really "pisses me off," Whitney called the celebrities "clueless."
On Friday, Whitney clarified that he does not harbor ill-will toward Hollywood celebrities, but said the video was made in "bad taste — and said the founder of communism would approve of it.
"I have no animosity toward these folks. The song was in bad taste. Marx would be proud of that song," Whitney said. "And I'm not imagining no heaven. Jesus gives hope. Government can't give people a heart change or hope."
Although John Lennon was not a communist, nor is "Imagine" a song directly about communism, Lennon said the song "is virtually the Communist Manifesto."


theblaze--2020-03-21--FACT-CHECK: The Washington Post distorts Dr. Fauci's words in order to defend Italy's 'open borders'

FACT-CHECK: The Washington Post distorts Dr. Fauci's words in order to defend Italy's 'open borders' policies

FACT-CHECK : The Washington Post distorts Dr. Fauci 's words in order to defend Italy 's 'open borders ' policies @ @ @ @ @ Fauci is 'simply wrong . '
He is n't .

In a fact-check, the Washington Post gave Dr. Anthony Fauci four "Pinocchios" on Friday for claiming that Italy's lax travel policies contributed to its ongoing coronavirus crisis. But the Post's fact-check is wrong.
What did Dr. Fauci say?
As TheBlaze reported, in an interview on Thursday with NBC's Lester Holt, the coronavirus expert was asked what the United States and Italy (now considered the epicenter of the pandemic) were doing differently that may result in disparate outcomes for the two countries.
In his response, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases credited President Donald Trump's various executive orders that suspended travel from Europe and China with preventing an Italian-level crisis in America:
Our shutting off travel from China and, more recently, travel from Europe, has gone a long way to not seeding very, very intensively the virus in our country. Unfortunately, Italy did not do that. They had an open border, they let people in.
The Post's misleading fact-check
The Post claimed that Fauci was "simply wrong." He isn't.
To debunk his claim, fact-checker Glenn Kessler honed in on a fragment of Dr. Fauci's comment and interpreted it to mean he was suggesting that Italy had not cut off travel from China.
Italy's prime minister took immediate action, declaring a state of emergency and announcing a ban effective Jan. 31 on all flights to and from China to Italy, with no exceptions. He announced this step even though the WHO advisory recommended against travel restrictions. The ban on flights also extended to Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. The announcement added that anyone on a flight to Italy would face health checks upon arrival.
Indeed, Italy and the U.S. announced travel restrictions on China at around the same time. However, in his MSNBC appearance, Dr. Fauci was clearly referring to both countries' policies toward European travel and not just limits on Chinese travel. The Washington Post even acknowledged in its fact-check that Italy has not closed its doors to Europe.
"Italy's borders with the rest of Europe did remain open," wrote the Washington Post, which characterized Italy's policies as "more sweeping steps than the United States."
The Post even added that "U.S. borders with Europe were open for many more weeks as well." Except this is not true.
Trump announced a ban on European travel during a March 11 Oval office address. Four days later, he expanded it to include Ireland and the U.K. This is in addition to new restrictions on North American border crossings.
Conversely, according to the New York Times, Italy is still allowing travelers from Europe and most of the rest of the world to enter their country. In fact, aside from suspending flights from China and Taiwan, the only other measure taken by Italian officials on inbound travelers is to require them to pass "temperature screenings" at major airports, which do not prevent asymptomatic coronavirus patients from entering Italy.
Of course, it is no secret that Italy's loose points of entry have enabled the pandemic. Even the Italian ambassador to the United States has recognized that his country's porous borders has facilitated the spread of the virus which has killed thousands of his fellow countrymen. "There are so many gates from where the virus might have reached Italy," said Amb. Armando Varricchio on Thursday, according to the Washington Examiner.
What else?
In short, the Post distorted Dr. Fauci's comments in order to downplay the positive impact Trump's policies have had and maintain that Italy's open borders did not contribute to the pandemic. However, Dr. Fauci was clearly referring to both countries' travel policies toward China and Europe. In fact, he specifically mentioned Trump's European travel restrictions vis-a-vis Italy's "open border."
Since Italy does not share a physical border with China, any reasonable person can conclude that Dr. Fauci was comparing the two countries' general travel policies and not just those pertaining to Beijing. A spokesman for the NIAID even explained this to the Post, which decided to run its misleading fact-check anyway.
To paraphrase his jab at Dr. Fauci: The Washington Post's Glenn Kessler is simply wrong.


theblaze--2020-03-21--Bombshell accusations say the WHO ignored key coronavirus warning, relied on Chinese propaganda

Bombshell accusations say the WHO ignored key coronavirus warning , relied on Chinese propaganda Countless lives could have been saved

Taiwanese officials attempted to warn the World Health Organization in December that China was not being honest about the coronavirus, but those warnings were ignored, Taiwan's vice president revealed on Friday.
Doctors in Taiwan learned from colleagues in mainland China last December that medical professionals were falling ill over a new virus — which would eventually become known as SARS-CoV-2, or coronavirus — a significant indicator of human-to-human transmission.
Upon learning this crucial fact, Taiwanese officials alerted the WHO — but they were ignored.
"While the [International Health Regulations's] internal website provides a platform for all countries to share information on the epidemic and their response, none of the information shared by our country's [Centers for Disease Control] is being put up there," Taiwan Vice President Chen Chien-jen told the Financial Times.
"The WHO could not obtain first-hand information to study and judge whether there was human-to-human transmission of COVID-19. This led it to announce human-to-human transmission with a delay, and an opportunity to raise the alert level both in China and the wider world was lost," he explained.
Indeed, on Jan. 14, when COVID-19 was rapidly spreading across China, the WHO disseminated Chinese propaganda that COVID-19 could not be transmitted from human to human.
China, of course, knew the information was false, but chose to lie to the world anyway.
According to the Financial Times, the WHO ignored Taiwan because the international organization sides with China in the geo-political dispute over Taiwan.
From the Financial Times:
Taiwan is excluded from the WHO because China, which claims it as part of its territory, demands that third countries and international bodies do not treat it in any way that resembles how independent states are treated.
The WHO's relationship with China has been criticised in the past, with some accusing the organisation of overly praising Beijing's handling of the coronavirus outbreak despite allegations local officials had initially covered it up.
In response, the WHO said it needed to "hold frank and open discussions on sometimes sensitive issues," which "requires that we respect the confidentiality of such communications."
On Friday, despite widespread accusations that China lied to the world and covered up their COVID-19 response, Tedros Adhanom, director-general of the WHO, repeated more Chinese propaganda, disseminating the communist government's highly suspicious claim that they are no longer seeing new cases of COVID-19.


theblaze--2020-03-21--VIDEO: Democratic pundit says Republican governor and legislature 'should be shot'

VIDEO : Democratic pundit says Republican governor and legislature 'should be shot '

In an interview on a local PBS station, Democratic pundit Chris Herstam said the state's Republican governor and legislature "should be shot" if they refuse to modify Arizona's election processes.
"If they don't change the state statute to allow for an all-mail election system for the primary and general election this year, they should be shot, because that's the only common sense thing to do," Herstam, a former state lawmaker and university regent, said on the "Arizona Horizon" show.
A swift backlash
The remarks prompted a swift backlash from state lawmakers and even U.S. congressional leaders.
Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), who himself was shot by a Bernie Sanders supporter at a 2017 congressional softball game, described Herstam's comments as "dangerous and disgraceful."
"Hard to believe someone would call for violence against officials they disagree with during this crisis," he wrote on Twitter. "But that's what this columnist did—saying the AZ Gov & Legislators 'should be shot' if he doesn't get his way."
"There must be accountability," Scalise added.
According to the Arizona Republic, state Rep. Daniel Hernandez, a Tucson area Democrat who survived the attempted assassination of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, blasted the pundits comments as inciting violence.
'I made hyperbolic and inappropriate statements'
Herstam apologized following a flurry of denunciations from political observers around the country and his home state.
"In an effort to make a point about the important of all-mail voting this week in light of COVID-19, I made hyperbolic and inappropriate statements that have no place in political discourse. I apologize for making them," he wrote on Friday morning.
Herstam made the comments while calling for the state's various elections departments to move to a vote-by-mail system in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Voters are scheduled to vote on Tuesday in the state's Democratic primary, but some activists are calling local counties to adopt all-mail ballots as alternatives as a back-up plan for an upcoming election in August and November's general election.
Republican lawmakers have pushed back on the proposal, arguing it would disenfranchise communities who live in areas where mail service is unreliable or unavailable.


theblaze--2020-03-21--Top health official stokes coronavirus panic, claims everyone will contract COVID-19

Top health official stokes coronavirus panic , claims everyone will contract COVID-19

New Jersey's top health official believes that no one is safe from coronavirus.
State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli told NJ.com that everyone will contract the rapidly spreading virus.
"I'm definitely going to get it. We all are," Persichilli said. "I'm just waiting."
The 71-year-old Persichilli is a member of the age demographic that is increasingly more susceptible to hospitalization or death after contracting COVID-19. However, she said that she will likely only experience a mild form of the virus.
The comments are particularly alarming because Persichilli is helping manage the Garden State's COVID-19 response and has become a visible leader alongside Gov. Phil Murphy (D).
New Jersey has reported more than 1,300 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Saturday afternoon, along with 16 deaths.
Interview with NJ Health Commissioner amidst coronavirus www.youtube.com
Persichilli is not the first top state health official to make startling public comments.
Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton claimed earlier in the month that more than 100,000 Ohioans had likely already contracted coronavirus. However, Acton later said she was just "guesstimating" when she revealed the number at a press briefing.


theblaze--2020-03-21--Poll: Dems nearly twice as likely to blame Trump for coronavirus than China's communist government

Poll : Dems nearly twice as likely to blame Trump for coronavirus than China 's communist government A majority of @ @ @ @ @ for his management of the crisis

A new nationwide Morning Consult poll shows that while a plurality of Americans hold the China's communist government responsible for the outbreak of the pandemic in the United States, Democratic voters were nearly twice as likely to blame President Trump.
The survey, which was taken March 17-20, asked 1,851 voters a long range of questions regarding their views on the coronavirus. When it came to who they felt was most responsible for the deadly COVID-19 virus spreading in the U.S., overall 33% said it was the fault of the Chinese government while 19% said Trump. However, voters' responses largely fell along party lines.
Democrats blame Trump; Republicans and Independents blame Red China
By an almost 2-to-1 margin, 35% of Democrats blamed Trump for the virus spreading in the U.S. while only 18% pointed to the regime in Beijing.
Meanwhile, among Republicans, 54% said the Chinese government was to blame for the virus, while only 2% held President Trump responsible. Independents were also more likely to blame the Chinese with 31% blaming Beijing and only 14% saying Trump was at fault.
Trump gets high marks for handling of the coronavirus
The survey also found that 53% of voters approve of President Trump's handling of the spread of coronavirus, while 39 percent disapprove. According to the researchers, this marks an increase of 10 percentage points in net approval of his coronavirus response since Morning Consult's previous poll taken March 13-16. The results are consistent with those from surveys by ABC News/Ipsos and Axios/Harris which found that more than half of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the crisis.
Trump's improved standing was driven by a greater number of Democrats (from 18% to 26% approving of the president's performance. Position opinions of Trump's handling of the issue also rose among Independents (from 43% to 51%) and Republican voters from 83% to 87 percent.
The president's polling bump coincides with voters becoming increasingly concerned about the spread of the virus with 62% of respondents telling researchers they were "very concerned," a notable increase of 16 points from the last survey, while 55% of voters now say describe the coronavirus as "a severe health risk" in the U.S., up 15 points from 40% who said the same just a few days before.


theblaze--2020-03-21--MSNBC's Rachel Maddow claims Trump will 'cost lives,' demands networks stop airing his coronavirus b

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow claims Trump will 'cost lives,' demands networks stop airing his coronavirus briefings

'Honestly , it 's going to cost lives '

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow wants major news networks to stop airing President Donald Trump's coronavirus briefings, claiming the president's "misinformation" will "cost lives."
Speaking on her show Friday, Maddow excoriated the president for claiming that chloroquine — a drug used to treat malaria — was effective at treating coronavirus, an assertion that Dr. Anthony Fauci has bucked. The FDA also downplayed the president's claims about the drug.
"We should inoculate ourselves against the harmful impact of these ongoing false promises and false statements by the president by recognizing that when he is talking about the coronavirus epidemic, more often than not, he is lying," Maddow said. "He is consistently lying."
"There may be other people in the federal government saying things that are true, but these daily briefings from the White House are a litany of things from the president that would be awesome if they were true, if they were happening, but they're not. And so the sooner we come to terms with that, I think the better for all of us," she continued.
"If it were up to me, and it's not, I would stop putting those briefings on live TV. Not out of spite, but because it's misinformation," Maddow said.
"If the president does end up saying anything true, you can run it as tape. But if he keeps lying like he has been every day on stuff this important, we should, all of us should stop broadcasting it. Honestly, it's going to cost lives," she claimed.


theblaze--2020-03-21--Fox News host confronts senator over accusations of insider trading for dumping stocks before COVID-

Fox News host confronts senator over accusations of insider trading for dumping stocks before COVID-19 outbreak 'No , no , @ @ @ @ @ no , hold on '

Fox News host Tucker Carlson confronted Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) on Friday over accusations that she used privileged knowledge obtained in her capacity as a United States senator to profit in the stock market.
Loeffler and Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, reportedly sold stock equities worth millions of dollars between the end of January and mid-February, coinciding with a closed-door Senate briefing about the coming impact that coronavirus would have on the American economy. The financial transactions were uncovered Thursday night, leading to bipartisan condemnation and accusations of insider trading.
Loeffler strongly denied the accusations, claiming that her financial advisers — experts she pays to manage her stock portfolio — are responsible for making the transactions, which she said were not made based on insider information.
On his show Friday night, Carlson grilled Loeffler on "who specifically made that decision" to sell the stocks and "on what basis" the decision was made.
The Republican senator, who has only been in office since January, did not directly respond to the question, instead explaining that her financial advisers made the decision. She said she did not "have a say" over the financial transactions, and explained that she was informed of the transactions "only after the trades [were] made."
"I have nothing, in terms of a say, in what buys and sells are executed [and] what that timing is," Loeffler said.
Carlson then confronted Loeffler over a public video she made in mid-February in which she told the public they should not worry about COVID-19, which at the time was exploding in China.
"In retrospect, you think maybe you should have hinted it was maybe not fine, obviously, just by your portfolio, you should know that, right?" Carlson asked.
"The situation has dramatically changed in the space of three months. I think none of us could have predicted where we would be today, and I think that's why it's important that I'm not involved in the stock transactions," Loeffler responded. "I don't want to have to explain my actions three months ago that I don't need to take—"
"No, no, no, no no, no, hold on," Carlson interjected. "I'm sorry, with respect, this wasn't three months ago, this was a month ago. .. did it trip any bells for you? You can read a balance sheet."
However, Loeffler again did not directly answer the question, even after Carlson confronted her with the fact that she was informed of her stock sell off before telling the public they should not worry about the U.S. economy.
"I'm just wondering about the broader question of assuring the public that the economy is fine and coronavirus can be managed when, of course given your position, you know that that's not true," Carlson said.


theblaze--2020-03-21--Actress Sam Sorbo homeschools — and she's sharing her tips that she hopes will save parents' sanity

Actress Sam Sorbo homeschools — and she's sharing her tips that she hopes will save parents' sanity while schools are closed

Actress Sam Sorbo homeschools — and she 's sharing her tips that she hopes will save parents ' sanity while @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity , despite the challenges

Actors Kevin and Sam Sorbo homeschool their kids, and the two outspoken Christian performers have gained a plethora of wisdom along the way.
Amid rampant school closures plaguing the U.S. right now due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, Sam Sorbo, author of the book, "True Faith," appeared on "The Pure Flix Podcast" to offer advice to anxious parents who find themselves homeschooling for the first time.
(Watch: Get Some Great Homeschool Curriculum and Streaming Titles for Your Kids)
"Your responsibility as a parent is to ignite the natural curiosity in your child," Sorbo said. "And to encourage them to learn ... "You do not need to know everything."
Listen to Sorbo's tips for parents struggling with the homeschool chaos that the novel corona-virus has sparked:
Sorbo, who has been homeschooling the couple's children for years, also encouraged parents not to fear their own knowledge level and to instead "learn alongside" kids.
"It's actually not rocket science," she quipped.
One of the other major stresses some parents are experiencing centers on finding a newfound life balance between working from home and homeschooling schedules, as some districts are sending work home throughout the day for parents to do with kids.
(Read also: Discover Entertaining And Inspiring Homeschool And Family Content)
In the end, Sorbo said it all comes down to crafting a vibrant and workable schedule.
"Every family will have its own formula," she said, noting that she has always started the day with breakfast and Bible study and with instruction beginning at 9 a.m. "You have to figure out what is going to work for you."
Another tip Sorbo offered centers on the location of instruction; she recommended parents choose a spot and remain consistent.
(Read also: Mom Blogs: 8 Homeschool Blogs That Will Inspire)
"I highly recommend that you have a designated area in your house ... that is where your school takes place, at least at the start of every day," she said, likening this space to an educational "headquarters" of sorts.
Sorbo concluded by encouraging parents to see this as an important "opportunity," despite the challenges that these newfound homeschooling environments have created.
"We can look at this as a huge tragedy ... but you an also change your perspective and look at this as an opportunity," she said. "If you believe in God, then it's an opportunity, whether you like it or not ... take time out and be with your kids."
This article was originally published on Pure Flix Insider. Visit Pure Flix for access to thousands of faith and family-friendly movies and TV shows. You can get a free, one-month trial here.


theblaze--2020-03-22--American 'journalists' blame Trump for COVID-19 rather than report China's oppression of citizens

American 'journalists ' blame Trump for COVID-19 rather than report China 's oppression of citizens

On Thursday's "Louder with Crowder" Live stream, Steven discussed how Communist China continues to cover up the severity of coronavirus; they are now throwing infected citizens in quarantine against their will. Why aren't American journalists reporting on the matter? It's likely due to the mainstream media's need to blame President Trump for the spread of COVID-19. So, in a way, the media could be seen as an accomplice to the oppression of the Chinese people.
Here's Steven to explain in detail...
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theblaze--2020-03-22--Italian virologist says political correctness doomed his country's coronavirus response

Italy is now the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the glove and one of the country 's top virologists says political correctness is partly to blame .
Dr. Giorgio Palù , a professor of virology and microbiology of the University of Padova and the former head of the European and Italian Society for Virology , recently said that concerns over `` politics '' and being perceived as `` racist '' delayed the Rome 's response to the deadly virus which originated in China .
A proposal to isolate travelers coming from China was deemed as 'racist' Palù told CNN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impose a wider and stricter lockdown earlier on , instead of the initial restrictions that focused on 11 areas Rome placed in a `` red zone . ''
`` We should have done more diagnostic tests in Lombardy where there was a big nucleus .
There is no sense in trying to go to the supermarket once a week .
You have to limit your time out , isolation is the key thing , '' he said .
Palù also believes that politics delayed the government 's reaction , which he decried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' saying there is `` too much politics in Italy . ''
The virologist added , `` There was a proposal to isolate people coming from the epicenter , coming from China . ''
However , he says the Italian government balked at the idea of singling out travelers coming from China out of concern it could be construed as racist .
`` Then it became seen as racist , but they were people coming from the outbreak . ''
As RedState 's Nick Arama points out , Italians were so preoccupied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florence even launched a `` Hug a Chinese '' Day initiative shortly after President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced travel restrictions on China .
`` We follow the directions of the health authorities and we use caution , but no psychological terrorism , '' Mayor Dario Nardella saidin a tweet announcing the initiative while blasting those he said `` could not wait to use this excuse to hate and insult . ''
Nardella added the hashtag # AbbracciaUnCinese ( # HugAChinese ) .
Naturally , Beijing welcomed Florence 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and promoted it through Communist Party mouthpieces CGTN and Global Times .
Over 53,578 Italians have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Saturday evening .

Italy is now the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe and one of the country's top virologists says political correctness is partly to blame.
Dr. Giorgio Palù, a professor of virology and microbiology of the University of Padova and the former head of the European and Italian Society for Virology, recently said that concerns over "politics" and being perceived as "racist" delayed Rome's response to the deadly virus that originated in China.
A proposal to isolate travelers coming from China was deemed as 'racist'
Palù told CNN that the Italian government failed by refusing to impose a wider and stricter lockdown earlier on, instead of the initial restrictions that focused on 11 areas Rome placed in a "red zone."
"We should have done more diagnostic tests in Lombardy where there was a big nucleus. There is no sense in trying to go to the supermarket once a week. You have to limit your time out, isolation is the key thing," he said.
Palù also believes that politics delayed the government's reaction, which he decried as "lazy in the beginning," saying there is "too much politics in Italy."
The virologist added, "There was a proposal to isolate people coming from the epicenter, coming from China." However, he says the Italian government balked at the idea of singling out travelers coming from China out of concern it could be construed as racist. "Then it became seen as racist, but they were people coming from the outbreak."
'Hug a Chinese Day'
As RedState's Nick Arama points out, Italians were so preoccupied with perceptions of racism that the mayor of Florence even launched a "Hug a Chinese" Day initiative shortly after President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced travel restrictions on China.
"We follow the directions of the health authorities and we use caution, but no psychological terrorism," Mayor Dario Nardella saidin a tweet announcing the initiative while blasting those he said "could not wait to use this excuse to hate and insult." Nardella added the hashtag #AbbracciaUnCinese (#HugAChinese).
Naturally, Beijing welcomed Florence's "Hug a Chinese Day" project and promoted it through Communist Party mouthpieces CGTN and Global Times.
Over 53,578 Italians have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Saturday evening.


theblaze--2020-03-22--VIDEO: NYC's de Blasio gets fact-checked after attacking Trump: Maybe you should talk to Cuomo

VIDEO : NYC 's de Blasio gets fact-checked after attacking Trump : Maybe you should talk to Cuomo The attacks @ @ @ @ @ have threatened to resign over his incompetence

During a joint Sunday morning appearance on "Meet the Press" with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio blasted the Trump administration's response to the deadly illness, but was quickly "fact-checked" live on national television by the Republican governor.
Why is de Blasio attacking Trump?
De Blasio has stepped up his attacks on Trump in recent days as news reports indicate that New York City health officials have threatened to resign over his "mismanagement" of the coronavirus pandemic. The controversial mayor has even been spotted casually exercising at a YMCA while city health officials were urging New Yorkers to steer clear of gyms, restaurants, and other establishments.
"There has been a push for aggressive action and quick decision making by the health department and even the smallest decisions have been big fights and taken longer than they should have -- to say nothing of larger consequential decisions like banning large crowds," a source told the New York Daily News.
Meanwhile, in a recent article, City and State spoke with an ex staffer to the mayor who blasted his response to the pandemic. "He has been slow to act, not realizing the seriousness of the situation," a former de Blasio aide told City & State. "His normal reluctance to offend important interest groups has proved catastrophic during an epidemic."
Maybe you should go talk to your governor?
It is therefore no surprise that de Blasio has turned his attention to attacking President Donald Trump. When Hogan told "Meet the Press" host Chuck Todd that federal, state, and local officials are working together on a "24/7" basis to combat this "hidden enemy," the New York City mayor awkwardly interjected and began criticizing the president.
"It's not true that people everywhere are fighting with all they got because our military is being sidelined and the White House is in denial," de Blasio said while accusing the Trump administration of dragging its feet.
However, Hogan quickly pushed back against de Blasio, reminding him that the military was indeed engaged in combatting COVID-19.
"We've got military all over our state doing all kinds of great things...helping with hospitals and building new hospital beds. Your governor in New York is doing the same thing, so maybe you ought to go talk to him," Hogan said.


theblaze--2020-03-22--Ohio halts abortions over coronavirus, sending abortion advocates into full-scale meltdown

'THIS IS BULLS**T. COMPLETE AND UTTER BULLS**T '

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has halted abortion procedures in the Buckeye State over the growing coronavirus outbreak, resulting in a full-scale meltdown from abortion advocates.
On Friday, Yost informed of Ohio's biggest abortion clinics — Women's Med Center in Dayton and Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio's Cincinnati Surgery Center — that they needed to immediately stop providing abortions.
"You and your facility are ordered to immediately stop performing non-essential and elective surgical abortions. Non-essential surgical abortions are those that can be delayed without undue risk to the current or future health of a patient," Yost wrote, CBS News reported.
The stoppage applies to all abortion clinics, according to WKRC-TV.
Behind the temporarily abortion halting is the state's attempt to preserve medical equipment, like personal protective equipment, that is critical for medical personnel on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.
In response, abortion advocates were not happy.
"THIS IS BULLS**T. COMPLETE AND UTTER BULLS**T. People cannot be forced to travel out of state or wait weeks, maybe months on end, to get an abortion DURING A PANDEMIC. The anti-abortion movement is using a public health crisis to essentially ban abortion," Renee Bracey Sherman, the so-called "Queen Of All Abortions," responded.
"The state of Ohio has ordered abortion clinics in their state to shut down because they are non essential healthcare. This is creating ANOTHER HEALTHCARE CRISIS. Needing an abortion is time sensitive and VERY ESSENTIAL to a person who needs one," writer Lizz Winstead said.
"This is an unprecedented time & people's health & safety must be protected; but the gov't shouldn't use this crisis as an excuse to target clinics & try to take away the ability of Ohioans to access abortion, which is time-sensitive, essential health care," the ACLU responded.
"People should not push ideological agendas that interfere with the doctor-patient relationship. Period," Kellie Copeland, executive director of the advocacy organization NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, told the Washington Post.
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood said, "Now is the time to expand health care, not restrict it."
(H/T: Daily Caller)


theblaze--2020-03-22--NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio lashes out at Trump, claims 'people will die who could have lived' because

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio lashes out at Trump, claims 'people will die who could have lived' because of Trump

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio lashes out at Trump , claims 'people will die who could have lived ' because @ @ @ @ @ n't be blunt enough ... '

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio lashed out at President Donald Trump on Sunday, accusing the president of not helping New York fight the coronavirus outbreak.
Unfortunately, New York currently accounts for nearly half of all known coronavirus cases in the United States — more than 15,000 active, confirmed cases as of Sunday afternoon — and the situation there is only getting worse.
Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," de Blasio claimed the president is dragging his feet and refusing to help out his home state.
"The truth is — and New Yorkers and all Americans deserve the blunt truth — it's only getting worse. And in fact, April and May are going to be a lot worse," de Blasio said. "The president of the United States is from New York City and he will not lift a finger to help his hometown."
The president's alleged inaction, de Blasio said, will directly result in more deaths.
"I can't be blunt enough. If the president doesn't act, people will die who could have lived otherwise," de Blasio said.
The New York City mayor revealed that he has repeatedly asked for the military to be mobilized and for "the Defense Production Act to be used to its fullest to get us things like ventilators so people can live who would die otherwise."
"The military is the best logistical organization in the nation. If there are ventilators being produced anywhere in the country, we need to get them to New York. Not weeks from now or months from now, in the next 10 days," de Blasio said. "Why are they at their bases? Why are they not being allowed to serve? I guarantee you they're ready to serve. But the president has to give the order."
Full Hogan & de Blasio 'It's Going To Take All Of Us' | Meet The Press | NBC News www.youtube.com


theblaze--2020-03-22--Phil doesn't mess around with the stock market

Phil does n't mess around with the stock market Invest in land — it wont disappear over night

On Friday's episode of "In the Woods with Phil," Phil and Jase discussed why Phil invests inland instead of the stock market. Phil posed an essential question regarding losing money on Wall Street.
Watch the video below for more backwoods wisdom from Phil.
Use code PHIL for $10 off one year of BlazeTV,
Want more from Phil Robertson?
To enjoy more of this "Duck Dynasty" star's 70 years of unfiltered wisdom and uncensored common sense, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-03-22--Despite Joe Biden's false attacks, coronavirus hero Dr. Fauci says Trump always listens to him

Despite Joe Biden 's false attacks , coronavirus hero Dr. Fauci says Trump always listens to him 'He 's never @ @ @ @ @ recommendation '

Dubbed as the nation's "coronavirus hero" by news publications, Dr. Anthony Fauci is undoubtedly the country's most respected expert on the COVID-19 pandemic. While Democratic politicians and the left have tried to pin him against President Donald Trump during the crisis, the world-renowned immunologist has praised the president's leadership during the crisis and says he and the commander in chief are aligned.
Biden debunked, Fauci says Trump follows his recommendations
In an interview with The Atlantic, Fauci was asked how Trump compared to past presidents with whom he has worked.
"He has a very unique style," he said. "But the thing that encourages me is that every time I've asked him to do something—cut out China travel, or go to the mitigation guidelines—he's always ultimately listened to what I've said."
Dr. Fauci's comments contradict accusations leveled by Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden who has repeatedly implied that Trump ignores the opinions of scientists and experts on the coronavirus.
In fact, Fauci, who news organizations once falsely suggested was being "muzzled" by the White House, stated that Trump has always accepted his scientific expert opinion.
"When I've said, 'I really think we should do this,' he's never said no and overruled my recommendation." he said, adding "when it comes to the core of what gets done, thankfully, he has listened to me."
Fauci on Trump: 'There isn't a fundamental difference' between us
While the Associated Press claimed Dr. Fauci and Trump are at odds, the Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient said on CBS' "Face the Nation" that this simply is not true.
Anchor Margaret Brennan asked him if he and Trump disagreed on whether a malaria drug called hydroxychloroquine could be used to prevent COVID-19, to which the scientist said they were aligned.
"The President was trying to bring hope to the people," Dr. Fauci said regarding comments Trump made during a recent press briefing where he said he felt optimistic about the drug's potential to treat the coronavirus.
"I think there's this issue of trying to separate the two of us. There isn't fundamentally a difference there," he added.


theblaze--2020-03-22--Trump OWNS Media: Coronavirus Press Conference Edition

Over the past week , the White House released Coronavirus Guidelines for America , encouraging Americans to follow state and @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
Meanwhile , back in Washington , D.C. , members of @ @ @ @ @ their patter of being owned by President Trump during Cononavirus press briefings .
Here are @ @ @ @ @ week 's press ... Want more from BlazeTV ?
To enjoy more videos , subscribe @ @ @ @ @ multi-platform network of voices who love America , defend the Constitution and live the American @ @

Over the past week, the White House released Coronavirus Guidelines for America, encouraging Americans to follow state and local guidelines for slow the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, back in Washington, D.C., members of the White House Press continue their patter of being owned by President Trump during Cononavirus press briefings. Here are some special moments from this week's press...
Want more from BlazeTV?
To enjoy more videos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution and live the American dream.


theblaze--2020-03-22--BREAKING: Sen. Rand Paul becomes first US senator to test positive for coronavirus

BREAKING : Sen. Rand Paul becomes first US senator to test positive for coronavirus

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is the first sitting United States senator to test positive for coronavirus.
Paul's office announced in a statement Sunday that Paul is in quarantine and currently asymptomatic. He was tested due to extensive travel.
The statement said:
Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. He is feeling fine and is in quarantine. He is asymptomatic and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events. He was not aware of any direct contact with any infected person.
He expects to be back in the Senate after his quarantine period ends and will continue to work for the people of Kentucky at this difficult time. Ten days ago, our D.C. office began operating remotely, hence virtually no staff has had contact with Senator Rand Paul.
Paul is the third sitting member of Congress to contract COVID-19.
Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Ben McAdams (D-Utah) announced last week that they had tested positive for COVID-19. Diaz-Balart said Saturday that his fight with the virus has been "pretty bad."
It was not immediately clear if Paul would miss a significant Senate vote on the upcoming coronavirus relief package.
However, according to Axios, there is a bipartisan effort in both chambers of Congress to allow remote voting for the first time in American history in order to prevent further potential spread of the virus.


theblaze--2020-03-22--VIDEO: Fox's Jesse Watters debunks the left's attacks on Trump's coronavirus response

No , CDC funding has not been cut

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, Democratic politicians, members of the media, and left-wing pundits have attacked President Donald Trump's response to the pandemic with smears that have been debunked by fact-checkers. Although at least one poll shows that a plurality of Americans blame China's communist government for the spread of the deadly illness, the false attacks have resulted in Democrats being twice as likely to point their fingers at the nation's commander in chief than the regime in Beijing.
Fox News sets the record straight
To tackle the left's misinformation, Fox News host Jesse Watters delivered an extensive monologue on his program, "Watters World," on Saturday that set the record straight on all of the false left-wing attacks against Trump over his handling of COVID-19.
"There's a lot of fake news on Trump's war on the coronavirus whirling around Washington, Watters said. "I'm not going to explain it all in detail. We just don't have the time. I'm just going to tell it to you straight up so we can move on."
Here are the facts
Watters then laid out the following facts.
"The Trump Administration did not cut funding for the CDC." Watters noted that despite the Democrats' claims that Trump cut funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, federal funding for the top public health institute has actually gone up every year that Trump has been in office. While it is true that the president's 2021 budget included a 16% cut to the CDC, as fact-checkers have noted, not only were the cuts never enacted, they targeted programs that were outside of the center's mission and fall within the domain of other agencies, such as heart disease prevention. In fact, as the Washington Post explained, the president's budget proposal included a $50 million increase in funding for the CDC departments that focus on global health security and pandemics like the coronavirus. "Trump did not get rid of the pandemic unit at the National Security Council." Contrary to claims made by leading Democrats, the NSC's pandemic unit was not dissolved, it just moved to another different division under a different title, as Watters explained. The accusation was also described as "specious," by the former senior director for counterproliferation and biodefense at the NSC when the reorganization took place. "The Trump Administration did not refuse to accept testing kits from the World Health Organization." Biden has accused the administration of "refusing" to accept testing kits from the WHO, but as PolitiFact has noted, this is not true. "The WHO never offered to sell test kits to the United States," wrote fact-checkers. "The CDC opted to develop its own coronavirus test and did not use the WHO's protocol for the test. Other developed countries with advanced research capabilities developed their own tests." "Trump has not muzzled his scientists." Media outlets, such as Business Insider and others, have accused the Trump administration of silencing its top scientists. This is also false and has been debunked by the scientists themselves. As TheBlaze reported on February 29, reporters posed this very question to Dr. Fauci himself who categorically denied that he was being "muzzled" by anyone. "I have never been muzzled — never — and I've been doing this since the administration of Ronald Reagan," he said. "I'm not being muzzled by this administration." "Trump did not tell governors 'you're on your own' with having to buy ventilators." Members of the New York Times edited a recommendation Trump made to the country's governors to try obtaining ventilators on their own to make him appear cruel and insensitive. "Trump to Governors on Ventilators: 'Try Getting It Yourselves'" read a Times headline. However, the full quote shows what the president was telling the governors is that they could probably obtain ventilators and medical supplies more quickly on their own, but that the federal government was there to support them if needed. "We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself." "Trump did not call coronavirus a 'hoax.'" A campaign video by Joe Biden claims that Trump called COVID-19 a "hoax," but this charge has been discredited by fact-checkers. "The video makes it seem like Trump is calling the disease itself a hoax, which he hasn't done. The words are Trump's, but the editing is Biden's," wrote PolitiFact. As TheBlaze has reported, other news agencies have debunked this accusation, including CBS' Scott Pelley who corrected failed presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg when he leveled the same charge against Trump. "He said the Democrats making so much of it is a Democratic hoax, not that the virus was a hoax," Pelley said. "The American people do approve of the way the president is handling the coronavirus." As TheBlaze has noted, several polls released on Friday show that Americans give Trump high marks for his management of the coronavirus pandemic. According to a nationwide ABC News/Ipsos study taken March 18-19, 55% of Americans approve of the president's management of COVID-19. Meanwhile, a separate survey by Harris Insights found nearly identical numbers with 56% supporting him. "The president said Google was working with him to create a virus testing website for all Americans." Democrats and several news outlets attempted to discredit a statement made by Trump at a March 13 press conference where he announced his administration is working with Google on developing a national coronavirus testing. Democratic pundits nit-picked his words and argued he made a false statement as it is Verily, and not Google, that is developing the website. However, as TheBlaze pointed out, Verily is a Google company and spokespeople for both entities have confirmed they are indeed collaborating on a COVID-19 triage website.
Watters added: "The president is doing the best he can, balancing optimism with the grim reality of the pandemic." This is also true.


theblaze--2020-03-22--'OVER MY DEAD BODY': DOJ's request for new 'emergency powers' over coronavirus met with swift condem

'OVER MY DEAD BODY': DOJ's request for new 'emergency powers' over coronavirus met with swift condemnation

'OVER MY DEAD BODY ' : DOJ 's request for new 'emergency powers ' over coronavirus met with swift condemnation @ @ @ @ @ , it 's not funny .
If it 's not a joke , we 've @ @ @ @ @

The Justice Department has quietly asked Congress for new "emergency powers" amid the coronavirus outbreak, including the power to ask chief judges to indefinitely detain people without trial.
The DOJ has proposed numerous emergency measures, according to Politico, which obtained and reviewed documents the DOJ sent to lawmakers.
From Politico:
In one of the documents, the department proposed that Congress grant the attorney general power to ask the chief judge of any district court to pause court proceedings "whenever the district court is fully or partially closed by virtue of any natural disaster, civil disobedience, or other emergency situation."
The proposal would also grant those top judges broad authority to pause court proceedings during emergencies. It would apply to "any statutes or rules of procedure otherwise affecting pre-arrest, post-arrest, pre-trial, trial, and post-trial procedures in criminal and juvenile proceedings and all civil process and proceedings," according to draft legislative language the department shared with Congress. In making the case for the change, the DOJ document wrote that individual judges can currently pause proceedings during emergencies, but that their proposal would make sure all judges in any particular district could handle emergencies "in a consistent manner."
As Politico noted, the proposal — which would essentially permit indefinite detention — would likely violate a person's right to appear before a judge and seek release after being arrested, a constitutional right known as habeas corpus.
Specifically, the Constitution states, "The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it."
According to Politico, the DOJ is also asking to "pause the statute of limitations for criminal investigations and civil proceedings during national emergencies" as well as "expand the use of videoconference hearings, and to let some of those hearings happen without defendants' consent."
The reported proposals were met with swift bipartisan condemnation.
"OVER MY DEAD BODY," Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) responded. "If this is a joke, it's not funny. If it's not a joke, we've got much bigger problems. @realDonaldTrump, please refute and disavow this immediately."
"Two Words: Hell No," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) responded.
"Congress must loudly reply NO," Rep. Justin Amash (I-Mich.) responded.
Meanwhile, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called the power grab "abhorrent."
"There's a long history in this country and in other countries of using emergencies as times to really start to encroach upon people's civil rights. And in fact, this is a time when we need them the absolute most," she said on CNN Sunday. "It does not matter how urgent times are. We have to make sure that we retain our civil rights. And there's no reason for us to be waiving folks' civil rights in an emergency."