theblaze--2020-03-22--Biden will hold 'shadow briefings' on coronavirus to contrast from President Trump, gets blasted in

Biden will hold 'shadow briefings' on coronavirus to contrast from President Trump, gets blasted in response

Biden will hold 'shadow briefings ' on coronavirus to contrast from President Trump , gets blasted in response 'Completely unhelpful @ @ @ @ @ division '

Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden is planning to conduct regular "shadow briefings" on coronavirus beginning as early as Monday.
According to Politico, Biden will hold the briefings "to show how he would handle the crisis and address what he calls the lies and failures of President Trump."
From Politico:
Biden gave a preview of what's to come in a conference call with reporters Friday, where he listed a litany of false and misleading statements from Trump, who has been holding regular White House press conferences concerning coronavirus preparedness and response that have been broadcast live on all major networks.
"President Trump stop saying false things, will ya?" Biden said. "People are worried they are really frightened, when these things don't come through. He just exacerbates their concern. Stop saying false things you think make you sound like a hero and start putting the full weight of the federal government behind finding fast, safe and effective treatments."
In response, the former vice president was excoriated for seemingly attempting to politicize a crucial part of the government's COVID-19 response.
"Completely unhelpful and destined only to sow division. He isn't privy to any of the information the government has, he doesn't have to actually be accountable for anything he says he 'would' hypothetically do. This is just heckling from the sidelines in a time of true crisis," writer James Hasson said.
"Remember the condemnation @MittRomney faced for speaking about the terrorist attack in Benghazi before Obama, who was taking his time, did? 'We have one President at a time,' they cried. @JoeBiden shouldn't do this, it's a nakedly political idea and pretty sick," radio host Derek Hunter responded.
"Wut? Is Biden trying to thrust the confusion torturing his own mind upon the rest of us during crisis? I trust @realDonaldTrump, @VP & the health pros. I don't trust Biden to know what state he is in. Biden should shelter in place, stay safe, and listen to his President," Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) responded.
"This is the dumbest tone deaf waste of resources possible. Joe Biden is gonna basically do a play and pretend that he's the President. What a joke," Robby Starbuck said.
"Really? Which health experts from the CDC will be appearing with him?" conservative commentator Stephen Miller said.
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign said the briefings would be "aimed at undermining the public health officials in charge of the coronavirus response efforts."
"Biden's politicization of the coronavirus outbreak is shameful," the campaign said. "In his rush to politicize the pandemic, Biden is recklessly spreading false information and sowing fear."


theblaze--2020-03-23--Democrats block critical coronavirus relief bill as markets plummet

In a 47-47 vote , Senate Democrats blocked a critical $ 2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package on Sunday .
The move sent futures markets plummeting by over 5 % .
According to the Washington Examiner , the Democrats have stalled the plan to pass the bill by Monday and send it to the House for a vote .
President Donald Trump and congressional leaders hoped the measure would send a signal that would help stabilize the stock market and U.S. economy amid fears of recession as economic analysts estimate unemployment levels could hit up to an unprecedented 30 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % , figures not seen since the Great Depression .
The bill included trillions in aid for working families and small businesses Democrats blocked a package that includes direct cash payments averaging around $ 3,000 per family ( $ 1,000 per adult and $ 500 per child ) , as well as an expansion of unemployment benefits and over $ 850 billion in loans to small businesses and industries directly impacted by the deadly pandemic that has brought the U.S. economy to a grinding halt .
As recently as Saturday , Democratic Minority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hailing the measure as bipartisan , but Democrats sang a different tune on Sunday , arguing the relief amounted to a `` slush fund '' for corporations .
Republicans blasted the Democrats for playing politics at the expense of American taxpayers .
`` You 'd think the nonsense [ Bernie Sanders ] class warfare rhetoric would take a break for a minute during a pandemic , '' a Senate source told RealClearNews .
`` Corporations employ Americans .
This is about keeping their jobs , not corporate executives . ''
Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' obstruction in a fiery Senate floor speech .
`` The notion that we have time to play games here with the American economy and the American people is utterly absurd , '' he said .
`` We 'll have this ... vote again at some point of my choosing and hopefully some adults will show up on the other side of the room and understand the gravity of the situation and the need to act before the markets go down further and the American people become even more depressed about our lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most extraordinary of circumstances , '' McConnell said .
McConnell also noted that Democrats would not have been disadvantaged if they had allowed the bill to proceed in its current form and further negotiations would have still been possible .
`` If this vote had succeeded ... it would have required potentially 30 more hours of discussion during which negotiations could go on as long as they would like , '' he said .

In a 47-47 vote, Senate Democrats blocked a critical $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package on Sunday. The move sent futures markets plummeting by over 5%. According to the Washington Examiner, the Democrats have stalled the plan to pass the bill by Monday and send it to the House for a vote.
President Donald Trump and congressional leaders hoped the measure would send a signal that would help stabilize the stock market and U.S. economy amid fears of recession as economic analysts estimate unemployment levels could hit up to an unprecedented 30% in April-June with GDP contracting by 50%, figures not seen since the Great Depression.
The bill included trillions in aid for working families and small businesses
Democrats blocked a package that includes direct cash payments averaging around $3,000 per family ($1,000 per adult and $500 per child), as well as an expansion of unemployment benefits and over $850 billion in loans to small businesses and industries directly impacted by the deadly pandemic that has brought the U.S. economy to a grinding halt.
As recently as Saturday, Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) was hailing the measure as bipartisan, but Democrats sang a different tune on Sunday, arguing the relief amounted to a "slush fund" for corporations. Republicans blasted the Democrats for playing politics at the expense of American taxpayers.
"You'd think the nonsense [Bernie Sanders] class warfare rhetoric would take a break for a minute during a pandemic," a Senate source told RealClearNews. "Corporations employ Americans. This is about keeping their jobs, not corporate executives."
'Utterly absurd'
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) blasted Democrats' obstruction in a fiery Senate floor speech.
"The notion that we have time to play games here with the American economy and the American people is utterly absurd," he said.
"We'll have this ... vote again at some point of my choosing and hopefully some adults will show up on the other side of the room and understand the gravity of the situation and the need to act before the markets go down further and the American people become even more depressed about our lack of ability to come together under the most extraordinary of circumstances," McConnell said.
McConnell also noted that Democrats would not have been disadvantaged if they had allowed the bill to proceed in its current form and further negotiations would have still been possible.
"If this vote had succeeded ... it would have required potentially 30 more hours of discussion during which negotiations could go on as long as they would like," he said.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Fed president: Unemployment might reach 30%, surpassing Great Depression levels

We should prepare for a 50 % decline in GDP , he said

In an eerie announcement, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis President James Bullard predicted on Sunday that the United States might see its unemployment rate reach 30% in the second quarter of 2020, the highest since the Great Depression, due to shutdowns currently underway as part of the country's effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic that has infected over 30,000 Americans.
According to Bloomberg, Bullard also warned that the nation should brace for an unprecedented 50% decline in GDP, the gold-standard for measuring a country's economic output and vitality.
'$2.5 trillion in lost income'
In his comments, the Federal Reserve president called for a massive fiscal response to replace the $2.5 trillion in lost income in the second quarter of 2020 to ensure a robust economy. He added that the Fed stands ready to ensure global markets continue functioning during the crisis.
"Everything is on the table" as far as lending programs, Bullard told Bloomberg on Sunday.
"There is more that we can do if necessary." he said. "There is probably much more in the months ahead depending on where Congress wants to go."
'It is a huge shock'
Bloomberg also reported:
Bullard's grave assessment of the world's largest economy underscores the critical need for Congress and the White House to quickly find agreement on a massive aid program. The Fed last week restarted financial crisis-era programs to help the commercial paper and money markets, after cutting interest rates to near zero and pledging to boost its holdings of Treasuries by at least $500 billion and of mortgage securities by at least $200 billion.
"This is a planned, organized partial shutdown of the U.S. economy in the second quarter," Bullard said, according to Bloomberg. "The overall goal is to keep everyone, households and businesses, whole" with government support. "It is a huge shock and we are trying to cope with it and keep it under control."


theblaze--2020-03-23--Platform deletes controversial article arguing the media has incited a coronavirus 'hysteria'

Silicon Valley 's Aaron Ginn penned a Medium post on Friday , titled `` Evidence over hysteria—COVID-19 , '' that quickly went viral , but was taken down within 24 hours by the popular publishing platform .
`` Wow .
After 2.6M views 5.5K claps in less than 24hrs , @ Medium took down my article for 'violations ' I guess citations from CDC , John Hopkins , WHO , is too much for the thought police , '' wrote Ginn , who credits himself with popularizing the `` growth hacking movement '' in Silicon Valley , in a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the post from its website .
In his article , Ginn accused the media of fueling a panic over the novel coronavirus based on various sources of data that he reviewed .
For instance , in one section in his post he noted : `` The World Health Organization ( `` WHO '' ) released a study on how China responded to COVID-19 . ''
Adding : `` results of their research show that COVID-19 does n't spread as easily as we first thought or the media had us believe . ''
Ginn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries is a meaningless `` vanity statistic , '' or `` a single data point with no context , '' since the United States is a far larger country than Italy and other European countries with higher infection rates on a per capita basis .
However , Ginn 's Medium post was not without controversy , as scientists and experts picked it apart on Twitter arguing it suffered from `` glaring flaws , '' basic mistakes , and ignorance in the field of epidemiology .
One of the most notable criticisms came from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I hate to invest precious time on taking apart the atrocious [ Aaron Ginn ] article pictured below , but it is getting too much traction here and even in traditional media , '' the biologist wrote in a lengthy Twitter thread dissecting the post .
`` The author discusses the apparent decline in daily growth rate irrespective of control measures .
He begins with some truism about small numbers being easy to move ; this is irrelevant in the face of the exponential growth that he stresses in literally the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who specializes in developing mathematical models and computer simulations to address biological challenges , also noted a series of inconsistencies and what he said are rookie errors with Ginn 's analysis .
For example , to argue that COVID-19 will eventually fade away by the summer , Ginn cited `` Farr 's Law , '' a rule of thumb that argues epidemics take a bell-curve shape .
`` I do n't know how the author could have more effectively discredited himself to the epidemiology community with any two other words , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ famously applied `` Farr 's law '' to the HIV outbreak , they concluded the virus that causes AIDS would fade away by the mid 1990s , which it obviously did not .
`` Science is not a like a high school English essay , where you get to cherry-pick the quotes that support your point . ''
Bergstrom concluded .

Silicon Valley's Aaron Ginn penned a Medium post on Friday, titled "Evidence over hysteria—COVID-19," that quickly went viral, but was taken down within 24 hours by the popular publishing platform.
"Wow. After 2.6M views 5.5K claps in less than 24hrs, @Medium took down my article for 'violations' I guess citations from CDC, John Hopkins, WHO, is too much for the thought police," wrote Ginn, who credits himself with popularizing the "growth hacking movement" in Silicon Valley, in a tweet blasting the platform's decision to remove the post from its website.
In his article, Ginn accused the media of fueling a panic over the novel coronavirus based on various sources of data that he reviewed.
For instance, in one section in his post he noted: "The World Health Organization ("WHO") released a study on how China responded to COVID-19." Adding: "results of their research show that COVID-19 doesn't spread as easily as we first thought or the media had us believe."
Ginn also argued that comparing total cases across countries is a meaningless "vanity statistic," or "a single data point with no context," since the United States is a far larger country than Italy and other European countries with higher infection rates on a per capita basis.
A controversial post with 'glaring flaws'
However, Ginn's Medium post was not without controversy, as scientists and experts picked it apart on Twitter arguing it suffered from "glaring flaws," basic mistakes, and ignorance in the field of epidemiology.
One of the most notable criticisms came from University of Washington biology professor Carl Bergstrom. "I hate to invest precious time on taking apart the atrocious [Aaron Ginn] article pictured below, but it is getting too much traction here and even in traditional media," the biologist wrote in a lengthy Twitter thread dissecting the post.
"The author discusses the apparent decline in daily growth rate irrespective of control measures. He begins with some truism about small numbers being easy to move; this is irrelevant in the face of the exponential growth that he stresses in literally the previous sentence," he wrote.
Bergstrom, who specializes in developing mathematical models and computer simulations to address biological challenges, also noted a series of inconsistencies and what he said are rookie errors with Ginn's analysis. For example, to argue that COVID-19 will eventually fade away by the summer, Ginn cited "Farr's Law," a rule of thumb that argues epidemics take a bell-curve shape.
"I don't know how the author could have more effectively discredited himself to the epidemiology community with any two other words," Bergstrom wrote, noting how when researchers famously applied "Farr's law" to the HIV outbreak, they concluded the virus that causes AIDS would fade away by the mid 1990s, which it obviously did not.
"Science is not a like a high school English essay, where you get to cherry-pick the quotes that support your point." Bergstrom concluded.


theblaze--2020-03-22--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--2020-03-23--Bernie Sanders dodges question by accusing reporter of not following social distancing

Bernie Sanders dodges question by accusing reporter of not following social distancing 'Stay away from me .
There 's a @ @ @ @ @ it . '

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has repeatedly refused to explain to the media why he skipped a crucial vote on coronavirus relief in the Senate Sunday night and instead held a virtual town hall for his flailing presidential campaign.
On Monday, the democratic socialist even went so far as to dodge the question by asking a reporter to "stay away" from him in accordance with CDC guidelines on social distancing.
What are the details?
Last week, Sanders lashed out a reporter for asking about the future of his presidential campaign, saying that he was "dealing with a f***ing crisis" and that he was working to prevent an "economic meltdown" amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
But that led to further questions from the press, after Sanders appeared to prioritize his campaign over taking action on the pandemic when he opted to hold a virtual town hall on Sunday night rather than appear in the Senate to vote on moving forward with the third phase of a stimulus package aimed at helping Americans and businesses ravaged by the crisis.
According to CNN, a reporter on Monday asked Sanders "to explain how his absence from the Senate was consistent with his efforts to address the crisis," and the senator responded by accusing the reporter of getting "too close to him."
"Stay away from me," Sanders reportedly said. "There's a CDC requirement. Please follow it."
When pressed further by a CNN reporter on why he skipped the vote, Sanders still refused to answer the question, saying, "The most important thing that anybody can do and that the progressive movement can do is to make sure that working people get the protection that they need."
Sanders added, "I'm going to use every tool that I have to make sure that that happened."
According to Fox News, during Sanders' livestream on Sunday night, the senator took the time to slam the package proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) after bipartisan discussions.
"It is hard for me to believe that in the midst of this terrible crisis that we have a Senate Republican bill that would give the Trump administration a blank check to hand out corporate welfare to virtually any corporation in America, without conditions as to how they can protect workers in this country," Sanders told his supporters.
Anything else?
Senate Democrats were able to block the coronavirus relief package proposed on Sunday, and then blocked it again on Monday while pressing for unrelated agenda items such as setting new emissions standards for the airline industry.
While Republicans hold a majority in the upper chamber, five GOP senators are quarantined at home and unable to vote due to either testing positive for COVID-19 or coming into contact with someone infected.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Nancy Pelosi's daughter endorses neighbor's assault against Rand Paul after coronavirus diagnosis

Is it really the time for this kind of behavior ?

Christine Pelosi, the political activist daughter of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), mocked Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) over his coronavirus diagnosis by endorsing his neighbor's violent attack on the congressman.
Pelosi was responding to a tweet with a report that Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) had said he was concerned for the health of his wife Ann Romney because she suffers from multiple sclerosis.
"Rand Paul's neighbor was right," joked Pelosi.
She referred to the incident in November 2017 where Rene Boucher tackled Paul from behind as he was mowing his lawn and caused him to suffer several bruised ribs. Surgeons removed part of his lung as a result of the attack, which left him more susceptible to a respiratory virus like coronavirus.
Pelosi endorsed the violent attack on Paul ostensibly out of concern for Ann Romney and the risk that she might contract the virus through Rand Paul's actions.
Paul said that he had tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday and entered into self-quarantine. He also indicated that he was asymptomatic.
Boucher was sentenced to 30 days in prison, a fine, and community service in June 2018 for the attack on Paul.
Here's more about Paul's diagnosis:


theblaze--2020-03-23--Sen. John Kennedy: Delay on COVID-19 bill makes it look like country is 'run by a bunch of idiots'

Sen. John Kennedy : Delay on COVID-19 bill makes it look like country is 'run by a bunch of idiots' @ @ @ @ @ the Senate to get its act together

Louisiana Republican Sen. John Kennedy had strong words for his Senate colleagues on Monday as Democrats continued to block legislation aimed at providing economic relief amid the coronavirus outbreak, telling the upper chamber that the delay makes it look like the country "is being run by a bunch of idiots."
What are the details?
Speaking from the Senate floor, Sen. Kennedy said, "Do you know what the American people are thinking right now? They're thinking that the brain is an amazing organ. It starts working in a mother's womb, and it doesn't stop working until you get elected to Congress."
"Do you know what the American people are thinking right now, Mr. President?" Kennedy continued. "They're thinking that this country was founded by geniuses, but it's being run by a bunch of idiots. Do you know what the American people are thinking right now, Mr. President? They're thinking 'Why do the members of the United States Senate continue to double down on stupid?'"
FIERY VIDEO: GOP Senator LETS LOOSE on Democrats on Senate Floor | FULL REMARKS www.youtube.com
According to the Washington Examiner, "Kennedy explained that the legislation had been drafted in a bipartisan fashion with members of both parties adding snippets. The legislation included $2 trillion in cash for people, small businesses, and large corporations hardest hit by the coronavirus."
In his speech, the senator added, "I get politics. I have been around it my whole life. But there comes a time when we have to stop thinking about the next election and start thinking about the next generation. What are we going to leave to our children if we allow this economy to crash? And it is happening as we speak."
Anything else?
A bipartisan package had been negotiated over the weekend before Democrats voted against moving forward with the legislation on Sunday night and then again on Monday. While the Senate is controlled by Republicans, five GOP members were unable to appear to vote on the measure because of quarantines due to COVID-19.
Democrats are now pushing for unrelated agenda items to be included in the coronavirus relief bill, at the pressing of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Monday, "Here are some of the items on the Democratic wish list, over which they chose to block this legislation last night: Tax credits for solar energy and wind energy. Provisions to force employers to give special new treatment to big labor. And listen to this: New emission standards for the airlines. Are you kidding me? ... Democrats won't let us fund hospitals or save small businesses unless they get to dust off the Green New Deal."


theblaze--2020-03-23--Former campaign staffers file class-action lawsuit alleging Mike Bloomberg promised pay through Nove

Former campaign staffers file class-action lawsuit alleging Mike Bloomberg promised pay through November then fired them

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg spent hundreds of millions of dollars on his failed Democratic presidential campaign before dropping out and endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden.
In the process of running for president, he hired a large staff, paying some of them well above average salaries and allegedly promising them employment through November, even if Bloomberg was not the nominee.
In the weeks following Bloomberg dropping out, however, some staffers were abruptly fired and left without promised health insurance benefits — just as COVID-19 was spreading across the United States. So, they're taking action against Bloomberg in two separate lawsuits.
One lawsuit alleges that employees were recruited under false pretenses and not paid adequately for overtime. The second lawsuit addresses the alleged promises of employment through November. From NPR:
"The Bloomberg campaign's hiring managers understood that potential applicants for field staff positions like the plaintiffs would be motivated to work for Mike Bloomberg 2020 because of their interest in working on the general election to defeat Donald Trump," the lawsuit states.
"Accordingly, the Mike Bloomberg 2020 hiring managers expressly promised field staff applicants for Mike Bloomberg 2020 that they would be employed by Mike Bloomberg 2020 to perform work on the primary campaign to elect Michael Bloomberg as the Democratic nominee and election, regardless of whether Bloomberg won the nomination, and stated that the Bloomberg campaign would keep open and financially support its field offices through the general election campaign."
Bloomberg dropped out of the primary after a disappointing Super Tuesday finish and endorsed Biden, who has opened up a potentially insurmountable lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Bloomberg also made what amounts to an $18 million personal donation to the Democratic National Committee, which was allowable because it came from his campaign committee — which was self-funded. Bloomberg spent nearly $1 billion on his campaign.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Three armed intruders break into home — but 17-year-old who lives there turns the tables and opens f

Three armed intruders break into home — but 17-year-old who lives there turns the tables and opens fire, killing at least one of them

Three armed intruders break into home — but 17-year-old who lives there turns the tables and opens fire , killing @ @ @ @ @ 'Guess they picked the wrong house this time '

Police said a 17-year-old fatally shot at least one of three armed robbers who broke into the Cobb County, Georgia, home he was living in, WSB-TV reported.
The incident took place Sunday night on Olive Springs Road, WAGA-TV reported.
What happened to the intruders?
Machavellia Bagsby, 21, was shot and killed by the 17-year-old, WSB said. Bagsby died at the scene, the station added.
Taruss Miller, 21, was shot in the leg — but it's unclear who shot him, WSB said.
A third intruder — a 16-year-old — was found later, the station also said.
Miller and the 16-year-old have been charged with murder, aggravated assault, attempted armed robbery, burglary, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, WSB said, adding that the investigation continues.
What did others have to say about the shooting?
Commenters responding to WSB's tweet about the shooting seemed very much on the side of the 17-year-old:


theblaze--2020-03-23--Young adults — the same people repeatedly chastised about not being careful during the pandemic — ma

Young adults — the same people repeatedly chastised about not being careful during the pandemic — make up a plurality of NYC's coronavirus cases

Young adults — the same people repeatedly chastised about not being careful during the pandemic — make up a plurality @ @ @ @ @ A usually busy 42nd Street is nearly empty on Monday in New York City .
@ @ @ @ @ highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States .
( Photo by @ @ @ @ @ )

They've been told repeatedly that they need to social distance themselves. They've been warned to keep away from others to help curb the spread of the virus.
Turns out that in New York City, young adults — the very people warned explicitly that their careless and selfish actions could exacerbate the current COVID-19 pandemic — make up a plurality and a disproportionate share of coronavirus cases.
What's that now?
The CDC and various state and local agencies have told Americans to practice social distancing. One age group — young adults (mostly millennials) — has had to be repeatedly reminded and chastised about their actions.
Americans have been treated to stories about young adults storming the beaches for spring break, continuing to gather at bars and restaurants, and generally telling the world that they if they get corona, they get corona — without any apparent concern that they might spread the disease to more vulnerable victims whose very lives could be in danger.
And now a report from the New York City government reveals exactly what happens when people willfully ignore medical experts' advice.
According to NYC Health, as of Monday morning, there were 12,339 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Big Apple.
When broken down by various age groups, adults ages 18-44 made up the plurality of cases, with 5,704 or 46% of all coronavirus patients — yet that age group makes up only 40% of the city's population, according to the New York Post.
The smallest adult group is actually adults 75 and over, who make up just 8% of cases.
Kids ages 0-17 are only 3% of cases.
Adults under 50 make up 58% of all cases.
The report also broke the city's cases down by borough and revealed that a slim plurality of COVID-19 patients were in Queens (29%), with Brooklyn, home of the millennial hipsters, a close second (28%).
Image source: NYC Health screenshot
NYC Health also reported that Monday saw 1,576 new cases of COVID-19, which is the fewest number of new cases in the city since March 18.
Image source: NYC Health screenshot
(H/T: New York Post)
This piece has been updated.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Dem Rep. Clyburn told colleagues the coronavirus stimulus bill is ‘a tremendous opportunity to restr

Dem Rep. Clyburn told colleagues the coronavirus stimulus bill is ‘a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision’

Dem Rep. Clyburn told colleagues the coronavirus stimulus bill is ‘ a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our @ @

Democrats on Capitol Hill have now twice-rejected an economic stimulus packaged aimed at aiding Americans and businesses hurt by the coronavirus shutdown measures, as Republicans claim that their colleagues on the other side are attempting to cram a wish list of unrelated demands into the bill.
Adding fuel to the fire, news began circulating last week that House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) had reportedly told colleagues that the bill provided "a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision."
Clyburn's comments came during a conference call last Thursday featuring more than 200 Democrats, in which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) allegedly pushed for environmental measures and increased collective bargaining powers to be included in the stimulus package.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thrashed Democrats for their partisan politics on the Senate floor Monday.
"Here are some of the items on the Democratic wish list, over which they choose to block this legislation last night," he said. "Tax credits for solar energy and wind energy. Provisions to force employers to give special new treatment to big labor. And listen to this: New emissions standards for the airlines. Are you kidding me? ... Democrats won't let us fund hospitals or save small businesses unless they get to dust off the Green New Deal."
Texas Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw also slammed Democrats for playing games while Americans are suffering under economic distress.
"This will go down as one of the most cynical, disgusting, malevolent actions in history," he wrote on Twitter. "Millions are losing jobs while they play these games."
Clyburn also made headlines last Sunday when he told "Axios on HBO" that President Trump is a racist who has hired white supremacists to work for him in the White House, and warned that America "could very well go the way of Germany in the 1930s."
Here's the full clip:


theblaze--2020-03-23--Actor Idris Elba, diagnosed with coronavirus, says virus is planet's reaction to environmental abuse

Actor Idris Elba, diagnosed with coronavirus, says virus is planet's reaction to environmental abuse by humans

Actor Idris Elba , diagnosed with coronavirus , says virus is planet 's reaction to environmental abuse by humans 'We @ @ @ @ @

Actor Idris Elba was recently diagnosed with coronavirus — and later found out his wife also tested positive for it. Elba believes the virus is the earth's response to poor treatment by humans, according to The Independent.
Elba said he didn't experience any symptoms, and that he only got tested because of potential exposure to someone else who had the virus.
Say what, now? Elba said it was "very obvious" that the planet was reacting to being abused the same way a human might— by retaliating aggressively. Here's what he said:
"One of the upsides of this whole drama is that we are forced to think together as a race. We really are, as a human race.
Our world has been taking a kicking. We have damaged our world, and it's no surprise that our world is reacting to the human race. It's no surprise that a virus has been created that is going to slow us down, and ultimately make us think differently about our world and ourselves.
For me, that's a stand-out thing that's very obvious. That, this is almost like the world's cry out. Like: 'Hey, hey, hey – you are kicking me and what you're doing is not good, so I'll get rid of you.' As any organism would do, (the world) is trying to get rid of an infection, and maybe this is it for the world."
That's one explanation... Elba's view of the COVID-19 spread as the planet's way of punishing humans for not being environmentally conscious will likely appeal to climate change alarmists.
Elba is right, partially — humans do bear significant blame for the spread of the virus, specifically due to the conditions and behavior in China (potentially the consumption of bats or other wildlife from wet markets) and the subsequent suppression of information about the virus by the Chinese government.
(H/T The Daily Wire)


theblaze--2020-03-23--Surprise, surprise: Florida university announces at least 5 spring breakers have tested positive for

Surprise, surprise: Florida university announces at least 5 spring breakers have tested positive for COVID-19

Surprise , surprise : Florida university announces at least 5 spring breakers have tested positive for COVID-19 What did they @ @ @ @ @ ?

Officials at Florida's University of Tampa announced on Monday that at least five students have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The five students reportedly traveled with other students to engage in spring break festivities amid the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.
What are the details?
In a statement, the university tweeted, "UT has been notified that five UT students, traveling together and with other UT students during Spring Break, have tested positive for COVID-19. We sincerely wish our students, and any others who may be affected, a full and rapid recovery."
Despite officials' pleas of social distancing and self-quarantine, many college-age students across the country indulged in packed spring break gatherings.
Last week, a viral video featured some of the partying students defending their "right" to enjoy their spring breaks.
"If I get corona, I get corona," one bleary-eyed student — later identified as Brady Sluder — bragged. "At the end of the day, I'm not going to let it stop me from partying. I've been waiting — we've been waiting for Miami spring break for a while. About two months we've had this trip planned, two, three months, and we're just out here having a good time.
"Whatever happens, happens," the student reasoned.
What else?
Florida has had more than 1,171 confirmed coronavirus cases. At least 13 people have died because of the deadly disease.
CNN reports that Florida has the sixth most cases of COVID-19 in the United States.
According to the New York Post, the university did not publicly identify the students.
"The Florida Department of Health is following its protocol to identify, notify and quarantine any individuals that have had contact with these individuals," the university said, according to the outlet.
(H/T: The Hill)


theblaze--2020-03-23--Cher issues apology for calling President Donald Trump a 'murderer'

Entertainer Cher has issued an apology for calling President Donald Trump a `` murderer '' last week in a blistering tweet .
The actress , musician , and performer has long been an outspoken critic of the president , even speaking at women 's marches and inauguration protests to voice her disapproval of Trump .
What did she say at the time ?
On Friday , Cher — real name Cherilyn Sarkisian — wrote , `` [ T ] rump HAS ACCESS 2 EVERY MASK , SHIELD , GOWN , GLOVE , BED , VENTiLATOR , RESPIRATOR , TEST KIT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CORPS OF ENGINEERS , NURSES , DR. 'S , TECHS , 1ST RESPONDERS NEEDED 2 SAVE THE LIVES OF CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS , & CAREGIVERS .
Trump IS A LIAR , & MURDERER .
OPEN UR [ eyes ] . ''
Cher 's tweet was apparently directed at the president 's handling of the COVID-19 crisis .
She later deleted the tweet and issued an apology for her strong words , admitting that she went too far .
What is she saying now ?
On Monday , the 73-year-old actress and singer wrote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My passion 4Flag of United States & trump 's lack of EMPATHY , EMOTION , INTELLIGENCE , CARING , & HIS PENCHANT 4 CRUELTY 'CHILDREN LOCKED IN CAMPS 4EVER , ' STATES BEGGING HIM 4 SUPPLIES & HIM SAYING 'WE 'RE NOT SHIPPING CLERKS , ' IS LAST STRAW .
BUT I WENT ' 2 FAR ' & AM 'TRULY SORRY . '
'' She issued a follow-up tweet later , insisting that she was not pressured to retract her initial sentiment .
`` This was not because of Outside pressure , It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Proud Of Me , '' the entertainer wrote .
`` She hates trump , but she 's said 'Cher ( she Never Calls Me Cher ) There Are Things you Think , & Things You Say… Dont Confuse Them .
She 's Pretty Liberal , But Sometimes Says 'Cher ' That 's Beneath you . ''
In another questionable tweet — this time in May 2019 — Cher said Trump should be sexually assaulted in prison .
`` Been giving impeachment much thought throughout the day & I would [ love ] 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , [ locked ] up in [ chains ] , & boy toy of Big Bubba . ''
She later deleted that tweet , too .

Entertainer Cher has issued an apology for calling President Donald Trump a "murderer" last week in a blistering tweet.
The actress, musician, and performer has long been an outspoken critic of the president, even speaking at women's marches and inauguration protests to voice her disapproval of Trump.
What did she say at the time?
On Friday, Cher — real name Cherilyn Sarkisian — wrote, "[T]rump HAS ACCESS 2 EVERY MASK, SHIELD, GOWN, GLOVE, BED, VENTiLATOR, RESPIRATOR, TEST KIT, NATIONAL GUARDSMAN, SOLDIER FROM ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, NURSES, DR.'S, TECHS, 1ST RESPONDERS NEEDED 2 SAVE THE LIVES OF CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS, & CAREGIVERS. Trump IS A LIAR, & MURDERER. OPEN UR [eyes]."
Cher's tweet was apparently directed at the president's handling of the COVID-19 crisis.
She later deleted the tweet and issued an apology for her strong words, admitting that she went too far.
What is she saying now?
On Monday, the 73-year-old actress and singer wrote, "RARELY DELETE Twts, but sometimes My passion 4Flag of United States & trump's lack of EMPATHY, EMOTION,INTELLIGENCE, CARING, & HIS PENCHANT 4 CRUELTY 'CHILDREN LOCKED IN CAMPS 4EVER,' STATES BEGGING HIM 4 SUPPLIES & HIM SAYING 'WE'RE NOT SHIPPING CLERKS,' IS LAST STRAW. BUT I WENT '2 FAR' & AM 'TRULY SORRY.'"
She issued a follow-up tweet later, insisting that she was not pressured to retract her initial sentiment.
"This was not because of Outside pressure, It's because My Mom Wouldn't be Proud Of Me," the entertainer wrote. "She hates trump, but she's said 'Cher (she Never Calls Me Cher) There Are Things you Think, & Things You Say… Dont Confuse Them. She's Pretty Liberal,But Sometimes Says 'Cher' That's Beneath you."
What else?
In another questionable tweet — this time in May 2019 — Cher said Trump should be sexually assaulted in prison.
"Been giving impeachment much thought throughout the day & I would [love] 2 see Trump impeached, brought 2 trial, [locked] up in [chains], & boy toy of Big Bubba."
She later deleted that tweet, too.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Strip club shut down over coronavirus now has dancers delivering food. Owner calls new venture 'Boob

Strip club shut down over coronavirus now has dancers delivering food. Owner calls new venture 'Boober Eats.'

Strip club shut down over coronavirus now has dancers delivering food .
Owner calls new venture 'Boober Eats . '

TheBlaze last week reported that sex workers in a couple of European cities are finding it difficult to make ends meets since brothels have been shut down over the coronavirus pandemic.
But here in the United States, some strip clubs are, er, innovating in the face of the sudden restrictions.
Lucky Devil Lounge
The Lucky Devil Lounge in Portland had to close its doors last week, but like many other states' directives, Oregon's business closure still lets establishments do takeout and deliver food.
So with his primary customer draw shut down, lounge owner Shon Boulden created a brand-new business, the Oregonian reported: Boober Eats.
In short, patrons pay scantily clad strippers to deliver hot food to their homes, the paper said.
The Oregonian reported that the name of the delivery service started as a joke Boulden posted on social media — but when people started seriously asking about orders, the lounge owner saw an opening.
Boulden has about 80 dancers between the Lucky Devil Lounge and another club, Devil's Point, the paper said.
"They're all like, 'Hey, what do we do?' I said, 'Let me figure something out,' and this is my solution," he recounted to the Oregonian, adding that he bought out one local store's stock of pasties for the new venture and is providing masks, disposable gloves, and sanitizing wipes.
Boulden also told the paper he's trying to employ as many people as possible during the coronavirus shutdown — which means kitchen workers are cooking orders, bartenders are working the phones and maintaining social media, and security guards are driving dancers to deliveries and walking them to front doors.
The no-touching-strippers rule still applies with Boober Eats, the paper added.
About 25 dancers have started taking on the delivery service, the Oregonian said, adding that many of them have gone from making several hundred dollars a night to earning close to minimum wage.
"Losing this job is devastating," Boober Eats stripper Kiki told the paper. "For the majority of us, it's been an almost complete loss of income. I'm here supporting my community and trying to keep maintaining an income flow as best as we can."
Strippers are considered independent contractors rather than employees, the Oregonian said, adding that it means they typically aren't eligible for unemployment benefits.
"It became very real when all this happened," stripper Olivia told the paper. "Dancers work for tips and tips only."
Little Darlings
Little Darlings strip club in Las Vegas was slated to begin drive-through strip shows Saturday in an effort to keep the business running during the coronavirus shutdown, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
"We're going to offer drive-up window strip shows," Ryan Carlson, Little Darlings' director of operations, told the paper. "Guests can drive up to the front door, and we're going to have dancers separate by the 6-foot separation rule and they can enjoy a totally nude show right from the seat of their car."
A 10-minute show will run a patrons $100 — and tips are encouraged, the Review-Journal noted.
"As funny as it sounds, Little Darlings has been around for 30 years, and we pretty much sell out almost every night of the week," Carlson added to the paper. "It probably won't be any busier than normal because, as I said, we kind of reach capacity every night anyway."
Strip club offering drive-thru strip shows youtu.be
(H/T: Blue Lives Matter)


theblaze--2020-03-23--Reports: Obama admin used up the stockpile of N95 masks but never replenished the supply, despite re

Reports: Obama admin used up the stockpile of N95 masks but never replenished the supply, despite recommendations to do so

Reports : Obama admin used up the stockpile of N95 masks but never replenished the supply , despite recommendations to @ @ @ @ @ the Obama administration pulled three-quarters of the masks to combat the swine flu

According to reports from the Los Angeles Times and Bloomberg News — not exactly right-wing media outlets — the federal stockpile of N95 respirator masks was depleted under the Obama administration but never replenished, despite two separate recommendations to do so.
Critics of the current administration have blamed President Donald Trump for the shortage of respirator masks that has left the country looking for ways to mass-produce them in time to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
But a Sunday report from PJ Media found that stockpile shortage can be traced back much further back than to January or even nearly four years ago to Trump's inauguration. The problem began in 2009 under the Obama administration.
What are the details?
In 2005, the George W. Bush administration published the "National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza," which outlined a strategy for the federal government to assist state and local efforts in the event of a pandemic. A key part of the strategy was for the federal government to distribute medical supplies, such as N95 masks, from the Strategic National Stockpile.
Then, in 2009, the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak swept through the United States, infecting 60 million Americans, hospitalizing 274,304, and killing 12,469, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
During the outbreak, the Obama administration pulled roughly three-fourths of the masks from the stockpile to manage the spread, but never replenished the supply.
Here's a crucial excerpt buried near the bottom of a recent Bloomberg News story:
The national stockpile used to be somewhat more robust. In 2006, Congress provided supplemental funds to add 104 million N95 masks and 52 million surgical masks in an effort to prepare for a flu pandemic. But after the H1N1 influenza outbreak in 2009, which triggered a nationwide shortage of masks and caused a 2- to 3-year backlog orders for the N95 variety, the stockpile distributed about three-quarters of its inventory and didn't build back the supply.
Another article published by the Los Angeles Times last week made the same point but went even further by detailing how the Obama administration failed to restock the supply even after two separate organizations urged them to take action:
After the swine flu epidemic in 2009, a safety-equipment industry association and a federally sponsored task force both recommended that depleted supplies of N95 respirator masks, which filter out airborne particles, be replenished by the stockpile, which is maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
According to Charles Johnson, president of the International Safety Equipment Association, the Obama administration pulled roughly 100 million masks during the swine flu epidemic, but the advice to replenish the supply was never heeded.
"Our association is unaware of any major effort to restore the stockpile to cover that drawdown," he told the Los Angeles Times.
Why does it matter?
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar reported in February that the stockpile now consisted of only 12 million N95 masks, which is only a tiny fraction of the 300 million he approximated the nation's health care system would need.
Both the Times and Bloomberg reported that many medical centers across the country are already running out of masks and have resorted to constructing protective medical gear out of office supplies household items.
"We are very close to being out of face shields," Becca Bartles, executive director of infection prevention at Providence St. Joseph Health, which consists of 51 area hospitals, told Bloomberg. "Masks, we're probably a couple of days away" from running out, she added.
To grow the supply, President Trump is calling on businesses with the capabilities to manufacture masks or donate protective masks they already have in their supply to local hospitals.
Some are urging Trump to use the Defense Production Act of 1950 — which gives the president authority to demand that business manufacture war-time materials — to order businesses to produce masks. Thus far, Trump has maintained that he will do so only as a last resort.


theblaze--2020-03-23--2020 Olympics to be postponed — 'likely to 2021' — IOC source tells USA Today

2020 Olympics to be postponed — 'likely to 2021 ' — IOC source tells USA Today Was only a matter @ @

USA Today reported Monday that a veteran member of the International Olympic Committee told the paper that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are going to be postponed "likely to 2021" and that the details are still being hammered out.
What's happening?
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to make its way around the globe and pretty much every major sporting event being canceled or postponed, it was only a matter of time until the IOC had to announce a decision on what was going to happen with the 2020 Olympics that were scheduled to begin July 24.
According to USA Today, longtime IOC member Dick Pound said the decision to postpone "has been decided." All that's left, according to Pound, is to nail down the particulars over the next few weeks.
"On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided," Pound told the paper. "The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know."
IOC President Thomas Bach said Sunday that the committee was going to take the next four weeks to decide the fate of the 2020 Games and that he was determined not to cancel the event. Bach wrote a letter to the athlete community, USA Today reported, saying the committee would look for other ways to hold the Games, even if they had to be postponed.
In response to the letter, according to the outlet, multiple countries and entities indicated that, unless the Tokyo Games were postponed, they would not send a delegation. Those countries included Germany, Canada, Australia, Norway, and Brazil. The Paralympic Committee also said it would not send athletes to Tokyo if the games were not suspended.


theblaze--2020-03-23--New report says China concealed more than 43,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases

A new report alleges China hid more than 43,000 cases of coronavirus by the end of February.
What are the details?
According to the South China Morning Post, at least 43,000 of China's COVID-19 diagnoses were not included in the country's official count of confirmed cases.
The 43,000 figure reportedly represents "silent carriers" — people who have been diagnosed with coronavirus, but who also were asymptomatic.
"More than 43,000 people in China had tested positive for Covid-19 by the end of February but had no immediate symptoms, a condition typically known as asymptomatic, according to the data," the outlet reported. "They were placed in quarantine and monitored but were not included in the official tally of confirmed cases, which stood at about 80,000 at the time."
As pointed out by the Daily Caller, "China's failure to report asymptomatic coronavirus cases in its official tally goes against the World Health Organization's guidance that anyone who tests positive for the virus should be counted as a confirmed case, regardless of their symptoms."
At the time of this writing, there are 362,019 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the globe. At least 15,495 of them have died so far.
Additionally, the South China Morning Post also reported that at least a third of coronavirus cases could be "silent carriers."
Hiroshi Nishiura, an epidemiologist at Hokkaido University in Japan, said, "The number of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) cases worldwide continues to grow, and the gap between reports from China and statistical estimates of incidence based on cases diagnosed outside China indicates that a substantial number of cases are underdiagnosed."
You can read more on the study here.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Democrats push for environmental measures and increased union power in coronavirus stimulus bill, st

Democrats push for environmental measures and increased union power in coronavirus stimulus bill, stalling progress

Democrats push for environmental measures and increased union power in coronavirus stimulus bill , stalling progress 'Millions are losing jobs @ @ @ @ @ . '

Negotiations over an economic stimulus bill to ease the pain of Americans and businesses caused by coronavirus-related shutdowns across the country are not going well, at least partially because Democrats are hoping to leverage the crisis to get some unrelated reforms passed.
Congressional Republicans say House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and other Democrats are pushing for labor and environmental provisions in the stimulus package that have nothing to do with addressing the health and economic harm of COVID-19.
"Here are some of the items on the Democratic wish list, over which they choose to block this legislation last night," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Monday. "Tax credits for solar energy and wind energy. Provisions to force employers to give special new treatment to big labor. And listen to this: New emissions standards for the airlines. Are you kidding me? ... Democrats won't let us fund hospitals or save small businesses unless they get to dust off the Green New Deal."
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) confirmed an earlier report from Townhall's Guy Benson about the demands.
"I can confirm this," Crenshaw wrote on Twitter. "This is what Democrats torpedoed the rescue package for. This will go down as one of the most cynical, disgusting, malevolent actions in history. Millions are losing jobs while they play these games."
A vote to move forward on a more than $1 trillion stimulus bill failed as Republicans were unable to get any Democratic support to get the needed 60 votes. Five Republican senators are in self-quarantine due to either a positive coronavirus test or suspected contact with an infected person.
The stimulus package included direct aid payments to Americans and measures to support small businesses and large corporations that are struggling and being forced to cut workers. Democratic leaders claim the GOP bill does too much for big corporations and not enough for workers.
TheBlaze contacted the offices of Pelosi and Schumer for comment and has not received a response.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Report reveals one possible reason the World Health Organization is 'running interference' for commu

Report reveals one possible reason the World Health Organization is 'running interference' for communist China on coronavirus

Report reveals one possible reason the World Health Organization is 'running interference ' for communist China on coronavirus There must @ @

As the international community continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, it is becoming increasingly clear why the World Health Organization circulated Chinese propaganda in the wake of the outbreak.
In the initial days of the outbreak, the WHO repeated the obviously false claim from the Chinese government that there is "no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission" associated with COVID-19. Meanwhile, the disease was spreading rapidly in China precisely due to human-to-human transmission.
Making matters worse, the WHO ignored warnings from Taiwan that China was being dishonest about the virus's transmissibility, Taiwan Vice President Chen Chien-jen told the Financial Times last week. The WHO ignored Taiwan because it sides with China in the geo-political dispute over Taiwan.
And despite all evidence that China covered up key facts about the virus, forcing scientists to destroy evidence and censoring media coverage, Director-General Tedros Adhanom praised China's "transparency."
"In many ways, China is actually setting a new standard for outbreak response. It's not an exaggeration," Adhanom said on Jan. 30.
Meanwhile, Tedros rebuked the United States — whom China is blaming for the COVID-19 outbreak — and other countries in early February for restricting travel to China, actions that experts now praise.
So why the disconnect with reality? According to the Daily Caller, China and Adhanom have long had a symbiotic relationship.
In a new report, titled, "Top WHO Official Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Won Election With China's Help. Now He's Running Interference For China On Coronavirus," the Daily Caller reported:
He worked closely with China during his time as Ethiopia's health minister, and China backed Tedros's 2017 bid for WHO director-general, media outlets noted at the time. Tedros won the election despite widely covered accusations that he covered up three different cholera epidemics as health minister in Ethiopia. Though he goes by "Dr. Tedros," the WHO chief isn't a medical doctor but has a PhD in public health.
Washington Post columnist Frida Ghitis similarly noted at the time that China “worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help Tedros defeat the United Kingdom candidate for the WHO job, David Nabarro. Tedros's victory was also a victory for Beijing, whose leader Xi Jinping has made public his goal of flexing China's muscle in the world."
The suspicious relationship has led to calls for the WHO to be held accountable.
"We believe the organization's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, like China's Xi Jinping, should be held accountable for recklessly managing this deadly pandemic. Tedros apparently turned a blind eye to what happened in Wuhan and the rest of China and, after meeting with Xi in January, has helped China to play down the severity, prevalence and scope of the COVID-19 outbreak," University of Texas-San Antonio professor Henry Thayer and Citizens Power Initiatives for China vice president Lianchao Han declared last week.


theblaze--2020-03-23--New Jersey homeowner arrested after holding a pop-up wedding at his house with more than 50 people i

New Jersey homeowner arrested after holding a pop-up wedding at his house with more than 50 people in attendance

New Jersey police arrested a homeowner after he recently hosted a wedding at his home with more than 50 people in attendance, violating Gov. Phil Murphy's (D) executive order designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Police arrested the homeowner, Eliyohu Zaks, 49, on Friday after concerned citizens notified law enforcement about a large crowd gathered at his home. Police quickly came to his residence to disperse the crowd and charged Zaks with "maintaining a public nuisance" by hosting the large gathering, local news outlet Patch reported.
Earlier in the week, police were called to break up two other weddings in the neighborhood, which is home to a large Orthodox Jewish community and yeshiva, or Jewish school. And just one day prior, cops arrested another homeowner, Shaul Kuperwasser, 43, charged him with "maintaining a public nuisance" by hosting a large crowd of over 50 people at his residence.
"The Lakewood Police is asking that its citizens be responsible and obey the directives set forth by the State of New Jersey for the safety and health of all," local law enforcement said in a statement. "Those that choose not to will be subject to criminal prosecution."
Aside from the arrests of Zaks and Kuperwasser, more than a dozen property owners have also been ticketed for their actions in violation of the governor's orders.
Last week, Gov. Murphy issued an executive order banning gatherings of more than 50 people, and on Saturday he expanded community mitigation measures to include a stay-at-home order.
Regarding the news that many were not following his directive, Murphy declared, "we are really damned unhappy" about such stories and "we're going to take action."
"We basically have banned any social gatherings in the state," he said. "We want no gatherings of any kind. We want people to stay home, period."
In an update on Twitter Monday morning, Murphy announced 935 new positive test results for COVID-19 in New Jersey over the last day, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 2,844.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Surgeon general insists social distancing is still necessary: 'This week, it's going to get bad'

Surgeon general insists social distancing is still necessary : 'This week , it 's going to get bad' Please stay @ @ @ @

Surgeon General Jerome Adams stressed the need for Americans to continue staying home and implementing social distancing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, warning that not enough people have been taking the situation seriously so far, during an interview on NBC's "Today."
The urging comes as questions increase about whether the measures being taken to stop the spread of the virus, which are already severely hurting the economy and the well-being of Americans, are going to be more harmful than the virus itself.
"I want America to understand this week, it's going to get bad," Adams said.
He went on to point out large numbers of people still visiting beaches or other public areas, particularly young and healthy people who seemingly believe that the coronavirus infection can't impact them.
"Everyone needs to act as if they have the virus right now," Adams said. "So, test or no test. We need you to understand you could be spreading it to someone else. Or you could be getting it from someone else, stay at home."
US Surgeon General Jerome Adams On Coronavirus: 'This Week It's Going To Get Bad' | TODAY youtu.be
Many Americans are complying with social distancing orders/requests, and many businesses have been forcibly shut down by orders from state and local government officials, supported by President Donald Trump. The question now is how long such measures should last — and how long they can last without doing more harm than good.
That's a question the president raised Sunday night, when he tweeted that shutdown measures would be reevaluated after 15 days to ensure that the cure isn't worse than the disease.
Trump has previously said the coronavirus crisis could last as long as August, according to information he's received from his advisers on the coronavirus task force.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has warned that the outbreak in the U.S. could get as bad as Italy if proper action isn't taken to prevent the spread. As of Monday morning, 5,476 people have died in Italy from the coronavirus.
(H/T: Hot Air)


theblaze--2020-03-23--Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s husband hospitalized for COVID-19: 'When he started coughing up blood, he got a

Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s husband hospitalized for COVID-19: 'When he started coughing up blood, he got a test'

Sen. Amy Klobuchar ’ s husband hospitalized for COVID-19 : 'When he started coughing up blood , he got a @ @ @ @ @ not meet the qualifications to receive test

The husband of former presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
What are the details?
Klobuchar announced in a Medium post that her husband, John Kessler, tested positive for the coronavirus and is hospitalized in Virginia.
Kessler reportedly contracted pneumonia because of COVID-19 and is on oxygen support therapy. He is not, at the time of this writing, on a ventilator, according to the former presidential candidate.
She said her husband — who is a professor of law at the University of Baltimore School of Law and an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center — fell ill while in Washington, D.C., while Klobuchar was in her home state of Minnesota.
Klobuchar said that when her husband began to feel the symptoms, he "immediately quarantined himself" and stopped going to work.
“He immediately quarantined himself just in case and stopped going to his job teaching in Baltimore," she explained in the post. “He kept having a temperature and a bad, bad cough and when he started coughing up blood he got a test and a chest X-ray and they checked him into a hospital in Virginia because of a variety of things including very low oxygen levels which haven't really improved."
What else?
Klobuchar said that she did not meet the qualifications to receive a coronavirus test because she and her husband were not within physical distance of each other for the last two weeks.
"I am outside the 14-day period for getting sick," she wrote, "[so] my doctor advised me to not get a test. As everyone is aware, there are test shortages for people who need them everywhere, and I don't qualify to get one under any standard."
Klobuchar added, "We love him very much and pray for his recovery. He is exhausted and sick but a very strong and resilient person. ... I love my husband so very much and not being able to be there at the hospital by his side is one of the hardest things about this disease."


theblaze--2020-03-23--NY Times changes story's headline 3 times to shield Dems from blame after blocking coronavirus relie

NY Times changes story's headline 3 times to shield Dems from blame after blocking coronavirus relief bill

NY Times changes story 's headline 3 times to shield Dems from blame after blocking coronavirus relief bill

Within the span of an hour on Sunday night, the New York Times changed the headline on its coverage of the stalled coronavirus relief bill three times with each iteration shifting blame away from Senate Democrats.
As TheBlaze reported, the Democrats blocked a critical $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package on Sunday, a move that sent futures markets plummeting, arguing it was a "slush fund" to wealthy corporations. President Donald Trump and congressional leaders hoped the measure would send a signal that would help stabilize the stock market and U.S. economy amid fears of recession as economic analysts estimate unemployment levels could hit up to an unprecedented 30% in April-June with GDP contracting by 50%, figures not seen since the Great Depression.
An evolving headline
The Times' first article about the stalemate was titled: "Democrats Block Action on $1.8 Trillion Stimulus."
Image source: Screenshot from Twitter
Shortly thereafter, the headline evolved to "Democrats Block Action on Stimulus Plan, Seeking Worker Protections," which continued stating that Senate Democrats were responsible for blocking the bill, but softened the blow by offering a benign justification for doing so.
Image source: Screenshot from Twitter
Then came the coup de grace. In its third attempt, the Times' headline evolved to "Partisan Divide Threatens Deal on Rescue Bill," which made no mention of the Democrats' obstruction.
Image source: Screenshot from Twitter
Following a deluge of criticism from conservative leaders, the New York Times appears to have modified the story's headline a fourth time as of Sunday morning to "As State Pleas Mount, Trump Outlines Some Federal Action; Senate Democrats Block Stimulus Package."
Why did Senate Dems block the bill?
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared on Saturday night that the bill had broad bipartisan agreement, but Democrats blocked the measure after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) returned to Washington, D.C., on Sunday and began demanding changes to the legislation.
The Senate is expected to take up the relief bill again on Monday.


theblaze--2020-03-23--'Pieces of s**t!': Brazen couple caught on video casually looting Walgreens amid coronavirus as empl

'Pieces of s**t!': Brazen couple caught on video casually looting Walgreens amid coronavirus as employee helplessly watches

'Pieces of s**t ! '
: Brazen couple caught on video casually looting Walgreens amid coronavirus as employee helplessly watches

A brazen couple was caught on cellphone video casually looting a Walgreens in San Francisco amid the city's shelter-in-place order to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
What happened?
The clip shows the couple — both of whom wore dark sunglasses — in an aisle while the male grabs handful after handful of items from a shelf and stuffs them in a large bag. The female also was seen carrying a large bag full of items.
Image source: Twitter video screenshot
It isn't clear what specifically the couple were after, although the individual who recorded the video was heard saying, "I hope you overdose!" as the pair left the store without paying.
Image source: Twitter video screenshot
A Walgreens employee, who was wearing a mask and gloves, watched the crime helplessly. He appeared to try grabbing the bag the male was carrying on their way out to no avail.
The man who recorded the clip also called the couple "pieces of s**t!" for their looting.Here's the clip. (Content warning: language):
The video was posted Thursday to Twitter by a user who appealed to police, the city's far-left District Attorney Chesa Boudin, and California's far-left Gov. Gavin Newsom to "PROTECT OUR LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES. THE LOOTING HAS BEGUN."
What else?
In some ways the offense is nothing new since the state passed 2014's Proposition 47, which makes such a crime a misdemeanor as long as the looted items are under $950 in value. But with police now turning their attention to the public's reaction to the coronavirus, it appears to be even easier for crooks to get away with looting.
A Public Health Order issued last Monday requires everyone in San Francisco to shelter in place, with exceptions for certain essential activities, business and government services, and public infrastructure construction, the city's police said.
The San Francisco Police Department said it's "empowered to issue misdemeanor citations for violations of this Public Health Order. However, our approach is to focus on education rather than enforcement." Police also said "our number one priority is and has always been violent crime. Call 9-1-1 to report violent crimes and crimes in progress. We will continue to respond to the scene."


theblaze--2020-03-23--Jake Tapper lets AOC repeat lie about President Trump on air, then admits he knew she was lying

Jake Tapper lets AOC repeat lie about President Trump on air , then admits he knew she was lying ' @ @ @ @ @ because the president did not call the virus a hoax '

Despite admitting that President Donald Trump did not call coronavirus a "hoax," CNN host Jake Tapper did not stop Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) from parroting the lie.
Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday, Ocasio-Cortez said:
We're hearing it every step of the way from this administration. First, we were hearing it was a hoax. Then we were hearing that everything was fine. Then we were hearing that the fundamentals of the economy was OK until the crash comes. And we cannot wait until people start really dying in large numbers to start production.
As TheBlaze previously reported, Trump, in fact, did not call coronavirus a "hoax."
Rather, he compared the Democratic attempt to politicize the U.S. government's COVID-19 response to the Mueller investigation and his impeachment, both of which ultimately concluded without establishing wrongdoing on the president's behalf.
Still, those facts did not stop Tapper from allowing Ocasio-Cortez to repeat the lie on live television, nor did it prompt Tapper to fact-check the New York Democrat.
In response to being called out by a Trump campaign staffer, Tapper admitted Democrats have mischaracterized the president. Tapper said he ultimately chose not to correct Ocasio-Cortez because Trump did use the word "hoax," while claiming Trump's assertion about Democratic efforts to politicize the COVID-19 response is false.
"I thought about it, because the president did not call the virus a hoax," Tapper said. "But i didn't because he *did* call a hoax the concerns of those saying that the response from the president was insufficient and that he was downplaying the gravity of the crisis. And that too was a lie."
"I guess that's the problem with a politician who lies so often; while I agree that Democrats are mischaracterizing what he said, what he did say was also false so it's tough to justify taking the time for a fact check when it's not taking a stand defining the truth," he added.


theblaze--2020-03-23--NRA goes on the offensive after Senate Democrat attacks its latest ad featuring a cancer survivor as

NRA goes on the offensive after Senate Democrat attacks its latest ad featuring a cancer survivor as ‘sickening’

NRA goes on the offensive after Senate Democrat attacks its latest ad featuring a cancer survivor as ‘ sickening ’

The National Rifle Association hit back at criticism of its latest Second Amendment rights advertisement after a top Senate Democrat called the ad "sickening."
What's this ad?
Over the weekend, the NRA published a video featuring cancer survivor Carletta Whiting.
In the video, Whiting — who says she has a fibromyalgia disability — highlighted the importance of gun ownership during the COVID-19 outbreak.
In the video, Whiting said, "What's in my control is how I defend myself if things go from bad to worse. I know from history how quickly society breaks down during a crisis, and we've never faced anything like this before, and never is the Second Amendment more important than during public unrest."
She also added that California liberals are even "lining up because they know the government will not be able to protect them."
Whiting can be seen firing off rounds from her AR-9 rifle.
The pro-2A organization captioned the video, "Americans are flocking to gun stores because they know the only reliable self-defense during a crisis is the #2A. Carletta Whiting, who's disabled & vulnerable to #coronavirus, asks Dems trying to exploit the pandemic: Why do you want to leave people like me defenseless?"
At the time of this writing, the video has received more than 919,000 views.
What did the Democratic lawmaker say?
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued a scathing tweet directed at the NRA and its latest advertisement.
He wrote, "Mainstream gun owners have left the NRA, so now they're reducing to telling people to stockpile assault weapons, instead of food, to get ready for the coming Coronavirus civil war. So sickening."
How did the NRA respond?
In a statement, Amy Hunter — the organization's director of media relations — told Fox News that Murphy is simply trying to push an anti-gun agenda.
"Sen. Murphy is either being intentionally disingenuous or is obtuse," Hunter said. "Carletta Whiting is one of millions of Americans who feel vulnerable and who know that when crime happens, the police are minutes away — despite their best intentions."
"Right now," she continued, "anti-gun politicians are using the pandemic to try and strip Americans of their Second Amendment rights. Meanwhile, gun sales are increasing because good people are worried their government won't be able to protect them. This is when Americans rely on their Second Amendment rights the most."
According to Fox News, interviews conducted in recent days with gun store owners and sellers indicated that sales this month, on average, have spiked anywhere between 30% and 400%, compared with a "normal" time period.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Actor Daniel Dae Kim believes malaria drug touted by Trump was the ‘secret weapon’ that helped him r

Actor Daniel Dae Kim believes malaria drug touted by Trump was the ‘secret weapon’ that helped him recover from COVID-19

Actor Daniel Dae Kim believes malaria drug touted by Trump was the ‘ secret weapon ’ that helped him recover @ @ @ @ @ is the drug that the president mentioned the other day '

Actor Daniel Dae Kim said he believed that the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine was the "secret weapon" that aided his recovery from COVID-19.
The "Lost" and "Hawaii 5-0" star posted an update about his experience fighting the coronavirus on his Instagram Sunday, in which he called the drug "crucial" to leaving him "practically back to normal" only days after initially contracting the infectious disease.
"Here's what I consider to be the secret weapon: hydroxychloroquine," Kim said. "This is a common anti-malarial drug that has been used with great success in [South] Korea in their fight against the coronavirus.
"And yes, this is the drug that the president mentioned the other day," he added.
"It is also the drug that Dr. Anthony Fauci [the director of the National Institutes of Allergies and Infectious Diseases] cautioned us about," Kim was sure to note. "He said that evidence that the drug is promising is anecdotal — and that is correct. It means it wasn't studied and is only based on personal accounts.
"Well, add my name to those personal accounts, because I am feeling better," he said.
Kim was careful to note that he is not a doctor nor a lawyer, but that he was simply sharing his experience with the disease and what he found to be helpful.
The actor said that hydroxychloroquine was just one part of a drug cocktail, or combination of drugs, that his doctor prescribed for him. The cocktail also included the antiviral Tamiflu, the antibiotic azithromycin, commonly known as a Z-pak, and a glycopyrrolate inhaler.
President Trump confirmed during a news conference last week that the Food and Drug Administration was fast-tracking hydroxychloroquine for testing in order to determine its efficacy against COVID-19. Three separate medical studies recently found the drug to be potentially effective treatment for the coronavirus, and perhaps even successful in preventing infections.
Trump has been very optimistic about the potential of the drug, to the distress of some in the mainstream media.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Commentary: At some point, President Trump will have to have the courage to tell the doctors, 'No.'

Commentary : At some point , President Trump will have to have the courage to tell the doctors , 'No @ @ @ @ @ to hear it , but at some point the cure for the coronavirus will get @ @ @ @ @

This is not an article in which I am going to question the wisdom and expertise of doctors in their own field. Although most epidemiologists admit that there are many things about COVID-19 that they currently don't know, I take it as a given that what we do know about the disease is alarming and that it is potentially the worst public health threat in decades.
I also take their word that, in the absence of extraordinary measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, more people will die from the disease than otherwise would.
All of that having been said, there is going to come a time — perhaps very soon — where President Donald Trump is going to have to look these doctors in the eye and tell them, "No more," for the sake of avoiding a worse catastrophe than the very worst predictions for the unchecked spread of the disease.
You know the old saw about doctors: They have knowledge that is a mile deep but a foot wide. This is an oversimplification in many cases, because doctors do tend to have above-average intelligence and usually have reasonably good awareness about some fields outside their expertise. However, they sometimes are prone to tunnel vision and overestimation of the importance of their own particular field in the grand scheme of the world.
So when they say that failure to continue social distancing indefinitely might cause severely negative consequences for the American health care system, we should take them seriously, and ignore their advice only in dire circumstances.
Unfortunately for us, one such dire circumstance is lurking around a corner, and that circumstance is the inevitable total collapse of the American and global economies if the current COVID-19-inspired social isolation continues.
See, while doctors might be exactly right about what might happen to the health care system if we don't all stay home for the next six weeks (or three months, or 18 months), they don't seem to be taking into account what will happen if all economic activity grinds to a halt for an equivalent period of time.
And lest you think I'm saying that we should prioritize money over people's lives, let me assure you that I am not. I am not saying that we shouldn't make people poorer in order to save lives; in general, trading money for human life is something most people would do happily. Rather, I am saying that the measures we are taking to stop COVID-19 are going to cost human lives. The cost will be realized more slowly but just as surely.
What will be the cost in human lives if families that are currently middle- or lower-class are suddenly no longer able to provide adequate nutrition for themselves and their children because they are out of work for weeks or even months? What will be the cost in human lives if the disruption to the economy causes disruption to our increasingly fragile supply chains in life-saving medications for other deadly diseases, as we are already seeing after less than two weeks of shutdown? What will be the cost in human lives if, as is now widely predicted, 30% unemployment (or higher) comes to America and is met with widespread civil unrest and violence? What will be the cost in human lives due to the loss of research and development into future improvements in human life due to a protracted economic downturn?
This is to say nothing of the obvious and inevitable deadly side effects of every economic downturn, which include increased suicides, increased alcoholism (which is deadly), and increased mortality from chronic health conditions (especially among children and the elderly) due to poorer nutrition.
All of which is to say nothing of the effects of a prolonged global depression on the overall quality of human life for those of us who are still alive. And that does and always has mattered from a public policy standpoint. About 40,000 people die every year in America in automobile accidents (which is, if you are counting, more than twice the number of people who have died worldwide due to the coronavirus so far). But the automobile is considered so vital to both modern quality of life and the orderly function of the economy (which is also necessary for life) that any person who suggested outlawing the car in order to save 40,000 lives a year would be run out of town.
Right now, the choice that is being publicly presented is a choice between saving lives and saving money. This, however, is a false choice. There is no option on the table that will not cost lives. Granted, the lives that will be lost due to COVID-19 are likely to occur sooner and get far more media attention, and so politicians are highly incentivized to prioritize those lives at all costs, and to leave the problems caused by any measures taken to control the spread of the disease to future politicians and future election cycles.
But make no mistake: a steadily growing economy (both in America and across the globe) has been the single biggest factor in saving and extending human lives in human history. It is the reason American life expectancy has risen by over a decade just since 1950. That economy relies upon interaction and commerce as its lifeblood. If that blood stops flowing for even a short period of time, it can die or become irreparably damaged. And that damage will, in fact, be deadly.
The shocks to the American economy have already been astonishing, after even a relatively short period. Every week that goes by where a huge portion of America isn't going to work increases the chances that those shocks will produce a prolonged depression as opposed to a short recession. The government cannot print money forever to keep these businesses afloat, particularly when there are so few businesses that are actually producing taxable revenue.
Getting people back to work must be a critical priority for President Trump, as America enters the month of April. And it seems highly likely that there is going to come a point, somewhere in that month, where doctors are going to continue to refuse to say how long the economy must remain shut down, but will only say with their myopic focus on their own industry and the problems of right-this-second, that it would be safer to leave it all shut down until we can all be sure. And Trump will need to have the courage to look them in the eye and say, "No. I'm going on TV and asking the American people to go back to work, taking every possible precaution as they do so."
He will be harshly criticized and mocked in all the usual quarters for doing so. But it will still be the right thing to do. Because the choice at that point will not be between fat-cats on Wall Street getting richer and people dying of COVID-19, the choice will be between kids and adults literally not having enough available food and basic other medicine, and people dying of COVID-19.
The choice to continue to allow cars, in spite of all the deaths they cause, is an easy one because it's already been made, and we barely think about it. Cars, and the increased quality of life they bring, are baked into the public consciousness to a degree that we couldn't imagine living without them.
The choice for Americans to get back to work, at the soonest moment possible and perhaps before the COVID-19 threat has completely passed, will be a much more difficult one, because people also don't think about how vital global prosperity is to their health, lives, and quality of life. But it is. And if the world is allowed to cease doing commerce until the end of July or longer as some doctors are now advising, we are going to learn in both the short and long term that economic depressions are just as potentially disastrous as pandemics.
I am not saying that the inflection point is already here, and I don't know for sure when it is going to come. I am sure I am going to be harshly criticized for even raising these objections in the midst of what can only be described as a full-blown panic. I only hope that someone who is advising the president is looking at this and understanding the urgency of getting the economy going again — not from an economic standpoint, but from a public health standpoint.
And I hope that when that inflection point comes, President Trump has the courage and leadership to encourage Americans to get back to work, and in so doing to begin repairing the damage this terrible disease has caused.
There are already encouraging signs that the president understands this. Just last night he tweeted his understanding that, at some point, the problems caused by coronavirus restrictions will get worse than the coronavirus itself.
Recognition of this fact was met with howling outrage from the usual quarters, but also some unease from people who are otherwise inclined to support him. When and if President Trump does make this decision, it will be up to him not just to implement it but also to sell the American people on its necessity. As long as he allows the issue to be painted as one between money and lives, his call to go back to work will be ignored and governors across the country will keep businesses shut down anyway.
And so, President Trump will not only need the courage to do what is right, but the eloquence and ability to explain to people why it is right, beyond the dollars and cents aspects of the issue. At that point, the country will need stronger leadership than it has needed at any point since probably the end of World War II. And for the sake of us all, everyone — right, left, and libertarian — should be praying that he is up to the task.


theblaze--2020-03-23--VIDEO: Thug sucker-punches man who appears to be Asian on Philly street. Victim falls face-first on

VIDEO: Thug sucker-punches man who appears to be Asian on Philly street. Victim falls face-first on curb while others cheer attack.

VIDEO : Thug sucker-punches man who appears to be Asian on Philly street .
Victim falls face-first on curb while @ @ @ @

A sucker-punch attack against a man who appears to be Asian was captured on video and shared on social media, according to NextShark, an outlet that covers Asian American News and Asian News.
What happened?
The video shows at least four males walking down a sidewalk toward another man who appeared to be trying to get into a car. One of the males wearing a dark hoodie and dark pants approached the other man and sucker-punched him in the head. The victim fell face on the curb while the other males in the group cheered the attack.
"Day-umm!" one is heard hollering. Another remarked, "Down goes Frazier!" a reference to sportscaster Howard Cosell's famous outburst in the first round of a 1973 heavyweight boxing match between George Foreman and champion Joe Frazier.
While the victim was lying in the street with his head upon the sidewalk, the one of the males put a traffic cone atop the victim's head and then put the victim's baseball cap on top of the cone.
Image source: Twitter video screenshot
"He like a motherf***in' snowman," one male reacted while others laughed. One male also was seen going through the victim's back pockets.
Here's the clip. Content warning: language:
What else?
NextShark said Instagram user @jaydothemost uploaded the video Thursday but that the account was deactivated shortly after NextShark reached out to the user. The outlet added that @jaydothemost also tagged the Instagram accounts of friends as well as the geolocation S Block in South Philly.
NextShark added that a Philadelphia police detective said cops are looking into the incident and that a police report has not been filed by the victim.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney tweeted Sunday that the incident was a "despicable, violent crime" and that the attackers "will be held accountable."
PhillyVoice reported that the video surfaced while the city and state are shutting down businesses and urging social distancing to combat the coronavirus.
"During this difficult time, we must support and comfort each other, not turn to violence and anger," Kenny also tweeted. "The actions of these few do not define who we are as a city."
Last week Philadelphia police announced they would temporarily stop arresting individuals for certain nonviolent crimes — such as theft, burglary, vandalism, fraud, prostitution, and drug-related offenses — to prevent jail overcrowding during the COVID-19 outbreak.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Ohio's AG ordered pause on abortion to save medical equipment — but most providers will keep doing t

Ohio's AG ordered pause on abortion to save medical equipment — but most providers will keep doing them anyway

Ohio 's AG ordered pause on abortion to save medical equipment — but most providers will keep doing them anyway @ @ @ @ @ resources mobilized toward COVID-19

Most abortion clinics in Ohio intend to defy an order by Ohio's attorney general to stop performing abortions and any other elective surgical procedures that require the use of crucial personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, that are now in short supply because of an influx of the coronavirus patients, CBS News reported.
What's the story? Ohio Attorney General David Yost sent letters to state abortion providers Friday telling them to temporarily stop performing elective abortions and other nonessential procedures, and defined what that meant.
"You and your facility are ordered to immediately stop performing non-essential and elective surgical abortions," Yost's letter said. "Non-essential surgical abortions are those that can be delayed without undue risk to the current or future health of a patient."
The response: Five out of the six abortion providers in the state have expressed intent to continue performing abortions, arguing that the procedures are essential.
"Planned Parenthood's top priority is ensuring that every person can continue accessing essential health care, including abortion. We know your health care can't wait," the heads of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio and Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio said in a statement to CBS News. "Abortion is an essential, time-sensitive medical procedure."
Not just about abortion: Bethany McCorkle, a spokesperson for Yost's office, said the order does not specifically target abortion, but it focuses on limiting any nonessential procedures so that all resources can be mobilized toward responding to COVID-19.
"This is not about abortions," McCorkle told CBS News on Sunday. "This is about nonessential surgeries using [personal protective equipment] during this pandemic."
Some states, such as Massachusetts and Washington, have classified abortion as an essential procedure and therefore exempt from any pause on elective procedures. Other states, like Texas, that have issued similar orders have not clarified how abortion is classified.


theblaze--2020-03-23--Report: Nancy Pelosi had 'wishlist' of  unrelated demands for coronavirus bill, killing bipartisan a

Report: Nancy Pelosi had 'wishlist' of  unrelated demands for coronavirus bill, killing bipartisan agreement

Report : Nancy Pelosi had 'wishlist ' of unrelated demands for coronavirus bill , killing bipartisan agreement

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is reportedly why Democrats suddenly opposed an emergency coronavirus relief bill that had bipartisan support in the Senate.
According to Ben Williamson, the chief of staff for Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), Pelosi returned to Washington, D.C., on Sunday with a wish list of sudden demands, striking down the bipartisan agreement made by the Senate.
"Senate spends all weekend negotiating a bipartisan deal. Agreement reached. Pelosi flies in from California, whips out her unrelated 'wishlist,' and says no. Senate Democrats then vote against proceeding on a bill they negotiated. Jaw dropping," Williamson explained.
John Bresnahan, Politico's Washington bureau chief, reported that Pelosi had a "laundry list" of new demands, including many items completely unrelated to COVID-19 relief, like election security funding, student loan debt forgiveness, and a "host of other issues."
Despite the Senate's agreement, Pelosi also revealed on Sunday that House Democrats would move forward with their own coronavirus relief package.
According to Politico, Pelosi's actions even have some members of the Democratic caucus questioning her motives.
Many of those same provisions are also being negotiated in the Senate bill but some House Democrats wanted to go even further, using the urgency of the herculean package to achieve broader, long term policy goals like a massive infrastructure deal.
But even some House Democrats are privately wondering what is Pelosi's endgame, especially given that lawmakers, including many in her own caucus, don't even want to return to Washington at all, much less for a standoff with the Senate.
The motive, according to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, is political — it is all about hurting President Donald Trump.
"Some Dems are betting that Trump will he received as Bush post-Katrina as opposed to Bush post-9/11. And there's a split among Dems about how they ought to be handling Trump in this moment, which so far has ended up benefiting the president," Haberman reported Sunday.
Democrats have already seized on the moment to further demonize Republicans.
It is well established that Republicans and Democrats in the Senate had come to an agreement on the relief package. But after Pelosi's bucking, Democrats began circulating talking points that blamed Republicans for the impasse. They claimed Republicans attempted to insert a $500 billion "slush fund" into the bill.
But according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Democrats are just playing games.
"The notion that we have time to play games here with the American economy and the American people is utterly absurd," he said in a fiery speech on the Senate floor Sunday night.