vox--2020-04-19--Trump says WHO didn’t share early information about Covid-19. A new report shows that’s not the case

Trump says WHO didn’t share early information about Covid-19. A new report shows that’s not the case.

More than a dozen United States experts were working at the World Health Organization and feeding the Trump administration information last December as the coronavirus spread through China , according to reporting by the Washington Post .
That reporting stands in contrast with President Donald Trump ’ s accusations that the WHO spent late 2019 “ severely mismanaging ” the global response to the virus — and that it was “ covering up ” information to paper over China ’ s inability to contain Covid-19 .
And it comes days after the president announced he would be freezing US funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a global health crisis in retaliation for these alleged failings .
In fact , according to the Post , Trump administration officials helped guide WHO policy — and worked to ensure the US was informed of new coronavirus developments as soon as the international body learned about them .
A top official from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) was part of the committee that advised the WHO on whether to declare a global public health emergency in late January .
Two US scientists were part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China in mid-February .
A CDC official has compiled daily reports of outbreaks in consultation with WHO counterparts and passed along information to higher-ups in the organization through daily briefing calls .
And upcoming WHO plans and announcements were reportedly shared days in advance with top US officials like Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar .
The WHO has been criticized for its handling of the pandemic — including whether the organization waited too long to declare a global emergency and if it has been too liberal in its praise for China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s reporting indicates that lack of early communication of the threat to the US was likely not one of its missteps .
Trump claims otherwise , telling reporters last Tuesday , “ The reality is that the WHO failed to adequately obtain ... and share information in a timely and transparent fashion.
” He has repeated this allegation — along with a claim the WHO didn ’ t want him to institute a travel ban — a number of times in recent days , seemingly in an attempt to blame the international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis .
Trump has used the WHO to shift blame from his own administration Trump has been criticized for weeks over his response to the coronavirus in the US , which his critics — and most Americans — have argued was dangerously slow .
While weathering this criticism , the president has increasingly looked to the WHO as a party to blame for any of the US coronavirus shortcomings .
Trump ’ s frustrations with the organization seemed to begin in late January , when top officials in the WHO said governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfere with international travel and trade ” to stop the spread of the disease , after Trump announced he would be partially banning travel from China .
The organization didn ’ t directly criticize the US , which wasn ’ t the only country imposing travel restrictions at the time .
“ Travel restrictions can cause more harm than good by hindering info-sharing , medical supply chains and harming economies , ” said the World Health Organization director-general , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , at the time .
In early April , faced with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump became increasingly explicit in his critiques of the organization , tweeting that the WHO “ really blew it.
” “ For some reason , funded largely by the United States , yet very China centric , ” he wrote .
“ We will be giving that a good look.
” As Vox ’ s Lois Parshley reported , the criticism didn ’ t end there : Deborah Birx , the White House coronavirus task force coordinator , and Scott Gottlieb , the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration under Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s data and transparency .
Gottlieb told Face the Nation , “ Going forward , the WHO needs to commit to an after-action report that specifically examines what China did or didn ’ t tell the world and how that stymied the global response to this.
” Senate Republicans , meanwhile , on April 13 announced a plan to investigate the origins of the virus and the global response , including the WHO ’ s decisions .
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Ron Johnson told Politico , “ We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had in trying to cover this thing up.
” Trump ’ s threat to stop sending the millions of dollars the country sends annually to the WHO would be a devastating blow to the organization , which is helping to coordinate the global response to Covid-19 .
The US is the organization ’ s single largest funder , providing 22 percent of all member state assessed contributions and often hundreds of millions more in voluntary contributions .
It ’ s not clear whether he can stop the $ 116 million that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it seems he may be allowed to reroute the funding to other organizations or withhold it until next year .
The WHO may continue to be a scapegoat for the Trump administration , but experts have urged him not to take it out on an agency they largely agree has avoided major missteps .
“ How can you threaten to withdraw funding from the world ’ s leading global health agency in the midst of a pandemic , with tens of thousands of people dying ?
” Lawrence Gostin , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critic of WHO ’ s director-general , told Parshley .
“ It ’ s utterly irresponsible.
” Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to Vox today .

More than a dozen United States experts were working at the World Health Organization and feeding the Trump administration information last December as the coronavirus spread through China, according to reporting by the Washington Post.
That reporting stands in contrast with President Donald Trump’s accusations that the WHO spent late 2019 “severely mismanaging” the global response to the virus — and that it was “covering up” information to paper over China’s inability to contain Covid-19. And it comes days after the president announced he would be freezing US funding for the WHO in the midst of a global health crisis in retaliation for these alleged failings.
In fact, according to the Post, Trump administration officials helped guide WHO policy — and worked to ensure the US was informed of new coronavirus developments as soon as the international body learned about them.
A top official from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was part of the committee that advised the WHO on whether to declare a global public health emergency in late January. Two US scientists were part of the WHO’s information gathering mission to China in mid-February. A CDC official has compiled daily reports of outbreaks in consultation with WHO counterparts and passed along information to higher-ups in the organization through daily briefing calls. And upcoming WHO plans and announcements were reportedly shared days in advance with top US officials like Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar.
The WHO has been criticized for its handling of the pandemic — including whether the organization waited too long to declare a global emergency and if it has been too liberal in its praise for China’s response — but the Post’s reporting indicates that lack of early communication of the threat to the US was likely not one of its missteps.
Trump claims otherwise, telling reporters last Tuesday, “The reality is that the WHO failed to adequately obtain ... and share information in a timely and transparent fashion.”
He has repeated this allegation — along with a claim the WHO didn’t want him to institute a travel ban — a number of times in recent days, seemingly in an attempt to blame the international organization for the US’s current coronavirus crisis.
Trump has used the WHO to shift blame from his own administration
Trump has been criticized for weeks over his response to the coronavirus in the US, which his critics — and most Americans — have argued was dangerously slow. While weathering this criticism, the president has increasingly looked to the WHO as a party to blame for any of the US coronavirus shortcomings.
Trump’s frustrations with the organization seemed to begin in late January, when top officials in the WHO said governments don’t need to “unnecessarily interfere with international travel and trade” to stop the spread of the disease, after Trump announced he would be partially banning travel from China. The organization didn’t directly criticize the US, which wasn’t the only country imposing travel restrictions at the time.
“Travel restrictions can cause more harm than good by hindering info-sharing, medical supply chains and harming economies,” said the World Health Organization director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at the time.
In early April, faced with growing scrutiny over his early response, Trump became increasingly explicit in his critiques of the organization, tweeting that the WHO “really blew it.”
“For some reason, funded largely by the United States, yet very China centric,” he wrote. “We will be giving that a good look.”
The W.H.O. really blew it. For some reason, funded largely by the United States, yet very China centric. We will be giving that a good look. Fortunately I rejected their advice on keeping our borders open to China early on. Why did they give us such a faulty recommendation? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 7, 2020
As Vox’s Lois Parshley reported, the criticism didn’t end there:
Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, and Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration under Trump, criticized its handling of China’s data and transparency. Gottlieb told Face the Nation, “Going forward, the WHO needs to commit to an after-action report that specifically examines what China did or didn’t tell the world and how that stymied the global response to this.” Senate Republicans, meanwhile, on April 13 announced a plan to investigate the origins of the virus and the global response, including the WHO’s decisions. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chair Ron Johnson told Politico, “We need to know what role WHO might have had in trying to cover this thing up.”
Trump’s threat to stop sending the millions of dollars the country sends annually to the WHO would be a devastating blow to the organization, which is helping to coordinate the global response to Covid-19. The US is the organization’s single largest funder, providing 22 percent of all member state assessed contributions and often hundreds of millions more in voluntary contributions.
It’s not clear whether he can stop the $116 million that’s been appropriated to the agency by Congress, but it seems he may be allowed to reroute the funding to other organizations or withhold it until next year.
The WHO may continue to be a scapegoat for the Trump administration, but experts have urged him not to take it out on an agency they largely agree has avoided major missteps.
“How can you threaten to withdraw funding from the world’s leading global health agency in the midst of a pandemic, with tens of thousands of people dying?” Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown University and a past critic of WHO’s director-general, told Parshley. “It’s utterly irresponsible.”


vox--2020-04-19--Nobody’s buying clothes right now. So stores are filing for bankruptcy.

The first department store casualty of the coronavirus pandemic is here : Dallas-based luxury chain Neiman Marcus is expected to file for bankruptcy as soon as this week , according to a Reuters report .
Sources familiar with the matter said the decision was due to the economic crisis caused by Covid-19 .
This isn ’ t unexpected .
After all 43 Neiman Marcus locations were temporarily closed on March 17 , Bloomberg reported on March 23 that the company was in talks with lenders about filing for bankruptcy to ease its $ 4.3 billion in debt .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a loan from creditors for hundreds of millions of dollars to sustain operations throughout the bankruptcy proceedings .
Meanwhile , a majority of its 14,000 employees are currently furloughed .
By filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection , Neiman Marcus can remain in business while closing underperforming stores .
It ’ s unclear if there is a plan for after the filing — many businesses that go bankrupt don ’ t necessarily go away .
Vox has reached out to Neiman Marcus for comment .
It ’ s far from the only retailer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While big-box stores that sell groceries and other staples , like Walmart , Target , Costco , and Kohl ’ s , have been less impacted than some predicted , clothing-focused stores are under serious financial strain .
Retail sales fell 8.7 percent in March , the largest drop ever on record , and clothing and accessory sales dropped most of all , by 50.5 percent .
So far , Gap has canceled its orders for the fall season .
JC Penney and Nordstrom are rumored to be filing for Chapter 11 if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s has furloughed the majority of its nearly 130,000 employees .
Rent the Runway laid off its entire in-store staff over Zoom .
Though brands have focused their efforts on e-commerce sales , most retailers say they ’ re not expecting online orders to make up for the loss of in-store purchases , according to a report from market research firm Forrester and retail platform Narvar .
“ Retail has hung a closed sign on the door literally and metaphorically , ” Neil Saunders , managing director of GlobalData Retail , told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most catastrophic crisis that retail has faced – worse than the financial crisis in 2008 , worse than 9/11 .
Almost overnight , the retail economy shifted from being about things people want to things that they need.
” It ’ s not like the brick-and-mortar retail business was booming before the coronavirus pandemic , either .
For the past decade , Americans ’ shopping habits have drastically shifted , thanks to the advent of online shopping , same-day delivery , and direct-to-consumer startups .
While many stores have invested in turning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate behemoths like Sears , Family Dollar , Toys R Us , Claire ’ s , Forever 21 , and Payless have struggled to adapt to customers ’ expectations .
What ’ s been called the “ retail apocalypse ” over the last 10 years is rapidly accelerating due to coronavirus .
Analysis from retail industry tracker Coresight Research suggests that more than 15,000 stores in the US could permanently shutter , up from the 9,500 that closed their doors last year .
If the great American department store was already in decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job .
It ’ s almost certain that Neiman Marcus is just the beginning .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to Vox today .

The first department store casualty of the coronavirus pandemic is here: Dallas-based luxury chain Neiman Marcus is expected to file for bankruptcy as soon as this week, according to a Reuters report. Sources familiar with the matter said the decision was due to the economic crisis caused by Covid-19.
This isn’t unexpected. After all 43 Neiman Marcus locations were temporarily closed on March 17, Bloomberg reported on March 23 that the company was in talks with lenders about filing for bankruptcy to ease its $4.3 billion in debt. It is also reportedly in the process of securing a loan from creditors for hundreds of millions of dollars to sustain operations throughout the bankruptcy proceedings. Meanwhile, a majority of its 14,000 employees are currently furloughed.
By filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Neiman Marcus can remain in business while closing underperforming stores. It’s unclear if there is a plan for after the filing — many businesses that go bankrupt don’t necessarily go away. Vox has reached out to Neiman Marcus for comment.
It’s far from the only retailer feeling the pressure of the pandemic. While big-box stores that sell groceries and other staples, like Walmart, Target, Costco, and Kohl’s, have been less impacted than some predicted, clothing-focused stores are under serious financial strain. Retail sales fell 8.7 percent in March, the largest drop ever on record, and clothing and accessory sales dropped most of all, by 50.5 percent.
So far, Gap has canceled its orders for the fall season. JC Penney and Nordstrom are rumored to be filing for Chapter 11 if store closures extend into summer. Macy’s has furloughed the majority of its nearly 130,000 employees. Rent the Runway laid off its entire in-store staff over Zoom. Though brands have focused their efforts on e-commerce sales, most retailers say they’re not expecting online orders to make up for the loss of in-store purchases, according to a report from market research firm Forrester and retail platform Narvar.
“Retail has hung a closed sign on the door literally and metaphorically,” Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail, told the Associated Press. “This is the most catastrophic crisis that retail has faced – worse than the financial crisis in 2008, worse than 9/11. Almost overnight, the retail economy shifted from being about things people want to things that they need.”
It’s not like the brick-and-mortar retail business was booming before the coronavirus pandemic, either. For the past decade, Americans’ shopping habits have drastically shifted, thanks to the advent of online shopping, same-day delivery, and direct-to-consumer startups. While many stores have invested in turning their locations into “experiences,” corporate behemoths like Sears, Family Dollar, Toys R Us, Claire’s, Forever 21, and Payless have struggled to adapt to customers’ expectations.
What’s been called the “retail apocalypse” over the last 10 years is rapidly accelerating due to coronavirus. Analysis from retail industry tracker Coresight Research suggests that more than 15,000 stores in the US could permanently shutter, up from the 9,500 that closed their doors last year.
If the great American department store was already in decline, coronavirus may be what finishes the job. It’s almost certain that Neiman Marcus is just the beginning.


vox--2020-04-19--Steve Mnuchin thinks the economy will bounce back in “months.” That’s very unlikely.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday that he thinks the United States economy will bounce back to the position it was in before the coronavirus pandemic in a matter of “ months , ” a sunny prediction at odds with many economists who see the US as entering a historic economic downturn .
When asked by CNN ’ s Jake Tapper on State of the Union if he thinks the economy will rebound to pre-coronavirus levels of strength in months or years , Mnuchin said he believed it would be the former .
“ I think it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think it will be years , we are going to conquer this virus , we are going to have terrific breakthroughs , ” Mnuchin said .
“ Not just on the testing but on the medical front — we begin to have virals [ sic ] — there are things that are being developed for vaccines which will take a little bit longer.
” Tapper then questioned Mnuchin ’ s optimism about the economy in light of the fact that major corporations like Facebook have canceled events through the summer of 2021 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s forecast that the pandemic will affect unemployment through the end of 2021 .
The treasury secretary replied with more confidence about a return to normalcy .
“ This is an unprecedented time , we ’ ve never been in a situation where we ’ ve closed down the economy and I think , rightfully so , people are being cautious .
On the other hand , as we get comfortable re-opening the economy , I think we ’ ll see a big rebound , ” Mnuchin said .
The comments from Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his position worked in finance and had no policy qualifications for his job , are not in line with mainstream economic prognostications about the unfolding situation or predictions from scientists and the medical community on how long distancing may be necessary .
Due to the continued need for social distancing that could last for over a year , a historic surge in unemployment and the specter of the collapse of countless businesses around the country , many economists see a recovery as far off and likely to be a protracted process .
Gita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monetary Fund , has said that global economic activity is not expected to fully recover even by the end of 2021 based on current trends .
“ The magnitude and speed of collapse in activity that has followed is unlike anything experienced in our lifetimes , ” she wrote in a recent blog post .
She said IMF projections predict this will be “ the worst recession since the Great Depression , and far worse than the Global Financial Crisis.
” Many top economists say the US and the world are already in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow at the Peterson Institute , told the Financial Times there was “ no question ” that global economic growth “ will be negative ” for the first six months of 2020 .
Recessions mark the period during which an economy is contracting — even when they end , there is an extended period of time during which economic activity and employment levels recover to pre-recession levels .
That recovery period can be very long .
Ten years after the global financial crisis that started at the end of 2007 , there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hadn ’ t fully healed .
Participation in the economy remained depressed in 2017 ( some economists say it was still depressed ahead of the the current crisis ) , and household wealth like savings and investments hadn ’ t recovered from the crash .
The hangover from the crisis contributed to slower overall growth for the following decade .
Economists also worry that the US and other countries are not doing nearly enough to prevent a worst-case scenario from happening .
Most experts believe the government needs to pursue a much , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy .
Without proper public health measures , sound economic policy , and a well-coordinated reopening , some economists fear a downturn that could surpass even the Great Depression in severity .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s work is reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to Vox today .

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Sunday that he thinks the United States economy will bounce back to the position it was in before the coronavirus pandemic in a matter of “months,” a sunny prediction at odds with many economists who see the US as entering a historic economic downturn.
When asked by CNN’s Jake Tapper on State of the Union if he thinks the economy will rebound to pre-coronavirus levels of strength in months or years, Mnuchin said he believed it would be the former.
“I think it will be months. I definitely don’t think it will be years, we are going to conquer this virus, we are going to have terrific breakthroughs,” Mnuchin said. “Not just on the testing but on the medical front — we begin to have virals [sic] — there are things that are being developed for vaccines which will take a little bit longer.”
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on an economic rebound: "I think it will be months, I definitely don't think it will be years. We are going to conquer this virus, we are going to have terrific breakthroughs" #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/OuNv53kY7f — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) April 19, 2020
Tapper then questioned Mnuchin’s optimism about the economy in light of the fact that major corporations like Facebook have canceled events through the summer of 2021, and considering the Congressional Budget Office’s forecast that the pandemic will affect unemployment through the end of 2021. The treasury secretary replied with more confidence about a return to normalcy.
“This is an unprecedented time, we’ve never been in a situation where we’ve closed down the economy and I think, rightfully so, people are being cautious. On the other hand, as we get comfortable reopening the economy, I think we’ll see a big rebound,” Mnuchin said.
The comments from Mnuchin, who prior to being appointed to his position worked in finance and had no policy qualifications for his job, are not in line with mainstream economic prognostications about the unfolding situation or predictions from scientists and the medical community on how long distancing may be necessary.
Due to the continued need for social distancing that could last for over a year, a historic surge in unemployment, and the specter of the collapse of countless businesses around the country, many economists see a recovery as far off and likely to be a protracted process.
Gita Gopinath, chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, has said that global economic activity is not expected to fully recover even by the end of 2021 based on current trends. “The magnitude and speed of collapse in activity that has followed is unlike anything experienced in our lifetimes,” she wrote in a recent blog post.
She said IMF projections predict this will be “the worst recession since the Great Depression, and far worse than the Global Financial Crisis.”
Many top economists say the US and the world are already in a recession. Olivier Blanchard, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute, told the Financial Times there was “no question” that global economic growth “will be negative” for the first six months of 2020.
Recessions mark the period during which an economy is contracting; even when they end, there is an extended period of time during which economic activity and employment levels recover to pre-recession levels.
That recovery period can be very long. Ten years after the global financial crisis that started at the end of 2007, there were many indicators that the US economy still hadn’t fully healed. Participation in the economy remained depressed in 2017 (some economists say it was still depressed ahead of the current crisis), and household wealth like savings and investments hadn’t recovered from the crash. The hangover from the crisis contributed to slower overall growth for the following decade.
Economists also worry that the US and other countries are not doing nearly enough to prevent a worst-case scenario from happening. Most experts believe the government needs to pursue a much, much more aggressive testing regime to reopen the economy. Without proper public health measures, sound economic policy, and a well-coordinated reopening, some economists fear a downturn that could surpass even the Great Depression in severity.


vox--2020-04-19--Trump says there’s enough testing to reopen businesses. Governors say that’s “false” and “just delus

Trump says there’s enough testing to reopen businesses. Governors say that’s “false” and “just delusional.”

Governors of both parties are pushing back on Trump administration claims that there are enough coronavirus tests for states to begin reengaging sectors of their economy , with their critiques coming as they pleaded for the federal government to coordinate an interstate strategy to increase capacity .
On Sunday morning , Vice President Mike Pence repeated the assertion that current testing levels are sufficient for “ any state in America to move into phase one ” of the administration ’ s guidelines on reopening the United States economy .
This followed a claim from President Donald Trump on Saturday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity are fully sufficient to begin opening up the country totally.
” But Republican and Democratic governors alike said Sunday that ’ s not true .
States are still hundreds of thousands of tests away from being able to reopen their economies , a problem driven in part by a shortage of reagents and swabs needed to conduct tests .
“ To say that the governors have plenty of testing and they should get to work on testing , somehow we aren ’ t doing our job , is just absolutely false , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ R-MD ) on CNN ’ s State of the Union .
“ Every governor in America has been pushing and fighting and clawing to get more tests.
” Gov .
Ralph Northam ( D-VA ) , told CNN ’ s Jake Tapper it ’ s “ just delusional ” to say there are enough tests to begin easing restrictions .
“ For the national level to say that we have what we need and really to have no guidance to the state levels is just irresponsible , because we ’ re not there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US has been doing around 150,000 tests daily on average over the last week , according to the Covid Tracking Project .
That ’ s far more than the nation ’ s testing capacity in mid-March , but researchers at Harvard University estimate that to reopen the US by the middle of May , daily tests would need to be closer to 500,000 to 700,000 .
Other experts argue millions of tests would need to be conducted each day .
That ’ s because controlling the pandemic relies on identifying people who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve come in contact with , and isolating them until they are no longer infectious .
The only way to do that is to make testing widespread and readily available .
Without robust testing , it ’ s hard for officials and scientists to identify new outbreaks early , and to stop them before they balloon out of control .
Testing shortages also make it difficult for any state easing its social distancing guidelines to track how relaxing these guidelines affects public health — something experts say is crucial to ensuring safety and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
“ If there ’ s enough testing around and people are willing to be tested , the brushfires can be identified and put out before the wildfire , ” Jeffrey Martin , an epidemiologist at the University of California San Francisco , told Vox ’ s German Lopez .
“ The only way that a society can function is if the brushfires are identified and put out.
” Ramping up testing will likely take a coordinated effort and innovative solutions , but ideas on how to get there vary between state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , use of the Defense Production Act or a War Production Board are possible ways to meet demand Speaking with NBC ’ s Chuck Todd Sunday , Govs .
Mike DeWine ( R-OH ) and Gretchen Whitmer ( D-MI ) offered suggestions as to how the federal government could support them in ramping up testing .
DeWine pleaded with the Food and Drug Administration to make changes to the testing kit in order to ease a shortage of the materials necessary to run the tests — a problem multiple governors have cited as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their states .
“ I could probably double , maybe even triple , testing in Ohio virtually overnight if the FDA would prioritize companies that are putting a slightly different formula together for the extraction reagent kit , ” DeWine said , referring to a shortage of the chemicals needed to extract , amplify , and detect the virus in the samples collected from patients .
“ If anybody in the FDA is watching , ” DeWine added , “ This would really take our capacity up literally overnight.
” Whitmer , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , federally-coordinated effort will be necessary to help states meet the need for testing .
She advocated for Trump using the Defense Production Act — a wartime-era law that allows the president to compel private companies to help produce needed supplies — to ramp up production of the reagents and swabs necessary to conduct tests .
“ We have the capacity to double or triple the number of tests that we ’ re doing , but we need some of these supplies , ” Whitmer said .
Trump has used the DPA sparingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies to produce more ventilators and protective masks .
Many , including employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency , have called upon him to increase use of the law to stimulate production of other needed supplies .
Thus far , the Trump administration has given no sign either recommendation is under consideration .
But although it is the Trump administration that ’ s pushing states to begin reengaging their economies in the face of a historic economic downturn , it ’ s ultimately up to state governors to decide when it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their governors ’ statements Sunday , it seems Michigan , Ohio , Virginia , and Maryland , at least , plan to err on the side of caution — which means citizens there may need to buckle up for a little longer in isolation .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vox ’ s work is reaching more people than ever , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
Please consider making a contribution to Vox today .

Governors of both parties are pushing back on Trump administration claims that there are enough coronavirus tests for states to begin reengaging sectors of their economy, with their critiques coming as they pleaded for the federal government to coordinate an interstate strategy to increase capacity.
On Sunday morning, Vice President Mike Pence repeated the assertion that current testing levels are sufficient for “any state in America to move into phase one” of the administration’s guidelines on reopening the United States economy. This followed a claim from President Donald Trump on Saturday that the country’s “capability and capacity are fully sufficient to begin opening up the country totally.”
But Republican and Democratic governors alike said Sunday that’s not true. States are still hundreds of thousands of tests away from being able to reopen their economies, a problem driven in part by a shortage of reagents and swabs needed to conduct tests.
“To say that the governors have plenty of testing and they should get to work on testing, somehow we aren’t doing our job, is just absolutely false,” said Gov. Larry Hogan (R-MD) on CNN’s State of the Union. “Every governor in America has been pushing and fighting and clawing to get more tests.”
Gov. Ralph Northam (D-VA), told CNN’s Jake Tapper it’s “just delusional” to say there are enough tests to begin easing restrictions. “For the national level to say that we have what we need and really to have no guidance to the state levels is just irresponsible, because we’re not there yet,” he said.
The US has been doing around 150,000 tests daily on average over the last week, according to the Covid Tracking Project. That’s far more than the nation’s testing capacity in mid-March, but researchers at Harvard University estimate that to reopen the US by the middle of May, daily tests would need to be closer to 500,000 to 700,000. Other experts argue millions of tests would need to be conducted each day.
That’s because controlling the pandemic relies on identifying people who have the virus, finding those they’ve come in contact with, and isolating them until they are no longer infectious. The only way to do that is to make testing widespread and readily available.
Without robust testing, it’s hard for officials and scientists to identify new outbreaks early and to stop them before they balloon out of control. Testing shortages also make it difficult for any state easing its social distancing guidelines to track how relaxing these guidelines affects public health — something experts say is crucial to ensuring safety and to move the economy toward its normal state.
“If there’s enough testing around and people are willing to be tested, the brushfires can be identified and put out before the wildfire,” Jeffrey Martin, an epidemiologist at the University of California San Francisco, told Vox’s German Lopez. “The only way that a society can function is if the brushfires are identified and put out.”
Ramping up testing will likely take a coordinated effort and innovative solutions, but ideas on how to get there vary between state and federal officials.
Different testing supplies, use of the Defense Production Act or a War Production Board are possible ways to meet demand
Speaking with NBC’s Chuck Todd Sunday, Govs. Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) offered suggestions as to how the federal government could support them in ramping up testing.
DeWine pleaded with the Food and Drug Administration to make changes to the testing kit in order to ease a shortage of the materials necessary to run the tests — a problem multiple governors have cited as a challenge to ramping up capacity in their states.
“I could probably double, maybe even triple, testing in Ohio virtually overnight if the FDA would prioritize companies that are putting a slightly different formula together for the extraction reagent kit,” DeWine said, referring to a shortage of the chemicals needed to extract, amplify, and detect the virus in the samples collected from patients.
“If anybody in the FDA is watching,” DeWine added, “This would really take our capacity up literally overnight.”
Whitmer, on the other hand, argued a large, federally coordinated effort will be necessary to help states meet the need for testing. She advocated for Trump using the Defense Production Act — a wartime-era law that allows the president to compel private companies to help produce needed supplies — to ramp up production of the reagents and swabs necessary to conduct tests.
“We have the capacity to double or triple the number of tests that we’re doing, but we need some of these supplies,” Whitmer said.
Trump has used the DPA sparingly during the coronavirus pandemic to compel some companies to produce more ventilators and protective masks. Many, including employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, have called upon him to increase use of the law to stimulate production of other needed supplies.
Thus far, the Trump administration has given no sign either recommendation is under consideration. But although it is the Trump administration that’s pushing states to begin reengaging their economies in the face of a historic economic downturn, it’s ultimately up to state governors to decide when it’s safe to do so.
Based on their governors’ statements Sunday, it seems Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, and Maryland, at least, plan to err on the side of caution — which means citizens there may need to buckle up for a little longer in isolation.


vox--2020-04-19--Navajo Nation makes wearing masks outside mandatory

In an effort to curb the rapid spread of the coronavirus in the Navajo Nation , the Navajo Department of Health issued an emergency public health order on April 17 mandating the use of masks outside the home , adding to existing orders that include sheltering in place and nightly and weekend curfews .
Native American communities have been hit particularly hard by coronavirus , the Navajo Nation the worst of all .
As of April 18 , the Nation , which spans parts of Arizona , New Mexico , and Utah , had 1,197 confirmed cases and 44 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would fall at No .
3 for the number of confirmed coronavirus infections per capita , behind New York and New Jersey .
And Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez warns that the disease ’ s peak could still be weeks away .
The high number of confirmed cases is in part due to the Nation ’ s rate of testing , which is higher than all states besides New York and Louisiana .
Its government also responded to the crisis faster than neighboring states , declaring a state of emergency and enacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navajo Nation is far more vulnerable to the devastating effects of coronavirus than those neighboring states thanks to the United States ’ long history of deprioritizing investment in Native communities .
As Maria Givens previously wrote for Vox : While nearly no one in the country is safe from the coronavirus outbreak , its impact on Indian Country looks different from the rest of the US .
Tribal elders are more at risk of Covid-19 because of high rates of diabetes and heart disease .
Clean water for proper hand-washing is not accessible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Native homes is also common as many are multi-generational , creating social distancing challenges .
Meanwhile , emergency federal funding for tribal health organizations has been delayed within the bureaucracy at US Health and Human Services .
Then there are the negative economic effects , with hospitality businesses like casinos — often tribes ’ greatest source of income — closing .
Indian Country ’ s resources were stretched thin to begin with , and the coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating the disparities .
In a livestream roundtable discussion with tribal leaders , President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these longstanding issues .
“ Fifteen to 30 percent of our people on the Navajo Nation don ’ t have clean running water , ” he said .
“ Yet , we ’ re telling our folks to wash their hands with soap and water.
” And Diana Zirul , the vice chair of the Alaska Native Health Board , said , “ While we consider this ( intergenerational living ) a cultural strength and value , it offers a unique risk of exposure to our elders and other family members who may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a critical need for funding additional housing as well as facilities for quarantine isolation.
” Coronavirus has had an outsized impact on minority groups Many minority groups across the US and the world are facing an exacerbated impact of coronavirus .
Despite New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo calling the disease “ the great equalizer ” due to its ability to infect anyone regardless of race or status , that equality doesn ’ t extend to what happens after a person becomes infected .
Coronavirus cases in New York City have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and immigrant neighborhoods .
Similar statistics are showing up in North Carolina , Michigan , Wisconsin , and Illinois .
In the UK , one third of critically ill patients were found to be from black and minority ethnic backgrounds , despite making up 20 percent of the total population .
There are a host of complex and interrelated reasons for this : Residents of poorer neighborhoods often live in very close quarters , and many work in hospitality or other industries that don ’ t allow for telecommuting .
These areas also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular health care .
While Latinx life expectancy is higher than the average population , rates of obesity and diabetes , which are associated with coronavirus complications , are also higher .
Similarly , Native Americans have higher rates of diabetes , heart disease , asthma , and cancer , and often live in crowded homes , many of which lack running water and electricity .
What ’ s particularly frustrating about the crisis faced by the Navajo Nation and other Native communities is that they were more proactive in combating coronavirus early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , public information officer for the Navajo Department of Health , told the Salt Lake Tribune that the Navajo leadership had been pushing for test kits early on , which contributed to its high testing rate .
“ Our numbers will go up with these rapid tests coming in , but we will have more accurate [ data ] and a better understanding of results and therefore we can better prepare and help get people resources , ” he said .
Yet the US government ’ s weak response to coronavirus will impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months .
Congress has allocated millions of dollars to aid the Indian Health Service and tribal organizations , but 98 percent of tribal clinics have still not yet received funds .
Beyond the immediate dangers to public health , as Givens notes , the coronavirus crisis could leave an even bigger impact on Native communities who ’ ve only barely recovered from the 2008 recession .
“ If the government doesn ’ t act fast , tribal populations , prosperity , and ways of life could be set back for a generation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nation has continued to enact safety measures like curfews and has now mandated masks in public , yet it still could be among the many casualties of a virus that hurts minorities worst of all .
Every day at Vox , we aim to answer your most important questions and provide you , and our audience around the world , with information that has the power to save lives .
Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment : to empower you through understanding .
Vox ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but our distinctive brand of explanatory journalism takes resources — particularly during a pandemic and an economic downturn .
Your financial contribution will not constitute a donation , but it will enable our staff to continue to offer free articles , videos , and podcasts at the quality and volume that this moment requires .
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In an effort to curb the rapid spread of the coronavirus in the Navajo Nation, the Navajo Department of Health issued an emergency public health order on April 17 mandating the use of masks outside the home, adding to existing orders that include sheltering in place and nightly and weekend curfews.
Native American communities have been hit particularly hard by coronavirus, the Navajo Nation the worst of all. As of April 18, the Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, had 1,197 confirmed cases and 44 deaths. Were it a US state, it would fall at No. 3 for the number of confirmed coronavirus infections per capita, behind New York and New Jersey. And Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez warns that the disease’s peak could still be weeks away.
The high number of confirmed cases is in part due to the Nation’s rate of testing, which is higher than all states besides New York and Louisiana. Its government also responded to the crisis faster than neighboring states, declaring a state of emergency and enacting shelter-in-place orders in mid-March.
But the Navajo Nation is far more vulnerable to the devastating effects of coronavirus than those neighboring states thanks to the United States’ long history of deprioritizing investment in Native communities. As Maria Givens previously wrote for Vox:
While nearly no one in the country is safe from the coronavirus outbreak, its impact on Indian Country looks different from the rest of the US. Tribal elders are more at risk of Covid-19 because of high rates of diabetes and heart disease. Clean water for proper hand-washing is not accessible in all tribal communities, and overcrowding in Native homes is also common as many are multi-generational, creating social distancing challenges. Meanwhile, emergency federal funding for tribal health organizations has been delayed within the bureaucracy at US Health and Human Services. Then there are the negative economic effects, with hospitality businesses like casinos — often tribes’ greatest source of income — closing. Indian Country’s resources were stretched thin to begin with, and the coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating the disparities.
In a livestream roundtable discussion with tribal leaders, President Nez spoke of how Covid-19 is complicating these longstanding issues. “Fifteen to 30 percent of our people on the Navajo Nation don’t have clean running water,” he said. “Yet, we’re telling our folks to wash their hands with soap and water.”
And Diana Zirul, the vice chair of the Alaska Native Health Board, said, “While we consider this (intergenerational living) a cultural strength and value, it offers a unique risk of exposure to our elders and other family members who may be subjected to the virus. There’s a critical need for funding additional housing as well as facilities for quarantine isolation.”
Coronavirus has had an outsized impact on minority groups
Many minority groups across the US and the world are facing an exacerbated impact of coronavirus. Despite New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo calling the disease “the great equalizer” due to its ability to infect anyone regardless of race or status, that equality doesn’t extend to what happens after a person becomes infected. Coronavirus cases in New York City have disproportionately affected working class, non-white, and immigrant neighborhoods. Similar statistics are showing up in North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois. In the UK, one third of critically ill patients were found to be from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, despite making up 20 percent of the total population.
There are a host of complex and interrelated reasons for this: Residents of poorer neighborhoods often live in very close quarters, and many work in hospitality or other industries that don’t allow for telecommuting. These areas also often lack access to nutritious food and regular health care. While Latinx life expectancy is higher than the average population, rates of obesity and diabetes, which are associated with coronavirus complications, are also higher. Similarly, Native Americans have higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and cancer, and often live in crowded homes, many of which lack running water and electricity.
What’s particularly frustrating about the crisis faced by the Navajo Nation and other Native communities is that they were more proactive in combating coronavirus early than many other states. Eli Leslie, public information officer for the Navajo Department of Health, told the Salt Lake Tribune that the Navajo leadership had been pushing for test kits early on, which contributed to its high testing rate. “Our numbers will go up with these rapid tests coming in, but we will have more accurate [data] and a better understanding of results and therefore we can better prepare and help get people resources,” he said.
Yet the US government’s weak response to coronavirus will impact how Indian Country fares over the next few months. Congress has allocated millions of dollars to aid the Indian Health Service and tribal organizations, but 98 percent of tribal clinics have still not yet received funds.
Beyond the immediate dangers to public health, as Givens notes, the coronavirus crisis could leave an even bigger impact on Native communities who’ve only barely recovered from the 2008 recession. “If the government doesn’t act fast, tribal populations, prosperity, and ways of life could be set back for a generation,” she writes. The Navajo Nation has continued to enact safety measures like curfews and has now mandated masks in public, yet it still could be among the many casualties of a virus that hurts minorities worst of all.