huffpost--2020-05-23--How Will Flooding Affect Your School?

How Will Flooding Affect Your School?

This story about climate change and education was produced as part of the nine-part series “ Are We Ready ?
How Schools Are Preparing — and Not Preparing — Children for Climate Change , ” reported by HuffPost and The Hechinger Report , a nonprofit , independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education .
Last year was the second wettest on record for the contiguous United States .
Climate change is one factor that ’ s exacerbating flood risks across the country , and the damage is adding up : The 2010s saw twice as many natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in damage as the previous decade .
As part of our reporting on climate change and America ’ s education system , we wanted to see how vulnerable schools are to extreme weather .
We wondered : Which schools are at risk from worsening floods ?
In the above graphic , we use hazard maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to allow you to search for your school and see its potential exposure to flooding .
Severe weather poses all sorts of challenges for educators and students .
It can force schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home ( which , as we ’ re seeing now with coronavirus-related closures , is very disruptive to learning ) .
It can cause infrastructure damage , which has been happening in coastal Louisiana .
There , job losses , coastal erosion and floods caused people to move away , leading to diminishing school enrollment and , in some cases , permanent school closures .
Those population changes , sometimes called “ climate migration , ” starve some schools of resources and lead to overcrowding in others .
When kids return to school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with lingering stress and trauma .
Because many schools are local hubs , offering meals , counseling and other services beyond academics , damage to them can have a disproportionate impact on their communities .
And flooding can lead to health problems , by causing mold that contributes to respiratory issues as well as unearthing toxic chemicals .
“ Floodwaters can bring a whole host of issues , ” said Perry Sheffield , an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and lead author of a study on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No region of the United States is immune , but this isn ’ t a problem that hits everyone equally .
Schools in low-income communities may be disproportionately affected , since they are more likely to be in low-lying areas and have limited access to adaptive technology , said Joseph Kane , an associate fellow at the Brookings Institution .
Public awareness of flood risks tends to be low , Sheffield said , which can dampen emergency preparedness efforts .
If you find that your school is located within or near FEMA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your school district to ask what it is doing to prepare for potential flooding .

This story about climate change and education was produced as part of the nine-part series “Are We Ready? How Schools Are Preparing — and Not Preparing — Children for Climate Change,” reported by HuffPost and The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education.
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Swollen rivers swamping entire towns in Iowa. People piloting boats through deluged streets in southern Illinois. Surging floodwaters from Hurricane Dorian overtaking North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Last year was the second wettest on record for the contiguous United States. Climate change is one factor that’s exacerbating flood risks across the country, and the damage is adding up: The 2010s saw twice as many natural disasters causing at least a billion dollars in damage as the previous decade.
As part of our reporting on climate change and America’s education system, we wanted to see how vulnerable schools are to extreme weather. We wondered: Which schools are at risk from worsening floods? In the above graphic, we use hazard maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to allow you to search for your school and see its potential exposure to flooding.
Severe weather poses all sorts of challenges for educators and students. It can force schools to shut temporarily and keep kids at home (which, as we’re seeing now with coronavirus-related closures, is very disruptive to learning). It can cause infrastructure damage, which has been happening in coastal Louisiana. There, job losses, coastal erosion and floods caused people to move away, leading to diminishing school enrollment and, in some cases, permanent school closures. Those population changes, sometimes called “climate migration,” starve some schools of resources and lead to overcrowding in others.
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An elementary school in in Lumberton, North Carolina, is inundated with floodwaters from the Lumber River on Oct. 12, 2016. Sean Rayford/Getty Images
When kids return to school after severe flooding, they sometimes struggle with lingering stress and trauma. Because many schools are local hubs, offering meals, counseling and other services beyond academics, damage to them can have a disproportionate impact on their communities. And flooding can lead to health problems, by causing mold that contributes to respiratory issues as well as unearthing toxic chemicals.
“Floodwaters can bring a whole host of issues,” said Perry Sheffield, an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and lead author of a study on the environmental hazards of climate change and schools.
No region of the United States is immune, but this isn’t a problem that hits everyone equally. Schools in low-income communities may be disproportionately affected, since they are more likely to be in low-lying areas and have limited access to adaptive technology, said Joseph Kane, an associate fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Public awareness of flood risks tends to be low, Sheffield said, which can dampen emergency preparedness efforts. If you find that your school is located within or near FEMA’s 100-year flood zone, contact your school district to ask what it is doing to prepare for potential flooding.
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huffpost--2020-05-23--Climate Change Is A Health Crisis. Are Doctors Prepared?

Stanford physician-scientist Kari Nadeau , who focuses on allergies and asthma , discussed young patients she ’ s treated whose symptoms may be linked to climate stresses .
She talked about a 12-year-old whose depression , insulin resistance and asthma seemed to be getting worse as a result of air pollution and extreme heat .
She challenged the student audience to come up with possible diagnoses and asked , “ What can we do to improve the health of this child ?
” The climate crisis affects people ’ s health in myriad interconnected ways , starting from birth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health defined by climate change , according to the November 2019 report on health and climate change in the British medical journal The Lancet , which examines the effect of climate change on health globally .
By their 71st birthday , the report found , their physical and mental health will be burdened by other hazards , such as food shortages , the spread of diseases from insects ( such as Lyme disease ) , the lack of safe drinking water , droughts , floods and wildfires .
And now the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. alone , has added a new dimension to the consequences of climate-warming pollution .
Alongside anxiety , heart disease and stroke , the health effects of air pollution include aggravated asthma and weakened lung function .
That means there are far more people with pre-existing respiratory conditions that put them at greater risk of dying of COVID-19 .
“ We are the ‘ Class of Climate Change ’ that is going to be graduating into a health environment that already looks drastically different from what it did in the past , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , planning for the future , how critical climate change is to that future — these are things that are top of mind for a lot of medical students.
” The students also created a Planetary Health Report Card to analyze medical schools ’ coursework and resources for climate-health training and award a grade to schools and programs based on their strengths and weaknesses .
They gave UCSF a B grade― the school won points for its planetary health electives and a climate-based fellowship but did not score well on community engagement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ different parts of the country are now looking to follow UCSF ’ s lead and produce their own report cards .
One reality of research on climate change and its health effects is that it is still quite young , said UCSF ’ s Teherani .
Changes in the curriculum must also account for the developing science , the uncertainty of climate change and sea level rise in the future , and acknowledge that scientific predictions can not be exactly precise and will instead present a likely range of possible futures , Teherani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , for physicians to understand here is what we know and here is what we don ’ t know , ” she said .
“ It is OK for us to identify gaps in knowledge on this subject area , address that with patients and also be asking ourselves how do we reconcile with that uncertainty on a personal level.
” Centuries-old structures in American medical education are tough to tinker with , she added .
“ Traditions and longstanding education formats exert influence and , by and large , institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change , ” she said .
This is especially the case with climate change , whose effects are “ sweeping , multifactorial and long-range , ” she added , which can make it difficult to get the case heard for the day-to-day relevance of climate change on patients .
“ While most medical providers see climate change as a major problem , we don ’ t necessarily see it as a problem for how we do our jobs , ” said Aaron Bernstein , co-head of Climate MD , an initiative at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health to teach doctors and medical students how to talk to patients about climate and health .
“ It absolutely matters what we do on a day-to-day basis .
And that knowledge has not been put out effectively to folks who are in medical education .
”

Illustration: Josh Cochran for HuffPost
This story about climate change and education was produced as part of the nine-part series “Are We Ready? How Schools Are Preparing — and Not Preparing — Children for Climate Change,” reported by HuffPost and The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education.
On a gray, drizzly January afternoon, more than 80 students gathered inside Room M106 at Stanford School of Medicine for a lecture on how the changing climate affects children’s health.
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Stanford physician-scientist Kari Nadeau, who focuses on allergies and asthma, discussed young patients she’s treated whose symptoms may be linked to climate stresses. She talked about a 12-year-old whose depression, insulin resistance and asthma seemed to be getting worse as a result of air pollution and extreme heat. She challenged the student audience to come up with possible diagnoses and asked, “What can we do to improve the health of this child?”
Her lecture was not part of regular coursework. It was the third in a series of 10 lunchtime lectures organized by two Stanford medical students to address a gaping hole in their school’s curriculum: the health effects of climate change.
This lunchtime series marks the first time the Stanford School of Medicine has addressed climate change in its teaching, to show how it affects different fields of medicine, including pediatrics, women’s health, infectious diseases and nutrition.
Anna Goshua, a second-year medical student at Stanford, developed the series with a classmate. It was born out of frustration with the lack of training on climate change and health at their school, despite the growing evidence that disasters fueled by climate change had increased hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
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“It’s dangerous, to say the least, for us to walk into our collective future unprepared,” Goshua said.
That danger couldn’t be more apparent as the world faces a pandemic that is both a symptom of climate destruction and an illustration of how it exacerbates diseases.
The climate crisis affects people’s health in myriad interconnected ways, starting from birth. Every child born today will have their health defined by climate change, according to the November 2019 report on health and climate change in the British medical journal The Lancet, which examines the effect of climate change on health globally. By their 71st birthday, the report found, their physical and mental health will be burdened by other hazards, such as food shortages, the spread of diseases from insects (such as Lyme disease), the lack of safe drinking water, droughts, floods and wildfires.
It is clear some of these hazards are already biting. Ten climate change-fueled disasters in 2012 across the U.S. ― including hurricanes, fires, disease outbreaks and heat waves ― led to 917 premature deaths, more than 20,000 hospitalizations and close to 18,000 emergency department visits, according to a September 2019 study.
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And now the coronavirus pandemic, responsible for thousands of deaths in the U.S. alone, has added a new dimension to the consequences of climate-warming pollution. Alongside anxiety, heart disease and stroke, the health effects of air pollution include aggravated asthma and weakened lung function. That means there are far more people with pre-existing respiratory conditions that put them at greater risk of dying of COVID-19.
“Every child born today will have their health defined by climate change.”
But very few American medical schools appear to offer training on the health consequences of climate change. There is no reliable way to know exactly how many schools teach classes on climate change and health. But when the authors of a 2018 research article searched a database of 150 schools’ curricula for climate-related keywords, they returned zero results.
There is a growing awareness, however, among some schools at least, that more needs to be done to prepare future doctors.
In 2017, Columbia’s Mailman School, home to the first program on climate and health at a public health school in the United States, launched the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education, an international alliance of 200 medical, nursing and public health schools and programs, with the mission to train health professionals across the world to respond to the health effects of climate change.
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The aim is to collectively build resources ― such as slides, videos and online courses ― for educational programs on climate and health in medical and health care institutions. Today, 134 schools and programs in America are members of the consortium.
Yale School of Public Health and the College of Medicine at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are among those offering programs and coursework on the intersection of climate change, medicine and public health.
At the school of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, individual departments — including infectious diseases and obstetrics-gynecology — have woven climate-health issues into lectures. Professors are holding discussions on topics such as cardiovascular health and changing air quality; mental health disorders related to extreme weather; and reproductive health and the environment.
Arianne Teherani, professor of medicine and an educational researcher at UCSF, created a curriculum plan in “sustainable healthcare education” in 2016, to teach students in medicine, pharmacy, nursing and dentistry at UCSF not only about environmental changes and their effects on health but also the impact of the health care industry on the climate.
“We have to move fast to accept and apply the basic evidence that this topic impacts every single organ system, it impacts every single clinical rotation that students do,” said Teherani. “There has to be a way to latch it into what they’re already learning.”
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In 2019, the American Medical Association, the largest organization of physicians and medical students in the U.S., adopted a new policy to educate medical students, as well as doctors, on the health effects of climate change.
Still, the response remains piecemeal and small, and for many students, the pace of change is far too slow. In this absence of action, some student-doctors are organizing to fight for the inclusion of climate change in their studies.
Over the last year, more than 100 students from 34 medical schools and programs across the U.S. have come together to form a volunteer grassroots coalition called Medical Students for a Sustainable Future.
Its mission, said Harleen Marwah, a medical student at George Washington University who is leading the coalition, is to provide support to participating students so they can coordinate efforts to push for climate change teaching.
“We are the ‘Class of Climate Change’ that is going to be graduating into a health environment that already looks drastically different from what it did in the past,” said Marwah. “Thinking ahead, planning for the future, how critical climate change is to that future — these are things that are top of mind for a lot of medical students.”
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At UCSF, students including Colin Baylen, Karly Hampshire and Nuzhat Islam have formed an interdisciplinary student group called Human Health + Climate Change. The group organizes panels, bringing together faculty experts on topics such as the climate-health emergency caused by wildfires; the links between climate change, migration and health; and the effect of the climate crisis on under-resourced communities.
The students also created a Planetary Health Report Card to analyze medical schools’ coursework and resources for climate-health training and award a grade to schools and programs based on their strengths and weaknesses. They gave UCSF a B grade― the school won points for its planetary health electives and a climate-based fellowship but did not score well on community engagement. Students at 15 other medical schools in different parts of the country are now looking to follow UCSF’s lead and produce their own report cards.
Harleen Marwah, a medical student at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., is leading a volunteer grassroots coalition called Medical Students for a Sustainable Future. GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences at George Washington University
One reality of research on climate change and its health effects is that it is still quite young, said UCSF’s Teherani. Changes in the curriculum must also account for the developing science, the uncertainty of climate change and sea level rise in the future, and acknowledge that scientific predictions cannot be exactly precise and will instead present a likely range of possible futures, Teherani said.
“It is OK, for example, for physicians to understand here is what we know and here is what we don’t know,” she said. “It is OK for us to identify gaps in knowledge on this subject area, address that with patients and also be asking ourselves how do we reconcile with that uncertainty on a personal level.”
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Although progress is being made to standardize and formalize climate-health education, “I don’t see anything happening at the pace and scale we need,” said Caroline Wellbery, a professor in the school of medicine at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., who studies climate change and health in medical education.
Centuries-old structures in American medical education are tough to tinker with, she added. “Traditions and longstanding education formats exert influence and, by and large, institutions themselves are resistant, not impervious, to change,” she said. This is especially the case with climate change, whose effects are “sweeping, multifactorial and long-range,” she added, which can make it difficult to get the case heard for the day-to-day relevance of climate change on patients.
“While most medical providers see climate change as a major problem, we don’t necessarily see it as a problem for how we do our jobs,” said Aaron Bernstein, co-head of Climate MD, an initiative at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to teach doctors and medical students how to talk to patients about climate and health. “It absolutely matters what we do on a day-to-day basis. And that knowledge has not been put out effectively to folks who are in medical education.”
But when it comes to understanding the health consequences of climate change, people are most likely to trust their primary care physicians, making it crucial for physicians themselves to be equipped with tools and knowledge they need to maintain that trust.
“We’re trying to bring climate change to the bedside so that clinicians see it as a part of their day job,” said Bernstein.
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That continues to motivate Goshua to pursue the Stanford lecture series until her school catches up. Goshua and her classmate are currently administering a survey among attendees to determine how effective the course has been in changing student knowledge, attitudes and skills relating to climate change and its health risks.
The pair hopes that the data they will collect will both improve the course and inform school administrators and faculty on the need and value of climate change education.
“The bottom line is we can’t ignore our climate reality, and we need to adapt as quickly as possible,” Goshua said.
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huffpost--2020-04-26--UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Returning To Work After COVID-19 Battle

LONDON — The British prime minister ’ s office says Boris Johnson will return to work Monday , two weeks @ @ @ @ @ a London hospital where he was treated for the new coronavirus .
Johnson , 55 @ @ @ @ @ St. Thomas ’ Hospital , including three nights in intensive care , where he was @ @ @ @ @ the clock by medical staff .
After he was released April 12 , he recorded @ @ @ @ @ at the hospital for saving his life .
Johnson has not been seen in public @ @ @ @ @ recovered at the prime minister ’ s country retreat outside London .
Johnson ’ s @ @ @ @ @ of the government ’ s handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
The number of people @ @ @ @ @ in British hospitals reached 20,000 on Saturday .
Thousands more are thought to have died @ @ @ @ @ politicians are calling for more clarity on when the government will ease a nationwide lockdown @ @ @ @ @ and runs to at least May 7 .

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LONDON — The British prime minister’s office says Boris Johnson will return to work Monday, two weeks after he was discharged from a London hospital where he was treated for the new coronavirus.
Johnson, 55, spent a week at St. Thomas’ Hospital, including three nights in intensive care, where he was given oxygen and watched around the clock by medical staff.
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After he was released April 12, he recorded a video message thanking staff at the hospital for saving his life.
Johnson has not been seen in public since then, as he recovered at the prime minister’s country retreat outside London.
Johnson’s return comes amid growing criticism of the government’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak. The number of people with COVID-19 who have died in British hospitals reached 20,000 on Saturday. Thousands more are thought to have died in nursing homes.


huffpost--2020-04-26--Adam Sandler Pops Up In Pete Davidson's 'SNL' Rap About Going Quarantine Crazy

Pete Davidson starred in another one of his signature raps on the second at-home “ Saturday Night Live , ” this time about going crazy stuck at home .
The unshaven Davidson grouses about running out of TV shows to watch , avoiding his mom , and losing his mind during the endless lockdown at home because of COVID-19 .
“ Stuck with my fam , I can ’ t get out , ” he sings .
Then it ’ s off to the home and family of ... Adam Sandler , in a surprise cameo , who wears underpants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s too afraid to go to the hospital to get his broken leg checked .
“ I ’ m so bored I ’ m doin ’ songs with Pete , ” he sings .
Sandler was one of several surprise celeb appearances on “ SNL , ” in a new-and-much-improved at-home program with far more “ ensemble ” productions ( though from separate homes ) , more gimmicks and art .
Rapper Bad Bunny played “ Big Bunny ” on a spoof cooking sketch .
Former NBA legend and basketball commentator Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member Jason Sudeikis turned up on Kenan Thompson ’ s spoof BET musical talk show “ What ’ s Up With That ?
” Thompson kept cutting off Barkley while DJ Khalid watched on video chat .
Actor Paul Rudd played himself in a sketch about his own stay-at-home weirdness .
Check out Davidson and Sandler in the video up top , and Barkley , Sudeikis and Rudd in the videos here :

Pete Davidson starred in another one of his signature raps on the second at-home “Saturday Night Live,” this time about going crazy stuck at home.
The unshaven Davidson grouses about running out of TV shows to watch, avoiding his mom, and losing his mind during the endless lockdown at home because of COVID-19. “Stuck with my fam, I can’t get out,” he sings.
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Then it’s off to the home and family of ... Adam Sandler, in a surprise cameo, who wears underpants over his face and goofs that he’s too afraid to go to the hospital to get his broken leg checked. “I’m so bored I’m doin’ songs with Pete,” he sings.
Sandler was one of several surprise celeb appearances on “SNL,” in a new-and-much-improved at-home program with far more “ensemble” productions (though from separate homes), more gimmicks and art.
Rapper Bad Bunny played “Big Bunny” on a spoof cooking sketch. Former NBA legend and basketball commentator Charles Barkley and one-time “SNL” cast member Jason Sudeikis turned up on Kenan Thompson’s spoof BET musical talk show “What’s Up With That?” Thompson kept cutting off Barkley while DJ Khalid watched on video chat.
Actor Paul Rudd played himself in a sketch about his own stay-at-home weirdness.
Check out Davidson and Sandler in the video up top, and Barkley, Sudeikis and Rudd in the videos here:


huffpost--2020-04-26--Kristin Cavallari And Jay Cutler Divorcing After 10 Years Together

The reality TV star and the former NFL player jointly announced on Instagram Sunday afternoon that they are getting a divorce .
“ With great sadness , after 10 years together we have come to a loving conclusion to get a divorce , ” Cavallari captioned a solemn photo of the two walking away from the camera .
“ We have nothing but love and respect for one another and are deeply grateful for the years shared , memories made and the children we are so proud of .
This is just the situation of two people growing apart .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we navigate this difficult time within our family.
” Cutler shared the same message on his own account alongside a photo of the former couple in happier times .
Cavallari , 33 , and Cutler , 36 , wed in 2013 after dating for years .
They share three children together : sons Camden , 7 , and Jaxon , 5 , as well as a daughter , Saylor , who is 4 .
Their marriage has been a fixture on the “ Laguna Beach ” alum ’ s E !
reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded its third season in March .
While the show centered on Cavallari ’ s growing jewelry line Uncommon James , it also at times touched on the couple ’ s marital struggles .
“ Jay has been great , yes .
From the outside , like , things are so perfect and things are so great , ” she said during a “ low point ” in their relationship during the second season .
“ But actually , like , they ’ re not .
And that sucks .
It sucks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with marriage — it ’ s ups and downs.
” “ There ’ s no such thing as a perfect relationship .
Jay and I have problems — I ’ ve always been very vocal about that , ” she continued .
“ We have to work at our relationship .
… We definitely have issues.
” Cavallari previously revealed at least some of their tension stemmed from a role reversal in their relationship after Cutler retired from the NFL back in 2017 , as her business continued to grow .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s career and his schedule and everything , to now , [ jewelry line ] Uncommon James has been really taking off and the show and everything , and he ’ s at home , ” she told Us Weekly at the time .
“ So , it ’ s just been trying to navigate this new normal.
” But the two seemed to be back on track during the most recent season , with Cavallari calling her husband her “ constant ” and “ common denominator.
” And just last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couples vacation to the Bahamas , where they remained for weeks amid the coronavirus outbreak .

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Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler are calling it quits after a decade together.
The reality TV star and the former NFL player jointly announced on Instagram Sunday afternoon that they are getting a divorce.
“With great sadness, after 10 years together we have come to a loving conclusion to get a divorce,” Cavallari captioned a solemn photo of the two walking away from the camera. “We have nothing but love and respect for one another and are deeply grateful for the years shared, memories made and the children we are so proud of. This is just the situation of two people growing apart. We ask everyone to respect our privacy as we navigate this difficult time within our family.”
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Cutler shared the same message on his own account alongside a photo of the former couple in happier times.
Cavallari, 33, and Cutler, 36, wed in 2013 after dating for years. They share three children together: sons Camden, 7, and Jaxon, 5, as well as a daughter, Saylor, who is 4. Their marriage has been a fixture on the “Laguna Beach” alum’s E! reality series “Very Cavallari,” which concluded its third season in March.
While the show centered on Cavallari’s growing jewelry line Uncommon James, it also at times touched on the couple’s marital struggles.
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“Jay has been great, yes. From the outside, like, things are so perfect and things are so great,” she said during a “low point” in their relationship during the second season. “But actually, like, they’re not. And that sucks. It sucks. That’s the thing, though, with marriage — it’s ups and downs.”
“There’s no such thing as a perfect relationship. Jay and I have problems — I’ve always been very vocal about that,” she continued. “We have to work at our relationship. … We definitely have issues.”
Cavallari previously revealed at least some of their tension stemmed from a role reversal in their relationship after Cutler retired from the NFL back in 2017, as her business continued to grow.
“We went from it being about Jay’s career and his schedule and everything, to now, [jewelry line] Uncommon James has been really taking off and the show and everything, and he’s at home,” she told Us Weekly at the time. “So, it’s just been trying to navigate this new normal.”
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But the two seemed to be back on track during the most recent season, with Cavallari calling her husband her “constant” and “common denominator.”
And just last month, the two headed off on a couples vacation to the Bahamas, where they remained for weeks amid the coronavirus outbreak.


huffpost--2020-03-04--Amid A Global Crisis, Trump Keeps Lying And Misleading About Pretty Much Everything

At a time when many Americans are turning toward the White House for accurate information about the virus , Trump has responded to the new responsibility in a familiar manner : praising himself , promising easy success and , when needed , blaming others .
And mixed into it all are his now familiar lies on a range of issues , including who is paying tariffs he has imposed on Chinese imports , the significance of the updated trade agreement with Canada and Mexico , the status of his wall along the southern border , and which president approved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accurate statements about the virus seem suspect .
“ When you ’ ve lost your credibility , you also lose the benefit of the doubt , ” said David Jolly , a former Republican congressman .
“ Half the nation simply doesn ’ t believe the president .
The other may only be convinced he ’ s lying if they suffer personal disruption or financial losses.
” But from the outset of the crisis , Trump has largely claimed that he personally has done a great job managing it , that the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual flu , and that Democrats and the news media are conspiring to scare people , thereby tanking the economy and his reelection chances .
Last week , at a campaign rally in South Carolina , Trump went as far as to portray their descriptions of the coronavirus as a “ hoax , ” similar to special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation into his campaign and the House ’ s proceedings leading to his impeachment for trying to cheat in the coming election .
“ This is their new hoax , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the relatively small number of Americans who are being treated for the disease with the number who die of the flu each year .
“ Think of it , you hear 35,000 and 40,000 people , and we have lost nobody , and you wonder the press is in hysteria mode.
” ( Since that time , 11 Americans have died from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus . )
At the same time , Trump has repeatedly ― and inaccurately ― suggested that at his direction , a vaccine is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re rapidly developing a vaccine , ” he said during his first news conference on the topic last week .
That claim appears to have infected his political appointees in their own statements .
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar , for example , told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that a possible vaccine had just been greenlighted for clinical trials , causing Trump to burst in : “ Which is a record.
” It was left to Anthony Fauci , the longtime head of the infectious diseases program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to point out that that was only the start of a long road of tests .
“ The whole process is going to take a year , a year and a half at least , ” he said .
The head of the coronavirus task force , Vice President Mike Pence , meanwhile has made it a point to praise Trump at every public setting ― “ From the moment that this country learned of the spread of the coronavirus , President Donald Trump took decisive action , ” Pence said Saturday ― @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then emulated , as well .
And on Wednesday , Trump even blamed Obama for a delay in having coronavirus testing kits readily available , even though it was under his watch that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention botched the process of creating one and then refused to accept one invented in Germany .
“ This will go down in history as a prime example of kakistocracy and corruption .
Key agencies like CDC captured by a president only interested in the impact of a health crisis on the stock market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norman Ornstein , a scholar at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute .
“ A president without credibility at a time when it is most needed .
Disgraceful and reckless beyond measure.
” Trump has recommend deep cuts in the CDC ’ s and NIH ’ s budgets since taking office , although Congress , both under sole GOP control and under divided control for the past year , has refused to go along with them .
However , Trump did dismantle a pandemic response team Obama had created following the 2014 Ebola outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had railed against Obama for his handling of that epidemic , but he in the end won praise for both preventing its spread to the United States as well as helping its victims in West Africa .
“ Even conservatives can agree that within a limited government , managing a health crisis is a federal responsibility , ” said Rick Tyler , a top aide to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz ’ s 2016 run for the Republican presidential nomination .
“ Requisite to an effective response to this pandemic is trusting the information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has squandered that trust .
Still , Americans can still protect themselves and their families by educating themselves about COVID-19 from the CDC , NIH and other credible sources .
”

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WASHINGTON ― The threat of a coronavirus pandemic has not slowed down President Donald Trump’s habit of lying to and misleading Americans on any number of topics ― including that same coronavirus threat.
At a time when many Americans are turning toward the White House for accurate information about the virus, Trump has responded to the new responsibility in a familiar manner: praising himself, promising easy success and, when needed, blaming others.
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And mixed into it all are his now familiar lies on a range of issues, including who is paying tariffs he has imposed on Chinese imports, the significance of the updated trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, the status of his wall along the southern border, and which president approved the Veterans Choice Act ― making even his accurate statements about the virus seem suspect.
“When you’ve lost your credibility, you also lose the benefit of the doubt,” said David Jolly, a former Republican congressman. “Half the nation simply doesn’t believe the president. The other may only be convinced he’s lying if they suffer personal disruption or financial losses.”
Ned Price, a former CIA analyst and National Security Council spokesman in President Barack Obama’s White House, said Americans need to ignore Trump, for their own health and safety.
“Tune out the president and listen to the public health experts,” Price said. “Even President Obama, who certainly didn’t have the credibility deficit Trump does, reiterated a single message during the Ebola outbreak: expertise and science will guide the response.”
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The White House would not respond to HuffPost queries about Trump’s handling of the outbreak.
President Donald Trump listens to Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during a briefing on the coronavirus at the National Institutes of Health on March 3 in Bethesda, Maryland. ASSOCIATED PRESS
But from the outset of the crisis, Trump has largely claimed that he personally has done a great job managing it, that the disease is not that dangerous compared to the annual flu, and that Democrats and the news media are conspiring to scare people, thereby tanking the economy and his reelection chances.
Last week, at a campaign rally in South Carolina, Trump went as far as to portray their descriptions of the coronavirus as a “hoax,” similar to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into his campaign and the House’s proceedings leading to his impeachment for trying to cheat in the coming election.
“This is their new hoax,” he said, and then again compared the relatively small number of Americans who are being treated for the disease with the number who die of the flu each year. “Think of it, you hear 35,000 and 40,000 people, and we have lost nobody, and you wonder the press is in hysteria mode.” (Since that time, 11 Americans have died from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.)
At the same time, Trump has repeatedly ― and inaccurately ― suggested that at his direction, a vaccine is right around the corner. “We’re rapidly developing a vaccine,” he said during his first news conference on the topic last week.
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That claim appears to have infected his political appointees in their own statements. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, for example, told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that a possible vaccine had just been greenlighted for clinical trials, causing Trump to burst in: “Which is a record.”
It was left to Anthony Fauci, the longtime head of the infectious diseases program at the National Institutes of Health, to point out that that was only the start of a long road of tests. “The whole process is going to take a year, a year and a half at least,” he said.
“This will go down in history as a prime example of kakistocracy and corruption.” - Norman Ornstein, scholar at the American Enterprise Institute
The head of the coronavirus task force, Vice President Mike Pence, meanwhile has made it a point to praise Trump at every public setting ― “From the moment that this country learned of the spread of the coronavirus, President Donald Trump took decisive action,” Pence said Saturday ― a nod that others in the group then emulated, as well.
And on Wednesday, Trump even blamed Obama for a delay in having coronavirus testing kits readily available, even though it was under his watch that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention botched the process of creating one and then refused to accept one invented in Germany.
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“This will go down in history as a prime example of kakistocracy and corruption. Key agencies like CDC captured by a president only interested in the impact of a health crisis on the stock market and his own numbers,” said Norman Ornstein, a scholar at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute. “A president without credibility at a time when it is most needed. Disgraceful and reckless beyond measure.”
Trump has recommend deep cuts in the CDC’s and NIH’s budgets since taking office, although Congress, both under sole GOP control and under divided control for the past year, has refused to go along with them. However, Trump did dismantle a pandemic response team Obama had created following the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Africa.
Trump and other Republicans had railed against Obama for his handling of that epidemic, but he in the end won praise for both preventing its spread to the United States as well as helping its victims in West Africa.


huffpost--2020-03-03--Virus Kills 77 In Iran, Infects 23 Members of Parliament

TEHRAN , Iran ( AP ) — Iran put its armed forces on alert Tuesday to assist health officials in battling the new coronavirus that ’ s killed at least 77 people , an outbreak that has sickened top officials and pushed even its supreme leader into wearing disposable gloves while trying to reassure the nation .
Even as government officials sit meters ( feet ) away from each other at meetings now in an effort to stop its spread , the virus is ravaging both its civilian leadership and its Shiite theocracy .
A top emergency official and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus and now suffer from the COVID-19 illness it causes .
Others have died .
There are now over 2,540 cases of the new virus across the Mideast , with 2,336 in Iran alone .
Of those outside Iran in the region , most link back to the Islamic Republic .
Experts worry Iran ’ s percentage of deaths to infections , now around 3.3 % , is much higher than other countries , suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be far greater than current figures show .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimize the virus while praising the doctors and nurses combating the outbreak .
He urged the nation to pray .
“ This disaster , in our opinion , is not such a big disaster , there have been and there are bigger disasters than this , ” Khamenei said .
“ Of course I don ’ t want to downplay the issue , but let ’ s not exaggerate it much either .
Something has happened , it will exist in the country for a time , which hopefully will be short , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those sick include Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar , better known as “ Sister Mary , ” the English-speaking spokeswoman for the students who seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and sparked the 444-day hostage crisis , state media reported .
Also sick is Iraj Harirchi , the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill. “ These people have a close relationship with the people and they carry different viruses from different parts of the country , which may create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lawmakers to cut off their relationship with the public for now , ” Mesri said .
Members of Iran ’ s Supreme Council of Economic Coordination , including President Hassan Rouhani , met Tuesday and sat meters ( feet ) apart from each other .
State media did not comment on the move , nor the fact the meeting appeared attended by fewer officials than normal .
In the last week , Iran offered temporary furloughs to over 54,000 prisoners , nearly a third of all prisoners held in the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported .
That ’ s as activists have raised concerns over the possible spread of the new virus in Iran ’ s prisons .
Officials previously said they had plans for 300,000 soldiers and members of the Basij , the all-volunteer force of Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard , to sanitize public areas , direct traffic and trace contacts that sick people had with others .
The Guard also has been spraying down streets in major Iranian cities .
“ Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sin , ” Khamenei said at an annual tree-planting ceremony .
He had never worn gloves at the ceremony in recent years .
Meanwhile on Tuesday , the advocacy group NetBlocks said Wikipedia ’ s Farsi-language website appeared to be disrupted in Iran for around 24 hours .
NetBlocks described the disruption as being nationwide , saying its technical testing suggests the online encyclopedia is being blocked by the same mechanism used to block Twitter and Facebook .
Those social media websites have been banned since Iran ’ s disputed 2009 presidential election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation , which oversees the volunteer-edited encyclopedia , saw the site was not accessible for 10 hours in Iran , spokeswoman Chantal De Soto said .
She did not elaborate .
NetBlocks previously reported internet disruptions affecting Iran in recent days and users across the Islamic Republic have reported problems .
Meanwhile on Tuesday , the Middle East ’ s largest airline , Emirates , said it had to reduce or ground flights due to the new virus .
Because of the slowdown , the government-owned carrier has asked its employees to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a month at a time .
Emirates operates out of Dubai , the world ’ s busiest for international travel .

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TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran put its armed forces on alert Tuesday to assist health officials in battling the new coronavirus that’s killed at least 77 people, an outbreak that has sickened top officials and pushed even its supreme leader into wearing disposable gloves while trying to reassure the nation.
Even as government officials sit meters (feet) away from each other at meetings now in an effort to stop its spread, the virus is ravaging both its civilian leadership and its Shiite theocracy. A top emergency official and at least 23 members of parliament reportedly contracted the virus and now suffer from the COVID-19 illness it causes. Others have died.
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There are now over 2,540 cases of the new virus across the Mideast, with 2,336 in Iran alone. Of those outside Iran in the region, most link back to the Islamic Republic.
Experts worry Iran’s percentage of deaths to infections, now around 3.3%, is much higher than other countries, suggesting the number of infections in Iran may be far greater than current figures show. Meanwhile, a gloved Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sought to minimize the virus while praising the doctors and nurses combating the outbreak. He urged the nation to pray.
“This disaster, in our opinion, is not such a big disaster, there have been and there are bigger disasters than this,” Khamenei said. “Of course I don’t want to downplay the issue, but let’s not exaggerate it much either. Something has happened, it will exist in the country for a time, which hopefully will be short, and then it will go away.”
As cases rise exponentially daily, it appears like the virus won’t be going away soon.
Iran stands alone in how the virus has affected its government, even compared to hard-hit China, the epicenter of the outbreak. Worldwide, the virus has infected 90,000 people and caused 3,100 deaths.
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The death of Expediency Council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi on Monday makes him the highest-ranking official within Iran’s leadership to be killed by the virus. State media referred to him as a confidant of Khamenei.
The virus earlier killed Hadi Khosroshahi, Iran’s former ambassador to the Vatican, as well as a recently elected member of parliament. Ahmad Tuyserkani, an adviser to Iran’s judiciary chief, died Monday night from the virus, semiofficial media reported.
Those sick include Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar, better known as “Sister Mary,” the English-speaking spokeswoman for the students who seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and sparked the 444-day hostage crisis, state media reported. Also sick is Iraj Harirchi, the head of an Iranian government task force on the coronavirus who tried to downplay the virus before falling ill.
On Tuesday, lawmaker Abdolreza Mesri told Iranian state television’s Young Journalists Club program that 23 members of parliament had the coronavirus. He urged all lawmakers to avoid the public.
“These people have a close relationship with the people and they carry different viruses from different parts of the country, which may create a new virus, so we recommend the lawmakers to cut off their relationship with the public for now,” Mesri said.
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Members of Iran’s Supreme Council of Economic Coordination, including President Hassan Rouhani, met Tuesday and sat meters (feet) apart from each other. State media did not comment on the move, nor the fact the meeting appeared attended by fewer officials than normal.
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency also reported that Pirhossein Koulivand, head of the country’s emergency services, had come down with the new virus. It said he was undergoing treatment.
In the last week, Iran offered temporary furloughs to over 54,000 prisoners, nearly a third of all prisoners held in the country, the judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported. That’s as activists have raised concerns over the possible spread of the new virus in Iran’s prisons.
Khamenei ordered Iran’s armed forces to be ready to help health workers, but it wasn’t immediately clear what the order entailed.
Officials previously said they had plans for 300,000 soldiers and members of the Basij, the all-volunteer force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, to sanitize public areas, direct traffic and trace contacts that sick people had with others. The Guard also has been spraying down streets in major Iranian cities.
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“Whatever helps public health and prevents the spread of the disease is good and what helps to spread it is sin,” Khamenei said at an annual tree-planting ceremony. He had never worn gloves at the ceremony in recent years.
However, life has slowed in Iran’s capital, Tehran, where perfume seller Maedeh Jahangiri simply stood at her stand at an upscale mall with no one to offer samples.
“People are afraid to touch anything or take anything from us,” she said. “Everyone is at a loss.”
Meanwhile on Tuesday, the advocacy group NetBlocks said Wikipedia’s Farsi-language website appeared to be disrupted in Iran for around 24 hours. NetBlocks described the disruption as being nationwide, saying its technical testing suggests the online encyclopedia is being blocked by the same mechanism used to block Twitter and Facebook. Those social media websites have been banned since Iran’s disputed 2009 presidential election and Green Movement protests.
The disruption ended Tuesday afternoon, without authorities acknowledging it.
The Wikimedia Foundation, which oversees the volunteer-edited encyclopedia, saw the site was not accessible for 10 hours in Iran, spokeswoman Chantal De Soto said. She did not elaborate. NetBlocks previously reported internet disruptions affecting Iran in recent days and users across the Islamic Republic have reported problems.
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Meanwhile on Tuesday, the Middle East’s largest airline, Emirates, said it had to reduce or ground flights due to the new virus. Because of the slowdown, the government-owned carrier has asked its employees to take paid and even unpaid leave for up to a month at a time. Emirates operates out of Dubai, the world’s busiest for international travel.
“We have been tested before and Emirates will come out stronger,” Chief Operating Officer Adel Al-Redha said.
The world’s largest airline trade association, IATA, says Mideast carriers have already lost around $100 million in revenue due to a drop in ticket sales because of disruptions caused by the virus.
Also in the United Arab Emirates, the state-run WAM news agency announced late Tuesday that schools and universities would close for four weeks for sanitization beginning Sunday.
___


huffpost--2020-03-03--CNN Analyst Predicts The Exact Date Trump Will Dump Pence From The Ticket

CNN political analyst Paul Begala this week “ guaranteed ” that President Donald Trump is going to dump Vice President @ @ @ @ @ is not a prediction , it ’ s a certainty , ” Begala said at @ @ @ @ @ Committee conference in Washington .
He even named an exact date : Thursday , July @ @ @ @ @ s the date the Democrat gives her or his acceptance address , ” Begala said @ @ @ @ @ that day , to interrupt that narrative , Donald Trump will call a press conference @ @ @ @ @ ’ s when Pence will be toast .
“ He ’ s going to dump @ @ @ @ @ Haley on the ticket to try to get those suburban moms , ” Begala said @ @ @ @ @ Guaranteed.
” Trump has already laid the groundwork for dismissing Pence .
“ Trump put @ @ @ @ @ to throw him under the bus , ” Begala said .
Mar-a-Lago , it should @ @ @ @ @ the summer so any press conference would likely be held elsewhere .

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CNN political analyst Paul Begala this week “guaranteed” that President Donald Trump is going to dump Vice President Mike Pence.
“This is not a prediction, it’s a certainty,” Begala said at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington.
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He even named an exact date: Thursday, July 16.
“That’s the date the Democrat gives her or his acceptance address,” Begala said on Monday. “On that day, to interrupt that narrative, Donald Trump will call a press conference at Mar-a-Lago.”
And that’s when Pence will be toast.
“He’s going to dump Mike Pence and put Nikki Haley on the ticket to try to get those suburban moms,” Begala said. “You watch. Guaranteed.”
Trump has already laid the groundwork for dismissing Pence.
“Trump put Pence in charge of coronavirus to throw him under the bus,” Begala said.
Mar-a-Lago, it should be noted, closes in the summer so any press conference would likely be held elsewhere.
See Begala’s full comments below:


huffpost--2020-03-22--Why Elizabeth Warren Is Everywhere On Coronavirus Response

Even before she left the presidential race , Warren had worked to shape seemingly every element of the federal government ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the steep recession that is almost certainly coming with it .
Her proposal to bar companies who receive bailout funds from stock buybacks has been endorsed by even conservative Republicans , and she worked with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-N.Y. ) to make canceling student debt part of the Democratic Party ’ s proposed response to the crisis .
She ’ s peppered seemingly every branch of President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how they ’ re responding , sending more than 25 letters to different branches and agencies , covering everyone from the Federal Communications Commission to the National Institutes of Health to Vice President Mike Pence ’ s office .
“ This is not my first rodeo , ” Warren said on a conference call hosted by progressive health care activist Ady Barkan on Wednesday night , referring to her star-making role as a watchdog during the 2008-2009 financial crisis .
“ We need a big enough stimulus package to support the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporations will recover but working families won ’ t. ” As Warren returns to a legislative minority , and to being just one of 100 senators ― albeit one with a bigger platform than most ― her proposals have a long way to go to collecting the 60 Senate votes and House majority necessary to become law , and her letters to Trump ’ s underlings in the administration might not cause giant policy shifts .
But as the two parties battle over how best to respond to the crisis , Warren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s continuing to function as the Democratic Party ’ s ideas factory even after her presidential campaign sputtered .
To Warren allies , it makes perfect sense that the second-term senator would grieve the end of her campaign by making policy .
Warren ’ s original rise to political prominence was a result of the similarly complicated and all-encompassing 2008 financial crisis , and Warren released plans to deal with both a pandemic and a financial collapse during her 2020 run for the presidency .
“ Of course she ’ s disappointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But her life ’ s work isn ’ t to become president ; it ’ s to solve problems , ” said Adam Jentleson , a Democratic strategist who supported Warren ’ s presidential bid and was a top aide to former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid .
“ She ’ d rather be doing this than anything else.
” Warren ’ s biggest influence so far has come from pushing for restrictions on industries that receive bailouts : On Tuesday , she rolled out a list of eight conditions she argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receives government funds to help stay afloat during the pandemic , including a permanent ban on stock buybacks , a three-year ban on dividends or executive bonuses and setting aside board seats for employee-elected representatives .
“ To earn Democratic support in the Congress , any economic stimulus proposal must include new , strong and strict provisions that prioritize and protect workers , such as banning the recipient companies from buying back stock , rewarding executives , and laying off workers , ” Schumer and Pelosi said in a joint statement .
Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ legislative response .
On Thursday morning , Schumer ― along with Warren and Democratic Sens .
Patty Murray of Washington and Sherrod Brown of Ohio ― unveiled a plan to cancel student loan payments for the duration of the coronavirus crisis and to cancel at least $ 10,000 for every student loan borrower .
On Sunday , former Vice President Joe Biden – who is still seeking Warren ’ s endorsement for his presidential bid – announced he was supporting both the Social Security and student debt cancellation proposals .
It was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mass erasure of student debt .
( He had previously supported student loan forgiveness for students who entered public service , as well as income-based repayment plans . )
Warren has lobbied for all of these positions behind the scenes , her aides said , holding two calls to push Schumer on student loan debt cancellation and expanding Social Security , and four calls with Wyden ― the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee ― on Social Security .
Warren met with the pair before a vote on the first phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If there ’ s one element of the debate where Warren hasn ’ t weighed in , it ’ s crafting Democratic plans to give cash directly to consumers – Brown , along with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet , crafted Senate Democrats ’ proposal .
Warren aides said it ’ s because her focus remains on structural reforms to the economy .
And she ’ s continued to bombard the Trump administration with requests .
On Friday alone , she asked the FCC for details on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the internet while schools were closed , and pushed the Trump administration to decrease the number of people in prisons and jails to slow the pandemic ’ s spread .

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On March 4, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren was in the middle of ending her 14-month presidential bid, following a disappointing finish in key states on Super Tuesday. She would officially drop out the next day.
Still, Warren found time to fire off a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, asking it to suspend immigration enforcement actions at hospitals and other medical facilities during the coronavirus outbreak.
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The senator has barely let up since.
Even before she left the presidential race, Warren had worked to shape seemingly every element of the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the steep recession that is almost certainly coming with it. Her proposal to bar companies who receive bailout funds from stock buybacks has been endorsed by even conservative Republicans, and she worked with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to make canceling student debt part of the Democratic Party’s proposed response to the crisis.
She’s peppered seemingly every branch of President Donald Trump’s administration with letters demanding details on how they’re responding, sending more than 25 letters to different branches and agencies, covering everyone from the Federal Communications Commission to the National Institutes of Health to Vice President Mike Pence’s office.
“This is not my first rodeo,” Warren said on a conference call hosted by progressive health care activist Ady Barkan on Wednesday night, referring to her star-making role as a watchdog during the 2008-2009 financial crisis. “We need a big enough stimulus package to support the economy. If we go small, giant corporations will recover but working families won’t.”
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whose presidential bid ended just over two weeks ago, unveiled a proposal with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown to cancel some student loan debt as part of an economic response to the coronavirus pandemic. Tom Williams via Getty Images
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As Warren returns to a legislative minority, and to being just one of 100 senators ― albeit one with a bigger platform than most ― her proposals have a long way to go to collecting the 60 Senate votes and House majority necessary to become law, and her letters to Trump’s underlings in the administration might not cause giant policy shifts. But as the two parties battle over how best to respond to the crisis, Warren’s role in the debate shows she’s continuing to function as the Democratic Party’s ideas factory even after her presidential campaign sputtered.
To Warren allies, it makes perfect sense that the second-term senator would grieve the end of her campaign by making policy. Warren’s original rise to political prominence was a result of the similarly complicated and all-encompassing 2008 financial crisis, and Warren released plans to deal with both a pandemic and a financial collapse during her 2020 run for the presidency.
“Of course she’s disappointed, of course she’s sad. But her life’s work isn’t to become president; it’s to solve problems,” said Adam Jentleson, a Democratic strategist who supported Warren’s presidential bid and was a top aide to former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid. “She’d rather be doing this than anything else.”
Warren’s biggest influence so far has come from pushing for restrictions on industries that receive bailouts: On Tuesday, she rolled out a list of eight conditions she argued should be placed on any company that receives government funds to help stay afloat during the pandemic, including a permanent ban on stock buybacks, a three-year ban on dividends or executive bonuses and setting aside board seats for employee-elected representatives.
.@ewarren is out with eight conditions she argues should be placed on any corporate bailout, including a $15 minimum wage and a three-year ban on dividends or executive bonuses. pic.twitter.com/7YBGekU3oA — Kevin Robillard (@Robillard) March 17, 2020
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Two days later, Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) staked out a similar position. And in the days since, Trump and some Republican senators have indicated they would back restrictions on stock buybacks.
“To earn Democratic support in the Congress, any economic stimulus proposal must include new, strong and strict provisions that prioritize and protect workers, such as banning the recipient companies from buying back stock, rewarding executives, and laying off workers,” Schumer and Pelosi said in a joint statement.
Warren’s also helped shape Senate Democrats’ legislative response. On Thursday morning, Schumer ― along with Warren and Democratic Sens. Patty Murray of Washington and Sherrod Brown of Ohio ― unveiled a plan to cancel student loan payments for the duration of the coronavirus crisis and to cancel at least $10,000 for every student loan borrower.
And on Saturday, Schumer, Warren and Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden (D) announced a proposal to increase Social Security benefits by $200 a month for all recipients over the next two years.
On Sunday, former Vice President Joe Biden – who is still seeking Warren’s endorsement for his presidential bid – announced he was supporting both the Social Security and student debt cancellation proposals. It was the first time Biden backed any form of mass erasure of student debt. (He had previously supported student loan forgiveness for students who entered public service, as well as income-based repayment plans.)
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Additionally, we should forgive a minimum of $10,000/person of federal student loans, as proposed by Senator Warren and colleagues. Young people and other student debt holders bore the brunt of the last crisis. It shouldn't happen again. — Joe Biden (Text Join to 30330) (@JoeBiden) March 22, 2020
Warren has lobbied for all of these positions behind the scenes, her aides said, holding two calls to push Schumer on student loan debt cancellation and expanding Social Security, and four calls with Wyden ― the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee ― on Social Security. Warren met with the pair before a vote on the first phase of the coronavirus relief plan on Wednesday.
If there’s one element of the debate where Warren hasn’t weighed in, it’s crafting Democratic plans to give cash directly to consumers – Brown, along with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, crafted Senate Democrats’ proposal. Warren aides said it’s because her focus remains on structural reforms to the economy.
Warren has also held phone calls with at least eight members of the House’s Congressional Progressive Caucus, aiming to work her provisions into that chamber’s eventual stimulus plan.
And she’s continued to bombard the Trump administration with requests. On Friday alone, she asked the FCC for details on how they were helping low-income students access the internet while schools were closed, and pushed the Trump administration to decrease the number of people in prisons and jails to slow the pandemic’s spread.
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huffpost--2020-03-22--Emirates To Suspend All Passenger Operations Starting March 25

DUBAI ( Reuters ) - Emirates , one of the world ’ s biggest long-haul airlines , said on Sunday it would stop nearly all passenger flights this week and cut staff wages by as much as half because of the coronavirus impact on travel demand .
The state-owned Dubai carrier had already announced the suspension of nearly 70 % of its network of 159 destinations , asked staff to go on unpaid leave and frozen recruitment as the industry faces one of its biggest ever challenges .
“ As a global network airline , we find ourselves in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger services until countries reopen their borders and travel confidence returns , ” Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said in a statement .
The Dubai based airline , which initially said it was stopping all passenger operations by Wednesday , will maintain some services to 13 countries for repatriation flights at the request of governments .
Flights would continue as long as borders remain open and there is demand , it said .
Cargo flights will also operate .
“ There is no other choice , really , ” one said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not authorized to speak to media .
International connectivity is crucial for Emirates ’ Gulf hub model , which transformed Dubai six years ago into the world ’ s busiest international airport .
It does not operate domestic flights and most of its passengers transit through Dubai .
Emirates Group , a state holding company that includes the airline among its assets , will enforce a temporary 25 % to 50 % reduction in basic salary for the majority of employees .
“ I feel uncertain for the future but at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still getting paid , ” an employee said .
The Group had 100,000 employees , including more than 21,000 cabin crew and 4,000 pilots , at end-March 2019 , the close of its last financial year .
Emirates President Tim Clark , who is due to step down in June , and Gary Chapman , president of the holding group ’ s airport and travel services company , will forgo their basic salaries for three months .
In an email to staff , seen by Reuters , he said he was confident the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was founded in 1985 would survive and asked staff to “ keep their spirits up .
”

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DUBAI (Reuters) - Emirates, one of the world’s biggest long-haul airlines, said on Sunday it would stop nearly all passenger flights this week and cut staff wages by as much as half because of the coronavirus impact on travel demand.
The state-owned Dubai carrier had already announced the suspension of nearly 70% of its network of 159 destinations, asked staff to go on unpaid leave and frozen recruitment as the industry faces one of its biggest ever challenges.
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“As a global network airline, we find ourselves in a situation where we cannot viably operate passenger services until countries reopen their borders and travel confidence returns,” Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said in a statement.
Handout . / Reuters A member of cleaning staff wearing protective mask disinfects air vents of an Emirates Airbus A380 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on March 5.
The Dubai based airline, which initially said it was stopping all passenger operations by Wednesday, will maintain some services to 13 countries for repatriation flights at the request of governments.
Flights would continue as long as borders remain open and there is demand, it said. Cargo flights will also operate.
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It operates a fleet of 270 aircraft, mostly Airbus (AIR.PA) A380 and Boeing (BA.N) 777 passenger jets.
Emirates employees told Reuters they were not surprised most flights were being suspended.
“There is no other choice, really,” one said on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media.
Handout . / Reuters Members of cleaning staff in protective suits change air filters on an Emirates aircraft as part of disinfectant measures against the coronavirus.
International connectivity is crucial for Emirates’ Gulf hub model, which transformed Dubai six years ago into the world’s busiest international airport. It does not operate domestic flights and most of its passengers transit through Dubai.
Emirates Group, a state holding company that includes the airline among its assets, will enforce a temporary 25% to 50% reduction in basic salary for the majority of employees.
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“I feel uncertain for the future but at least we still have our jobs and are still getting paid,” an employee said.
The Group had 100,000 employees, including more than 21,000 cabin crew and 4,000 pilots, at end-March 2019, the close of its last financial year.
Emirates President Tim Clark, who is due to step down in June, and Gary Chapman, president of the holding group’s airport and travel services company, will forgo their basic salaries for three months.
“We want to avoid cutting jobs,” Sheikh Ahmed said.
In an email to staff, seen by Reuters, he said he was confident the airline he has been chairman of since it was founded in 1985 would survive and asked staff to “keep their spirits up.”


huffpost--2020-03-21--Ohio Is Trying To Use The Coronavirus Crisis To Stop Abortions

In an effort to ensure health care workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak have proper access to personal protective equipment , or PPE , authorities at both the state and federal level are asking doctors and patients to forego “ nonessential ” operations .
“ [ Y ] ou and your facility are ordered to immediately stop performing non-essential and elective surgical abortions .
Non-essential surgical abortions are those that can be delayed without undue risk to the current or future health of a patient , ” Yost wrote in the letters , which were obtained by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Women ’ s Med Center in Dayton , Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio ’ s Cincinnati Surgery Center , and Preterm in Cleveland .
It remains unclear whether medication abortion is still allowed in Ohio , as “ the pill ” would not require PPE to complete but can require a physical exam .
“ If you or your facility do not immediately stop performing non-essential or elective surgical abortions in compliance with the attached order , the Department of Health will take all appropriate measures , ” he warned the providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , said in a statement that the Health Department ’ s order does not prohibit it from providing abortion care , including surgical abortion .
The department ’ s order , issued Tuesday , was a broad directive telling all the state ’ s health care providers to cancel all “ non-essential surgeries and procedures ” effective 5 p.m. Wednesday .
It did not mention abortion or outline any specific procedures that were considered nonessential .
To decide the necessity of any given procedure , the order gave four example criteria : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life if surgery or procedure is not performed ; ” “ threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system ; ” “ risk of metastasis or progression of staging ; ” and “ risk of rapidly worsening to severe symptoms.
” NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland emphasized Saturday how limiting abortion access during a pandemic was “ reckless , ” as women could be forced to go out-of-state at a time when travel is actively discouraged .
“ People decide to end their pregnancies for a complex constellation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and birth on their health , ability to work , and strained economic circumstances .
These are conditions that do not go away ― and are likely heightened — in pandemic conditions , ” Copeland said in a statement .
She continued : “ Denying or delaying abortion care places an immediate burden on patients , their families , and the health system , and can have profound and lasting consequences.
” Reproductive rights groups have warned that the rapidly growing coronavirus outbreak could cripple abortion services , particularly in states where abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns have revolved around preventing doctors from contracting the virus , which would prohibit them from giving care for weeks on end .
Others have addressed how the issue of limited PPE is currently playing out in Ohio .
“ We worry that all health care resources are being channeled to nonelective procedures , and abortion tends to be classified as an elective procedure , ” Very Rev .
Katherine Hancock Ragsdale , president of the National Abortion Federation , previously told HuffPost .
“ We understand that abortion isn ’ t a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can be scheduled out .
But it can ’ t be scheduled out indefinitely .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
In an effort to ensure health care workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak have proper access to personal protective equipment, or PPE, authorities at both the state and federal level are asking doctors and patients to forego “nonessential” operations.
Ohio’s Department of Health, however, appears to be extending that order to what is widely considered essential health care: abortion.
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Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, sent letters dated Friday to three of the state’s abortion providers ordering them to stop providing surgical abortions effective immediately.
“[Y]ou and your facility are ordered to immediately stop performing non-essential and elective surgical abortions. Non-essential surgical abortions are those that can be delayed without undue risk to the current or future health of a patient,” Yost wrote in the letters, which were obtained by HuffPost. They were addressed separately to the Women’s Med Center in Dayton, Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio’s Cincinnati Surgery Center, and Preterm in Cleveland.
It remains unclear whether medication abortion is still allowed in Ohio, as “the pill” would not require PPE to complete but can require a physical exam.
Yost claimed he was enforcing an order from the Ohio Department of Health.
“If you or your facility do not immediately stop performing non-essential or elective surgical abortions in compliance with the attached order, the Department of Health will take all appropriate measures,” he warned the providers.
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Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio, however, said in a statement that the Health Department’s order does not prohibit it from providing abortion care, including surgical abortion.
The department’s order, issued Tuesday, was a broad directive telling all the state’s health care providers to cancel all “non-essential surgeries and procedures” effective 5 p.m. Wednesday. It did not mention abortion or outline any specific procedures that were considered nonessential.
To decide the necessity of any given procedure, the order gave four example criteria: “Threat to the patient’s life if surgery or procedure is not performed;” “threat of permanent dysfunction of an extremity or organ system;” “risk of metastasis or progression of staging;” and “risk of rapidly worsening to severe symptoms.”
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland emphasized Saturday how limiting abortion access during a pandemic was “reckless,” as women could be forced to go out-of-state at a time when travel is actively discouraged.
“People decide to end their pregnancies for a complex constellation of reasons that include the impact of pregnancy and birth on their health, ability to work, and strained economic circumstances. These are conditions that do not go away ― and are likely heightened — in pandemic conditions,” Copeland said in a statement.
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She continued: “Denying or delaying abortion care places an immediate burden on patients, their families, and the health system, and can have profound and lasting consequences.”
Reproductive rights groups have warned that the rapidly growing coronavirus outbreak could cripple abortion services, particularly in states where abortion is already hard to secure. Some concerns have revolved around preventing doctors from contracting the virus, which would prohibit them from giving care for weeks on end.
Others have addressed how the issue of limited PPE is currently playing out in Ohio.


huffpost--2020-04-03--Amazon Memo Shows Plans To Smear Worker Who Staged Walkout

“ Amazon would rather fire workers than face up to its total failure to do what it should to keep us , our families , and our communities safe , ” Smalls said in a statement obtained by HuffPost earlier this week .
“ I am outraged and disappointed , but I ’ m not shocked .
As usual , Amazon would rather sweep a problem under the rug than act to keep workers and working communities safe.
” In his notes from a meeting on the matter , Zapolsky wrote of efforts to convince the public that what Smalls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should spend the first part of our response strongly laying out the case for why the organizer ’ s conduct was immoral , unacceptable , and arguably illegal , in detail , and only then follow with our usual talking points about worker safety , ” Zapolsky wrote .
“ Make him the most interesting part of the story , and if possible make him the face of the entire union/organizing movement.
” In his response to questions from Vice News , Zapolsky said he let his emotions take over .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee would endanger the health and safety of other Amazonians by repeatedly returning to the premises after having been warned to quarantine himself after exposure to virus Covid-19 , ” the disease caused by the coronavirus , Zapolsky told the outlet .
“ I let my emotions draft my words and get the better of me .
”

“Amazon would rather fire workers than face up to its total failure to do what it should to keep us, our families, and our communities safe,” Smalls said in a statement obtained by HuffPost earlier this week. “I am outraged and disappointed, but I’m not shocked. As usual, Amazon would rather sweep a problem under the rug than act to keep workers and working communities safe.”
In his notes from a meeting on the matter, Zapolsky wrote of efforts to convince the public that what Smalls did was “immoral.”
“We should spend the first part of our response strongly laying out the case for why the organizer’s conduct was immoral, unacceptable, and arguably illegal, in detail, and only then follow with our usual talking points about worker safety,” Zapolsky wrote. “Make him the most interesting part of the story, and if possible make him the face of the entire union/organizing movement.”
In his response to questions from Vice News, Zapolsky said he let his emotions take over.
“I was frustrated and upset that an Amazon employee would endanger the health and safety of other Amazonians by repeatedly returning to the premises after having been warned to quarantine himself after exposure to virus Covid-19,” the disease caused by the coronavirus, Zapolsky told the outlet. “I let my emotions draft my words and get the better of me.”


huffpost--2020-04-03--UN Unanimously Adopts Resolution Urging Global Cooperation To Defeat COVID-19

UNITED NATIONS ( AP ) — The U.N. General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution Thursday recognizing “ the unprecedented effects ” of the coronavirus pandemic and calling for “ intensified international cooperation to contain , mitigate and defeat ” the COVID-19 disease .
It was the first resolution adopted by the 193-member world body on the pandemic that is sweeping the world and reflects global concern at the fast-rising death toll and number of cases .
The United Nations has resumed food deliveries to thousands of impoverished families in the Gaza Strip after a three-week delay caused by fears of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approve a rival resolution sponsored by Russia calling for U.N. solidarity in the face of the challenges posed by the new virus and urging an end to trade wars , protectionist practices and unilateral sanctions without U.N. Security Council approval .
Under new voting rules instituted because the General Assembly isn ’ t holding meetings , a resolution is defeated if even a single country objects to it .
Normally , assembly resolutions are adopted by majority votes or by consensus Diplomats said the European Union , United Kingdom , United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was co-sponsored by Central African Republic , Cuba , Nicaragua and Venezuela .
General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande sent a letter to member nations late Thursday saying that although an extension for objections to the Russian draft had been granted until Tuesday at 6 p.m. EDT , “ subsequent consultations with several delegations clearly indicated that further time will not facilitate the resolution of the differences expressed.
” Therefore , he said , the time for objections “ has come to an end , effective immediately , ” and the resolution remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday evening informing all U.N. member nations that there were no objections to the other resolution , titled “ Global Solidarity to fight the coronavirus disease ” and sponsored by Ghana , Indonesia , Liechtenstein , Norway , Singapore and Switzerland .
He said it was approved and is in effect .
The resolution reaffirms the General Assembly ’ s “ commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism and its strong support for the central role of the United Nations system in the global response to the coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID-19 ) pandemic.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guterres to lead the mobilization and coordination of a global response to the pandemic “ and its adverse social , economic and financial impact on all societies.
” The resolution recognizes COVID-19 ’ s “ severe disruption to societies and economies , as well as to global travel and commerce , and the devastating impact on the livelihood of people , ” and stresses that “ the poorest and most vulnerable are the hardest hit ” and must be helped .
The resolution also emphasizes the need to respect human rights and oppose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and xenophobia in the response to the pandemic.
” The 15-member Security Council is expected to discuss the pandemic sometime next week .
It is likely to have two resolutions to consider , one backed by the council ’ s 10 elected members and the other by permanent member France .

LOADING ERROR LOADING
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution Thursday recognizing “the unprecedented effects” of the coronavirus pandemic and calling for “intensified international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat” the COVID-19 disease.
It was the first resolution adopted by the 193-member world body on the pandemic that is sweeping the world and reflects global concern at the fast-rising death toll and number of cases.
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The United Nations has resumed food deliveries to thousands of impoverished families in the Gaza Strip after a three-week delay caused by fears of the coronavirus. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The assembly did not approve a rival resolution sponsored by Russia calling for U.N. solidarity in the face of the challenges posed by the new virus and urging an end to trade wars, protectionist practices and unilateral sanctions without U.N. Security Council approval.
Under new voting rules instituted because the General Assembly isn’t holding meetings, a resolution is defeated if even a single country objects to it. Normally, assembly resolutions are adopted by majority votes or by consensus
Diplomats said the European Union, United Kingdom, United States and Ukraine objected to the Russian draft, which was co-sponsored by Central African Republic, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
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General Assembly President Tijjani Muhammad-Bande sent a letter to member nations late Thursday saying that although an extension for objections to the Russian draft had been granted until Tuesday at 6 p.m. EDT, “subsequent consultations with several delegations clearly indicated that further time will not facilitate the resolution of the differences expressed.” Therefore, he said, the time for objections “has come to an end, effective immediately,” and the resolution remains defeated.
Bande sent a letter earlier Thursday evening informing all U.N. member nations that there were no objections to the other resolution, titled “Global Solidarity to fight the coronavirus disease” and sponsored by Ghana, Indonesia, Liechtenstein, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland. He said it was approved and is in effect.
The resolution reaffirms the General Assembly’s “commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism and its strong support for the central role of the United Nations system in the global response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.”
It calls on U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to lead the mobilization and coordination of a global response to the pandemic “and its adverse social, economic and financial impact on all societies.”
The resolution recognizes COVID-19’s “severe disruption to societies and economies, as well as to global travel and commerce, and the devastating impact on the livelihood of people,” and stresses that “the poorest and most vulnerable are the hardest hit” and must be helped.
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The resolution also emphasizes the need to respect human rights and oppose “any form of discrimination, racism and xenophobia in the response to the pandemic.”