courthousenews--2020-07-24--California Ban on ‘Pay to Delay’ Pharma Deals Survives First Challenge

( CN ) — California ’ s ban on drug industry pay-for-delay deals remains intact after a Ninth Circuit panel ruled Friday that a pharmaceutical lobby lacked standing to challenge the landmark consumer protection law .
The first-in-the-nation law outlaws a common industry practice known as “ pay-for-delay ” where large pharmaceutical companies pay or incentivize a competing company to keep cheaper generic drugs off the market .
Critics say the backroom deals choke competition and spike prescription drug costs .
Shortly after the bill was signed last fall by Governor Gavin Newsom , a group representing generic drug manufacturers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming the law eliminates negotiating tools and forces companies to rely on costly litigation .
A federal judge in Sacramento quickly denied the Association for Accessible Medicines ’ request for temporary relief and the law went into effect at the beginning of the year .
On appeal , a Ninth Circuit panel ruled it wasn ’ t persuaded by the association ’ s argument that the law creates a “ substantial risk ” of injury to the drug makers it represents .
The panel denied the appeal for lack of standing and directed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without prejudice .
“ The association has not established standing based on a threat of imminent or ‘ certainly impending ’ prosecution , ” the unpublished order states .
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the proponents defended the ban as being critical to the state ’ s effort to weed out shady industry practices and reduce drug costs .
“ Today ’ s victory is a win for every family who has unfairly shouldered higher prices for life-saving medicine , simply because pharmaceutical companies staved off competition to pocket higher profits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Californians shouldn ’ t have to pay an arm and leg to afford a prescription , particularly amidst a public health crisis of historic proportions.
” Pay-for-delay agreements are a staple of the pharmaceutical industry and were largely exposed by a 2003 federal law which requires companies to file the agreements with federal regulators .
According to the Federal Trade Commission , the deals cost consumers $ 3.5 billion in drug costs annually .
The law , Assembly Bill 824 , was inspired in part by a California study that found the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options by an average of five years and forced consumers to pay up to 33 times more for the brand-name options .
It cleared the Legislature with bipartisan support on the last week of the session and Newsom quickly signed it into law .
To enforce the law , lawmakers granted the attorney general ’ s office the power to sue companies within four years of alleged violations .
In their bid to overturn AB 824 , the association argued the statue violated the Commerce Clause as it could impact drug companies ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed the law would have a devastating impact on drug companies ’ businesses models .
“ It imposes crippling monetary penalties not just on the companies that settle pharmaceutical patent litigation in violation of its terms , but on all their employees and agents who assist in a settlement effort—from the C-suite to the mailroom clerk who dispatches the signed papers , ” the association argued in court papers .
But the three-judge panel found the appellant couldn ’ t show its members face imminent or “ concrete ” injury .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect to be forced to litigate every pending patent-infringement lawsuit to judgment , ’ or that they “ likely will stay [ their ] hand on many products and simply stay off the market until the relevant patents all expire .
These declarations allege only ‘ possiblefuture injury ’ and do not establish a substantial risk of harm , ” the panel concluded .
Responding by email , the association ’ s interim CEO and general counsel Jeffrey K. Francer said , “ California ’ s law has made it more difficult for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biosimilar medicines .
We are examining the Ninth Circuit ’ s ruling and will take necessary action to bring more affordable medicines to patients .
”

California’s ban on drug industry pay-for-delay deals remains intact after a Ninth Circuit panel ruled Friday that a pharmaceutical lobby lacked standing to challenge the landmark consumer protection law.
(CN) — California’s ban on drug industry pay-for-delay deals remains intact after a Ninth Circuit panel ruled Friday that a pharmaceutical lobby lacked standing to challenge the landmark consumer-protection law.
The first-in-the-nation law outlaws a common industry practice known as “pay-for-delay” where large pharmaceutical companies pay or incentivize a competing company to keep cheaper generic drugs off the market. Critics say the backroom deals choke competition and spike prescription drug costs.
Shortly after the bill was signed last fall by Governor Gavin Newsom, a group representing generic drug manufacturers sued the state in federal court, claiming the law eliminates negotiating tools and forces companies to rely on costly litigation. A federal judge in Sacramento quickly denied the Association for Accessible Medicines’ request for temporary relief and the law went into effect at the beginning of the year.
On appeal, a Ninth Circuit panel ruled it wasn’t persuaded by the association’s argument that the law creates a “substantial risk” of injury to the drug makers it represents. The panel denied the appeal for lack of standing and directed the lower court to dismiss the case without prejudice.
“The association has not established standing based on a threat of imminent or ‘certainly impending’ prosecution,” the unpublished order states.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the proponents defended the ban as being critical to the state’s effort to weed out shady industry practices and reduce drug costs.
“Today’s victory is a win for every family who has unfairly shouldered higher prices for life-saving medicine, simply because pharmaceutical companies staved off competition to pocket higher profits," said Becerra in a statement. “Californians shouldn’t have to pay an arm and leg to afford a prescription, particularly amidst a public health crisis of historic proportions.”
Pay-for-delay agreements are a staple of the pharmaceutical industry and were largely exposed by a 2003 federal law which requires companies to file the agreements with federal regulators.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, the deals cost consumers $3.5 billion in drug costs annually.
The law, Assembly Bill 824, was inspired in part by a California study that found the deals delayed the public release of generic options by an average of five years and forced consumers to pay up to 33 times more for the brand-name options. It cleared the Legislature with bipartisan support on the last week of the session and Newsom quickly signed it into law. To enforce the law, lawmakers granted the attorney general’s office the power to sue companies within four years of alleged violations.
In their bid to overturn AB 824, the association argued the statue violated the Commerce Clause as it could impact drug companies’ patent settlements completed outside California. It claimed the law would have a devastating impact on drug companies’ businesses models.
“It imposes crippling monetary penalties not just on the companies that settle pharmaceutical patent litigation in violation of its terms, but on all their employees and agents who assist in a settlement effort—from the C-suite to the mailroom clerk who dispatches the signed papers,” the association argued in court papers.
But the three-judge panel found the appellant couldn’t show its members face imminent or “concrete” injury.
“The members state that they ‘likely would expect to be forced to litigate every pending patent-infringement lawsuit to judgment,’ or that they “likely will stay [their] hand on many products and simply stay off the market until the relevant patents all expire. These declarations allege only ‘possiblefuture injury’ and do not establish a substantial risk of harm,” the panel concluded.
Responding by email, the association’s interim CEO and general counsel Jeffrey K. Francer said, “California’s law has made it more difficult for patients to access more affordable generic and biosimilar medicines. We are examining the Ninth Circuit’s ruling and will take necessary action to bring more affordable medicines to patients.”


courthousenews--2020-07-24--Trump Census Exclusions Hearken Back to Slavery Era, Lawsuit Says

A coalition of state and local governments sued over the planned exclusion of undocumented immigrants in the census reporting used to determine states ’ seats in the House of Representatives .
MANHATTAN ( CN ) — Since the U.S. Constitution mandated that the government conduct a count of its population , that number has included all “ persons ” within its borders .
The Trump administration ’ s plans to change that practice spurred a federal lawsuit on Friday pointing back to the ugly history of the last time that the government questioned the meaning of that word .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the whole personhood of those formerly bound in slavery—the unambiguous requirement that all persons be counted for apportionment purposes , regardless of immigration status , has been respected by every executive official , every cabinet officer , and every president , ” the 49-page complaint notes in its introduction .
For New York Attorney General Letitia James , who leads a coalition of nearly 20 states , 10 cities and five counties suing over the change , Trump ’ s attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from being counted in the census bore the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s another election-year tactic to fire up his base by dehumanizing immigrants and using them as scapegoats for his failures as a leader , ” James said in a statement .
“ No one ceases to be a person because they lack documentation , which is why we filed this lawsuit.
” Earlier in Trump ’ s term , James led a different lawsuit that ultimately prevented the Department of Commerce from inserting a citizenship question into the census , in a blistering ruling by U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furman declined to investigate whether Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross perjured himself in his congressional testimony about the citizenship question , but the judge made clear that he did not find the secretary ’ s justification for the action credible .
In a different case before Judge Furman , government lawyers conceded on Thursday that Department of Homeland Security officials made “ inaccurate or misleading statements ” in sworn declarations , which the government repeated in legal briefs .
“ Yesterday , the Trump administration was forced to ‘ fess up to misleading the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ Today , we ’ re going to court to make it end their brazen effort to mislead the public about the census.
” Emphasizing the Constitution ’ s requirement to count every person for the survey , in order to help Congress apportion everything from federal aid to political representation , Johnson continued : “ By trying to exclude our immigrant residents from the count , the Trump administration is blatantly defying the Supreme Court and the Constitution.
” “ We will reject this attempt to sow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will ensure our communities have their voice in Congress and the federal assistance they need to recover from this pandemic.
” The states joining New York ’ s lawsuit are Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Hawaii , Illinois , Maryland , Massachusetts , Michigan , Minnesota , Nevada , New Jersey , New Mexico , North Carolina , Oregon , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , Vermont , Virginia and Washington .
They are also backed by the cities of Central Falls , Chicago , Columbus , New York , Philadelphia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco , and Seattle , plus five counties across the United States and Washington , D.C .
Bringing a separate lawsuit in the District of Columbia on Thursday , the city of Atlanta filed similar claims with a coalition of nonprofit groups .
The burgeoning litigation shortly followed Trump ’ s announcement earlier this week that he would order the Commerce Department to exclude undocumented immigrants in the census reporting used to determine states ’ seats in the House of Representatives .
The proposal would create a radical shift in how the census @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years population counts were conducted regardless of immigration status .
Trump titled the memo : “ Excluding Illegal Aliens from the Apportionment Base Following the 2020 Census , ” continuing a years-long effort that has been denounced as a naked power grab meant to reduce the political power and funding of blue states and cities where those immigrants live .
The coalition wants a federal judge to block the change for alleged violations of the Constitution ’ s enumeration clause , the Fifth Amendment ’ s due process clause , the 10th Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 14th Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act .
As in the original census case , the Commerce Department , Census Bureau and its leaders are listed as defendants .
The lawsuit filed Friday sues President Donald Trump first .
The White House deferred comment to the Department of Justice , which did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

A coalition of state and local governments sued over the planned exclusion of undocumented immigrants in the census reporting used to determine states’ seats in the House of Representatives.
MANHATTAN (CN) — Since the U.S. Constitution mandated that the government conduct a count of its population, that number has included all “persons” within its borders.
The Trump administration’s plans to change that practice spurred a federal lawsuit on Friday pointing back to the ugly history of the last time that the government questioned the meaning of that word.
“For 150 years—since the United States recognized the whole personhood of those formerly bound in slavery—the unambiguous requirement that all persons be counted for apportionment purposes, regardless of immigration status, has been respected by every executive official, every cabinet officer, and every president,” the 49-page complaint notes in its introduction.
“Until now,” the lawsuit continues.
For New York Attorney General Letitia James, who leads a coalition of nearly 20 states, 10 cities and five counties suing over the change, Trump’s attempt to exclude undocumented immigrants from being counted in the census bore the hallmarks of a political stunt.
“It's another election-year tactic to fire up his base by dehumanizing immigrants and using them as scapegoats for his failures as a leader,” James said in a statement. “No one ceases to be a person because they lack documentation, which is why we filed this lawsuit.”
Earlier in Trump’s term, James led a different lawsuit that ultimately prevented the Department of Commerce from inserting a citizenship question into the census, in a blistering ruling by U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman that largely upheld by the Supreme Court. Furman declined to investigate whether Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross perjured himself in his congressional testimony about the citizenship question, but the judge made clear that he did not find the secretary’s justification for the action credible.
In a different case before Judge Furman, government lawyers conceded on Thursday that Department of Homeland Security officials made “inaccurate or misleading statements” in sworn declarations, which the government repeated in legal briefs.
Citing this history, New York City Corporation Counsel James Johnson detected a pattern.
“Yesterday, the Trump administration was forced to ‘fess up to misleading the public and the court,” Johnson said in a statement. “Today, we’re going to court to make it end their brazen effort to mislead the public about the census.”
Emphasizing the Constitution’s requirement to count every person for the survey, in order to help Congress apportion everything from federal aid to political representation, Johnson continued: “By trying to exclude our immigrant residents from the count, the Trump administration is blatantly defying the Supreme Court and the Constitution.”
“We will reject this attempt to sow chaos,” he added. “We will ensure our communities have their voice in Congress and the federal assistance they need to recover from this pandemic.”
The states joining New York’s lawsuit are Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
They are also backed by the cities of Central Falls, Chicago, Columbus, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, San Francisco, and Seattle, plus five counties across the United States and Washington, D.C.
Bringing a separate lawsuit in the District of Columbia on Thursday, the city of Atlanta filed similar claims with a coalition of nonprofit groups.
The burgeoning litigation shortly followed Trump’s announcement earlier this week that he would order the Commerce Department to exclude undocumented immigrants in the census reporting used to determine states’ seats in the House of Representatives. The proposal would create a radical shift in how the census is conducted, as for hundreds of years population counts were conducted regardless of immigration status.
Trump titled the memo: “Excluding Illegal Aliens from the Apportionment Base Following the 2020 Census,” continuing a years-long effort that has been denounced as a naked power grab meant to reduce the political power and funding of blue states and cities where those immigrants live.
The coalition wants a federal judge to block the change for alleged violations of the Constitution’s enumeration clause, the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause, the 10th Amendment’s protections of states’ rights, the 14th Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act.
As in the original census case, the Commerce Department, Census Bureau and its leaders are listed as defendants. The lawsuit filed Friday sues President Donald Trump first.
The White House deferred comment to the Department of Justice, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


courthousenews--2020-07-24--Trump Tackles an Old Promise to Lower Drug Prices

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Paying lip service to an issue often trumpeted by his campaign , President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders Friday aimed at driving down drug prices , with little chance of enforcement before Election Day .
Among the orders announced Friday from a stage at the Eisenhower Executive Office building set to look like a pharmacy , one directs health centers receiving discounts on EpiPens and insulin products for diabetics to pass those savings on to consumers .
Seema Verma , administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services , notes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seniors would be $ 35 .
The executive order does not have immediate power , but Trump said Friday the directive would bring the cost of the drug down to just “ pennies a day.
” To enact the change , the administration would face regulatory burdens as well as likely litigation from pharmaceutical companies that have historically pushed back on any attempt by the federal government to control prices .
Another order signed Friday would allow states , wholesalers and pharmacies to import prescription drugs from Canada where prices for identical drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its first iteration of this plan last December with little follow-through amid a pointed note by Kirsten Hillman , Canada ’ s ambassador to the U.S. , that “ Canada ’ s market for pharmaceuticals is too small to have any real impact on U.S. drug prices.
” In yet another order , Trump said he would bring back the “ rebate rule ” that ends rebate payments drug manufacturers pay to insurers .
The president did not elaborate on whether rebates would be completely nixed or if savings would be split with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not released the text of the executive orders .
Trump ’ s announcement of this order at the press conference devolved into a minutes-long diatribe against “ middlemen , or -women , I guess.
” “ Some very rich people are not going to like me today .
I probably know them very well .
I probably see them in Palm Beach , nobody ever talks about who they are .
Everybody talks about the middlemen , right Alex ?
” Trump said , addressing Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flexing the muscle memory of his 2016 campaign where he railed against the high cost of prescriptions during , the president shifted between prepared and off-the-cuff remarks today in his roughly 30-minute announcement .
“ We ’ re taking bold historic very dramatic action to reduce the price of prescription drugs , ” Trump said .
“ Previous administrations did nothing as lobbyists and drug companies ripped off our citizens.
” Contending that the U.S. is being “ slaughtered ” on drug prices , Trump said his administration has invited leading pharmaceutical executives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss the fourth of Friday ’ s orders .
Considered the more controversial of the administration ’ s proposals , the fourth order sets a pricing index on U.S. drugs pricing that can shift based on the global market rate .
The Trump administration and proponents of the so-called “ international pricing index ” argue it will ensure that the cost Americans pay for drugs are the same as what others pay abroad .
Those in the pharmaceutical industry in particular have panned the proposal as a price-fixing by another name .
Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Research and Manufacturers of America , said in a statement Friday that price controls set through the index would be a “ reckless distraction that impedes our ability to respond to the current pandemic — and those we could face in the future.
” Trump ’ s relationship with the pharmaceutical industry has been hot and cold .
And with some regularity , he has overstated what his administration has accomplished in terms of reducing drug prices , a key tenet of his 2016 campaign .
During his State of the Union this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost of prescription drugs for the first time in over 50 years .
He made the same claim Friday .
This claim is grounded , however , in Consumer Price Index reports , or CPIs , from 2018 and 2019 that in turn relied on list prices for drugs themselves and not what a person might actually pay for them at the pharmacy .
Those reports also omitted prescription drugs ordered by mail , which , according to the CPIs , account for about a quarter of all drug sales .
“ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , President Trump declared that ‘ we will never let socialism destroy American health care , ” Ubl said .
“ Yet , in the middle of a global pandemic , when nearly 145,000 Americans have lost their lives and millions of others have suffered untold economic hardships , this administration has decided to pursue a radical and dangerous policy to set prices based on rates paid in countries that he has labeled as socialist , which will harm patients today and into the future.
” Trump said Friday that the executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triggered until August 24 , essentially leaving the ball in Congress ’ court to develop their own pricing proposals .
It will be a familiar scene next week : A slew of pharmaceutical companies have been in close negotiations with the White House to develop therapeutics and potential vaccines for Covid-19 since the pandemic began .
Billions have been vested into the industry already with a $ 2 million contract awarded this week to Pfizer for vaccine research and development .
That contract was shared with German pharmaceutical company BioNTech and could eventually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million doses of the vaccine .
Another 500 million doses are on tap in 2021 should the initial doses prove effective .
The White House ’ s Operation Warp Speed program , aimed at vaccine research and development , has already secured a $ 1 billion deal with AstraZenenca for 300 million vaccine doses and Novavax Inc. acquired a $ 1.6 billion investment .
Companies like Moderna , Johnson & Johnson , and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals are also racing to find a vaccine with millions in federal dollars to speed them through .

Paying lip service to an issue often trumpeted by his campaign, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders Friday aimed at driving down drug prices, with little chance of enforcement before Election Day.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Paying lip service to an issue often trumpeted by his campaign, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders Friday aimed at driving down drug prices, with little chance of enforcement before Election Day.
Among the orders announced Friday from a stage at the Eisenhower Executive Office building set to look like a pharmacy, one directs health centers receiving discounts on EpiPens and insulin products for diabetics to pass those savings on to consumers. Seema Verma, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, notes that the average the cost of insulin for seniors would be $35.
The executive order does not have immediate power, but Trump said Friday the directive would bring the cost of the drug down to just “pennies a day.” To enact the change, the administration would face regulatory burdens as well as likely litigation from pharmaceutical companies that have historically pushed back on any attempt by the federal government to control prices.
Another order signed Friday would allow states, wholesalers and pharmacies to import prescription drugs from Canada where prices for identical drugs are lower.
The administration rolled out its first iteration of this plan last December with little follow-through amid a pointed note by Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., that “Canada’s market for pharmaceuticals is too small to have any real impact on U.S. drug prices.”
In yet another order, Trump said he would bring back the “rebate rule” that ends rebate payments drug manufacturers pay to insurers. The president did not elaborate on whether rebates would be completely nixed or if savings would be split with patients, and the White House has not released the text of the executive orders.
Trump’s announcement of this order at the press conference devolved into a minutes-long diatribe against “middlemen, or -women, I guess.”
“Some very rich people are not going to like me today. I probably know them very well. I probably see them in Palm Beach, nobody ever talks about who they are. Everybody talks about the middlemen, right Alex?” Trump said, addressing Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar who also attended Friday’s signing.
Flexing the muscle memory of his 2016 campaign where he railed against the high cost of prescriptions during, the president shifted between prepared and off-the-cuff remarks today in his roughly 30-minute announcement.
“We’re taking bold historic very dramatic action to reduce the price of prescription drugs,” Trump said. “Previous administrations did nothing as lobbyists and drug companies ripped off our citizens.”
Contending that the U.S. is being “slaughtered” on drug prices, Trump said his administration has invited leading pharmaceutical executives to the White House next week to discuss the fourth of Friday’s orders.
Considered the more controversial of the administration’s proposals, the fourth order sets a pricing index on U.S. drugs pricing that can shift based on the global market rate.
The Trump administration and proponents of the so-called “international pricing index” argue it will ensure that the cost Americans pay for drugs are the same as what others pay abroad. Those in the pharmaceutical industry in particular have panned the proposal as a price-fixing by another name.
Steve Ubl, president and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, said in a statement Friday that price controls set through the index would be a “reckless distraction that impedes our ability to respond to the current pandemic — and those we could face in the future.”
Trump’s relationship with the pharmaceutical industry has been hot and cold. And with some regularity, he has overstated what his administration has accomplished in terms of reducing drug prices, a key tenet of his 2016 campaign.
During his State of the Union this February, Trump claimed he dropped the cost of prescription drugs for the first time in over 50 years. He made the same claim Friday.
This claim is grounded, however, in Consumer Price Index reports, or CPIs, from 2018 and 2019 that in turn relied on list prices for drugs themselves and not what a person might actually pay for them at the pharmacy. Those reports also omitted prescription drugs ordered by mail, which, according to the CPIs, account for about a quarter of all drug sales.
“In his 2020 State of the Union Address, President Trump declared that ‘we will never let socialism destroy American health care,” Ubl said. “Yet, in the middle of a global pandemic, when nearly 145,000 Americans have lost their lives and millions of others have suffered untold economic hardships, this administration has decided to pursue a radical and dangerous policy to set prices based on rates paid in countries that he has labeled as socialist, which will harm patients today and into the future.”
Trump said Friday that the executive order on international pricing won’t be triggered until August 24, essentially leaving the ball in Congress’ court to develop their own pricing proposals.
It will be a familiar scene next week: A slew of pharmaceutical companies have been in close negotiations with the White House to develop therapeutics and potential vaccines for Covid-19 since the pandemic began.
Billions have been vested into the industry already with a $2 million contract awarded this week to Pfizer for vaccine research and development. That contract was shared with German pharmaceutical company BioNTech and could eventually result in the production of some 100 million doses of the vaccine. Another 500 million doses are on tap in 2021 should the initial doses prove effective.
The White House’s Operation Warp Speed program, aimed at vaccine research and development, has already secured a $1 billion deal with AstraZenenca for 300 million vaccine doses and Novavax Inc. acquired a $1.6 billion investment. Companies like Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals are also racing to find a vaccine with millions in federal dollars to speed them through.


courthousenews--2020-07-27--Final-Stage Testing of Coronavirus Vaccine Now Underway

( CN ) — The world ’ s largest experimental Covid-19 vaccine trial entered its final phase of testing Monday in the United States , with 30,000 volunteers receiving test shots .
As the global race to stop the deadly coronavirus outbreak pushes scientists and organizations around the nation to find mitigation practices and solutions , 30,000 Americans volunteered Monday to receive experimental vaccine shots created by the federal government .
The outbreak has killed 650,000 people across the globe , including almost 150,000 in the U.S. “ Although face coverings , physical distancing and proper isolation and quarantine of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigate SARS-CoV-2 spread , we urgently need a safe and effective preventive vaccine to ultimately control this pandemic , ” said top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci , referring to the scientific designation of the novel coronavirus .
On Monday , the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) and biotech company Moderna gave volunteers at numerous sites around the U.S. either a real dose of the vaccine or a placebo .
“ Results from early-stage clinical testing indicate the investigational mRNA-1273 vaccine is safe and immunogenic , supporting the initiation of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ This scientifically rigorous , randomized , placebo-controlled trial is designed to determine if the vaccine can prevent Covid-19 and for how long such protection may last.
” The thousands of American volunteers participating in the human trial have not been told which type of shot they had received in order to make sure the results are blind .
“ This is a significant milestone , ” NIH Director Francis Collins said after the very first test injection was given early this morning in Savannah , Georgia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast , but no , we are not going to compromise.
” The vaccine was developed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and Moderna in collaboration with the NIH .
Even as the vaccine trial got underway , President Donald Trump told reporters that more states should ease restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus .
Many people living in states like North Carolina , however , can not easily obtain testing .
“ I really do believe a lot of the governors should be opening up states that they ’ re not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions at a biotech company in Morrisville , North Carolina , on Monday .
Trump ’ s remarks came after the White House revealed National Security Adviser Robert C. O ’ Brien has tested positive for Covid-19 and has “ mild ” symptoms .
After each volunteer receives two doses a month apart , scientists will track which group experiences more infections as the volunteers go about their daily routines , especially in high-risk areas .
“ We are focusing on speed because every day matters , ” Stephane Bancel , CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The world’s largest experimental Covid-19 vaccine trial entered its final phase of testing Monday in the United States, with 30,000 volunteers receiving test shots.
(CN) — The world’s largest experimental Covid-19 vaccine trial entered its final phase of testing Monday in the United States, with 30,000 volunteers receiving test shots.
As the global race to stop the deadly coronavirus outbreak pushes scientists and organizations around the nation to find mitigation practices and solutions, 30,000 Americans volunteered Monday to receive experimental vaccine shots created by the federal government.
The outbreak has killed 650,000 people across the globe, including almost 150,000 in the U.S.
“Although face coverings, physical distancing and proper isolation and quarantine of infected individuals and contacts can help us mitigate SARS-CoV-2 spread, we urgently need a safe and effective preventive vaccine to ultimately control this pandemic,” said top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, referring to the scientific designation of the novel coronavirus.
On Monday, the National Institutes of Health and biotech company Moderna gave volunteers at numerous sites around the U.S. either a real dose of the vaccine or a placebo.
“Results from early-stage clinical testing indicate the investigational mRNA-1273 vaccine is safe and immunogenic, supporting the initiation of a Phase 3 clinical trial,” Fauci said in a statement. “This scientifically rigorous, randomized, placebo-controlled trial is designed to determine if the vaccine can prevent Covid-19 and for how long such protection may last.”
The thousands of American volunteers participating in the human trial have not been told which type of shot they had received in order to make sure the results are blind.
"This is a significant milestone," Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said after the very first test injection was given early this morning in Savannah, Georgia. "Yes, we're going fast, but no, we are not going to compromise.”
The vaccine was developed by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and Moderna in collaboration with the NIH.
Even as the vaccine trial got underway, President Donald Trump told reporters that more states should ease restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus. Many people living in states like North Carolina, however, cannot easily obtain testing.
“I really do believe a lot of the governors should be opening up states that they’re not opening,” Trump said, answering questions at a biotech company in Morrisville, North Carolina, on Monday.
Trump’s remarks came after the White House revealed national security adviser Robert C. O’Brien has tested positive for Covid-19 and has “mild” symptoms.
After each volunteer receives two doses a month apart, scientists will track which group experiences more infections as the volunteers go about their daily routines, especially in high-risk areas.
"We are focusing on speed because every day matters," Stephane Bancel, CEO of Massachusetts-based Moderna, told reporters Monday.


courthousenews--2020-07-27--California Courts Covid Update

California Courts Covid Update

July 24 , 2020 : Notice provides instructions for connecting with WebEx July 20 , 2020 : Second amendment to @ @ @ @ @

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.


courthousenews--2020-07-27--Senate Republicans Announce $1 Trillion Covid Relief Package

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Senate Republicans unveiled an estimated $ 1 trillion economic relief bill responding to the coronavirus pandemic Monday , though the package faces rounds of negotiations with Democrats who gave it a cool reception .
“ The American people need more help , ” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor Monday .
“ They need it to be comprehensive and they need it to be carefully tailored to this crossroads .
That is what this Senate majority has assembled.
” The legislation is the opening move from Republicans as Congress aims to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build on the $ 3.6 trillion it has spent so far in the pandemic , which has claimed the lives of nearly 150,000 Americans and caused historic economic struggles .
But Democrats were critical of the proposal Republicans outlined Monday , suggesting intense negotiations are in the future before the package can become law .
Democrats have called Republicans late to the game , given the Democrat-controlled House passed a $ 3 trillion relief bill in May .
That bill , which was dead-on-arrival in the Senate , included a massive payout to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as hazard pay for essential workers .
In a floor speech , Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the Republican bill “ totally inadequate , ” saying it does not address key issues facing the country as the virus continues to spread across the country .
“ The Republican proposal will ignore not one or two or three , but scores of major crises in America right now , ” Schumer said , putting air quotes around the word proposal .
Speaking to reporters after the legislation was unveiled , McConnell referred to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” noting negotiations still need to take place with Democrats and the White House .
The package , a collection of smaller bills laid out by their Republican sponsors in a series of floor speeches Monday afternoon , would feature $ 105 billion for schools , with incentives for elementary , middle and high schools that open for in-person learning at least half of the time .
On the health care front , the bill would set aside $ 16 billion for testing and tracing efforts and $ 26 billion for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP plan would lower the emergency federal unemployment benefit to $ 200 per week and then replace it with a system that allows workers to recoup 70 % of their lost wages between the federal supplement and state unemployment insurance payouts .
The first major coronavirus relief bill passed in March set the benefit at $ 600 per week , but that enhanced figure is set to expire at the end of the month .
Democrats have insisted on keeping the benefit at the current level of $ 600 per week , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grounds that it is keeping people from rejoining the workforce in places where the economy is reopening .
In addition , the bill includes another round of $ 1,200 direct payments to most Americans , as well as a modified version of the Paycheck Protection Program — the federal initiative that allows small businesses to take out loans that can be forgiven if they are used to cover payroll , rent and certain other expenses .
Senator Susan Collins said the new legislation would allow small businesses that have seen a 50 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a second loan under the program .
The legislation would also add masks , upgraded heating and cooling systems and other measures that could help limit the spread of the virus to the expenses eligible for forgiveness under the program , Collins said .
The legislation also includes provisions to shield businesses , schools and other institutions that follow public health guidance from coronavirus-related lawsuits .
A priority of McConnell , Democrats have been staunchly opposed to the idea , calling it a giveaway to businesses .
McConnell made clear at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a red line , proclaiming that no bill would pass the Senate without such provision .
Senator John Cornyn said the liability proposal would only allow for lawsuits in situations in which a person contracted Covid-19 due to the willful misconduct or gross negligence of a business .
“ It will not prevent bad actors from facing the consequences of their action when it ’ s intentional or reckless , ” Cornyn said when previewing the legislation on the Senate floor .
“ It will not ban coronavirus lawsuits and it won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans in the Senate and the White House have been working out the details of the relief package behind the scenes , but delayed release as they struggled to come to a consensus .
Holding a majority in the House , Democrats will need to sign off on any bill for it to become law .

Senate Republicans unveiled an estimated $1 trillion economic relief bill responding to the coronavirus pandemic Monday, though the package faces rounds of negotiations with Democrats who gave it a cool reception.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Senate Republicans unveiled an estimated $1 trillion economic relief bill responding to the coronavirus pandemic Monday, though the package faces rounds of negotiations with Democrats who gave it a cool reception.
“The American people need more help,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor Monday. “They need it to be comprehensive and they need it to be carefully tailored to this crossroads. That is what this Senate majority has assembled.”
The legislation is the opening move from Republicans as Congress aims to complete yet another economic response package to build on the $3.6 trillion it has spent so far in the pandemic, which has claimed the lives of nearly 150,000 Americans and caused historic economic struggles.
But Democrats were critical of the proposal Republicans outlined Monday, suggesting intense negotiations are in the future before the package can become law. Democrats have called Republicans late to the game, given the Democrat-controlled House passed a $3 trillion relief bill in May.
That bill, which was dead-on-arrival in the Senate, included a massive payout to state and local governments, as well as hazard pay for essential workers.
In a floor speech, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the Republican bill “totally inadequate,” saying it does not address key issues facing the country as the virus continues to spread across the country.
“The Republican proposal will ignore not one or two or three, but scores of major crises in America right now,” Schumer said, putting air quotes around the word proposal.
Speaking to reporters after the legislation was unveiled, McConnell referred to the bill as a “starting place,” noting negotiations still need to take place with Democrats and the White House.
The package, a collection of smaller bills laid out by their Republican sponsors in a series of floor speeches Monday afternoon, would feature $105 billion for schools, with incentives for elementary, middle and high schools that open for in-person learning at least half of the time.
On the health care front, the bill would set aside $16 billion for testing and tracing efforts and $26 billion for the development of vaccines and treatments.
The GOP plan would lower the emergency federal unemployment benefit to $200 per week and then replace it with a system that allows workers to recoup 70% of their lost wages between the federal supplement and state unemployment insurance payouts. The first major coronavirus relief bill passed in March set the benefit at $600 per week, but that enhanced figure is set to expire at the end of the month.
Democrats have insisted on keeping the benefit at the current level of $600 per week, though Republicans have opposed doing so on the grounds that it is keeping people from rejoining the workforce in places where the economy is reopening.
In addition, the bill includes another round of $1,200 direct payments to most Americans, as well as a modified version of the Paycheck Protection Program — the federal initiative that allows small businesses to take out loans that can be forgiven if they are used to cover payroll, rent and certain other expenses.
Senator Susan Collins said the new legislation would allow small businesses that have seen a 50% or greater drop in revenue to take out a second loan under the program. The legislation would also add masks, upgraded heating and cooling systems and other measures that could help limit the spread of the virus to the expenses eligible for forgiveness under the program, Collins said.
The legislation also includes provisions to shield businesses, schools and other institutions that follow public health guidance from coronavirus-related lawsuits. A priority of McConnell, Democrats have been staunchly opposed to the idea, calling it a giveaway to businesses.
McConnell made clear at a press conference Monday the liability protections are a red line, proclaiming that no bill would pass the Senate without such provision.
Senator John Cornyn said the liability proposal would only allow for lawsuits in situations in which a person contracted Covid-19 due to the willful misconduct or gross negligence of a business.
“It will not prevent bad actors from facing the consequences of their action when it’s intentional or reckless,” Cornyn said when previewing the legislation on the Senate floor. “It will not ban coronavirus lawsuits and it won’t give anyone a get-out-of-jail-free card.”
Republicans in the Senate and the White House have been working out the details of the relief package behind the scenes, but delayed release as they struggled to come to a consensus. Holding a majority in the House, Democrats will need to sign off on any bill for it to become law.


Top Eight

Your Monday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including a spike in Covid-19 cases in Europe has added to the grim global picture of an accelerating pandemic ; California lawmakers introduced a $ 100 billion coronavirus stimulus plan ; A new poll of North Carolina voters indicates the swing state is leaning toward Democratic candidates in three critical races , and more .
Sign up for CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day ’ s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday .
1 . )
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the swing state is leaning toward Democratic candidates in three critical races , including the battle for the White House .
2 . )
Hundreds of Democratic delegates , mostly in support of Senator Bernie Sanders , have pledged to boycott the party ’ s national platform if it does not include single-payer health care , setting up a likely showdown between the party ’ s progressive and moderate branches just three weeks before the convention .
3 . )
An analysis of reporting from major newspapers shows press releases from opponents of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the time , compared to 7 % for supporters .
4 . )
The White House confirmed Monday that its most senior official so far has tested positive for the coronavirus : national security adviser Robert C. O ’ Brien .
5 . )
Promising sweeping pandemic relief for business owners and renters without raising taxes , California lawmakers on Monday introduced a $ 100 billion coronavirus stimulus plan .
6 . )
Taking advantage of its Mediterranean-esque temperate climate , cities across Southern California have turned to European-style outdoor dining – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep restaurants in business , in an unprecedented public-private partnership that could change California ’ s car-centric culture permanently .
7 . )
Police in Virginia ’ s capital arrested protesters and detained journalists during weekend demonstrations that saw windows smashed and a city truck set ablaze .
8 . )
It ’ s turning into the summer Europeans didn ’ t want : One overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic .

Top eight CNS stories for today including a spike in Covid-19 cases in Europe has added to the grim global picture of an accelerating pandemic; California lawmakers introduced a $100 billion coronavirus stimulus plan; A new poll of North Carolina voters indicates the swing state is leaning toward Democratic candidates in three critical races, and more.
Your Monday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including a spike in Covid-19 cases in Europe has added to the grim global picture of an accelerating pandemic; California lawmakers introduced a $100 billion coronavirus stimulus plan; A new poll of North Carolina voters indicates the swing state is leaning toward Democratic candidates in three critical races, and more.
Sign up for CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday.
National
1.) A new poll of North Carolina voters indicates the swing state is leaning toward Democratic candidates in three critical races, including the battle for the White House.
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event at Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
2.) Hundreds of Democratic delegates, mostly in support of Senator Bernie Sanders, have pledged to boycott the party’s national platform if it does not include single-payer health care, setting up a likely showdown between the party’s progressive and moderate branches just three weeks before the convention.
From left, Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and former Vice President Joe Biden participate in a Democratic presidential primary debate at the Gaillard Center, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Charleston, S.C., co-hosted by CBS News and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
3.) An analysis of reporting from major newspapers shows press releases from opponents of climate action were cited about 14% of the time, compared to 7% for supporters.
Protesters gather outside the White House in Washington on June 1, 2017, opposing President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the Unites States from the Paris climate change accord. (SUSAN WALSH/AP)
4.) The White House confirmed Monday that its most senior official so far has tested positive for the coronavirus: national security adviser Robert C. O’Brien.
White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien speaks during a briefing on counternarcotics operations at U.S. Southern Command, Friday, July 10, 2020, in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Regional
5.) Promising sweeping pandemic relief for business owners and renters without raising taxes, California lawmakers on Monday introduced a $100 billion coronavirus stimulus plan.
The California Capitol building. (Pixabay image via Courthouse News)
6.) Taking advantage of its Mediterranean-esque temperate climate, cities across Southern California have turned to European-style outdoor dining – taking over sidewalks and parking spots – to keep restaurants in business, in an unprecedented public-private partnership that could change California’s car-centric culture permanently.
A woman dines outside Italian restaurant Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy San Diego. The restaurant has several hundred less customers a day on weekends and its popular bar has been shut down as California attempts to curb the spread of Covid-19. (Courthouse News photo/ Bianca Bruno)
7.) Police in Virginia’s capital arrested protesters and detained journalists during weekend demonstrations that saw windows smashed and a city truck set ablaze.
Police and Police stand in front of a utility vehicle that was set on fire by protesters during a demonstration outside the Richmond Police Department headquarters on Grace Street in Richmond, Va., Saturday, July 25, 2020. Police deployed flash-bangs and pepper spray to disperse the crowd after the city utility vehicle was set on fire. (Joe Mahoney/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)
International
8.) It’s turning into the summer Europeans didn’t want: One overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic.


courthousenews--2020-07-27--Congressman John Lewis Lain in State at Capitol Rotunda

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Marking the first time that the honor has been bestowed on a Black lawmaker , the body of 17-term Georgia Congressman John Lewis arrived Monday to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda .
A day earlier , Lewis ’ casket forded the Alabama River over the Edmund Pettus Bridge , which was lined with rose petals — meant to represent the blood spilled there in 1965 as state troopers attempted to quash a protest by Lewis and other Black civil rights demonstrators .
Lewis had been one of nearly 600 people in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on that day now remembered as “ Bloody Sunday ” — a catalyst for the creation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 .
Earlier today , the House passed a measure introduced by South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn that will rename legislation restoring provisions of the Voting Rights Act in honor of Lewis , who died on July 17 at the age of 80 of pancreatic cancer .
Marking 55 years since Lewis stood for the voting rights of Black Americans , Lewis ’ body arrived in Washington after lying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public funeral for Lewis was already held in the congressman ’ s hometown of Troy , Alabama , where a horse-drawn carriage carried his body across the bridge in Selma for the last time on Sunday .
Known as the “ conscience of Congress , ” Lewis was one of the last surviving organizers of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom , led by Martin Luther King Jr .
Though Lewis is the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda — an honor usually reserved for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elijah Cummings became the first Black lawmaker to be lain in state at Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol .
Lewis ’ casket toured Washington after arriving Monday at Andrews Airforce Base , with stops at the newly named Black Lives Matter Plaza — where Lewis last appeared publicly in June .
As the hearse advanced up 16th Street toward the White House , members of the public bowed their heads and gently patted the hearse carrying Lewis as “ Amazing Grace ” played softly over speakers .
At the rotunda ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership watched from the top of the steps as members from every U.S. military branch served as pallbearers and guided the casket inside .
Mourners inside formed a circle around the casket , spaced well apart to protect against the coronavirus .
“ Here in Congress John was revered and loved on both sides of the aisle , on both sides of the Capitol , ” Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said , as lawmakers delivered remarks inside the Rotunda .
“ We knew that he always worked on the side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is with them.
” The Reverend Grainger Browning , leader of Ebenezer AME Church in Washington , Maryland , offered an opening prayer for Lewis , while Wintley Phipps , founder of the U.S. Dream Academy , sang hymns in honor of the congressman .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also offered remarks , recalling having witnessed Lewis speak from the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 .
“ John ’ s friend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said , ‘ the arc of the moral universe is long , but it bends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But that is never automatic .
History only bent toward what ’ s right because people like John paid the price to help bend it.
” Congressman Al Green , a Texas Democrat , told Courthouse News , as he sat in the Capitol ’ s rotunda , he was reminded of Lewis ’ history .
The grandson of Alabama sharecroppers , born in the segregated South , no one could have predicted Lewis ’ eventual rise to Congress — or even to secondary education .
Not only was Lewis the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body ’ s moral compass , Green said .
“ He had a true North when it came to righteousness , and there were many people who voted for legislation that passed because they knew that he was supportive — especially on some of the issues of our time that have politically been very difficult to support , ” Green said .
“ He made it to Congress and made a difference in Congress , and he made it possible for others to get to Congress.
” Green said Lewis had left an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was arrested alongside Lewis while protesting a comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2013 .
The disturbance was what Lewis called “ good trouble , ” Green said .
“ On the streets of the Capitol we kneeled and he told me , ‘ when they come to arrest us , ’ he gave instructions , ‘ don ’ t resist , just do whatever they say and then just go on with your day , ’ ” Green said .
“ You have to be ready to suffer the consequences for your actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words , but this was the essence of it — being disruptive , getting in the way , being disruptive ; not destructive.
” Green also shared how in a Washington cell , Lewis spoke to him about advancing civil rights legislation .
That fight would continue throughout Lewis ’ life on the House floor , Green said .
“ Nobody wants to go to jail .
But I ’ ve always felt that if I had to go , it was an honor to be there with the Honorable John Lewis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to heart what Gandhi called to our attention when he said , ‘ You should be the change you seek.
’ He became the sermon he preached .
His sermon was love , peace , unity ; he was that sermon .
… It ’ s one thing to hear a sermon , and it ’ s another thing to see a sermon .
When you saw him , you saw a sermon , and I think that ’ s made all the difference in the lives of many .
I can assure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my life.
” Memorial services will continue on Tuesday , as members of the public will be permitted to view the casket from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Then on Wednesday , Lewis will lie in the Georgia state Capitol from 3–7 p.m. A private funeral for Lewis will take place at Ebenezer Baptist Church Horizon Sanctuary in Georgia on Thursday .

Marking the first time that the honor has been bestowed on a Black lawmaker, the body of 17-term Georgia Congressman John Lewis arrived Monday to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Marking the first time that the honor has been bestowed on a Black lawmaker, the body of 17-term Georgia Congressman John Lewis arrived Monday to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
A day earlier, Lewis’ casket forded the Alabama River over the Edmund Pettus Bridge, which was lined with rose petals — meant to represent the blood spilled there in 1965 as state troopers attempted to quash a protest by Lewis and other Black civil rights demonstrators.
Lewis had been one of nearly 600 people in the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, on that day now remembered as “Bloody Sunday” — a catalyst for the creation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Earlier today, the House passed a measure introduced by South Carolina Representative Jim Clyburn that will rename legislation restoring provisions of the Voting Rights Act in honor of Lewis, who died on July 17 at the age of 80 of pancreatic cancer.
Marking 55 years since Lewis stood for the voting rights of Black Americans, Lewis’ body arrived in Washington after lying in repose at the Alabama Capitol. A public funeral for Lewis was already held in the congressman’s hometown of Troy, Alabama, where a horse-drawn carriage carried his body across the bridge in Selma for the last time on Sunday.
Known as the “conscience of Congress,” Lewis was one of the last surviving organizers of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, led by Martin Luther King Jr.
Though Lewis is the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda — an honor usually reserved for U.S. presidents — last year Maryland Representative Elijah Cummings became the first Black lawmaker to be lain in state at Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol.


courthousenews--2020-07-27--Moms Sue Trump Administration to Stop Tear-Gassing of Portland Protesters

WASHINGTON ( CN ) — Wall of Moms , an organization of yellow-clad mothers turning out night after night to form a human shield protecting peaceful protesters from federal agents , is suing the Trump administration to stop the use of aggressive crowd control tactics in Portland , Oregon .
The complaint filed in Washington on Monday challenges the deployment of federal agents to Portland to “ unlawfully quash ” protests for police reform in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
“ Defendants have adopted a practice of deploying physical force , without provocation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , against peaceful protesters , ” the 48-page lawsuit states .
The nightly demonstrations have drawn national attention as federal agents used increasingly violent tactics against the gathering crowd .
Last week , Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler took to the street with protesters and was gassed by federal agents .
Don ’ t Shoot Portland , a second women-founded organization providing assistance to protesters , joined the mothers in asking a federal judge to block the use of tear gas , rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades to disperse peaceful demonstrations .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their members have been repeatedly victimized by federal forces clad in military fatigues .
In a predictable pattern , the plaintiffs argue , the U.S .
Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security officials have fired tear gas between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. to break up the crowd gathered outside the federal courthouse .
“ They have been tear-gassed night after night , left vomiting and unable to eat or sleep because of the toxic poison blasted at them , ” the complaint states .
Even when protesters stood blocks away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the lawsuit , federal agents have repeatedly fired projectiles at close range and detonated flash-bang explosive devices directly in front of them .
Filed against the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security , the complaint argues the Trump administration has violated protesters ’ First Amendment rights .
Neither agency responded to requests for comment Monday .
President Donald Trump in recent weeks has claimed Portland was out of control and that federal agents are reinstituting order , while also threatening to take over cities run by “ super-liberal mayors.
” City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal forces on their streets the president ’ s “ personal army ” and called for Washington to pull the troops out of Portland .
Monday ’ s lawsuit also takes aim at Trump administration officials carrying out the operation in Portland who were never confirmed by the Senate , including acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and his acting deputy Ken Cuccinelli .
“ The large number of acting officials at DHS , and throughout the Trump administration , is part of a deliberate strategy , as the president explained in 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I can move so quickly .
It gives me more flexibility , ’ ” the complaint states .
Since the administration launched “ Operation Diligent Valor ” on the streets of Portland , the plaintiffs say they have been subject to unconstitutional attacks by their own government .
“ Since July 4 , they have been repeatedly attacked by an army of over 100 camouflage-clad federal agents , ” the complaint states .
The Washington legal challenge follows similar lawsuits filed in Oregon accusing federal officers of whisking away protesters in unmarked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Courthouse News reporter .
A federal judge last week ordered federal officers not to arrest or assault journalists and legal observers .
“ When wrongdoing is underway , officials have great incentive to blindfold the watchful eyes of the fourth estate .
The free press is the guardian of the public ’ s interests and the independent judiciary is the guardian of the free press , ” wrote U.S. District Judge Michael Simon , a Barack Obama appointee .
The court ruling followed a similar decision by a federal judge last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local police in a lawsuit brought by Don ’ t Shoot Portland .
The activist group also raised concern on Monday over the risk of deploying tear gas during the coronavirus pandemic given it is an infectious respiratory disease .
Several Black mothers – including one of the original organizers of Wall of Moms , Beverly Barnum – joined the lawsuit as individual plaintiffs who claim to have suffered bodily harm while routinely attending the protests .
Barnum and her fellow moms had hoped their presence would remind federal agents that the protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to systemic racism .
“ That hope met a brutal reality when federal officers , dressed for war , blasted everyone , including Ms. Barnum and Wall of Moms linked arm-in-arm , with tear gas , flash-bang grenades , and other munitions , ” the complaint states .

Wall of Moms, an organization of yellow-clad mothers turning out night after night to form a human shield protecting peaceful protesters from federal agents, is suing the Trump administration to stop the use of aggressive crowd control tactics in Portland, Oregon.
WASHINGTON (CN) — Wall of Moms, an organization of yellow-clad mothers turning out night after night to form a human shield protecting peaceful protesters from federal agents, is suing the Trump administration to stop the use of aggressive crowd control tactics in Portland, Oregon.
The complaint filed in Washington on Monday challenges the deployment of federal agents to Portland to “unlawfully quash” protests for police reform in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“Defendants have adopted a practice of deploying physical force, without provocation, warning, or legal grounds to do so, against peaceful protesters,” the 48-page lawsuit states.
The nightly demonstrations have drawn national attention as federal agents used increasingly violent tactics against the gathering crowd. Last week, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler took to the street with protesters and was gassed by federal agents.
Don’t Shoot Portland, a second women-founded organization providing assistance to protesters, joined the mothers in asking a federal judge to block the use of tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades to disperse peaceful demonstrations.
In vivid detail, the two organizations claim their members have been repeatedly victimized by federal forces clad in military fatigues.
In a predictable pattern, the plaintiffs argue, the U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security officials have fired tear gas between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. to break up the crowd gathered outside the federal courthouse.
“They have been tear-gassed night after night, left vomiting and unable to eat or sleep because of the toxic poison blasted at them,” the complaint states.
Even when protesters stood blocks away from the courthouse and posed no threat, according to the lawsuit, federal agents have repeatedly fired projectiles at close range and detonated flash-bang explosive devices directly in front of them.
Filed against the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, the complaint argues the Trump administration has violated protesters’ First Amendment rights. Neither agency responded to requests for comment Monday.
President Donald Trump in recent weeks has claimed Portland was out of control and that federal agents are reinstituting order, while also threatening to take over cities run by “super-liberal mayors.”
City officials, meanwhile, have called the federal forces on their streets the president’s “personal army” and called for Washington to pull the troops out of Portland.
Monday’s lawsuit also takes aim at Trump administration officials carrying out the operation in Portland who were never confirmed by the Senate, including acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and his acting deputy Ken Cuccinelli.
“The large number of acting officials at DHS, and throughout the Trump administration, is part of a deliberate strategy, as the president explained in 2019: ‘I like "acting" because I can move so quickly. It gives me more flexibility,’” the complaint states.
Since the administration launched “Operation Diligent Valor” on the streets of Portland, the plaintiffs say they have been subject to unconstitutional attacks by their own government.
“Since July 4, they have been repeatedly attacked by an army of over 100 camouflage-clad federal agents,” the complaint states.
The Washington legal challenge follows similar lawsuits filed in Oregon accusing federal officers of whisking away protesters in unmarked vehicles and targeting the press, including a Courthouse News reporter.
A federal judge last week ordered federal officers not to arrest or assault journalists and legal observers.
“When wrongdoing is underway, officials have great incentive to blindfold the watchful eyes of the fourth estate. The free press is the guardian of the public’s interests and the independent judiciary is the guardian of the free press,” wrote U.S. District Judge Michael Simon, a Barack Obama appointee.
The court ruling followed a similar decision by a federal judge last month banning the use of tear gas by local police in a lawsuit brought by Don’t Shoot Portland.
The activist group also raised concern on Monday over the risk of deploying tear gas during the coronavirus pandemic given it is an infectious respiratory disease.
Several Black mothers — including one of the original organizers of Wall of Moms, Beverly Barnum — joined the lawsuit as individual plaintiffs who claim to have suffered bodily harm while routinely attending the protests.
Barnum and her fellow moms had hoped their presence would remind federal agents that the protesters were young adults calling for an end to systemic racism.
“That hope met a brutal reality when federal officers, dressed for war, blasted everyone, including Ms. Barnum and Wall of Moms linked arm-in-arm, with tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and other munitions,” the complaint states.


courthousenews--2020-07-27--Sanders Delegates Prepare DNC Revolt Over Medicare for All

MILWAUKEE ( CN ) — Hundreds of Democratic delegates , mostly in support of Senator Bernie Sanders , have pledged to boycott the party ’ s national platform if it does not include single-payer health care , setting up a likely showdown between the party ’ s progressive and moderate branches just three weeks before the convention .
As of Monday , it was reported that more than 360 delegates have signed a petition to vote against a Democratic platform that “ does not include a plank supporting universal , single-payer Medicare for All , ” according to the petition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of Sanders and began circulating last Thursday .
This latest surge in support includes left-wing groups Progressive Democrats of America and RootsAction.org , which both announced their backing of the petition on Monday , indicating the Democratic Party ’ s left-wing faction is taking the pledge seriously and throwing their support behind its momentum .
The petition asserts that the need for access to universal , single-payer health care has been made clear by the Covid-19 pandemic , which has resulted in millions of unemployed Americans losing insurance benefits directly tied to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care is needed the most , exposing a bedrock fault in a for-profit health care system the petition refers to as “ racist and discriminatory.
” Norman Solomon , national director with RootsAction.org and a Sanders delegate from California , said in an interview Monday that “ when I saw the launch of this petition pledge , RootsAction immediately said we would support it and conveyed that to the Nevada delegation.
” Solomon said that given the upheaval brought about by the spread of the novel coronavirus , “ tying healthcare to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ There was tremendous support for Medicare for All even before the pandemic hit , ” he said .
“ There ’ s no question that not only a strong majority of Democrats but a majority of registered voters period supports Medicare for All , ” which has contributed to groups quickly coming together as they “ recognized the historic moment.
” Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden ’ s opposition to Medicare for All is well established , so that leaves little question that there will be a clash between Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wing and more centrist delegates over single-payer health care ahead of the Democratic National Convention set to kick off on Aug. 17 .
Due to the current public health crisis , the convention in downtown Milwaukee will largely be a virtual one , although Biden is still expected to speak and accept the party ’ s nomination in person .
While the petition has already done the work of forcing the single-payer health care conversation back near the forefront 21 days out from the national convention , progressives may be hard-pressed to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national platform at this point .
Tom Holbrook , a distinguished political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee , offered in an interview Monday he does not personally see Sanders himself supporting this petition , as so much has been made in the 2020 election cycle out of Democrats from disparate ideologies coming together to ensure President Donald Trump does not get re-elected .
Holbrook added that Sanders has made it clear that ousting Trump is “ his number one job ” this time around , and he suspects the Vermont senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to put this out.
” Giving credence to Sanders ’ commitment to party coalescence , the senator has recently joined Biden in a unity task force on issues central to the Democratic Party ’ s progressive wing , including climate change , immigration and criminal justice reform .
Recommendations from the task force published earlier this month indicate that it is finding middle ground or even seeing a leftward push on some of those issues – including eventually achieving quality universal health care with a public option – but a firm commitment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
Nevertheless , the petition has the potential to stir déjà vu from liberals who remember revolts from Sanders supporters at the Democrats ’ 2016 national convention over the party establishment ’ s treatment of Sanders in favor of Hillary Clinton – something Holbrook said is understandable and altogether expected .
“ There was a lot of resentment on the left over Hillary Clinton last time , ” the professor said , while qualifying that “ this is exactly the type of thing that pops up before conventions , ” a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential disaster is going to get attention .
”

Hundreds of Democratic delegates, mostly in support of Senator Bernie Sanders, have pledged to boycott the party’s national platform if it does not include single-payer health care, setting up a likely showdown between the party’s progressive and moderate branches just three weeks before the convention.
MILWAUKEE (CN) — Hundreds of Democratic delegates, mostly in support of Senator Bernie Sanders, have pledged to boycott the party’s national platform if it does not include single-payer health care, setting up a likely showdown between the party’s progressive and moderate branches just three weeks before the convention.
As of Monday, it was reported that more than 360 delegates have signed a petition to vote against a Democratic platform that “does not include a plank supporting universal, single-payer Medicare for All,” according to the petition, which originated with Nevada delegates in support of Sanders and began circulating last Thursday.
This latest surge in support includes left-wing groups Progressive Democrats of America and RootsAction.org, which both announced their backing of the petition on Monday, indicating the Democratic Party’s left-wing faction is taking the pledge seriously and throwing their support behind its momentum.
The petition asserts that the need for access to universal, single-payer health care has been made clear by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in millions of unemployed Americans losing insurance benefits directly tied to their job at a time when that health care is needed the most, exposing a bedrock fault in a for-profit health care system the petition refers to as “racist and discriminatory.”
Norman Solomon, national director with RootsAction.org and a Sanders delegate from California, said in an interview Monday that “when I saw the launch of this petition pledge, RootsAction immediately said we would support it and conveyed that to the Nevada delegation.”
Solomon said that given the upheaval brought about by the spread of the novel coronavirus, “tying healthcare to employment has become transparently absurd and cruel.”
“There was tremendous support for Medicare for All even before the pandemic hit,” he said. “There’s no question that not only a strong majority of Democrats but a majority of registered voters period supports Medicare for All,” which has contributed to groups quickly coming together as they “recognized the historic moment.”
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s opposition to Medicare for All is well established, so that leaves little question that there will be a clash between Sanders supporters in the party’s progressive wing and more centrist delegates over single-payer health care ahead of the Democratic National Convention set to kick off on Aug. 17.
Due to the current public health crisis, the convention in downtown Milwaukee will largely be a virtual one, although Biden is still expected to speak and accept the party’s nomination in person.
While the petition has already done the work of forcing the single-payer health care conversation back near the forefront 21 days out from the national convention, progressives may be hard-pressed to get Medicare for All written into the Democratic national platform at this point.
Tom Holbrook, a distinguished political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, offered in an interview Monday he does not personally see Sanders himself supporting this petition, as so much has been made in the 2020 election cycle out of Democrats from disparate ideologies coming together to ensure President Donald Trump does not get re-elected.
Holbrook added that Sanders has made it clear that ousting Trump is “his number one job” this time around, and he suspects the Vermont senator “will either himself or through intermediaries try to put this out.”
Giving credence to Sanders’ commitment to party coalescence, the senator has recently joined Biden in a unity task force on issues central to the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, including climate change, immigration and criminal justice reform.
Recommendations from the task force published earlier this month indicate that it is finding middle ground or even seeing a leftward push on some of those issues — including eventually achieving quality universal health care with a public option — but a firm commitment to a single-payer system was not among them.
Nevertheless, the petition has the potential to stir déjà vu from liberals who remember revolts from Sanders supporters at the Democrats’ 2016 national convention over the party establishment’s treatment of Sanders in favor of Hillary Clinton — something Holbrook said is understandable and altogether expected.
“There was a lot of resentment on the left over Hillary Clinton last time,” the professor said, while qualifying that “this is exactly the type of thing that pops up before conventions,” a time when “any whiff of dissent or potential disaster is going to get attention.”


courthousenews--2020-07-27--California Democrats Tout $100 Billion Covid Relief Plan

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( CN ) — Promising sweeping pandemic relief for business owners and renters without raising taxes , California lawmakers on Monday introduced a $ 100 billion coronavirus stimulus plan .
Endorsed by the leaders of the Democratic-controlled Assembly and state Senate , the plan would increase unemployment benefits , deter evictions and foreclosures and streamline environmental review to speed up new housing projects .
Lawmakers said the massive package stands to fill a critical void left by Congress ’ failure so far to produce another round of pandemic aid .
“ Millions of Californians are suffering in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , D.C. don ’ t seem to care , ” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon in a statement .
“ Assembly and Senate Democrats are advancing innovative proposals to help people and small businesses.
” Released on the day lawmakers returned from an extended summer recess , the Democrats claim they can scrape together $ 100 billion during a recession by allowing the state treasurer to issue “ future tax vouchers , ” and by tapping into unused voter-approved bonds and transportation tax funds .
The plan also expands tax breaks for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay for spiking unemployment claims and pries revenue from the state ’ s cap-and-trade system .
State Sen. Jim Beall , D-San Jose , said greenlighting road repairs and other infrastructure projects will result in thousands of new jobs .
“ We must pass a strategic stimulus package to boost our economy , help struggling families , and get people back to work , ” Beall said in a statement .
“ An estimated 13,000 jobs are created for each $ 1 billion invested in infrastructure.
” Exact details of the package @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislature in the coming weeks , as lawmakers have until the end of August to approve new bills .
The Democrats ’ plan could find a soft landing with California families , particularly those of color , struggling through the pandemic .
According to a new Public Policy institute of California poll , 56 % of Latinos responded they are “ very worried ” about Covid-19 harming their family ’ s finances .
The figure drops to 31 % for black and Asian families and 22 % for white respondents .
As a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 1,500 surveyed said they expect “ good times financially ” over the next year .
After another week marred by spiking coronavirus deaths and new hospitalizations , Governor Gavin Newsom signaled Monday the state ’ s pandemic focus is switching to California ’ s agriculture-rich Central Valley — where infections continue to spike .
To give overburdened hospitals breathing room , Newsom announced from a nut processing facility in Stockton the state was sending Covid-19 strike teams to assist public health officials get a grip on the pandemic in eight counties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom says the state will divert $ 52 million in federal relief funds to improve testing capabilities and hire more health care workers in the Central Valley .
“ These dollars certainly are critical and important , and will build off local infrastructure that ’ s already in place , ” Newsom told reporters .
Along with the Los Angeles area , the virus is spreading rapidly in the Central Valley as testing positivity rates — a key indicator of community spread — soar .
Counties like Merced ( 18.7 % ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 17.2 % ) and Fresno ( 11.1 % ) are all above the statewide seven-day positivity rate of 7.8 % .
As a result , each of the counties are on Newsom ’ s coronavirus monitoring list , which has grown to 37 counties and represents over 90 % of the state ’ s population .
The virus disproportionately affects the Central Valley ’ s essential workforce , including farmworkers , and Newsom said officials are particularly focused on stopping the spread among the region ’ s Latino population as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisons and jails .
While Latinos comprise nearly 39 % of the statewide population , they have accounted for 56 % of the state ’ s total coronavirus cases .
The disproportion is more glaring in Fresno County for example , where Latinos make up 52 % of the population but 65 % of the county ’ s Covid-19 deaths .
Newsom , who said he hasn ’ t reviewed the Legislature ’ s $ 100 billion stimulus , reported 108 additional deaths over the weekend , bringing the state ’ s rolling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Golden State now has the fourth most coronavirus-related deaths of any state with 8,454 , behind New York , New Jersey and Massachusetts .
California and Florida overtook New York last week for the top spots in terms of most confirmed coronavirus infections .
It has been 145 days since Los Angeles County declared its local health emergency in response to the novel coronavirus .
Since then , over 4,000 people are dead and 176,000 have been infected according to the LA County Public Health Department .
But there are no immediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order , LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Monday .
“ I ’ ve said before that additional rollbacks or closures must remain on the table , ” said Ferrer during a Monday briefing .
“ But at this stage in the pandemic we believe we have a lot of tools available that if fully utilized should allow us to slow the spread without going back to the more stringent safer-at-home orders that were in place earlier in the pandemic.
” More is known now about the virus and what precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus , like wearing face masks given transmission from people who do not show symptoms of the virus can occur .
But LA County continues to report an average of over 2,000 people hospitalized a day .
And over the last two months , there has been a steady increase of infections among people between the ages of 18 to 49 .
Health officials reported 2,039 new cases on Monday .
But they said there ’ s a lag in lab results being reported to the county and those late results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the week .
As of this weekend , more than 1.6 million tests have been administered to LA County residents with a 10 % positivity rate .
Ferrer said compliance with health orders and responding to contact tracers during phone interviews will be key to containing the spread of Covid-19 .
LA County will give people a $ 20 gift certificate to answer questions from contact tracers who call them to determine if they were exposed to the virus .
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announced Monday that his mother , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died from complications related to the virus and his stepfather , Greg O ’ Donnell , is hospitalized and on a ventilator .
Meanwhile , the Los Angeles Police Department reported officer Valentin Martinez has died from the virus and the LA Fire Department said firefighter paramedic Jose Perez , 44 , has died from Covid-19 .
According to Johns Hopkins University , the Golden State has reported over 453,000 cases , followed by Florida with 432,000 and New York with 412,000 .
California is now averaging less deaths per 100,000 residents with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New York ( 168 ) .
Meanwhile hospitalizations and new cases continue to grow , albeit at a slower pace than the beginning of the month .
Over the last week , total hospitalizations increased 3 % while the state ’ s 14-day testing positivity rate is 7.5 % .
Newsom said he ’ s encouraged by the “ modest increases ” but reminded the state ’ s 40 million to continue wearing masks throughout the summer .
“ We are in the midst of the first wave of this pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we did at the outset of this pandemic , ” Newsom said .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — Promising sweeping pandemic relief for business owners and renters without raising taxes, California lawmakers on Monday introduced a $100 billion coronavirus stimulus plan.
Endorsed by the leaders of the Democratic-controlled Assembly and state Senate, the plan would increase unemployment benefits, deter evictions and foreclosures and streamline environmental review to speed up new housing projects. Lawmakers said the massive package stands to fill a critical void left by Congress’ failure so far to produce another round of pandemic aid.
“Millions of Californians are suffering in this economic downturn, and Republicans in Washington, D.C., don’t seem to care,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said in a statement. “Assembly and Senate Democrats are advancing innovative proposals to help people and small businesses.”
Released on the day lawmakers returned from an extended summer recess, the Democrats claim they can scrape together $100 billion during a recession by allowing the state treasurer to issue “future tax vouchers,” and by tapping into unused voter-approved bonds and transportation tax funds. The plan also expands tax breaks for small businesses, includes new federal loans to pay for spiking unemployment claims and pries revenue from the state’s cap-and-trade system.
State Senator Jim Beall, D-San Jose, said green-lighting road repairs and other infrastructure projects will result in thousands of new jobs.
“We must pass a strategic stimulus package to boost our economy, help struggling families, and get people back to work,” Beall said in a statement. “An estimated 13,000 jobs are created for each $1 billion invested in infrastructure.”
Exact details of the package are expected to be released in the Legislature in the coming weeks, as lawmakers have until the end of August to approve new bills.
The Democrats’ plan could find a soft landing with California families, particularly those of color, struggling through the pandemic.
According to a new Public Policy institute of California poll, 56% of Latinos responded they are “very worried” about Covid-19 harming their family’s finances. The figure drops to 31% for black and Asian families and 22% for white respondents.
As a whole, just 19% of the over 1,500 surveyed said they expect “good times financially” over the next year.
Covid nails Central Valley
After another week marred by spiking coronavirus deaths and new hospitalizations, Governor Gavin Newsom signaled Monday the state’s pandemic focus is switching to California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley — where infections continue to spike.
To give overburdened hospitals breathing room, Newsom announced from a nut processing facility in Stockton the state was sending Covid-19 strike teams to assist public health officials get a grip on the pandemic in eight counties. With the Legislature’s approval, Newsom says the state will divert $52 million in federal relief funds to improve testing capabilities and hire more health care workers in the Central Valley.
“These dollars certainly are critical and important, and will build off local infrastructure that’s already in place,” Newsom told reporters.
Along with the Los Angeles area, the virus is spreading rapidly in the Central Valley as testing positivity rates — a key indicator of community spread — soar.
Counties like Merced (18.7%), Stanislaus (17.9%), Kern (17.2%) and Fresno (11.1%) are all above the statewide seven-day positivity rate of 7.8%. As a result, each of the counties are on Newsom’s coronavirus monitoring list, which has grown to 37 counties and represents over 90% of the state’s population.
The virus disproportionately affects the Central Valley’s essential workforce, including farmworkers, and Newsom said officials are particularly focused on stopping the spread among the region’s Latino population as well as within nursing homes and the various state prisons and jails.
While Latinos comprise nearly 39% of the statewide population, they have accounted for 56% of the state’s total coronavirus cases. The disproportion is more glaring in Fresno County for example, where Latinos make up 52% of the population but 65% of the county’s Covid-19 deaths.
Newsom, who said he hasn’t reviewed the Legislature’s $100 billion stimulus, reported 108 additional deaths over the weekend, bringing the state’s rolling seven-day average for deaths to 109. The Golden State now has the fourth most coronavirus-related deaths of any state with 8,454, behind New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
California and Florida overtook New York last week for the top spots in terms of most confirmed coronavirus infections.
Shutting down Los Angeles?
It has been 145 days since Los Angeles County declared its local health emergency in response to the novel coronavirus. Since then, over 4,000 people are dead and 176,000 have been infected according to the LA County Public Health Department.
But there are no immediate plans to roll out a new stay-at-home order, LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Monday.
“I’ve said before that additional rollbacks or closures must remain on the table,” said Ferrer during a Monday briefing. “But at this stage in the pandemic we believe we have a lot of tools available that if fully utilized should allow us to slow the spread without going back to the more stringent safer-at-home orders that were in place earlier in the pandemic.”
More is known now about the virus and what precautions people can take to slow the spread of the virus, like wearing face masks given transmission from people who do not show symptoms of the virus can occur.
But LA County continues to report an average of over 2,000 people hospitalized a day. And over the last two months, there has been a steady increase of infections among people between the ages of 18 to 49.
Health officials reported 2,039 new cases on Monday. But they said there’s a lag in lab results being reported to the county and those late results are expected to spill over into the rest of the week.
As of this weekend, more than 1.6 million tests have been administered to LA County residents with a 10% positivity rate.
Ferrer said compliance with health orders and responding to contact tracers during phone interviews will be key to containing the spread of Covid-19. LA County will give people a $20 gift certificate to answer questions from contact tracers who call them to determine if they were exposed to the virus.
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announced Monday that his mother, 61-year-old Gabriella O’Donnell, has died from complications related to the virus and his stepfather, Greg O’Donnell, is hospitalized and on a ventilator. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Department reported officer Valentin Martinez has died from the virus and the LA Fire Department said firefighter paramedic Jose Perez, 44, has died from Covid-19.
According to Johns Hopkins University, the Golden State has reported over 453,000 cases, followed by Florida with 432,000 and New York with 412,000. California is now averaging less deaths per 100,000 residents with 21 compared to Florida (28) and New York (168).
Meanwhile hospitalizations and new cases continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace than the beginning of the month.
Over the last week, total hospitalizations increased 3% while the state’s 14-day testing positivity rate is 7.5%. Newsom said he’s encouraged by the “modest increases” but reminded the state’s 40 million to continue wearing masks throughout the summer.
“We are in the midst of the first wave of this pandemic, and we’ve got to do what we did at the outset of this pandemic,” Newsom said.


3M Earplugs

PENSACOLA , Fla. — A federal judge in Florida denied 3M ’ s invocation of the government contractor defense in @ @ @ @ @ by veterans who claim they suffered permanent hearing loss due to the company ’ s @ @ @ @ @


Freedom of Information

WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Washington found nothing suspect in the National Security Agency ’ s redaction of information @ @ @ @ @ “ unmasking ” requests from Obama officials directed at Trump campaign associates .