vox--2020-03-23--7 coronavirus cleaning questions, answered by an expert

You , no doubt , have questions about cleaning and disinfecting to prevent and contain the coronavirus — there is so much mis- and disinformation going around , and sorting through advice can be overwhelming .
I can help .
First , here is the general advice I have to offer : Keep it simple and be diligent .
Wash your hands frequently , clean and disinfect high-touch areas daily , and be aware of your information and news sources .
Keep it simple and be diligent These are the sources that I trust and will refer you to : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CDC ) and World Health Organization ( WHO ) are the best , most trustworthy sources of information about all matters related to the coronavirus , including cleaning and disinfecting protocols .
To interpret these sometimes confusing directives , look to Consumer Reports , Wirecutter , major newspapers like the Los Angeles Times , the New York Times , and the Washington Post , and , of course , Vox .
Additionally , the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission ( USCPSC ) maintains a lively and active Twitter account with information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all kinds of products , including cleaning agents .
Steer clear of advice you see on Facebook , or receive via text message or email from sites that offer “ life hacks ” — the tips can range from ineffective and wasteful to potentially deadly .
In a time when people are consumed with cleaning , sanitation , and germs in a way that is new for many , there has been a tremendous amount of confusion around which cleaning products to use , and for what .
Vox staffers put together some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me to answer them .
In these days of increased levels of sanitization plus shortages of cleaning products , it occurs to me to wonder about cross-uses .
Can you wash your hands with dish soap ?
Can you disinfect a grocery card with tile cleaning spray ?
This is a very “ yes and no ” answer , unfortunately .
One of the reasons that experts typically steer people away from cross-uses of cleaning products is that oftentimes doing so , in ascending order of seriousness , can be ineffective and wasteful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re attempting to clean , and/or can sicken or even kill you .
Another side effect of using cleaning products for non-intended purposes is that it can encourage a mindset of mixing products , and that also can be dangerous to the point of being deadly .
This is not alarmist , either : Improper use of cleaning products — especially ones that contain bleach , alcohol , or ammonia — really does kill people .
But these are , obviously , not typical times , so I can offer some help for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like dish soap for hand-washing ( fine ! )
or tile cleaner for disinfecting plastic ( probably fine ! )
: There are three sources of information to consult before using a product , full stop , but especially if you ’ re considering using it for a non-stated purpose : Usage and safety instructions , along with ingredients , can be found on the product ’ s packaging .
It can , however , be hard to read because of the small print .
That same information can also be found online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ingredients , ” “ usage , ” and/or “ directions ” or by searching for product information on SmartLabel .
A product ’ s SDS can be found by Googling the product name + SDS .
The SDS is especially helpful because it provides all the information you could possibly want — ingredients , usage , hazards , and warnings — in one document .
Here , for example , is the SDS for Lysol disinfectant spray , which lays out first-aid measures , fire hazard warnings , handling and storage instructions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helpful !
Please learn to love SDS .
Also , remember the Lysol SDS because we ’ re going to come back to it .
Some cleaning commandments , to help guide you : • If a product contains bleach ( sodium hypochlorite ) , you must NOT mix it with any chemicals other than water .
You also need to be aware that it can cause color loss and so generally should not be used on fabrics .
• If a product contains isopropyl alcohol ( isopropanol , commonly called rubbing alcohol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disinfect hard surfaces and is generally safe on skin , though it can cause drying and irritation .
However , isopropyl alcohol should be used carefully , as it is flammable .
• If a product contains hydrogen peroxide , it must NOT be mixed with vinegar .
The combination creates a corrosive acid that can be severely irritating to the eyes , skin , and respiratory system .
Generally , however , err on the side of caution ; don ’ t use a product if you ’ re unsure it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ products , and , if you are going to use a product for a non-designated use , spot-test it on a small , inconspicuous area to determine if it will cause damage .
Which is to say : Don ’ t dip your driver ’ s license in bleach and then act all surprised when it ’ s unreadable .
I need to clean my phone , light switches , and doorknobs , but I can ’ t get alcohol wipes , alcohol in a bottle , Clorox Wipes , or disposable gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do ?
Fortunately , there are a great number of cleaning products beyond isopropyl alcohol and Clorox Wipes* that are effective at disinfecting for SARS-CoV-2 , the novel coronavirus that causes the disease Covid-19 , and the Environmental Protection Agency has a sortable and easily searchable list that you can refer to .
One product well worth talking about is chlorine bleach — on ingredient listings it will turn up as sodium hypochlorite , and you should commit that name to memory because when you see it , it will tell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question contains bleach , and will work as a disinfectant on coronavirus .
• The product in question contains bleach , and can cause color loss on fabrics .
• The product in question contains bleach , and can cause skin irritation , and will be harmful if ingested or gotten in the eyes .
• The product in question contains bleach , and therefore should not be mixed with ANY chemicals other than water .
Bleach will be a smart choice for most people right now , because it is widely available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-moistened cleaning wipes .
But it is very ( very , very , very ) important to use bleach carefully and responsibly .
Here is what the CDC says about using bleach ( emphasis mine ) : The CDC recommends preparing a bleach solution by mixing 5 tablespoons ( one-third cup ) bleach per gallon of water or , for a smaller batch , 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water .
When working with bleach solution , wear household gloves to protect skin and ensure that there is proper ventilation .
*A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not contain chlorine bleach .
Because of the brand name Clorox , many people assume that they are bleach-based , which they are not — the active ingredients are hexoxyethanol and isopropanol .
Also , Apple has reversed its cleaning instructions for iPhones and now says Clorox Wipes and other similar products can be used to clean phones — this also applies to other cellphones .
Chlorine bleach , however , should not be used to clean phone screens ; it may be used to clean the back of phones and/or cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do I do about leather goods like wallets , purses , and phone cases ?
It feels like I shouldn ’ t be dousing them with alcohol — do I just need to switch to silicone cases and ditch my usual wallet/bag/etc.
?
This one often freaks people out , but it tells the exact story I need it to : Leather is a hide , and porous , and you should think of caring for it the same way you care for your own hide , since it ’ s just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
It ’ s weird !
But … you get it , right ?
This is all to say you can and very much should clean leather goods with an agent known to be effective on coronavirus , but after that , you should moisturize to prevent drying and cracking .
You may absolutely use your rubbing alcohol or Clorox Wipes ( which , remember , do not contain chlorine bleach ) to clean a leather wallet or handbag , but after cleaning , treat the leather to a bit of leather conditioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it : Put a very small amount — a pea-size or dime-size amount because a little goes a long way — on a soft cloth like an old T-shirt or a sock .
Apply the conditioner to the leather , working it into the hide in a circular motion .
Repeat , adding more conditioner to the cloth as needed , and then , using a clean section of the cloth , buff the leather dry , again working in a circular motion .
Can I use bubble mix as soap ?
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bubble mix — the stuff used with bubble wands and machines — is generally a mixture of dish soap , glycerine ( and sometimes corn syrup ) , and water .
The mixture is not as viscous as plain dish soap , so pouring it directly onto a sponge to wash a coffee mug would probably not be the best use of it .
But because it ’ s essentially pre-diluted dish soap , it could be used as a substitute for dish soap solution — use it to soak pots and pans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution , use it to wash a car* , etc .
Unless you ’ re truly out of all other cleaning supplies , I would stick with using bubble mix for its intended purpose However , the glycerine and/or corn syrup is likely to leave a slightly sticky residue that may also create a dull appearance .
So unless you ’ re truly out of all other cleaning supplies , I would stick with using bubble mix for its intended purpose .
*Sidebar on washing cars : While dish soap is a common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much , much better for your car to use car wash soap , as dish soap can strip a car ’ s clear coat .
Remember that your car has high-touch areas — like door handles — that should be cleaned and disinfected regularly .
Is liquid soap better than bar soap ?
They are both good !
Liquid soap is more popular these days , but washing your hands with bar soap is no more or less effective .
Proper hand-washing technique is more important than the type of soap you use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soaps are all effective when used to scrub hands for 20 seconds .
My mom legit asked me yesterday if it is safe to Lysol herself when she comes in the door .
It seems like a fine line between good idea and crop dusting .
Do not do this .
There is no fine line — it is a bad idea .
Do not spray Lysol on yourself or on other people .
Lysol is not meant to be used as a disinfectant for skin , and is dangerous if inhaled or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with eyes and skin .
Do not Lysol yourself .
I read the Wirecutter ’ s piece on packages and basically I feel like I want to disinfect the cardboard .
( This is the opposite of the conclusion I was supposed to make , I think . )
Do I Lysol the box ?
Wipe it down ?
They say cardboard doesn ’ t really hold the virus .
But what about shiny cardboard ?
Or a plastic envelope bag thing ?
Okay , this is a tough message to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ etc .
You ’ re right that you ’ re drawing the exact opposite conclusion from this very good Wirecutter article about handling packages during the coronavirus pandemic .
And that ’ s frustrating ( but understandable ! )
because what you ’ re doing here is , essentially , going to Dad after Mom didn ’ t give you the answer you want .
And I , Dad , am not falling for it !
Tough love time : Base your actions on facts and the advice of experts , not on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Ganda Suthivarakom gave in the article , after citing sources ranging from CDC to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and more than showing her work to explain her recommendations : “ To be extra-cautious , particularly if you are in a higher-risk group , you can dispose of outer packaging outside of your home and wash your hands immediately after handling .
But this is likely not necessary for most people ’ s handling of most cardboard packages.
” My advice piggybacks on Suthivarakom ’ s : Do not disinfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , open them and discard the packaging outside the home , then wash your hands after handling them .
Jolie Kerr is a cleaning expert and advice columnist .
Her work appears in the New York Times , the Wall Street Journal , Better Homes & Gardens , and GQ .
She is a columnist at TheInventory.com .
Sign up for The Goods ’ newsletter .
Twice a week , we ’ ll send you the best Goods stories exploring what we buy , why we buy it , and why it matters @

You, no doubt, have questions about cleaning and disinfecting to prevent and contain the coronavirus — there is so much mis- and disinformation going around, and sorting through advice can be overwhelming. I can help.
First, here is the general advice I have to offer: Keep it simple and be diligent. Wash your hands frequently, clean and disinfect high-touch areas daily, and be aware of your information and news sources.
These are the sources that I trust and will refer you to: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) are the best, most trustworthy sources of information about all matters related to the coronavirus, including cleaning and disinfecting protocols. To interpret these sometimes confusing directives, look to Consumer Reports, Wirecutter, major newspapers like the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, and, of course, Vox. Additionally, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) maintains a lively and active Twitter account with information about the safe and correct use of all kinds of products, including cleaning agents.
Keep it simple and be diligent
Steer clear of advice you see on Facebook, or receive via text message or email from sites that offer “life hacks” — the tips can range from ineffective and wasteful to potentially deadly.
In a time when people are consumed with cleaning, sanitation, and germs in a way that is new for many, there has been a tremendous amount of confusion around which cleaning products to use, and for what. Vox staffers put together some of the questions they have and asked me to answer them.
In these days of increased levels of sanitization plus shortages of cleaning products, it occurs to me to wonder about cross-uses. Can you wash your hands with dish soap? Can you disinfect a grocery card with tile cleaning spray?
This is a very “yes and no” answer, unfortunately. One of the reasons that experts typically steer people away from cross-uses of cleaning products is that oftentimes doing so, in ascending order of seriousness, can be ineffective and wasteful, can damage the thing you’re attempting to clean, and/or can sicken or even kill you. Another side effect of using cleaning products for non-intended purposes is that it can encourage a mindset of mixing products, and that also can be dangerous to the point of being deadly. This is not alarmist, either: Improper use of cleaning products — especially ones that contain bleach, alcohol, or ammonia — really does kill people.
But these are, obviously, not typical times, so I can offer some help for people who are wondering about using things like dish soap for hand-washing (fine!) or tile cleaner for disinfecting plastic (probably fine!):
There are three sources of information to consult before using a product, full stop, but especially if you’re considering using it for a non-stated purpose:
The manufacturer’s usage and safety instructions The ingredients list The product’s safety data sheet (SDS)
Usage and safety instructions, along with ingredients, can be found on the product’s packaging. It can, however, be hard to read because of the small print. That same information can also be found online by Googling the product name plus “ingredients,” “usage,” and/or “directions” or by searching for product information on SmartLabel. A product’s SDS can be found by Googling the product name + SDS.
The SDS is especially helpful because it provides all the information you could possibly want — ingredients, usage, hazards, and warnings — in one document. Here, for example, is the SDS for Lysol disinfectant spray, which lays out first-aid measures, fire hazard warnings, handling and storage instructions, and so on. It is very helpful! Please learn to love SDS. Also, remember the Lysol SDS because we’re going to come back to it.
Some cleaning commandments, to help guide you:
If a product contains bleach (sodium hypochlorite), you must NOT mix it with any chemicals other than water. You also need to be aware that it can cause color loss and so generally should not be used on fabrics.
If a product contains isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol, commonly called rubbing alcohol), it can be safely used to disinfect hard surfaces and is generally safe on skin, though it can cause drying and irritation. However, isopropyl alcohol should be used carefully, as it is flammable.
If a product contains hydrogen peroxide, it must NOT be mixed with vinegar. The combination creates a corrosive acid that can be severely irritating to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
Generally, however, err on the side of caution; don’t use a product if you’re unsure it’s safe, avoid mixing cleaning products, and, if you are going to use a product for a non-designated use, spot-test it on a small, inconspicuous area to determine if it will cause damage. Which is to say: Don’t dip your driver’s license in bleach and then act all surprised when it’s unreadable.
I need to clean my phone, light switches, and doorknobs, but I can’t get alcohol wipes, alcohol in a bottle, Clorox Wipes, or disposable gloves right now, so … what do I do?
Fortunately, there are a great number of cleaning products beyond isopropyl alcohol and Clorox Wipes* that are effective at disinfecting for SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease Covid-19, and the Environmental Protection Agency has a sortable and easily searchable list that you can refer to.
One product well worth talking about is chlorine bleach — on ingredient listings it will turn up as sodium hypochlorite, and you should commit that name to memory because when you see it, it will tell you four things:
The product in question contains bleach, and will work as a disinfectant on coronavirus. The product in question contains bleach, and can cause color loss on fabrics. The product in question contains bleach, and can cause skin irritation, and will be harmful if ingested or gotten in the eyes. The product in question contains bleach, and therefore should not be mixed with ANY chemicals other than water.
Bleach will be a smart choice for most people right now, because it is widely available, inexpensive, and less wasteful than pre-moistened cleaning wipes. But it is very (very, very, very) important to use bleach carefully and responsibly.
Here is what the CDC says about using bleach (emphasis mine):
Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
The CDC recommends preparing a bleach solution by mixing 5 tablespoons (one-third cup) bleach per gallon of water or, for a smaller batch, 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water. When working with bleach solution, wear household gloves to protect skin and ensure that there is proper ventilation.
*A note on Clorox Wipes: They do not contain chlorine bleach. Because of the brand name Clorox, many people assume that they are bleach-based, which they are not — the active ingredients are hexoxyethanol and isopropanol. Also, Apple has reversed its cleaning instructions for iPhones and now says Clorox Wipes and other similar products can be used to clean phones — this also applies to other cellphones. Chlorine bleach, however, should not be used to clean phone screens; it may be used to clean the back of phones and/or cases, though color loss may occur.
What do I do about leather goods like wallets, purses, and phone cases? It feels like I shouldn’t be dousing them with alcohol — do I just need to switch to silicone cases and ditch my usual wallet/bag/etc.?
This one often freaks people out, but it tells the exact story I need it to: Leather is a hide, and porous, and you should think of caring for it the same way you care for your own hide, since it’s just the skin of a different animal. See? It’s weird! But … you get it, right?
This is all to say you can and very much should clean leather goods with an agent known to be effective on coronavirus, but after that, you should moisturize to prevent drying and cracking.
You may absolutely use your rubbing alcohol or Clorox Wipes (which, remember, do not contain chlorine bleach) to clean a leather wallet or handbag, but after cleaning, treat the leather to a bit of leather conditioner.
Here’s how to use it: Put a very small amount — a pea-size or dime-size amount because a little goes a long way — on a soft cloth like an old T-shirt or a sock. Apply the conditioner to the leather, working it into the hide in a circular motion. Repeat, adding more conditioner to the cloth as needed, and then, using a clean section of the cloth, buff the leather dry, again working in a circular motion.
Can I use bubble mix as soap? I bought a ton of bubble mix.
Bubble mix — the stuff used with bubble wands and machines — is generally a mixture of dish soap, glycerine (and sometimes corn syrup), and water. The mixture is not as viscous as plain dish soap, so pouring it directly onto a sponge to wash a coffee mug would probably not be the best use of it. But because it’s essentially pre-diluted dish soap, it could be used as a substitute for dish soap solution — use it to soak pots and pans, use it as a floor mopping solution, use it to wash a car*, etc.
Unless you’re truly out of all other cleaning supplies, I would stick with using bubble mix for its intended purpose
However, the glycerine and/or corn syrup is likely to leave a slightly sticky residue that may also create a dull appearance. So unless you’re truly out of all other cleaning supplies, I would stick with using bubble mix for its intended purpose.
*Sidebar on washing cars: While dish soap is a common car wash solution, it is really much, much better for your car to use car wash soap, as dish soap can strip a car’s clear coat. Remember that your car has high-touch areas — like door handles — that should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Is liquid soap better than bar soap?
They are both good! Liquid soap is more popular these days, but washing your hands with bar soap is no more or less effective. Proper hand-washing technique is more important than the type of soap you use — liquid, foaming, and bar soaps are all effective when used to scrub hands for 20 seconds.
My mom legit asked me yesterday if it is safe to Lysol herself when she comes in the door. It seems like a fine line between good idea and crop dusting.
Do not do this. There is no fine line — it is a bad idea.
Do not spray Lysol on yourself or on other people. Lysol is not meant to be used as a disinfectant for skin, and is dangerous if inhaled or ingested, or if it comes into contact with eyes and skin. Do not Lysol yourself.
I read the Wirecutter’s piece on packages and basically I feel like I want to disinfect the cardboard. (This is the opposite of the conclusion I was supposed to make, I think.) Do I Lysol the box? Wipe it down? They say cardboard doesn’t really hold the virus. But what about shiny cardboard? Or a plastic envelope bag thing?
Okay, this is a tough message to have to relay, but tough times, etc. You’re right that you’re drawing the exact opposite conclusion from this very good Wirecutter article about handling packages during the coronavirus pandemic. And that’s frustrating (but understandable!) because what you’re doing here is, essentially, going to Dad after Mom didn’t give you the answer you want. And I, Dad, am not falling for it! Tough love time: Base your actions on facts and the advice of experts, not on feelings.
Here is the advice Wirecutter’s Ganda Suthivarakom gave in the article, after citing sources ranging from CDC to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and more than showing her work to explain her recommendations: “To be extra-cautious, particularly if you are in a higher-risk group, you can dispose of outer packaging outside of your home and wash your hands immediately after handling. But this is likely not necessary for most people’s handling of most cardboard packages.”
My advice piggybacks on Suthivarakom’s: Do not disinfect packages, but do, if possible, open them and discard the packaging outside the home, then wash your hands after handling them.
Jolie Kerr is a cleaning expert and advice columnist. Her work appears in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Better Homes & Gardens, and GQ. She is a columnist at TheInventory.com. Send your questions about coronavirus cleaning to joliekerr@gmail.com
Sign up for The Goods’ newsletter. Twice a week, we’ll send you the best Goods stories exploring what we buy, why we buy it, and why it matters.


vox--2020-03-22--Amazon Prime delivery delays are now as long as a month

Amazon announced earlier this week that it would start prioritizing the most in-demand essential items in its warehouses , as the e-commerce giant struggles to keep up with customer demand during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic .
Now the other shoe has dropped .
On Sunday , customers and Amazon merchants posted on social media platforms saying certain non-essential items were showing April 21 delivery dates , even though they were listed as in-stock and shipping with Amazon ’ s Prime express shipping service .
During normal times , Amazon Prime deliveries typically arrive in one or two days in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for in-stock items are showing five-day delivery promises on the lower end , but those waits are as long as a month on some items .
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to Recode on Sunday evening that the new April 21 delivery dates are not the result of a technical bug or error ; they accurately reflect Amazon ’ s current reality .
“ To serve our customers in need while also helping to ensure the safety of our associates , we ’ ve changed our logistics , transportation , supply chain , purchasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocking and delivering items that are a higher priority for our customers , ” the spokesperson said in a statement .
“ This has resulted in some of our delivery promises being longer than usual.
” The significant delivery delays showcase just how much shoppers are turning to online shopping during the global health crisis , and how even an online retailer as technologically-advanced and powerful as Amazon can only do so much to handle such an unexpected , once-in-a-generation shopping rush .
On Tuesday , Amazon acknowledged the challenges it was facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new stock in its warehouses through early April if it was in one of six essential products categories , such as health and household goods or medical supplies .
The company also said it was looking to hire 100,000 new workers to help sort , package and deliver goods for customers .
The trade-off Amazon is making , for now , is that some items like printer ink and coffee makers — which don ’ t fall into the six different product categories Amazon is currently prioritizing as essential — are showing delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent memory .
It ’ s unclear if Amazon will refund Prime membership fees — either partially or fully — if the delays continue .
Amazon Prime costs $ 119 a year in the US , and comes with other perks beyond express shipping like video and music streaming .
On Twitter , customers cited April 21 delivery dates for items as varied as computer monitor cables to espresso machines .
One person complained that he tried to order cables that he ’ d “ normally go to Guitar Center and grab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them by April 21 .
That ’ s the same date Recode found when we looked up similar cables on Sunday night .
For Amazon merchants who sell in categories outside of the ones Amazon currently deems essential , the delivery delays could be problematic .
“ This has to be the biggest disruption to Amazon ’ s operations since they started , ” said Joe Kaziukenas , CEO of the e-commerce research firm Marketplace Pulse .
“ And , unfortunately , it will have a big impact on sellers and ultimately customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared notes on Reddit message boards to try to figure out which items were showing delays and which weren ’ t .
Some said their items were showing April 21 delivery dates even though they were goods in one of the six categories Amazon is currently prioritizing .
Others said the same item was showing normal delivery times for some zip codes , but April 21 delivery for other zip codes .
Either way , this is the current reality for Amazon customers and Amazon sellers alike : five-day Prime delivery waits are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not uncommon .
And it ’ s unclear how long it will last .
Update , March 22 , 2020 , 11:15 pm ET : This story has been updated to include a statement from Amazon .

Amazon announced earlier this week that it would start prioritizing the most in-demand essential items in its warehouses, as the e-commerce giant struggles to keep up with customer demand during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Now the other shoe has dropped.
On Sunday, customers and Amazon merchants posted on social media platforms saying certain nonessential items were showing April 21 delivery dates, even though they were listed as in-stock and shipping with Amazon’s Prime express shipping service. During normal times, Amazon Prime deliveries typically arrive in one or two days in the US. Now, some Prime deliveries for in-stock items are showing five-day delivery promises on the lower end, but those waits are as long as a month on some items.
An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to Recode on Sunday evening that the new April 21 delivery dates are not the result of a technical bug or error; they accurately reflect Amazon’s current reality.
“To serve our customers in need while also helping to ensure the safety of our associates, we’ve changed our logistics, transportation, supply chain, purchasing, and third-party seller processes to prioritize stocking and delivering items that are a higher priority for our customers,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “This has resulted in some of our delivery promises being longer than usual.”
The significant delivery delays showcase just how much shoppers are turning to online shopping during the global health crisis, and how even an online retailer as technologically advanced and powerful as Amazon can only do so much to handle such an unexpected, once-in-a-generation shopping rush. On Tuesday, Amazon acknowledged the challenges it was facing when it said it would only accept new stock in its warehouses through early April if it was in one of six essential products categories, such as health and household goods or medical supplies. The company also said it was looking to hire 100,000 new workers to help sort, package, and deliver goods for customers.
The trade-off Amazon is making, for now, is that some items like printer ink and coffee makers — which don’t fall into the six different product categories Amazon is currently prioritizing as essential — are showing delivery delays unlike anything Amazon customers have experienced in recent memory. It’s unclear if Amazon will refund Prime membership fees — either partially or fully — if the delays continue. Amazon Prime costs $119 a year in the US and comes with other perks beyond express shipping like video and music streaming.
On Twitter, customers cited April 21 delivery dates for items as varied as computer monitor cables to espresso machines. One person complained that he tried to order cables that he’d “normally go to Guitar Center and grab,” but Amazon could only deliver them by April 21. That’s the same date Recode found when we looked up similar cables on Sunday night.
For Amazon merchants who sell in categories outside of the ones Amazon currently deems essential, the delivery delays could be problematic.
“This has to be the biggest disruption to Amazon’s operations since they started,” said Joe Kaziukenas, CEO of the e-commerce research firm Marketplace Pulse. “And, unfortunately, it will have a big impact on sellers and ultimately customers, too.”
Sunday, Amazon sellers compared notes on Reddit message boards to try to figure out which items were showing delays and which weren’t. Some said their items were showing April 21 delivery dates even though they were goods in one of the six categories Amazon is currently prioritizing. Others said the same item was showing normal delivery times for some zip codes, but April 21 delivery for other zip codes.
Either way, this is the current reality for Amazon customers and Amazon sellers alike: Five-day Prime delivery waits are the norm, and month-long waits are not uncommon. And it’s unclear how long it will last.
Update, March 22, 2020, 11:15 pm ET: This story has been updated to include a statement from Amazon.


vox--2020-03-23--Trump is ignoring his top health advisers over 2020 election fears

On day seven of the White House ’ s “ 15 days to slow the spread ” initiative , President Donald Trump started talking about sending Americans back to work — an idea at odds with advice from his top health advisors .
In a tweet on Sunday , the president said in all capital letters : “ AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD , WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO !
” On Monday he retweeted similar opinions as news began to leak that behind the scenes Trump was sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of his aides appeared on Fox News to say the same thing .
Trump ’ s eagerness to end social distancing was also a major topic of his marathon news conference on Monday evening .
He said he plans to reopen certain parts of the economy “ not long after ” the 15-day initiative ends , even if his medical and public health advisers don ’ t agree with him .
“ The doctors , if it was up to the doctors , they ’ d say ‘ let ’ s shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said at one point , adding at another that the shutdown “ causes other problems , and maybe it causes much bigger problems than the problem we ’ re talking about now.
” The point of the 15-day initiative was to encourage social distancing to “ slow the curve ” of the virus and save lives .
But as of Monday , there was no sign that the pandemic was slowing .
In fact , outbreaks in America are even outpacing some of the worst-hit countries in the world .
Worse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump ’ s most-prominent expert on his coronavirus task force , warn that the pandemic will get worse before it gets better .
Experts fear that talk of encouraging people to get back to their normal routines quickly could hamper efforts to slow the pandemic — or even encourage its spread .
Trump , however , indicated on Monday that he thinks people have already learned the necessary lessons — even though he was speaking on the day after single-day coronavirus-related deaths in the country broke 100 for the first time ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one expressed in particular by economists associated with Trump — that resuming some economic activity after a 15-day period is a worthwhile risk to take .
But even the most-aggressive argument emerging from that camp doesn ’ t compare to Trump ’ s willingness to send people back to work en masse .
It ’ s clear that with the Dow plummeting and unemployment claims spiking , Trump fears an economic disaster ahead of the 2020 election could doom his prospects .
( Trump even posted a retweet suggesting his idea is directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sudden swing from calling for a 15-day day crackdown , to doubting the science it ’ s based on less than half-way through , is emblematic of his reckless approach to combating the coronavirus .
All signs point to the crisis getting worse — and the man in charge is putting his own political interests before the lives of Americans .
Trump is getting frustrated with the advice of public health experts On Monday , the president followed up on his previous night ’ s tweet by retweeting a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that urged him to get people back to work — not only for the sake of the economy , but for his reelection hopes as well .
“ 15 days .
Then we isolate the high risk groups and the rest of us get back to work before it ’ s all over for everyone !
!
# Landslide2020 , ” wrote @ FedupMil in a post that was retweeted by the president .
On Monday morning came a slew of news reports that Trump is “ itching to scale back social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put it .
The New York Times reported that “ at the White House , in recent days , there has been a growing sentiment that medical experts were allowed to set policy that has hurt the economy , and there has been a push to find ways to let people start returning to work.
” Then came a Fox News appearance from top White House economics adviser Larry Kudlow in which Kudlow echoed points Trump made on Twitter .
“ The president is right : The cure can ’ t be worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re gon na have to make some difficult trade-offs , ” Kudlow said .
“ I spoke with the president about this very subject late last evening.
” It ’ s understandable that the White House is eager to reestablish a sense of normalcy .
Experts are now saying that the ongoing curtailment of economic life could produce unemployment levels worse than the Great Depression and an unprecedented shrinkage of GDP .
Trump would obviously have a hard time making a case for his reelection amid that sort of economic carnage .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives more than his own political future , the responsible thing to do is wait and see — at least until there ’ s some semblance of improvement , not as cases mount .
The number of US coronavirus cases continues to rise The whole point of the 15-day program is to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed by “ flattening the curve ” of coronavirus cases .
But as the following chart indicates , the number of confirmed cases in the US continues to grow at an exponential rate .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of cases will plateau or start coming down before next week .
On the contrary , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday that “ it ’ s only getting worse , and in fact April and May are going to be a lot worse.
” It ’ s true that many of the US cases are concentrated in especially hard-hit regions like New York City , the San Francisco bay area , and Washington state .
One might view that as contributing to an argument for the resumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatively better-off states like West Virginia or the Dakotas .
But the experience of Hong Kong , where the coronavirus seemed to be under control until a relaxation of social distancing resulted in a second outbreak and even more stringent measures , demonstrates the risk involved in prematurely encouraging people to go back to gyms , bars , and other places where the virus can spread .
And the idea there ’ s much to be gained by reopening businesses in places like Grand Forks , North Dakota while San Francisco remains under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of overflowing in New York is dubious at best .
Furthermore , while US coronavirus testing capacity has increased in recent days , the country still lags far behind others in terms of tests performed relative to the population — meaning we still don ’ t have a clear picture of how widely the virus has already spread .
Resuscitating the economy requires getting the virus under control In the end , the choice Trump seems to think he faces between continuing strict social distancing measures meant at getting the coronavirus under control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economic collapse is a false one .
The latter can ’ t happen without the former , and the former can ’ t happen until the number of cases levels off , while more vigorous testing gives experts the tools they need to develop a better picture of how widely the virus has already spread .
Marc Lipsitch , an epidemiology professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and director of Harvard ’ s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics , told the Washington Post that “ every well-informed infectious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best way forward in the short term is more restriction , not less .
“ We haven ’ t yet even seen signs that the growth [ in coronavirus cases ] is slowing , much less reversing .
Now is the time to tighten restrictions on contacts that could transmit the virus , not loosen them , ” Lipsitch said .
“ If we let up now we can be virtually certain that health care will be overwhelmed in many if not all parts of the country .
This is the view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of.
” State governors have more authority than Trump to keep people at home , but what Trump says matters .
For instance , the national standardization of social distancing measures throughout the country ( with some notable exceptions , like beaches in Florida ) came shortly after Trump stopped downplaying the gravity of the situation just over a week ago and embraced the “ 15 days ” program .
At the very least , the president should wait until the outbreak is under control before trying to give people hope , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no good basis for doing so beyond short-term political self-interest .
In fact , the quickest route back to some sense of normalcy is to stop the spread of the virus by continuing to encourage people to stay home , even if we have to do so for more than 15 days .
The news moves fast .
To stay updated , follow Aaron Rupar on Twitter , and read more of Vox ’ s policy and politics coverage .

On day seven of the White House’s “15 days to slow the spread” initiative, President Donald Trump started talking about sending Americans back to work — an idea at odds with advice from his top health advisers.
In a tweet on Sunday, the president said in all capital letters: “AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO!”
On Monday, he retweeted similar opinions as news began to leak that behind the scenes Trump was sharing this view with his advisers, and one of his aides appeared on Fox News to say the same thing.
WE CANNOT LET THE CURE BE WORSE THAN THE PROBLEM ITSELF. AT THE END OF THE 15 DAY PERIOD, WE WILL MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHICH WAY WE WANT TO GO! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2020
Trump’s eagerness to end social distancing was also a major topic of his marathon news conference on Monday evening. He said he plans to reopen certain parts of the economy “not long after” the 15-day initiative ends, even if his medical and public health advisers don’t agree with him.
“The doctors, if it was up to the doctors, they’d say ‘let’s shut down the entire world,’” Trump said at one point, adding at another that the shutdown “causes other problems, and maybe it causes much bigger problems than the problem we’re talking about now.”
.@kaitlancollins: Did any of the doctors on your team endorse easing the federal guidelines?
TRUMP: "Not endorsed." pic.twitter.com/azN4bVbg2Z — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 23, 2020
The point of the 15-day initiative was to encourage social distancing to “flatten the curve” of the virus and save lives. But as of Monday, there was no sign that the pandemic was slowing. In fact, outbreaks in America are even outpacing some of the worst-hit countries in the world.
Worse, most experts, like Dr. Anthony Fauci, the most prominent expert on Trump’s coronavirus task force, warn that the pandemic will get worse before it gets better. Experts fear that talk of encouraging people to get back to their normal routines quickly could hamper efforts to slow the pandemic — or even encourage its spread.
Trump, however, indicated on Monday that he thinks people have already learned the necessary lessons — even though he was speaking on the day after single-day coronavirus-related deaths in the country broke 100 for the first time ever.
"We learned so much discipline" -- Trump is talking like the coronavirus pandemic is in the rear view mirror, when in fact America just broke 100 deaths in a single day for the first time. pic.twitter.com/pnmFzN1QxW — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 23, 2020
There is a minority opinion — one expressed in particular by economists associated with Trump — that resuming some economic activity after a 15-day period is a worthwhile risk to take. But even the most aggressive argument emerging from that camp doesn’t compare to Trump’s willingness to send people back to work en masse. It’s clear that with the Dow plummeting and unemployment claims spiking, Trump fears an economic disaster ahead of the 2020 election could doom his prospects. (He even posted a retweet suggesting his idea is directly tied to the election.)
Trump’s sudden swing from calling for a 15-day day crackdown, to doubting the science it’s based on less than halfway through, is emblematic of his reckless approach to combating the coronavirus. All signs point to the crisis getting worse — and the man in charge is putting his own political interests before the lives of Americans.
Trump is getting frustrated with the advice of public health experts
On Monday, the president followed up on his previous night’s tweet by retweeting a number of accounts with sketchy handles like @steph93065 that urged him to get people back to work — not only for the sake of the economy, but for his reelection hopes as well.
“15 days. Then we isolate the high risk groups and the rest of us get back to work before it’s all over for everyone!! #Landslide2020,” wrote @FedupMil in a post that was retweeted by the president.
On Monday morning came a slew of news reports that Trump is “itching to scale back social distancing after 15-day period,” as CNN put it. The New York Times reported that “at the White House, in recent days, there has been a growing sentiment that medical experts were allowed to set policy that has hurt the economy, and there has been a push to find ways to let people start returning to work.”
Then came a Fox News appearance from top White House economics adviser Larry Kudlow in which Kudlow echoed points Trump made on Twitter.
“The president is right: The cure can’t be worse than the disease, and we’re gonna have to make some difficult trade-offs,” Kudlow said. “I spoke with the president about this very subject late last evening.”
KUDLOW teases that Trump will try to send people back to work next week: "We can't shut in the economy... POTUS is right: The cure can't be worse than the disease, & we're gonna have to make some difficult trade-offs... I spoke w/ POTUS about this very subject late last evening." pic.twitter.com/OV02aLFGxh — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 23, 2020
It’s understandable that the White House is eager to reestablish a sense of normalcy. Experts are now saying that the ongoing curtailment of economic life could produce unemployment levels worse than the Great Depression and an unprecedented shrinkage of GDP.
Trump would obviously have a hard time making a case for his reelection amid that sort of economic loss. But to the extent he cares about American lives more than his political future, the responsible thing to do is wait and see — at least until there’s some semblance of improvement, not as cases mount.
The number of US coronavirus cases continues to rise
The whole point of the 15-day program is to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed by “flattening the curve” of coronavirus cases. But as the following chart indicates, the number of confirmed cases in the US continues to grow at an exponential rate.
There’s no indication that the number of cases will plateau or start coming down before next week. On the contrary, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Sunday that “it’s only getting worse, and in fact April and May are going to be a lot worse.”
It’s true that many of the US cases are concentrated in especially hard-hit regions like New York City, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Washington state. One might view that as contributing to an argument for the resumption of normal social and economic life in relatively better-off states like West Virginia or the Dakotas.
But the experience of Hong Kong, where the coronavirus seemed to be under control until a relaxation of social distancing resulted in a second outbreak and even more stringent measures, demonstrates the risk involved in prematurely encouraging people to go back to gyms, bars, and other places where the virus can spread. And the idea there’s much to be gained by reopening businesses in places like Grand Forks, North Dakota, while San Francisco remains under lockdown and hospitals are on the verge of overflowing in New York is dubious at best.
Furthermore, while US coronavirus testing capacity has increased in recent days, the country still lags far behind others in terms of tests performed relative to the population — meaning we still don’t have a clear picture of how widely the virus has already spread.
Resuscitating the economy requires getting the virus under control
In the end, the choice Trump seems to think he faces between continuing strict social distancing measures meant to get the coronavirus under control or ending them in hopes of stopping the economic collapse is a false one.
The latter can’t happen without the former, and the former can’t happen until the number of cases levels off, while more vigorous testing gives experts the tools they need to develop a better picture of how widely the virus has already spread.
Which is to say, even if you care about economic activity as the only value here, it's really not clear that anything like "business as usual" is even a possibility in the midst of a roaring pandemic, even if you let everything stay open. — Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) March 23, 2020
Marc Lipsitch, an epidemiology professor at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and director of Harvard’s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, told the Washington Post that “every well-informed infectious epidemiologist I know of” thinks the best way forward in the short term is more restriction, not less.
“We haven’t yet even seen signs that the growth [in coronavirus cases] is slowing, much less reversing. Now is the time to tighten restrictions on contacts that could transmit the virus, not loosen them,” Lipsitch said. “If we let up now we can be virtually certain that health care will be overwhelmed in many if not all parts of the country. This is the view of every well-informed infectious epidemiologist I know of.”
State governors have more authority than Trump to keep people at home, but what Trump says matters. For instance, the national standardization of social distancing measures throughout the country (with some notable exceptions, like beaches in Florida) came shortly after Trump stopped downplaying the gravity of the situation just over a week ago and embraced the “15 days” program.
At the very least, the president should wait until the outbreak is under control before trying to give people hope, because the trajectory of the numbers indicates there’s no good basis for doing so beyond short-term political self-interest. In fact, the quickest route back to some sense of normalcy is to stop the spread of the virus by continuing to encourage people to stay home, even if we have to do so for more than 15 days.
The news moves fast. To stay updated, follow Aaron Rupar on Twitter, and read more of Vox’s policy and politics coverage.


vox--2020-03-23--Tax Day is now July 15. Here’s what that means.

The federal tax-filing deadline has been postponed until July 15 as the nation struggles to contend with the coronavirus pandemic .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the change on March 20 on Twitter .
The IRS followed up and tacitly confirmed the new deadline , oddly enough , by retweeting Mnuchin and adding slightly more context .
The news came days after Mnuchin very publicly declared at a White House press conference that taxpayers would have to file by April 15 , though they could put off paying any taxes they owed for up to 90 days after the deadline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now , according to Mnuchin ’ s latest statement , taxpayers can put off filing for up to 90 days as well .
Although the timing of these announcements is a bit confusing , the news isn ’ t much of a surprise .
Mnuchin did say on March 11 that he was recommending pushing the deadline back .
This doesn ’ t apply to state income tax returns , which , depending on where you live , may still be due on April 15 ( if your state has them at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal government ’ s lead : California , Connecticut , Vermont , and Wisconsin , for example , extended their deadlines to match the federal one in the days following Mnuchin ’ s announcement .
But Hawaii , which has April 20 as its tax day , is still deciding whether to move its date .
In other words , find out what your state is doing and don ’ t assume it will push tax day back to July 15 .
Mnuchin urged taxpayers who are expecting refunds still to file as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re owed .

The federal tax-filing deadline has been postponed until July 15 as the nation struggles to contend with the coronavirus pandemic.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced the change on March 20 on Twitter. The IRS followed up and tacitly confirmed the new deadline, oddly enough, by retweeting Mnuchin and adding slightly more context.
At @realDonaldTrump’s direction, we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. — Steven Mnuchin (@stevenmnuchin1) March 20, 2020
The news came days after Mnuchin very publicly declared at a White House press conference that taxpayers would have to file by April 15, though they could put off paying any taxes they owed for up to 90 days after the deadline without incurring interest or being penalized. Now, according to Mnuchin’s latest statement, taxpayers can put off filing for up to 90 days as well.
Although the timing of these announcements is a bit confusing, the news isn’t much of a surprise. Mnuchin did say on March 11 that he was recommending pushing the deadline back.
This doesn’t apply to state income tax returns, which, depending on where you live, may still be due on April 15 (if your state has them at all). Many states are following the federal government’s lead: California, Connecticut, Vermont, and Wisconsin, for example, extended their deadlines to match the federal one in the days following Mnuchin’s announcement. But Hawaii, which has April 20 as its tax day, is still deciding whether to move its date. In other words, find out what your state is doing and don’t assume it will push tax day back to July 15.
Mnuchin urged taxpayers who are expecting refunds still to file as soon as possible to get the money they’re owed.
Update, March 23, 2020, 7:25 pm: Updated to reflect new state tax return deadlines.


vox--2020-03-23--Why Nancy Pelosi proposed her own $2.5 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill

As the Senate is embroiled in contentious negotiations for its third $ 1.8 trillion coronavirus package , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just unveiled a $ 2.5 trillion bill of her own .
Introducing the “ Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act ” on Monday afternoon , Pelosi outlined a number of Democratic priorities that are not in the current Republican Senate bill .
First and foremost in the bill is a priority shared with Senate Democrats — ensuring federal relief money to corporations goes to their workers , rather than to CEOs or stock buybacks .
“ Democrats take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any corporation that takes taxpayer dollars must protect their workers ’ wages and benefits , ” Pelosi said at a Monday speech .
“ Not CEO pay , stock buybacks , or layoffs.
” To be clear , Pelosi ’ s bill is separate from the main $ 1.8 trillion Senate package currently being negotiated by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , Senate Republicans , and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
It ’ s also unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled Senate or be signed by President Donald Trump .
The bigger picture here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they don ’ t like what Schumer is proposing , they will still have to deal with her down the line when the House takes up the Senate bill .
Pelosi ’ s bill reads like a mission statement for how Democrats might govern in this crisis if they weren ’ t constrained by a Republican Senate and president .
It calls for coronavirus treatment to be free for patients , further bolstering unemployment insurance , directing $ 40 billion to states to help stabilize schools and universities , student loan forgiveness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost states ’ vote-by-mail capacity .
“ Because of the Senate Democrats , progress has been made .
We urge the Senate to move closer to the values in the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act , ” Pelosi said in a statement ahead of her press conference .
We ’ ve yet to see whether any of these provisions will make it into the final product that Schumer is negotiating with Mnuchin and McConnell .
But the speaker of the House just made it clear she is part of the equation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s bill has yet to be released , we ’ re likely looking at another massive piece of legislation — over 1,400 pages and with a $ 2.5 trillion price tag .
Pelosi is echoing a number of key points Senate Democrats are sticking to : If corporations are to receive federal money , Democrats want to make sure there ’ s oversight attached to it , and that relief is flowing to employees rather than corporate CEOs .
And both Schumer and Pelosi have been adamant they want to expand federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers on the front line of the coronavirus crisis .
But Pelosi ’ s bill goes further in a number of different directions and contains priorities Senate Democratic leadership isn ’ t negotiating on right now , including helping states expand vote-by-mail systems .
Here are the main points of the House bill : • The House bill would require any corporation taking federal relief money to prioritize their workers ’ wages and benefits over CEO pay , layoffs , or stock buybacks .
• The bill would give $ 500 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would further expand unemployment insurance , creating a temporary Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation of $ 600 per week for workers impacted by the coronavirus and eligible for unemployment benefits .
• For direct payments , the bill would provide each individual $ 1,500 of government assistance , and up to $ 7,500 for a family of five .
Retired and unemployed Americans would also receive the benefit .
• It would provide more than $ 150 billion to hospitals and community health centers for coronavirus treatment and equipment like ventilators , masks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , and calls on President Donald Trump to immediately invoke the Defense Production Act .
It also would require the Trump administration to endorse strong Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) regulations for health care workers .
• The bill would eliminate cost-sharing for coronavirus treatment and vaccines for all patients , including those who are uninsured .
The cost of coronavirus treatment can range from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands , according to a recent Time report .
• The bill would put nearly $ 60 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; $ 30 billion would be provided to states to help their school funding , and $ 10 billion would be directed toward public universities .
It would also help student borrowers with debt payments .
• Finally , the bill would provide $ 4 billion in Election Administration Grants to states to come up with contingency planning and preparation for their elections , which could expand vote-by-mail and no-excuse absentee voting .
Pelosi ’ s bill is massive ; at least $ 500 billion more than the Senate bill currently being negotiated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulting economic shutdown is a nearly unprecedented crisis , and we still don ’ t know how much federal money it will take to deal with the economic crisis at hand .
While Democrats in the House are certainly hoping some of these priorities make it into the final bill Congress passes and Trump signs , it ’ s also important to remember Democrats are signaling what their leverage is .
After days of negotiation with Schumer , Mnuchin and the White House don ’ t necessarily have to turn around and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with much steeper demands .
These new priorities from the House could also have the effect of speeding up negotiations in the Senate .

As the Senate is embroiled in contentious negotiations for its third $1.8 trillion coronavirus package, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just unveiled a $2.5 trillion bill of her own.
Introducing the “Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act” on Monday afternoon, Pelosi outlined a number of Democratic priorities that are not in the current Republican Senate bill. First and foremost in the bill is a priority shared with Senate Democrats — ensuring federal relief money to corporations goes to their workers, rather than to CEOs or stock buybacks.
“Democrats take responsibility for our workers; we require any corporation that takes taxpayer dollars must protect their workers’ wages and benefits,” Pelosi said at a Monday speech. “Not CEO pay, stock buybacks, or layoffs.”
To be clear, Pelosi’s bill is separate from the main $1.8 trillion Senate package currently being negotiated by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Republicans, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. It’s also unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled Senate or be signed by President Donald Trump.
The bigger picture here is Pelosi signaling to Republicans that if they don’t like what Schumer is proposing, they will still have to deal with her down the line when the House takes up the Senate bill. Pelosi’s bill reads like a mission statement for how Democrats might govern in this crisis if they weren’t constrained by a Republican Senate and president. It calls for coronavirus treatment to be free for patients, further bolstering unemployment insurance, directing $40 billion to states to help stabilize schools and universities, student loan forgiveness, funding for the homeless, and helping boost states’ vote-by-mail capacity.
“Because of the Senate Democrats, progress has been made. We urge the Senate to move closer to the values in the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act,” Pelosi said in a statement ahead of her press conference.
We’ve yet to see whether any of these provisions will make it into the final product that Schumer is negotiating with Mnuchin and McConnell. But the speaker of the House just made it clear she is part of the equation.
What’s in Pelosi’s bill
House Democrats released the text of their bill Monday night — over 1,400 pages and with a $2.5 trillion price tag.
Pelosi is echoing a number of key points Senate Democrats are sticking to: If corporations are to receive federal money, Democrats want to make sure there’s oversight attached to it, and that relief is flowing to employees rather than corporate CEOs. And both Schumer and Pelosi have been adamant they want to expand federal money and resources to hospitals and health care workers on the front line of the coronavirus crisis.
But Pelosi’s bill goes further in a number of different directions and contains priorities Senate Democratic leadership isn’t negotiating on right now, including helping states expand vote-by-mail systems. Here are the main points of the House bill:
The House bill would require any corporation taking federal relief money to prioritize their workers’ wages and benefits over CEO pay, layoffs, or stock buybacks.
The bill would give $500 billion in loans to small businesses. It would further expand unemployment insurance, creating a temporary Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation of $600 per week for workers impacted by the coronavirus and eligible for unemployment benefits.
For direct payments, the bill would provide each individual $1,500 of government assistance, and up to $7,500 for a family of five. Retired and unemployed Americans would also receive the benefit.
It would provide more than $150 billion to hospitals and community health centers for coronavirus treatment and equipment like ventilators, masks, and other protective equipment for health care workers, and calls on President Donald Trump to immediately invoke the Defense Production Act. It also would require the Trump administration to endorse strong Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for health care workers.
The bill would eliminate cost-sharing for coronavirus treatment and vaccines for all patients, including those who are uninsured. The cost of coronavirus treatment can range from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands, according to a recent Time report.
The bill would put nearly $60 billion into America’s schools and universities; $30 billion would be provided to states to help their school funding, and $10 billion would be directed toward public universities. It would also help student borrowers with debt payments.
Finally, the bill would provide $4 billion in Election Administration Grants to states to come up with contingency planning and preparation for their elections, which could expand vote-by-mail and no-excuse absentee voting.
Pelosi’s bill is massive; at least $500 billion more than the Senate bill currently being negotiated. But the unfolding coronavirus outbreak and resulting economic shutdown is a nearly unprecedented crisis, and we still don’t know how much federal money it will take to deal with the economic crisis at hand. While Democrats in the House are certainly hoping some of these priorities make it into the final bill Congress passes and Trump signs, it’s also important to remember Democrats are signaling what their leverage is.
After days of negotiation with Schumer, Mnuchin and the White House don’t necessarily have to turn around and do it all over again with Pelosi, with much steeper demands. These new priorities from the House could also have the effect of speeding up negotiations in the Senate.


vox--2020-03-23--The 2020 election calendar

The 2020 election calendar

Share All sharing options for : The 2020 election calendar The Democratic presidential primary has been going on for months .
But 2020 — the election year — is here , and it ’ s an understatement to say that it will be a busy year in US politics .
March began with Super Tuesday on March 3 : the biggest delegate prize of the primary calendar .
As the year continues , the primary calendar is scheduled to run through June , followed by the Democratic and Republican conventions ( in July and August , respectively ) , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , concerns about the Covid-19 coronavirus have led several states to move their primaries later in the calendar , including a last-minute change in Ohio .
That ’ s where this calendar comes in .
Here are the most important events of the 2020 election cycle .
Bookmark this page to refer back to , add it to your Google Calendar by clicking the plus sign on the bottom right of this page , or subscribe through a calendar app of your choice .
This page and the calendar subscriptions will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alaska primary ( D ; results will be available no later than 11:59 pm on April 11 ) • Hawaii primary ( D , results will be available “ late May ” according to interim Hawaii Democratic Party Chair Kate Stanley ) Read all of our coverage from the June debates here .
Read all of our coverage from the July debates here .
Read all of our coverage of the September debate here .
• Second town hall on climate change on MSNBC Read all of our coverage from the October debate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the November debate here .
Read all of our coverage from the December debate here .
Read all of our coverage from the Iowa caucuses here .
Read all of our coverage from the New Hampshire primaries here .
Read all of our coverage from the South Carolina primary here .
Read all of our coverage from Super Tuesday here .
Read all of our coverage from the March 10 primaries here .
Read all of our coverage from the March 17 primaries here .

Share All sharing options for: The 2020 election calendar
Vox answers your biggest questions about the 2020 US presidential election .
This story is part of a group of stories called
The 2020 presidential election is ramping into high gear.
Joe Biden announced his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, and Democrats and Republicans held their first virtual conventions this summer. Biden and President Donald Trump accepted their parties’ official nominations for president, and the fall campaign season is upon us.
The presidential debates began September 29 and run through October, including the vice presidential debate on October 7. The second presidential debate, scheduled for October 15, was canceled after Trump tested positive for Covid-19, then refused to agree to debate virtually. One more debate is scheduled for October 22.
Election Day itself, of course, will fall on Tuesday, November 3.
Read on for the important events of the 2020 election cycle and bookmark this page to refer back to. You can also add it to your Google Calendar by clicking the plus sign on the bottom right of this page, or subscribe through a calendar app of your choice. This page and the calendar subscriptions will be updated as dates and information change.
And check out our guides on how to vote early and by mail.
September 2020
September 29
Presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Case Western Reserve/Cleveland Clinic joint campus
October 2020
October 7
Vice presidential debate in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah
October 22
Presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee, at Belmont University
November 2020
November 3
Election Day
Past 2020 election coverage
June 2019
June 26-27
Read all of our coverage from the June debates here.
July 2019
July 30-31
Read all of our coverage from the July debates here.
September 2019
September 4
September 12
Read all of our coverage of the September debate here.
September 19-20
October 2019
October 15
Read all of our coverage from the October debate here.
November 2019
November 20
Read all of our coverage from the November debate here.
December 2019
December 19
Read all of our coverage from the December debate here.
January 2020
January 14
February 2020
February 3
Iowa caucuses
Read all of our coverage from the Iowa caucuses here.
February 7
February 11
New Hampshire primaries
Read all of our coverage from the New Hampshire primaries here.
February 19
February 22
Nevada caucuses
February 25
February 29
South Carolina primary
Read all of our coverage from the South Carolina primary here.
March 2020
March 3 (Super Tuesday)
Alabama primaries (D, R)
American Samoa caucuses (D)
Arkansas primaries (D, R)
California primaries (D, R)
Colorado primaries (D, R)
Maine primaries (D, R)
Massachusetts primaries (D, R)
Minnesota primaries (D, R)
North Carolina primaries (D, R)
Oklahoma primaries (D, R)
Tennessee primaries (D, R)
Texas primaries (D, R)
Utah primaries (D, R)
Vermont primaries (D, R)
Virginia primary (D)
Democrats Abroad primary (through March 10)
Read all of our coverage from Super Tuesday here.
March 10
Idaho primaries (D, R)
Michigan primaries (D, R)
Mississippi primaries (D, R)
Missouri primaries (D, R)
North Dakota caucuses (D)
Washington primaries (D, R)
Read all of our coverage from the March 10 primaries here.
March 12
Virgin Islands caucuses
March 14
Guam caucuses (R)
Northern Marianas convention (D)
March 15
March 17
Arizona primary (D)
Florida primaries (D, R)
Illinois primaries (D, R)
Northern Marianas convention (R)
Read all of our coverage from the March 17 primaries here.
March 24
American Samoa caucuses (R)
April 2020
April 7
Wisconsin primaries (D, R; April 7 is the election date and mail-in vote postmark deadline following court rulings, as of 8 pm ET on April 6)
April 10
Alaska primary (D; vote-by-mail only; results will be available no later than 11:59 pm on April 11)
April 17
Wyoming caucuses (D; vote-by-mail only)
April 28
Ohio primaries (D, R; vote-by-mail only)
May 2020
May 2
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Guam caucuses (D)
May 7-9
Wyoming state convention (R)
May 12
Nebraska primaries (D, R)
May 19
Oregon primaries (D, R)
June 2020
June 2
Delaware primaries (D, R)
District of Columbia primaries (D, R)
Indiana primaries (D, R)
Maryland primaries (D, R)
Montana primaries (D, R)
New Mexico primaries (D, R)
Pennsylvania primaries (D, R)
Rhode Island primaries (D, R)
South Dakota primaries (D, R)
June 6
Virgin Islands caucuses (D)
June 7
Puerto Rico primary (R)
June 9
Georgia primaries (D, R)
West Virginia primaries (D, R)
June 23
Kentucky primaries (D, R)
New York primaries (D, R)
July 2020
July 7
New Jersey primaries (D, R)
July 11
Louisiana primaries (D, R)
August 2020
August 11
Connecticut primaries (D, R)
August 17-20
Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Read our coverage of the Democratic convention here.
August 24-27
Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina
Read our coverage of the Republican convention here.


vox--2020-03-23--Poll: Americans want corporations to promise no layoffs in exchange for bailouts

Most Americans agree : Coronavirus-related corporate bailouts need to come with some strings attached .
Washington lawmakers are currently negotiating a $ 1.8 trillion stimulus package to help boost the economy during the global pandemic that has brought much of the country to a standstill .
One of the major sticking points of the debate on Capitol Hill : how to administer $ 500 billion in relief for big business and major corporations .
The proposal backed by the White House and Senate Republicans would give Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin wide discretion over which companies get money and when .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast — they want some guardrails around what companies can and can not do with the money once checks are cut .
Otherwise , they argue , what ’ s to stop an airline from using its bailout money to give its CEO a bonus instead of paying its workers ?
Or to prevent a major hotel chain from laying off workers while engaging in stock buybacks ?
Progressive pollster Data for Progress asked 2,328 likely voters about eight conditions laid out by Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) and backed by many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Their findings : By and large , voters agree companies shouldn ’ t get money without strings attached .
Nearly three-quarters of voters say companies receiving bailout money should commit to no layoffs , while just 11 percent oppose that requirement , according to the Data for Progress polling .
And it ’ s an area where , at least among voters , there is agreement across the political spectrum : 82 percent of Democrats , 61 percent of independents , and 70 percent of Republicans agree on no layoffs .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 and 19 online also agree with the following conditions on bailout money : • Companies should provide a $ 15 minimum wage “ as quickly as is practicable ” and no later than a year after the national emergency ends .
• CEOs should be required to certify that their companies are complying with these conditions and will be held criminally liable if not .
• Companies should be barred from paying dividends or executive bonuses while receiving relief and for three years after .
• Companies should set aside at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Companies have to get shareholder and board approval for political expenditures .
Only one issue did not get broad-based support among voters : the condition that companies receiving bailout money would be barred from engaging in stock buybacks .
But that ’ s not necessarily because voters don ’ t think that should happen — it ’ s because many appear to be unfamiliar with the issue .
Nearly half of voters said they weren ’ t sure about prohibiting stock buybacks as part of a bailout condition .
Still , 36 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea while just 16 percent opposed .
It ’ s worth noting that even President Donald Trump appears to back the stock buyback prohibition , or at least that ’ s what he said at a press conference on Saturday .
“ I want money to be used for workers and keeping businesses open , not buybacks , ” he said .
You can see Data for Progress ’ s full memo on its findings here .
Congress could listen to Americans on this .
Will they ?
Vox ’ s Dylan Matthews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiated in Congress in terms of relief for big business — $ 425 billion in loan guarantees , $ 50 billion for airlines , $ 8 billion for cargo air companies , and $ 17 billion for firms “ critical to national security.
” He also laid out why it ’ s become contentious : While there is language meant to protect workers and prevent the money from being used on giveaways to investors , such as stock buybacks , Democrats think that language is far too weak ; Mnuchin himself can waive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re gon na give $ 500 billion in basically a slush fund to help industries controlled by Mnuchin with very little transparency ?
Is that what we ought to be doing ?
” Sen. Mazie Hirono ( D-HI ) asked Politico .
Add to this the fact that on Sunday , Trump specifically refused to rule out offering assistance to his own companies ( “ let ’ s just see what happens ” ) , and you have Democrats worried not just about a corporate bailout but about potential corruption by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We still don ’ t know the full scale of the economic implications of the coronavirus crisis , and we probably won ’ t for quite some time .
In all likelihood , it will be devastating for businesses of all sizes , for investors , and for workers .
In a time like this , it ’ s fair to want to make sure American companies can stay afloat .
It ’ s also fair to want to make sure they ’ re taking care of their workers , customers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shareholders ’ pockets .
The American public agrees .

Most Americans agree: Coronavirus-related corporate bailouts need to come with some strings attached.
Washington lawmakers are currently negotiating a $1.8 trillion stimulus package to help boost the economy during the global pandemic that has brought much of the country to a standstill. One of the major sticking points of the debate on Capitol Hill: how to administer $500 billion in relief for big business and major corporations.
The proposal backed by the White House and Senate Republicans would give Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin wide discretion over which companies get money and when. Democrats in Congress are saying not so fast — they want some guardrails around what companies can and cannot do with the money once checks are cut. Otherwise, they argue, what’s to stop an airline from using its bailout money to give its CEO a bonus instead of paying its workers? Or to prevent a major hotel chain from laying off workers while engaging in stock buybacks?
Progressive pollster Data for Progress asked 2,328 likely voters about eight conditions laid out by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and backed by many Democratic lawmakers for companies getting bailout money. Their findings: By and large, voters agree companies shouldn’t get money without strings attached.
Nearly three-quarters of voters say companies receiving bailout money should commit to no layoffs, while just 11 percent oppose that requirement, according to the Data for Progress polling. And it’s an area where, at least among voters, there is agreement across the political spectrum: 82 percent of Democrats, 61 percent of independents, and 70 percent of Republicans agree on no layoffs.
A majority of the voters surveyed on March 18 and 19 online also agree with the following conditions on bailout money:
Companies should provide a $15 minimum wage “as quickly as is practicable” and no later than a year after the national emergency ends.
CEOs should be required to certify that their companies are complying with these conditions and will be held criminally liable if not.
conditions and will be held criminally liable if not. Collective bargaining agreements should stay in place.
Companies should be barred from paying dividends or executive bonuses while receiving relief and for three years after.
Companies should set aside at least one board seat for workers.
Companies have to get shareholder and board approval for political expenditures.
Only one issue did not get broad-based support among voters: the condition that companies receiving bailout money would be barred from engaging in stock buybacks. But that’s not necessarily because voters don’t think that should happen — it’s because many appear to be unfamiliar with the issue. Nearly half of voters said they weren’t sure about prohibiting stock buybacks as part of a bailout condition. Still, 36 percent of voters said they agreed with the idea while just 16 percent opposed.
It’s worth noting that even President Donald Trump appears to back the stock buyback prohibition, or at least that’s what he said at a press conference on Saturday. “I want money to be used for workers and keeping businesses open, not buybacks,” he said.
You can see Data for Progress’s full memo on its findings here.
Congress could listen to Americans on this. Will they?
Vox’s Dylan Matthews laid out what’s currently being negotiated in Congress in terms of relief for big business — $425 billion in loan guarantees, $50 billion for airlines, $8 billion for cargo air companies, and $17 billion for firms “critical to national security.” He also laid out why it’s become contentious:
While there is language meant to protect workers and prevent the money from being used on giveaways to investors, such as stock buybacks, Democrats think that language is far too weak; Mnuchin himself can waive it in some cases. “We’re gonna give $500 billion in basically a slush fund to help industries controlled by Mnuchin with very little transparency? Is that what we ought to be doing?” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) asked Politico. Add to this the fact that on Sunday, Trump specifically refused to rule out offering assistance to his own companies (“let’s just see what happens”), and you have Democrats worried not just about a corporate bailout but about potential corruption by a president they already voted to impeach.
We still don’t know the full scale of the economic implications of the coronavirus crisis, and we probably won’t for quite some time. In all likelihood, it will be devastating for businesses of all sizes, for investors, and for workers. In a time like this, it’s fair to want to make sure American companies can stay afloat. It’s also fair to want to make sure they’re taking care of their workers, customers, and consumers instead of lining their executives’ and shareholders’ pockets. The American public agrees.


vox--2020-03-23--Cable news should cancel the Trump Show

Cable news should cancel the Trump Show

For the sake of public health , journalistic integrity , and the public ’ s basic mental health , it ’ s time to stop broadcasting President Donald Trump ’ s daily “ coronavirus task force ” briefings live .
Every president has had occasion to call upon broadcasters to air his words to the public when he has newsworthy or urgent announcements to make .
When Trump said he wanted to address the nation from the Oval Office about coronavirus , it was right to extend him the opportunity to address the crisis .
It was even right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incessant lying once he started making himself the star of daily coronavirus briefings .
But no president in American history has ever had the privilege of having his every word simulcast across news networks .
And we ’ ve now seen enough of Trump ’ s daily events to know that these are not briefings in any conventional sense .
As James Fallows puts it , they are “ Trump campaign rallies with scientists rather than local-government officials as the supporting cast.
” In ordinary times , of course , any politician is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what these events are — ersatz rallies held for political purposes rather than bona fide attempts to inform the public .
You can ’ t stop the president from holding rallies and lying , or even from streaming those lies live to a slice of the public .
But there ’ s no reason to cover them as if they are legitimate policy briefings , and it ’ s a dangerous delusion to believe that asking tough questions on camera can undo the harm of misinformation .
Television networks should do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do — watch the spectacles and then cover anything newsworthy that takes place , without treating them as actual sources of public information .
I am not a medical doctor , and I have no idea how effective hydroxychloroquine may prove to be as a Covid-19 treatment .
There are evidently some researchers who are excited about this , but the relevant government officials seem much more restrained .
One veteran clinician with expertise in infectious diseases described it to me as “ maybe 20 percent better than doing nothing.
” Given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ 20 percent better than doing nothing ” would be a meaningful improvement and it is correct and good that the FDA is working on this .
But to have the president of the United States up on stage dramatically overhyping what we know about this is harmful .
It ’ s never good when politicians lie .
But in a public health crisis , you have a lot of people seeking accurate information and some of those people turn toward the news media .
It ’ s important for those of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide that information .
When a person turns on the television and sees the president of the United States giving inaccurately optimistic assessments of the progress of testing , vaccine research , and treatment it encourages people to be less careful with their hand-washing and social distancing than they otherwise might be .
That costs lives .
And while offering a post-briefing “ fact check ” is better than nothing , it doesn ’ t really undo the harm of showing it in the first place .
What ’ s called for is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president is saying things , but that focuses on providing people with accurate information — there are not currently Covid-19 treatments that scale very well , leaving hospitals at risk of becoming overwhelmed and unable to offer ventilators to everyone who needs them , making it morally urgent to do everything possible to slow the spread of the virus until a more comprehensive testing regime can be put in place .
Instead , there are reports from Mexican pharmacies of Americans rushing to stock up on anti-malaria medications .
The press can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from providing misinformation .
But they don ’ t need to provide a platform for it , even if the misinformer is the president of the United States .
Turning these briefings into entertaining spectacles that Trump enjoys is creating serious problems for responsible officials who are trying to provide people with good information .
The Trump Show is making life hard for Anthony Fauci Anthony Fauci , the longtime head of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease , has emerged as a star figure during a public health crisis that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the government .
But no one recurring feature on the daily briefings has been the part of the show where Dr. Fauci awkwardly corrects his boss , the president .
As Vox ’ s German Lopez observes , “ Fauci alone has corrected Trump on whether the outbreak will get worse , how long a vaccine will take to make , whether testing is widely available , and how long social distancing guidelines will remain in effect , among other examples.
” It ’ s good that Fauci is around to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an inherently awkward situation .
As he describes in a recent interview with Science magazine , he is doing his best to push medical expertise in an administration that is often disdainful of expert advice .
But the president , according to sources cited by the New York Times , “ has become frustrated with Dr. Fauci ’ s blunt approach at the briefing lectern , which often contradicts things the president has just said.
” There is no really good solution to this dilemma .
Top public health officials can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are speaking in public about a public health crisis .
But at the same time , Trump is the president and he is within his rights to fire or silence Fauci if he gets annoyed by him — exactly what happened to Nancy Messonnier , director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , when she issued prescient warnings February .
The best solution for the country , by far , would be for Trump to get bored with the idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could get back to focusing on his job of providing good internal and external information rather than worrying about managing his relationship with Trump .
If the briefings stopped being treated as breaking news events and started being treated as just more Trump political communications , he might lose interest in doing them .
And he ’ d be able to cope with his annoyance at being contradicted by Fauci from the White House podium by just not staging them in the first place .
NIH officials could communicate with the media from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whatever else he likes to do , and TV news could try to focus on informing people .
“ Tough questions ” are not the answer One source of disagreement with my prescription is many journalists ’ belief that the opportunity to ask the president tough questions live on camera is invaluable , and provides an important source of accountability .
For some politicians , that ’ s probably true .
But for Trump it ’ s all part of the show .
He likes to cast the media as his real political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
First it trains his followers to view unflattering reporting as hostile political communication rather than factual information .
Second , it exploits the fact that the media , unlike Trump ’ s actual opposition in the Democratic Party , optimizes for some mix of ratings and journalistic value rather than message effectiveness .
Under the circumstances , journalists fighting with Trump on camera doesn ’ t hold him to account , it just further ups the level of drama and spectacle .
Trump is not much of an epidemiologist but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even the most rigorous journalists should be wary of playing into his show .
Of course , television news itself is one part news and one part television .
Airing the daily edition of the Trump Show is good showbusiness , and for some producers and executives that may be good enough .
But to the extent that the people involved care about journalistic values — informing the public and holding the power to account — the best approach is to report on what happens without airing the events live .

For the sake of public health, journalistic integrity, and the public’s basic mental health, it’s time to stop broadcasting President Donald Trump’s daily “coronavirus task force” briefings live.
Every president has had occasion to call upon broadcasters to air his words to the public when he has newsworthy or urgent announcements to make. When Trump said he wanted to address the nation from the Oval Office about coronavirus, it was right to extend him the opportunity to address the crisis. It was even right to offer some forbearance to his history of incessant lying once he started making himself the star of daily coronavirus briefings.
But no president in American history has ever had the privilege of having his every word simulcast across news networks. And we’ve now seen enough of Trump’s daily events to know that these are not briefings in any conventional sense. As James Fallows puts it, they are “Trump campaign rallies with scientists rather than local-government officials as the supporting cast.”
In ordinary times, of course, any politician is entitled to hold rallies. But that’s what these events are — ersatz rallies held for political purposes rather than bona fide attempts to inform the public. You can’t stop the president from holding rallies and lying, or even from streaming those lies live to a slice of the public. But there’s no reason to cover them as if they are legitimate policy briefings, and it’s a dangerous delusion to believe that asking tough questions on camera can undo the harm of misinformation.
Television networks should do what many print or digital news organizations do — watch the spectacles and then cover anything newsworthy that takes place, without treating them as actual sources of public information.
Trump misleading people is harmful
I am not a medical doctor, and I have no idea how effective hydroxychloroquine may prove to be as a Covid-19 treatment. There are evidently some researchers who are excited about this, but the relevant government officials seem much more restrained.
One veteran clinician with expertise in infectious diseases described it to me as “maybe 20 percent better than doing nothing.”
Given the scale of the problem at hand, “20 percent better than doing nothing” would be a meaningful improvement and it is correct and good that the FDA is working on this.
But to have the president of the United States up on stage dramatically overhyping what we know about this is harmful.
It’s never good when politicians lie. But in a public health crisis, you have a lot of people seeking accurate information and some of those people turn toward the news media. It’s important for those of us working in the media to try to provide that information.
When a person turns on the television and sees the president of the United States giving inaccurately optimistic assessments of the progress of testing, vaccine research, and treatment it encourages people to be less careful with their hand-washing and social distancing than they otherwise might be. That costs lives.
And while offering a post-briefing “fact check” is better than nothing, it doesn’t really undo the harm of showing it in the first place. What’s called for is news coverage that incorporates the fact that the president is saying things, but that focuses on providing people with accurate information — there are not currently Covid-19 treatments that scale very well, leaving hospitals at risk of becoming overwhelmed and unable to offer ventilators to everyone who needs them, making it morally urgent to do everything possible to slow the spread of the virus until a more comprehensive testing regime can be put in place.
Instead, there are reports from Mexican pharmacies of Americans rushing to stock up on anti-malaria medications.
Pharmacies in TJ are overwhelmed with Americans seeking 2 “miracle drugs:” Chloroquine touted by Trump + Nivaquine.
“A lot of people have been coming + buying them,” said a pharmacist. “We can’t keep the meds in stock + suppliers can’t find more.”
https://t.co/egfTSjZuNZ — Erin Siegal McIntyre (@ESMcIntyre) March 22, 2020
The press cannot, in general, stop people from providing misinformation.
But they don’t need to provide a platform for it, even if the misinformer is the president of the United States. Turning these briefings into entertaining spectacles that Trump enjoys is creating serious problems for responsible officials who are trying to provide people with good information.
The Trump Show is making life hard for Anthony Fauci
Anthony Fauci, the longtime head of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease, has emerged as a star figure during a public health crisis that urgently needs a well-regarded and authoritative voice from the government.
But no one recurring feature on the daily briefings has been the part of the show where Dr. Fauci awkwardly corrects his boss, the president. As Vox’s German Lopez observes, “Fauci alone has corrected Trump on whether the outbreak will get worse, how long a vaccine will take to make, whether testing is widely available, and how long social distancing guidelines will remain in effect, among other examples.”
It’s good that Fauci is around to provide accurate information. But this puts him in an inherently awkward situation. As he describes in a recent interview with Science magazine, he is doing his best to push medical expertise in an administration that is often disdainful of expert advice.
Amazing interview with Dr Fauci, maybe too amazing for everyone’s good https://t.co/5bhuWADmdl — Ramesh Ponnuru (@RameshPonnuru) March 23, 2020
But the president, according to sources cited by the New York Times, “has become frustrated with Dr. Fauci’s blunt approach at the briefing lectern, which often contradicts things the president has just said.”
There is no really good solution to this dilemma.
Top public health officials can’t responsibly fail to correct misinformation when they are speaking in public about a public health crisis. But at the same time, Trump is the president and he is within his rights to fire or silence Fauci if he gets annoyed by him — exactly what happened to Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, when she issued prescient warnings in February.
The best solution for the country, by far, would be for Trump to get bored with the idea of doing these daily briefings. Then Fauci could get back to focusing on his job of providing good internal and external information rather than worrying about managing his relationship with Trump.
If the briefings stopped being treated as breaking news events and started being treated as just more Trump political communications, he might lose interest in doing them. And he’d be able to cope with his annoyance at being contradicted by Fauci from the White House podium by just not staging them in the first place. NIH officials could communicate with the media from the NIH, Trump could tweet or whatever else he likes to do, and TV news could try to focus on informing people.
“Tough questions” are not the answer
One source of disagreement with my prescription is many journalists’ belief that the opportunity to ask the president tough questions live on camera is invaluable, and provides an important source of accountability.
For some politicians, that’s probably true. But for Trump it’s all part of the show. He likes to cast the media as his real political opposition, which has two advantages for him. First it trains his followers to view unflattering reporting as hostile political communication rather than factual information. Second, it exploits the fact that the media, unlike Trump’s actual opposition in the Democratic Party, optimizes for some mix of ratings and journalistic value rather than message effectiveness.
Under the circumstances, journalists fighting with Trump on camera doesn’t hold him to account, it just further ups the level of drama and spectacle. Trump is not much of an epidemiologist but he’s a legitimate master showman and even the most rigorous journalists should be wary of playing into his show.
Of course, television news itself is one part news and one part television. Airing the daily edition of the Trump Show is good showbusiness, and for some producers and executives that may be good enough. But to the extent that the people involved care about journalistic values — informing the public and holding the power to account — the best approach is to report on what happens without airing the events live.