huffpost--2020-04-28--Trump Tries To Wish Coronavirus Away As Death Toll Climbs

“ It ’ s going to disappear , ” he said of the coronavirus at the time as infection numbers began to trickle in .
“ One day it ’ s like a miracle , it will disappear.
” He repeated the claim again in March , urging calm as he and his administration continued to downplay the threat .
“ And we ’ re prepared , and we ’ re doing a great job with it , ” Trump said March 10 on Capitol Hill .
“ And it will go away .
Just stay calm .
It will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there were 1,300 confirmed cases , according to a CBS News timeline .
At an April 3 White House briefing , Trump claimed , “ I said it was going away , and it is going away , ” when there were more than 200,000 confirmed cases .
The president can ’ t simply wish the virus away , and he ’ d know that if he listened to his own medical professionals .
Last month , Dr. Anthony Fauci , who is helping to lead the U.S. response to this crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long fight .
“ I can say we will see more cases , and things will get worse than they are right now , ” Fauci told the House Oversight Committee in March .
“ How much worse it will get will depend on our ability to do two things : to contain the influx of people who are infected coming from the outside , and the ability to contain and mitigate within our own country.
” The president ’ s own proposals for combating the coronavirus are , at best , deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the health of Americans .
He has suggested ingesting disinfectant as a potential cure ( it ’ s not ; don ’ t try it ) and put his faith in the sun to solve this problem .
“ Looks like in April , you know in theory when it gets a little warmer it miraculously goes away , ” Trump falsely claimed at a campaign rally in February .
The comments prompted the National Academy of Sciences to send the White House a letter telling Trump that statement was wrong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to convince him .
Trump later suggested using UV light to kill the virus .
“ Supposing we hit the body with a tremendous force , whether it ’ s ultraviolet or just very powerful light , ” he said earlier this month .
The absurd claim led the World Health Organization to remind the public that sunlight won ’ t make people invulnerable to the virus .
“ You can catch COVID-19 , no matter how sunny or hot the weather is , ” WHO said .
“ Countries with hot weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president isn ’ t alone in wishing the virus would just go away ― we all do ― but to defeat this virus , he ’ ll need to stop hoping that wishes alone are all it takes .

“It’s going to disappear,” he said of the coronavirus at the time as infection numbers began to trickle in. “One day it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.”
He repeated the claim again in March, urging calm as he and his administration continued to downplay the threat.
“And we’re prepared, and we’re doing a great job with it,” Trump said March 10 on Capitol Hill. “And it will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away.”
By that time, there were 1,300 confirmed cases, according to a CBS News timeline.
At an April 3 White House briefing, Trump claimed, “I said it was going away, and it is going away,” when there were more than 200,000 confirmed cases.
The president can’t simply wish the virus away, and he’d know that if he listened to his own medical professionals. Last month, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is helping to lead the U.S. response to this crisis, told Congress to buckle up for a long fight.
“I can say we will see more cases, and things will get worse than they are right now,” Fauci told the House Oversight Committee in March. “How much worse it will get will depend on our ability to do two things: to contain the influx of people who are infected coming from the outside, and the ability to contain and mitigate within our own country.”
The president’s own proposals for combating the coronavirus are, at best, deeply misinformed and, at worst, dangerous to the health of Americans. He has suggested ingesting disinfectant as a potential cure (it’s not; don’t try it) and put his faith in the sun to solve this problem.
“Looks like in April, you know in theory when it gets a little warmer it miraculously goes away,” Trump falsely claimed at a campaign rally in February. The comments prompted the National Academy of Sciences to send the White House a letter telling Trump that statement was wrong.
But the letter didn’t seem to convince him. Trump later suggested using UV light to kill the virus.
“Supposing we hit the body with a tremendous force, whether it’s ultraviolet or just very powerful light,” he said earlier this month.
The absurd claim led the World Health Organization to remind the public that sunlight won’t make people invulnerable to the virus.
“You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is,” WHO said. “Countries with hot weather have reported cases of COVID-19.”
The president isn’t alone in wishing the virus would just go away ― we all do ― but to defeat this virus, he’ll need to stop hoping that wishes alone are all it takes.


huffpost--2020-04-27--Elizabeth Warren Demands To Know How Kushner Is Directing Medical Supplies

In letters sent Monday , Sens .
Elizabeth Warren ( Mass . )
and Richard Blumenthal ( Conn. ) asked six companies to explain how and where the Trump administration has decided to direct critically needed medical supplies now that the White House is deeply involved with managing the nation ’ s supply chain .
“ Given the ‘ unprecedented ’ nature of this partnership , and the numerous reported problems with states and hospital officials being unable to obtain personal protective equipment and other medical supplies , or having shipments of these materials seized by federal officials and spirited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need an explanation for how these supplies are obtained , priced , and distributed , ” the letters read .
The White House said April 6 that some states are requesting far more medical supplies than they need to fight the coronavirus pandemic , pushing back against criticism that the distribution of vital equipment has been chaotic .
“ In some cases , people are requesting 10 times what they actually need , ” presidential adviser Jared Kushner said , according to audio obtained by The Associated Press .
Kushner has touted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to critical supply shortages facing many hospitals .
Under the arrangement , the U.S. government pays to ship orders of supplies like masks , gowns , gloves and respirators from overseas .
The companies ordering the supplies — giants such as McKesson Corporation and Cardinal Health — still pay for those orders and are permitted to sell half to buyers that have already placed orders .
The companies must then sell the other half to hard-hit regions prioritized by the federal government .
But Project Airbridge is subject to little public oversight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ considers “ hot spots ” or what controls it is placing on supplies being flown into the country with taxpayer money .
Warren and Blumenthal asked companies to clarify whether they are hiking up the prices of those supplies .
The senators are also seeking transparency on how much equipment Project Airbridge has moved , how companies are selected , and which hard-hit regions of the country are receiving half the equipment .
The senators sent their requests to Cardinal Health , Concordance , Henry Schein , McKesson , Medline , and Owens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and distributors , and set a May 8 deadline for responses .
Kushner has taken on a vast behind-the-scenes role in managing the Trump administration ’ s response to the coronavirus crisis , including how to get critical medical supplies to thousands of struggling hospitals .
Watchdogs are concerned that Kushner is consulting individuals who are self-interested health care profiteers .
And the supply chain is riddled with holes , accusations of price-gouging , and reports that the Trump administration is seizing orders of protective gear from states in need .
So far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requests for more transparency about its response .
House Democrats requested similar information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency this month about Kushner ’ s role in directing the acquisition , distribution or sale of personal protective equipment or medical supplies .
So far , the agency has ignored those questions .

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Two Democratic senators are demanding that the country’s largest medical equipment providers shed light on the White House’s role in distributing life-saving supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.
In letters sent Monday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) asked six companies to explain how and where the Trump administration has decided to direct critically needed medical supplies now that the White House is deeply involved with managing the nation’s supply chain.
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“Given the ‘unprecedented’ nature of this partnership, and the numerous reported problems with states and hospital officials being unable to obtain personal protective equipment and other medical supplies, or having shipments of these materials seized by federal officials and spirited to unknown destinations, the American people need an explanation for how these supplies are obtained, priced, and distributed,” the letters read.
The senators’ questions revolve around Project Airbridge, a public-private partnership overseen by President Donald Trump’s close adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to accelerate overseas shipments of supplies like personal protective equipment.
The White House said April 6 that some states are requesting far more medical supplies than they need to fight the coronavirus pandemic, pushing back against criticism that the distribution of vital equipment has been chaotic. “In some cases, people are requesting 10 times what they actually need,” presidential adviser Jared Kushner said, according to audio obtained by The Associated Press. AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File
Kushner has touted the partnership as an “unprecedented” answer to critical supply shortages facing many hospitals. Under the arrangement, the U.S. government pays to ship orders of supplies like masks, gowns, gloves and respirators from overseas. The companies ordering the supplies — giants such as McKesson Corporation and Cardinal Health — still pay for those orders and are permitted to sell half to buyers that have already placed orders. The companies must then sell the other half to hard-hit regions prioritized by the federal government.
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But Project Airbridge is subject to little public oversight. The administration has not publicized what it considers “hot spots” or what controls it is placing on supplies being flown into the country with taxpayer money.
Warren and Blumenthal asked companies to clarify whether they are hiking up the prices of those supplies. The senators are also seeking transparency on how much equipment Project Airbridge has moved, how companies are selected, and which hard-hit regions of the country are receiving half the equipment.
The senators sent their requests to Cardinal Health, Concordance, Henry Schein, McKesson, Medline, and Owens & Minor, all major medical wholesalers and distributors, and set a May 8 deadline for responses.
Kushner has taken on a vast behind-the-scenes role in managing the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis, including how to get critical medical supplies to thousands of struggling hospitals.
Watchdogs are concerned that Kushner is consulting individuals who are self-interested health care profiteers. And the supply chain is riddled with holes, accusations of price-gouging, and reports that the Trump administration is seizing orders of protective gear from states in need.
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So far, the administration is not complying with requests for more transparency about its response.
House Democrats requested similar information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency this month about Kushner’s role in directing the acquisition, distribution or sale of personal protective equipment or medical supplies. So far, the agency has ignored those questions.


huffpost--2020-04-18--U.S.-Canada Border Will Stay Closed To Nonessential Travel For Another 30 Days

TORONTO ( AP ) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday the U.S. and Canada have agreed to keep their border closed to nonessential travel for another 30 days and he said it will be undoubtedly longer before the restriction is removed .
Trudeau said it will keep people on both sides of the border safe amid the pandemic .
“ The agreement is the same terms .
It ’ s just extended for another 30 days .
It will ensure we continue to get essential goods and services back and forth across the border , ” Trudeau said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will remain in place for “ many , many weeks to come ” and then said in English it will “ undoubtedly ” be many weeks .
U.S. President Donald Trump said this past Wednesday that the U.S.-Canada border will be among the first borders to open and said the U.S. and Canada are doing well in handling the pandemic .
The U.S. has more confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 than any country in the world .
The U.S. and Canada agreed last month to limit border crossings to essential travel amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to expire this coming week .
Nearly 200,000 people cross that border daily in normal times .
Many of Canada ’ s cases have come from those returning from the U.S and there is a concern that Trudeau might reopen the border again amid pressure from Trump .
“ We will continue to take the measures necessary to keep Canadians safe while ensuring the continued flow of our essential supply chains on which so many Canadians depend , ” Trudeau said .
Essential cross-border workers like healthcare professionals , airline crews and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross .
Truck drivers are critical as they supply grocery stores and medical goods in both directions .
Much of Canada ’ s food supply comes from or via the U.S. Canadians who live in the U.S. for part of the year and are returning to Canada are among those who are also exempted from the current travel ban .
Canada sends 75 % of its exports to the U.S. and about 18 % of American exports go to Canada .
The U.S. Canada border is world ’ s longest between two nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases including more than 1,308 deaths .
The country has conducted more than 507,000 tests .

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TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday the U.S. and Canada have agreed to keep their border closed to nonessential travel for another 30 days and he said it will be undoubtedly longer before the restriction is removed.
Trudeau said it will keep people on both sides of the border safe amid the pandemic.
“The agreement is the same terms. It’s just extended for another 30 days. It will ensure we continue to get essential goods and services back and forth across the border,” Trudeau said.
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Trudeau said in French the restrictions will remain in place for “many, many weeks to come” and then said in English it will “undoubtedly” be many weeks.
Justin Trudeau speaks at a press conference on April 10. Justin Tang/The Canadian Press vía AP
U.S. President Donald Trump said this past Wednesday that the U.S.-Canada border will be among the first borders to open and said the U.S. and Canada are doing well in handling the pandemic. The U.S. has more confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 than any country in the world.
The U.S. and Canada agreed last month to limit border crossings to essential travel amid the pandemic, but that agreement was due to expire this coming week. Nearly 200,000 people cross that border daily in normal times.
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Many of Canada’s cases have come from those returning from the U.S and there is a concern that Trudeau might reopen the border again amid pressure from Trump.
“We will continue to take the measures necessary to keep Canadians safe while ensuring the continued flow of our essential supply chains on which so many Canadians depend,” Trudeau said.
Essential cross-border workers like healthcare professionals, airline crews and truck drivers will still be permitted to cross. Truck drivers are critical as they supply grocery stores and medical goods in both directions. Much of Canada’s food supply comes from or via the U.S.
Canadians who live in the U.S. for part of the year and are returning to Canada are among those who are also exempted from the current travel ban.
Canada sends 75% of its exports to the U.S. and about 18% of American exports go to Canada. The U.S. Canada border is world’s longest between two nations.
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Trudeau said the border restrictions have helped.


huffpost--2020-04-18--The Fight To Stop Fossil Fuel Financing Is Poised To Get Some Powerful New Allies

On Monday , lawmakers in the nation ’ s largest city are set to introduce a resolution to formally demand the banks , asset managers and insurance giants with which the city government does business divest from oil , gas and coal .
The resolution , shared with HuffPost in advance , names banking behemoth JPMorgan Chase , asset manager BlackRock and insurer Liberty Mutual as targets of the statement .
The move comes as top U.S. banks , including JPMorgan Chase , are preparing to seize oil and gas producers crushed by plummeting oil prices .
As New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic soars past 10,000 , the legislators behind the resolution hope to lay the groundwork for how “ we can emerge more prepared to do what we know we have to do to mitigate and prepare for the devastating consequences of the climate crisis that ’ s coming , ” Brad Lander , the councilman from Brooklyn ’ s Park Slope neighborhood , told HuffPost .
“ We are in the midst of a devastating short-term crisis … but the most devastating long-term risk to New York is the climate crisis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the bill .
“ If we ’ re going to have any chance at actually bending the curve on CO2 emissions , we have to confront the capital that is driving it at its scale.
” The bill ― which already has 10 co-sponsors ― would itself do little beyond taking a principled stand .
But if passed , the resolution would add momentum to a fast-growing campaign to shame and pressure the institutions that climate activist and writer Bill McKibben described in The New Yorker last September as providing the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warming burns.
” The widely-circulated essay signaled the opening of a new front in the decade-long campaign to pressure investors to stop funding the extraction of more oil , gas and coal at a moment when scientists say the world needs to rapidly phase out fossil fuels .
The resolution could open the door to policy ideas that once seemed fringe in the capital of global finance .
The city would likely face new pressure to redirect its banking services from JPMorgan Chase to an alternative such as Amalgamated Bank , which in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel free ” portfolios .
It could spur new calls for the city to establish its own municipal public bank , which would , in theory , fund clean infrastructure in poor neighborhoods where traditional investment historically displaces residents , if it happens at all .
“ It ’ s a different and , in some ways , much harder problem , where to put money in and not just take money out , ” said Pete Sikora , a senior adviser to the climate and housing nonprofit New York Communities for Change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a contradiction here , because capitalism isn ’ t set up to fund fair and just results .
It ’ s set up to make money for people who own capital.
” A public bank , he said , would help to “ use the system to produce better results.
” But it ’ s a complicated and costly proposition in a city whose resources are already stretched thin battling both the pandemic and an openly hostile president with little support among voters in his hometown .
If we ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curve on CO2 emissions , we have to confront the capital that is driving it at its scale .
“ There ’ s a unique role around finance that the comptroller ’ s office of New York City has in particular , this being the headquarters of massive amounts of corporate finance , ” Lander said , noting that Stringer made significant progress but could have “ moved faster.
” During his time as the city ’ s chief fiscal and auditing officer , Stringer began the byzantine process of divesting roughly $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds from fossil fuel companies , a step he ’ s likely to highlight early next year when campaigning begins in earnest .
Council Speaker Corey Johnson , another top mayoral contender , shepherded several major climate bills through the legislature last year , an achievement he ’ s also likely to promote as he pitches himself to voters still scarred by the memory of 2012 ’ s deadly Superstorm Sandy .

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The fight to force financiers and insurers to abandon fossil fuels may soon get some powerful new recruits: the New York City Council.
On Monday, lawmakers in the nation’s largest city are set to introduce a resolution to formally demand the banks, asset managers and insurance giants with which the city government does business divest from oil, gas and coal.
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The resolution, shared with HuffPost in advance, names banking behemoth JPMorgan Chase, asset manager BlackRock and insurer Liberty Mutual as targets of the statement. The move comes as top U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase, are preparing to seize oil and gas producers crushed by plummeting oil prices.
As New York City’s death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic soars past 10,000, the legislators behind the resolution hope to lay the groundwork for how “we can emerge more prepared to do what we know we have to do to mitigate and prepare for the devastating consequences of the climate crisis that’s coming,” Brad Lander, the councilman from Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, told HuffPost.
“We are in the midst of a devastating short-term crisis … but the most devastating long-term risk to New York is the climate crisis,” said Lander, the lead author of the bill. “If we’re going to have any chance at actually bending the curve on CO2 emissions, we have to confront the capital that is driving it at its scale.”
The sun sets over Manhattan. Gary Hershorn via Getty Images
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The bill ― which already has 10 co-sponsors ― would itself do little beyond taking a principled stand. But if passed, the resolution would add momentum to a fast-growing campaign to shame and pressure the institutions that climate activist and writer Bill McKibben described in The New Yorker last September as providing the “oxygen on which the fire of global warming burns.” The widely-circulated essay signaled the opening of a new front in the decade-long campaign to pressure investors to stop funding the extraction of more oil, gas and coal at a moment when scientists say the world needs to rapidly phase out fossil fuels.
The resolution could open the door to policy ideas that once seemed fringe in the capital of global finance. The city would likely face new pressure to redirect its banking services from JPMorgan Chase to an alternative such as Amalgamated Bank, which in 2018 started offering “100% fossil fuel free” portfolios. It could spur new calls for the city to establish its own municipal public bank, which would, in theory, fund clean infrastructure in poor neighborhoods where traditional investment historically displaces residents, if it happens at all.
“It’s a different and, in some ways, much harder problem, where to put money in and not just take money out,” said Pete Sikora, a senior adviser to the climate and housing nonprofit New York Communities for Change. “There’s something of a contradiction here, because capitalism isn’t set up to fund fair and just results. It’s set up to make money for people who own capital.”
A public bank, he said, would help to “use the system to produce better results.” But it’s a complicated and costly proposition in a city whose resources are already stretched thin battling both the pandemic and an openly hostile president with little support among voters in his hometown.
The resolution, then, could serve as a “shot across the bow” at the financial giants that benefit from New York City’s “colossal business purchasing,” Sikora said.
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“If we’re going to have any chance at actually bending the curve on CO2 emissions, we have to confront the capital that is driving it at its scale.” - New York City Councilman Brad Lander
The resolution offers a preview of New York City’s major election next year, suggesting climate change will be a major campaign theme in open races for positions including mayor, comptroller and 35 of the City Council’s 51 seats.
Lander, a progressive firebrand, is considered a top candidate to succeed Comptroller Scott Stringer, who is himself one of three leading candidates for mayor.
“There’s a unique role around finance that the comptroller’s office of New York City has in particular, this being the headquarters of massive amounts of corporate finance,” Lander said, noting that Stringer made significant progress but could have “moved faster.”
“I would make the climate crisis the number one issue focus of the office,” Lander added.
During his time as the city’s chief fiscal and auditing officer, Stringer began the byzantine process of divesting roughly $5 billion in city workers’ pension funds from fossil fuel companies, a step he’s likely to highlight early next year when campaigning begins in earnest. Council Speaker Corey Johnson, another top mayoral contender, shepherded several major climate bills through the legislature last year, an achievement he’s also likely to promote as he pitches himself to voters still scarred by the memory of 2012’s deadly Superstorm Sandy.


huffpost--2020-04-20--Trump Admin Reportedly Got Coronavirus Warnings Straight From U.S. Experts At WHO

“ The focus of all political parties should be to save their people , ” Tedros said .
“ Please @ @ @ @ @ virus .
If you don ’ t want many more body bags , then you @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s attacks on WHO have been criticized by world leaders and U.S. politicians @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s handling of the pandemic also has been widely condemned .
Trump gutted @ @ @ @ @ preparing for pandemics .
And once the coronavirus began spreading , WHO and U.S. intelligence @ @ @ @ @ threat .
Even Trump ’ s top trade official alerted the White House of the @ @ @ @ @ , but the president downplayed the virus and failed to act swiftly .

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Medical experts from the U.S. working at the World Health Organization were sending information about the emerging coronavirus outbreak in China late last year directly to Trump administration officials, The Washington Post reported, as the president tries to shift the blame for his shambolic COVID-19 response to WHO.
More than a dozen U.S. experts, mostly a regular rotation of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention staffers assigned to work at WHO’s headquarters in Geneva, provided real-time updates to CDC and administration officials in the U.S. — including Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, according to the Post.
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President Donald Trump, facing widespread criticism for his government’s inadequate response to the pandemic, has attempted to shift blame, targeting the WHO and state governors. Last week, he announced the U.S. was freezing funding to WHO.
But Trump’s complaint that WHO’s early warnings about the coronavirus relied too heavily on China is undermined by the Post’s revelation that American experts were relaying information directly to his administration.
An HHS spokesperson told the Post the Americans assigned to WHO were not “decision-makers.” The spokesperson also echoed Trump, saying that WHO’s “information was incorrect and relied too heavily on China.”
China, where the coronavirus outbreak originated, has come under growing scrutiny for underreporting its COVID-19 cases and distorting aspects of its response. Trump, who often touts his relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, initially accepted Xi’s claims and praised the country’s handling of the outbreak.
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In recent weeks, Trump has lashed out at the WHO, expressing anger that it did not praise his decision to partially restrict travel from China. The president has repeatedly held up the restriction as an example of his “decisive action.”
“So much death has been caused by their mistakes,” Trump said at a news briefing last week, claiming without evidence that WHO’s reliance on information from China “likely caused a twentyfold increase in cases worldwide.”
On Saturday, Trump again assailed WHO, claiming “we’re just finding more and more problems,” without specifying any of them.
After Trump criticized WHO earlier this month, the organization’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urged world leaders not to politicize the response to the coronavirus.


huffpost--2020-04-20--This Horse May Soon Be Popping Up In Your Zoom Meetings

INDIAN TRAIL , N.C. ( AP ) — A miniature donkey named Mambo is getting some online love in North Carolina , where a farm is getting in on the idea of having animals spice up tedious virtual meetings during the coronavirus pandemic .
Peace N Peas Farm will rent Mambo , the 8-year-old miniature donkey , and his friends to crash company conference calls , The Charlotte Observer reported .
This camera crowding donkey is “ like a pesky little brother ” that “ doesn ’ t let anyone relax too long , ” Francie Dunlap , Mambo ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose other farm animals they want to invite as guests on their video calls .
According to the farm animal ’ s meeting registration website , they include three horses , Heiren , Zeus and Eddie , along with some chickens and ducks .
“ I think it would get some laughs , ” Dunlap said .
Customers can reserve 10 minutes with the animals for $ 50 , and Dunlap said co-workers can also choose a virtual meeting name for the farm animal .
Since she created the website on Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from teachers who want the animals to crash their virtual classrooms .
The Peace N Peas Farm in Indian Trails , N.C. is renting out animals like this brown horse named Zeus to make surprise appearances in virtual meetings during the coronavirus pandemic .

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INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. (AP) — A miniature donkey named Mambo is getting some online love in North Carolina, where a farm is getting in on the idea of having animals spice up tedious virtual meetings during the coronavirus pandemic.
Peace N Peas Farm will rent Mambo, the 8-year-old miniature donkey, and his friends to crash company conference calls, The Charlotte Observer reported. This camera crowding donkey is “like a pesky little brother” that “doesn’t let anyone relax too long,” Francie Dunlap, Mambo’s owner, said.
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Companies can choose other farm animals they want to invite as guests on their video calls. According to the farm animal’s meeting registration website, they include three horses, Heiren, Zeus and Eddie, along with some chickens and ducks.
“I think it would get some laughs,” Dunlap said. Customers can reserve 10 minutes with the animals for $50, and Dunlap said co-workers can also choose a virtual meeting name for the farm animal.
Since she created the website on Saturday, Dunlap said she has also gotten requests from teachers who want the animals to crash their virtual classrooms.


huffpost--2020-04-20--Amazon Tribes Say Christian Missionaries Threaten 'Genocide' During Pandemic

FLORENCE GOISNARD via Getty Images View of Carauari town where residents fear the reach and spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ Brazil on March 16 .
Amazonas state has declared an emergency that includes a temporary @ @ @ @ @ reserves , and the national indigenous association , APIB , has cancelled meetings and assemblies @ @ @ @ @ people .
“ The Bible says to go to the uttermost and the uncontacted fit @ @ @ @ @ ” Everett , the former missionary , said .
“ People would say , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ willing to wait a bit , but how many people are going to die before @ @ @ @ @ the ones who die before I get there are going to hell , so I @ @ @ @ @ there and save them .
And if I have to die or a couple of @ @ @ @ @ well , that ’ s just the way the cookie crumbles .
’ ”

The novel coronavirus outbreak has intensified a decadeslong battle between indigenous tribes and evangelical Christian missionaries in the most remote regions of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, as tribes warning of the virus’s potential to cause their “genocide” have pushed to ban controversial religious groups from entering their lands.
On Thursday, a Brazilian judge granted the tribes’ wishes, barring missionaries from entering the Javari Valley, a remote region along Brazil’s border with Peru that is home to numerous indigenous tribes and at least 16 groups of isolated peoples ― those who have no known contact with outside communities.
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The ruling specifically named three missionaries, as well as New Tribes Mission of Brazil, a 67-year-old fundamentalist Christian organization that is affiliated with a larger evangelical missionary group in the United States. New Tribes also has deep ties to the right-wing government of President Jair Bolsonaro, who in February tapped Ricardo Lopes Dias, a former New Tribes missionary, to head the agency that is supposed to protect Brazil’s isolated peoples.
Tribal groups in the Javari Valley and across Brazil have long opposed encroachments from missionaries. Their concerns about New Tribes intensified in the early months of 2020, The Guardian reported, thanks to the coronavirus outbreak and the group’s recent purchase of a helicopter it said would help it reach tribes in corners of the valley it hasn’t previously accessed. The organization bought the chopper after raising more than $2 million alongside Ethnos360, a U.S.-based missionary group that was until recently known as New Tribes Mission, and of which New Tribes Mission of Brazil is an affiliate.
UNIVAJA, a group of indigenous tribes from across the Javari Valley region, sought the injunction after the Brazilian newspaper O Globo reported that missionaries from New Tribes Mission of Brazil had continued to fly the helicopter on missions across the valley in late March, in trips the newspaper said may have occurred in violation of government aviation regulations and restrictions on contact with indigenous tribes during the pandemic.
New Tribes Mission of Brazil denies that the flights have continued, and said in a statement to HuffPost that it ordered missionaries to leave indigenous lands in March. But the organization’s history in Brazil has sown deep mistrust among indigenous leaders there, who argue that the potential dangers missionaries pose to tribal groups during the pandemic should force the world to understand their opposition to religious intrusion even in normal times.
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“We have long denounced these religious organizations for violating Brazilian laws, disrespecting our internal relationships, ways of life and forms of thinking about the world,” UNIVAJA said in a statement after the ruling. “Now these groups physically expose us to a lethal virus that is ravaging humanity. … We are survivors of previous genocidal plagues. We will continue denouncing the unwelcome missionaries, who harm us and our homeland.”
Brazil now has more than 30,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, although the actual number is likely far higher. The virus has reached the Amazon ― in Manaus, the forest region’s largest city, hospitals are already near their capacity ― and cases among indigenous tribes have tripled in the last week. If it continues to spread into remote regions like the Javari Valley and other areas with large indigenous populations, it could be disastrous for communities that are already neglected by the Brazilian government.
“If the coronavirus goes to indigenous lands, it will be a tragedy because we have no protected area, no proper investment in health and equipment to protect the indigenous,” said Joenia Wapichana, who became the first indigenous woman ever elected to Brazil’s Congress in 2018.
The dispute is not just about a helicopter and a missionary organization. It’s also about Bolsonaro’s ongoing evisceration of Brazil’s existing infrastructure to protect its indigenous tribes and isolated peoples, and the deep fears many indigenous tribes have of both missionary groups and the current government ― two perceived enemies that became even more closely linked with Lopes Dias’ appointment on the eve of Brazil’s COVID-19 outbreak.
“I’m very, very worried,” said Beatriz de Almeida Matos, an anthropologist at Brazil’s Federal University of Para who has studied indigenous cultures in the Javari Valley. “We know from history that this kind of contact is very, very dangerous.”
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“They think they are doing what God’s sending them to do,” said Matos, who also works for the Observatory of Policies for Isolated Indigenous Peoples, a nonprofit organization. “So they don’t care about the disease. They don’t care about coronavirus. They don’t care about death. They are certain they are doing what God sends them to do on Earth.”
‘Highly Active Culture Change Agents’
Headquartered in Sanford, Florida, Ethnos360 has deployed Christian missionaries to Brazil and other parts of the world since its founding in 1942. Its main mission is to reach people in areas where there are no existing translations of the Bible, and it focuses heavily on indigenous populations. It claims to have translated the New Testament into 88 “ethnic languages” and says it is in the process of translating it into 114 more, according to Ministry Watch, which compiles information on Christian charities.
The group’s beliefs are rooted in a literalist reading of Biblical texts, said Daniel Everett, a linguist and former Christian missionary who became familiar with New Tribes Mission during his time in the Brazilian Amazon.
“They’re an extremely conservative, fundamentalist evangelical group,” Everett, who is now an atheist, told HuffPost. “They’re out to definitely convert tribespeople of Brazil to evangelical Christianity as they know it from the USA.”
The organization’s efforts are rigorous: It has constructed a replica version of a Brazilian indigenous village in Pennsylvania to train missionaries, the BBC Brazil reported in 2018. New Tribes missionaries spend years trying to make contact with indigenous peoples, learning their language, translating the Gospel into that language, and converting locals to Christianity. They often entice members with food, medicines and basic tools that tribes otherwise wouldn’t be able to access, Everett said.
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“They’re highly active culture change agents,” he said. “And they’re unapologetic about that.”
Ethnos360, which did not respond to requests for comment, is funded almost entirely by charitable donations. In 2018, the U.S. operation took in nearly $60 million in contributions, according to Ministry Watch.
The U.S. group changed its name in recent years after a widespread and heavily publicized investigation into allegations of rampant child sexual abuse within its international chapters.
Ethnos360 “has a long and harsh track record” across South America, said Fiona Watson, a Brazil researcher at Survival International, a nonprofit that advocates for the protection of isolated peoples and has campaigned against New Tribes for decades. The New Tribes Mission of Brazil is “probably the most aggressive and hardline of all the evangelical missionary organizations” in the country, Watson said, and its history there is also marked by controversy.
In the 1980s, missionaries from New Tribes made contact with the Zo’é indigenous people in northern Brazil. The group’s missionaries were eventually expelled in 1991, after nearly one-quarter of the tribe’s members died from various infectious disease outbreaks, according to Survival International. Another New Tribes representative in Brazil was imprisoned after he placed indigenous peoples in slavelike conditions.
“The helicopter would 'open the door' for missionaries 'to reach 10 additional people groups living in extreme isolation,' Ethnos360 said on its website.”
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Still, the New Tribes Mission of Brazil feels it has not kept pace with evangelical movements (many also backed by U.S. groups) that have made inroads in Brazil’s urban centers. The country’s indigenous people speak more than 180 languages, but “only 26 have the complete New Testament translated into their languages,” a blog post on its website laments.
The helicopter was the key to rapidly advancing New Tribes’ work in the Javari Valley. The chopper would “open the door” for its missionaries “to reach 10 additional people groups living in extreme isolation,” Ethnos360 said on its website. In a YouTube video that promoted the fundraising drive, an American missionary noted that the Javari Valley was home to “the highest concentration of uncontacted people groups anywhere in the world.”
“This is why we need a helicopter,” said the missionary, who also said he had worked for Ethnos360 in Brazil since 2006. The group exceeded its $2 million goal. (In a similar fundraiser for its chapter in the Philippines, Ethnos360 refers to a helicopter as “The Barrier Crusher.”)
Missionaries from New Tribes visited at least one indigenous village in the Javari Valley in late February, not long before Brazil reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19, according to local tribal leaders.
On March 17, as the coronavirus outbreak spread across Brazil, the country’s justice and health ministries ordered nonindigenous Brazilians to avoid making contact with tribes in order to protect them from the outbreak. New Tribes Mission of Brazil, however, continued flying to the Javari Valley anyway, O Globo reported last week.
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Edward Luz, the head of New Tribes Mission of Brazil, initially told the newspaper that all of New Tribes’ missionaries had left the region in late February. O Globo, however, reported that at least one missionary had remained into mid-March, prompting Luz to say that the group had flown a final rescue mission to remove him on March 19. After O Globo’s report was published, Luz disputed the paper’s reporting in an online statement. But he also changed the date of the final flight again, saying that the last missionary and two others left the valley via helicopter on March 23.
Citing an unnamed source in the region, O Globo reported that the same helicopter made at least three trips in the Javari Valley in the final days of March and in early April. A spokesman for FUNAI, the government agency charged with protecting indigenous lands and rights in Brazil, told HuffPost that it authorized no such trips during that window, and was not aware of any that were made.
A view of the Parque Taruma cemetery during the COVID-19 outbreak, in Manaus, Brazil, April 17. Bruno Kelly / Reuters
Eliana Camejo, a spokeswoman for New Tribes Mission of Brazil, denied that any flights had been made during that period in a written response to questions from HuffPost. She said that the trip on March 23 had been logged and approved in accordance with Brazilian regulations. Camejo said that New Tribes Mission of Brazil had ordered its missionaries out of indigenous lands on March 20, and that all of them had left following that order. Echoing Luz, she noted that New Tribes missionaries were gone before the areas reported their first COVID-19 cases.
New Tribes has “NEVER” tried to reach isolated peoples, and was not doing so in the Javari Valley, Camejo said. The trips it had taken had been authorized by local indigenous leaders in a community the organization has worked with for 60 years, she said. Camejo said the organization had provided that information to O Globo before its report, and that it has asked O Globo for space in the newspaper to dispute its reporting.
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Ethnos360 and New Tribes Mission of Brazil partnered to purchase the helicopter, Camejo said. But while the two groups are “sister organizations” that “share affinities” and the “same goals,” she said they are separately governed and funded. “MNTB is Brazilian, supported almost entirely by donations from the Brazilian Evangelical Church,” Camejo said.
Because most of the Javari Valley’s indigenous tribes are opposed to the presence of the missionaries, the tribes would likely know if New Tribes continued to make “surreptitious efforts” to reach any indigenous groups in spite of the government’s restrictions, Watson said. But, she added, New Tribes Mission’s missionaries are also “experts in operating ‘under the radar.’”
Neither FUNAI nor other outside organizations were aware that New Tribes had made contact with the Zo’é people until years after they first reached them in 1987, and only discovered that they had once widespread disease outbreaks hammered the tribe, Watson said.
In response to the judge’s ruling, Camejo said that New Tribes would reiterate to UNIVAJA and the court that it does not work with isolated peoples and had left the area by March 23.
If The New Tribes Mission of Brazil avoids work with isolated tribes, in accordance with the Brazilian constitution, that would break from its American partner: Ethnos360, which used to publish a magazine called “Brown Gold,” states that its goal is to reach “the last tribe regardless of where that tribe might be.”
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Increased Danger From A Far-Right Government
FUNAI has traditionally taken a skeptical stance toward foreign missionaries, but protecting indigenous and isolated tribes in an area as vast as the Amazon and a country as large as Brazil is difficult even in the best of times.
There are deep fears among indigenous groups now that, under Bolsonaro and Lopes Dias, FUNAI won’t even try to uphold the regulations protecting indigenous tribes and isolated peoples.
Bolsonaro has a long history of disparaging indigenous peoples with racist and xenophobic language, and gutting agencies and regulations that protect indigenous Brazilians and the Amazon is a central goal of his presidency.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro speaks after joining his supporters who were taking part in a motorcade to protest against quarantine and social distancing measures to combat the new coronavirus outbreak in Brasilia on April 19. EVARISTO SA via Getty Images
Agencies like FUNAI have suffered severe budget cuts that have limited their enforcement capabilities, and Bolsonaro, who has sought to open the Amazon and indigenous lands to mining and agriculture interests, folded FUNAI into a new ministry of human rights headed by Damares Alves, a conservative evangelical pastor and former missionary. (Brazil’s Congress has since moved FUNAI back into the Ministry of Justice.)
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The first year of Bolsonaro’s presidency was the deadliest in more than two decades for indigenous people, and raids from invading miners, loggers and other industrial interests put their lives and their lands even further at risk from violence and infectious diseases even before the pandemic began.
Leaders from New Tribes Mission of Brazil openly celebrated the February appointment of Lopes Dias, who had spent 10 years as a missionary with the group. Tribal organizations and researchers, though, were distraught and fearful.
Lopes Dias was trained as an anthropologist, but “the only experience he has working with indigenous peoples in the field was as a missionary,” Matos, the anthropologist, said. “This is a very, very technical area. You have to know the specific realities of these people. We’ve never had someone like this ― someone who was totally against [FUNAI] policy ― in this position. And missionary work is something that is totally against this policy.”
“Now that everyone’s social distancing, that’s what these people have been doing for the last 100 years. It’s extreme social distancing based on genocidal experience.” - Andrew Miller, Amazon Watch
Further undermining FUNAI’s mission wouldn’t be that hard for someone who opposes it. He’d just need to “close his eyes and do nothing,” Matos said. “To protect, you have to act. You have to forbid. You have to watch the territory. You have to block the people who invade the territory. You have to act for the protected people. You have to act to protect the land.”
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After years of fierce opposition from indigenous tribes and the Brazilian government, miners, loggers and industrial interests now have the open support of Bolsonaro, and they have taken advantage: Illegal raids from miners and loggers that were already more common under Bolsonaro have continued in the early stages of the pandemic, because the people “promoting deforestation in the Amazon are not quarantined,” said Marcio Astrini, the executive secretary of the Climate Observatory, a Brazil-based environmental nonprofit. “They know the government and the state aren’t there operating during the pandemic.”
Lopes Dias’ appointment, which Brazil’s Federal Public Ministry has tried to cancel over his lack of relevant experience, has inspired fears that missionary groups now feel they have the same license, and will be eager to use it. “I am sure [missionaries] feel empowered,” Watson said.
The danger the coronavirus poses has sparked increasing calls to respect isolated tribes’ wish to be left alone ― a desire that is rooted in past contact they had with outsiders who brought diseases that threatened to wipe them out ― and for missionaries and the people who financially support them to understand why uncontacted tribes are isolated in the first place.
“Now that everyone’s social distancing, that’s what these people have been doing for the last 100 years,” said Andrew Miller, the advocacy director at Amazon Watch, a U.S.-based nonprofit that works with indigenous tribes in Brazil. “It’s extreme social distancing based on genocidal experience.”
But even if they’ve left indigenous lands for now, fundamentalist missionaries won’t likely see the coronavirus outbreak as a reason to stop proselytizing. At least not for long.
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huffpost--2020-04-07--How To Wear Face Masks Without Fogging Up Your Glasses

This method likely won ’ t last all day , but it should be good for a few hours before you rewash your lenses with soap and water .
This trick is similar to one that swimmers use to keep their goggles from fogging up .
You could also purchase a commercial anti-fog chemical to spray on your lenses .
But soap is a lot more accessible .
2 .
Fold down the top portion of your mask .
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department suggests that if the top of your mask fits loosely , simply fold down the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This doesn ’ t apply to masks with a metal nose piece , but it creates extra space for your breath to escape out of your mask before it comes into contact with your glasses .
The only downside is that this method reduces the size of your mask .
The edges of a face mask should always fit snugly and cover all of your nose and mouth , so if folding the mask inhibits your safety , try another method .
This method ( and the next ) is demonstrated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video from C Channel on YouTube .

This method likely won’t last all day, but it should be good for a few hours before you rewash your lenses with soap and water.
This trick is similar to one that swimmers use to keep their goggles from fogging up. You could also purchase a commercial anti-fog chemical to spray on your lenses. But soap is a lot more accessible.
2. Fold down the top portion of your mask.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department suggests that if the top of your mask fits loosely, simply fold down the top fourth of the mask before wearing it. This doesn’t apply to masks with a metal nose piece, but it creates extra space for your breath to escape out of your mask before it comes into contact with your glasses.
The only downside is that this method reduces the size of your mask. The edges of a face mask should always fit snugly and cover all of your nose and mouth, so if folding the mask inhibits your safety, try another method. This method (and the next) is demonstrated in the first 30 seconds of this Japanese video from C Channel on YouTube.


huffpost--2020-04-07--GOP Uses Coronavirus Pandemic To Make It Harder To Vote

The pandemic has hit the United States right in the middle of the primary election season .
A number of states ― including ones with Republicans in charge ― have responded by postponing elections or trying to make it easier for voters to cast ballots through the mail , so that they don ’ t get sick .
On Monday , Republicans challenged the Democratic governor ’ s attempt to postpone the election .
The conservative majority on the state Supreme Court sided with the GOP legislators .
On the same day , the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submit absentee ballots in Wisconsin , another win for the GOP in the state and the Republican National Committee .
And not coincidentally , one of the down-ballot elections happening Tuesday is a state Supreme Court race that could , potentially , reduce the conservative majority from 5-2 on the bench to 4-3 .
High turnout was believed to potentially hurt the conservative incumbent , Daniel Kelly , because the election falls on the same day as a Democratic presidential primary ― meaning more liberal-leaning voters would likely be coming out .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats pushed for more funding to increase absentee and vote-by-mail options .
The final version of the legislation had $ 400 million for the effort , which was less than they originally wanted .
“ The things they had in there were crazy , ” Trump said .
“ They had things — levels of voting that , if you ever agreed to it , you ’ d never have a Republican elected in this country again.
” In Georgia , state House Speaker David Ralston ( R ) opposed officials ’ decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that they can request an absentee ballot for the May 19 primary election .
Even though Republicans control the state and made this decision , he still said he was worried about fraud ― but also that absentee ballots would make it easier for people to vote .
“ The president said it best ― this will be extremely devastating to Republicans and conservatives in Georgia , ” Ralston said in a recent interview with FetchYourNews .
“ Every registered voter is going to get one of these .
Now , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the primary back in 2018 or 2016 .
Was it 100 % ?
No .
No .
It ’ s way , way , way lower .
This will certainly drive up turnout , ” he added .
“ Any time any elected official of any party indicates that fewer people voting is better , is troublesome , ” said Ezra Rosenberg , co-director of the voting rights project at the nonpartisan Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law .
Both Arizona and Georgia set up commissions or task forces this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud is incredibly rare , but Republicans have used the specter of it as an excuse to implement more restrictive measures , making it harder for people to go to the polls .
Late last month , the GOP-controlled legislature in Kentucky passed legislation making it harder for people to vote , requiring government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot .
The presidential primary in Kentucky is set to take place on June 23 .
But DMV offices ― where many people would obtain a photo ID ― are closed for the foreseeable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A handful of states require a witness to verify that someone is submitting his or her own absentee ballot .
Mississippi is a state with especially burdensome rules , requiring a voter to get both an absentee ballot request , and then the actual ballot , notarized before it ’ s sent back .
Notaries can be difficult to find in the best of times .
During the coronavirus pandemic , it ’ s a public health risk .
Many notary offices around the country have closed down or reduced their hours .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ election officials ’ recommendations that the state make it easier for people to vote by mail , including by relaxing rules requiring absentee ballots to have signatures from two witnesses or a notary .
Phil Berger , the GOP state Senate leader , dismissed such measures as a plot by “ progressive , liberal Democratic groups.
” He said states should make it easier to obtain absentee ballots ― ideally by sending absentee ballots to every eligible voter ― implement same-day and automatic voter registration , and ensure that there are safe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their elections should also extend the registration deadlines .
And any vote-by-mail system should also have provisions for in-person voting , since some people can ’ t vote by mail .
Provisions include requiring states to mail every voter a ballot with a prepaid return envelope , $ 4 billion in federal funding for states to transition to universal vote-by-mail for the November elections , and banning states from purging people from their voting rolls unless there is a request from the person to be removed ― or documentary evidence of death or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the burden would be on the election officials to make the case for removal , not the individual to make the case to be kept on .
“ I want to emphasize that there should be no thought of delaying the November election , ” said Rosenberg .
“ We have plenty of time to prepare for November in a way that allows for the election to take place in an orderly and safe fashion , and making it easier for voters to vote by several means , including in-person and by @ @ @

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Republicans across the country are resisting efforts to help people vote without jeopardizing public safety during the coronavirus crisis.
The pandemic has hit the United States right in the middle of the primary election season. A number of states ― including ones with Republicans in charge ― have responded by postponing elections or trying to make it easier for voters to cast ballots through the mail, so that they don’t get sick.
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But other Republicans have used the virus as an opportunity to further restrict voting access.
They’ve blocked vote-by-mail measures, openly complaining that such initiatives would mean more people could vote.
They’ve created commissions to crack down on supposed voter fraud.
And they’ve pushed legislation putting up more hurdles for people to vote.
Wisconsin is going ahead with its primary election on Tuesday, despite warnings from public health officials and widespread concerns from poll workers that they will catch or spread the coronavirus.
On Monday, Republicans challenged the Democratic governor’s attempt to postpone the election. The conservative majority on the state Supreme Court sided with the GOP legislators. On the same day, the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court refused to extend the deadline to submit absentee ballots in Wisconsin, another win for the GOP in the state and the Republican National Committee.
Every one of the liberal justices dissented, with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg warning of “massive disenfranchisement.”
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“A voter cannot deliver for postmarking a ballot she has not received. Yet tens of thousands of voters who timely requested ballots are unlikely to receive them by April 7, the Court’s postmark deadline,” she wrote.
The day was a massive win for conservatives, who have been laser-focused on grabbing control over the judicial system and have worked for years in Wisconsin to maintain GOP control.
And not coincidentally, one of the down-ballot elections happening Tuesday is a state Supreme Court race that could, potentially, reduce the conservative majority from 5-2 on the bench to 4-3. High turnout was believed to potentially hurt the conservative incumbent, Daniel Kelly, because the election falls on the same day as a Democratic presidential primary ― meaning more liberal-leaning voters would likely be coming out.
Wisconsin has received the most attention in recent days, but other attempts to suppress voter turnout are happening around the nation.
Voters masked against the coronavirus line up at Riverside High School in Milwaukee for Wisconsin's primary election on Tuesday. Morry Gash/Associated Press
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Blocking Expanded Vote-By-Mail
In New Mexico last week, state Republicans filed a lawsuit to block an attempt by 27 county clerks to switch to a vote-by-mail system for the June primary.
In the coronavirus stimulus bill in Congress, Democrats pushed for more funding to increase absentee and vote-by-mail options. The final version of the legislation had $400 million for the effort, which was less than they originally wanted.
Republicans were against making it easier for people to vote by mail during the pandemic.
“Universal vote by mail would be the end of our republic as we know it,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) tweeted.
In a Fox News interview, President Donald Trump was more explicit about why he didn’t like it: He believed it would increase turnout ― and therefore help Democrats.
“The things they had in there were crazy,” Trump said. “They had things — levels of voting that, if you ever agreed to it, you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.” In Georgia, state House Speaker David Ralston (R) opposed officials’ decision to mail every registered voter a form so that they can request an absentee ballot for the May 19 primary election. Even though Republicans control the state and made this decision, he still said he was worried about fraud ― but also that absentee ballots would make it easier for people to vote. “The president said it best ― this will be extremely devastating to Republicans and conservatives in Georgia,” Ralston said in a recent interview with FetchYourNews. “Every registered voter is going to get one of these. Now, I ask you ... what was turnout in the primary back in 2018 or 2016. Was it 100%? No. No. It’s way, way, way lower. This will certainly drive up turnout,” he added. “Any time any elected official of any party indicates that fewer people voting is better, is troublesome,” said Ezra Rosenberg, co-director of the voting rights project at the nonpartisan Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
Voter Fraud Commissions
Both Arizona and Georgia set up commissions or task forces this month to investigate potential voter fraud. Voter fraud is incredibly rare, but Republicans have used the specter of it as an excuse to implement more restrictive measures, making it harder for people to go to the polls.
Voter ID
Late last month, the GOP-controlled legislature in Kentucky passed legislation making it harder for people to vote, requiring government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot. The presidential primary in Kentucky is set to take place on June 23. But DMV offices ― where many people would obtain a photo ID ― are closed for the foreseeable future, due to the coronavirus.
Gov. Andy Beshear (D) vetoed the GOP bill. But the legislature is set to reconvene on April 13 and could override the veto.
Verification Of Absentee Ballots
A handful of states require a witness to verify that someone is submitting his or her own absentee ballot. Mississippi is a state with especially burdensome rules, requiring a voter to get both an absentee ballot request, and then the actual ballot, notarized before it’s sent back. Notaries can be difficult to find in the best of times. During the coronavirus pandemic, it’s a public health risk. Many notary offices around the country have closed down or reduced their hours.
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The Lawyers Committee has a lawsuit pending in the state to try to stop the requirement.
In North Carolina, Republicans are opposing election officials’ recommendations that the state make it easier for people to vote by mail, including by relaxing rules requiring absentee ballots to have signatures from two witnesses or a notary. Phil Berger, the GOP state Senate leader, dismissed such measures as a plot by “progressive, liberal Democratic groups.”
Voting rights advocates like Rosenberg say the coronavirus pandemic shows why increased access to the ballot box is necessary.
He said states should make it easier to obtain absentee ballots ― ideally by sending absentee ballots to every eligible voter ― implement same-day and automatic voter registration, and ensure that there are safe and accessible polling places. States that postponed their elections should also extend the registration deadlines. And any vote-by-mail system should also have provisions for in-person voting, since some people can’t vote by mail.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is out with a plan that she wants included in the next coronavirus relief legislation that would implement voting rights protections.
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Provisions include requiring states to mail every voter a ballot with a prepaid return envelope, $4 billion in federal funding for states to transition to universal vote-by-mail for the November elections, and banning states from purging people from their voting rolls unless there is a request from the person to be removed ― or documentary evidence of death or change of address. In other words, the burden would be on the election officials to make the case for removal, not the individual to make the case to be kept on.
“Americans are struggling with the dual crises of a public health emergency and a looming economic depression,” Warren wrote in the rollout of her plan. “Meanwhile, Republicans are using the crisis to accelerate an undemocratic power grab and disenfranchise millions.”
Rosenberg said it’s up to the states to determine whether elections should be delayed in the primary ― but there is no reason to postpone in November.
“I want to emphasize that there should be no thought of delaying the November election,” said Rosenberg. “We have plenty of time to prepare for November in a way that allows for the election to take place in an orderly and safe fashion, and making it easier for voters to vote by several means, including in-person and by mail.”


huffpost--2020-04-07--A Crisis In Education: Schools Can't Reach Thousands Of Children

Illustration : Rebecca Zisser/HuffPost Schools are facing a new stark reality : There are thousands of families they simply can not get in touch with ― let alone teach .
Since March , over 120,000 schools have closed in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus .
Many districts transitioned to online learning and have been working to get computers and Wi-Fi hotspots in the hands of families who need them .
Other schools that haven ’ t provided needy families with devices are sending homework via paper packets .
Communities and schools have also been setting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fed .
HuffPost contacted a dozen of the largest school districts in the country to see if they were tracking how many students they ’ ve been able to reach via phone calls and emails , and if these students have been participating in schoolwork .
Districts have not yet reached tens of thousands of students , at the very least , as their families struggle to deal with enormous economic stress and upheaval in their daily lives .
Education advocates worry that these students are going hungry , or worse .
Falling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ancillary concern .
A spokesperson for Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District in North Carolina , which serves over 140,000 students , wrote that remote learning is still optional and teachers are not required to check in with students at this time .
Therefore , such efforts are not being tracked .
Spokespeople for several districts , like Baltimore County and Prince George ’ s County in Maryland , wrote that their formal distance-learning programs wouldn ’ t start until this or next week , and thus they hadn ’ t started formally tracking student connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also starting attendance services this week .
If a student fails to log in to their portal , their family will receive an automated phone call .
Getting Kids Logged On And Learning In Hawkin ’ s case , the two students he has failed to connect with did log on to Google Classroom , but have not turned in any work and have resisted other forms of outreach .
He ’ s comforted to know that co-workers who live near the students have seen them in the neighborhood .
“ I love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am trying to make sure they ’ re safe .
School is the only place some of our kids get to eat , ” said Hawkins , who works with students in kindergarten through fifth grade .
St. Louis teacher Nelver Brooks says her district was quick to get an iPad to students who needed them .
However , she worries that her students , who are new to the country and are still learning English , don ’ t know how to use the devices .
In class , they have @ @ @ @

Schools are facing a new stark reality: There are thousands of families they simply cannot get in touch with ― let alone teach. Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/HuffPost
After three weeks of remote learning, Atlanta special education teacher Patrick Hawkins still has not heard from two of his elementary students. He’s texted their families, he’s emailed and called.
“I’ve done anything you can do to get in contact with a parent, and still no response,” said Hawkins, who works at a district charter school, noting that he’s not supposed to make home visits for safety purposes.
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Since March, over 120,000 schools have closed in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Many districts transitioned to online learning and have been working to get computers and Wi-Fi hotspots in the hands of families who need them. Other schools that haven’t provided needy families with devices are sending homework via paper packets. Communities and schools have also been setting up free lunch distribution centers to keep families fed.
But now that the initial scramble has settled and learning has recommenced, schools are facing a new stark reality: There are thousands of families they simply cannot get in touch with ― let alone teach.
HuffPost contacted a dozen of the largest school districts in the country to see if they were tracking how many students they’ve been able to reach via phone calls and emails, and if these students have been participating in schoolwork.
Districts have not yet reached tens of thousands of students, at the very least, as their families struggle to deal with enormous economic stress and upheaval in their daily lives. Education advocates worry that these students are going hungry, or worse. Falling behind in school has almost become an ancillary concern.
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“Our students were teetering on whether to remain in schools or provide for their families before this epidemic hit.” - St. Louis teacher Nelver Brooks
Districts report handling this issue in a variety of ways.
Some are taking a more laissez-faire approach, not mandating that teachers connect with students.
A spokesperson for Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District in North Carolina, which serves over 140,000 students, wrote that remote learning is still optional and teachers are not required to check in with students at this time. Therefore, such efforts are not being tracked.
Other districts are already tracking student contact, either by counting a student’s participation in an online class or teacher check-ins with students to make sure everything is copacetic in that child’s household.
During its first week of distance learning, Clark County School District in Nevada ― which serves about 320,000 students ― made contact with about 309,000 kids via email, phone calls or “progress demonstrated through a learning management system,” a spokesperson wrote HuffPost.
That still leaves around 11,000 students the district was unable to reach.
Atlanta Public Schools reported that since March 15, about 84% of students in pre-K through 12th grade had logged in to any district application at least once.
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Over 6,000 kids have failed to get online. The numbers vary by grade, though — nearly 57% of pre-K and kindergarten students haven’t logged on. For higher grades, this number ranged from 6 to 16%.
“Those percentages provided an estimate of students who have both a device and internet connection and were logging in,” wrote spokesperson Ian Smith in an email.
In Los Angeles, 40,000 high school students have not been in daily contact with their teachers, and 15,000 have failed to complete any schoolwork since schools closed on March 16, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Spokespeople for several districts, like Baltimore County and Prince George’s County in Maryland, wrote that their formal distance-learning programs wouldn’t start until this or next week, and thus they hadn’t started formally tracking student connection. Miami Dade schools in Florida are also starting attendance services this week. If a student fails to log in to their portal, their family will receive an automated phone call.
A representative for New York City public schools ― the largest school district in the country, serving over 1.1 million students ― said that while the district began remote learning on March 23, and individual schools have been tracking daily engagement and connection with students, the district’s centralized tracking system won’t start until this week.
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Getting Kids Logged On And Learning
In Hawkin’s case, the two students he has failed to connect with did log on to Google Classroom, but have not turned in any work and have resisted other forms of outreach. He’s comforted to know that co-workers who live near the students have seen them in the neighborhood.
“I love teaching and this and that, but I am trying to make sure they’re safe. School is the only place some of our kids get to eat,” said Hawkins, who works with students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
St. Louis teacher Nelver Brooks says her district was quick to get an iPad to students who needed them. However, she worries that her students, who are new to the country and are still learning English, don’t know how to use the devices. In class, they have practiced on laptops.
“We’re not even sure our kids have paper and pencil,” said Brooks, whose school is specifically for English language-learner students. “It’s like trying to put a bandaid on a hemorrhage.”
At first, Brooks felt pressure to get students logged on and learning. Since then, the emphasis has shifted to making sure the school can get in contact with families at all.
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Many of her students were already working long hours when they weren’t in school. Now she worries they’ll go to work full-time to help their families and won’t come back.
“Our students were teetering on whether to remain in schools or provide for their families before this epidemic hit,” she said.
“It’s like a hurricane hit every district in America at the same time.” - Marc Porter Magee
The federal government has worked to relax attendance requirements for districts, recognizing the enormity of the task of educating students from home, and has granted states waivers from rules that hold them accountable for attendance rates this year.
However, leaders like Marc Porter Magee ― president of the education advocacy group 50Can ― worry that moving the focus away from attendance could obscure data about who schools are reaching at all.
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Over 8 million students in the United States were already considered chronically absent before the coronavirus hit.
“Every state has a constitutional requirement to provide education for kids. If we are missing 5 to 10 percent of kids, the most vulnerable kids, what are we doing about that?” asked Magee.
“I think connectivity is part of it, but also a question of ― even if they had a device and internet, if they’re not showing up, then what’s the next outreach?”
Beyond the long-term impact of learning loss, advocates worry most about immediate, pressing questions: about how many students are safely sheltered, fed and healthy. If they’re not able to reach these students at all, how can they get them the necessary social services?
“It’s so unprecedented,” said Magee. “It’s almost tempting to normalize it. It’s like a hurricane hit every district in America at the same time.”
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huffpost--2020-04-07--Wisconsin GOP Forced Thousands Of Voters To The Polls During A Pandemic

Despite a statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov .
Tony Evers , a Democrat , Wisconsin held an election during the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday .
As voters lined up at the polls , the state health department reported 138 new coronavirus diagnoses and 15 deaths .
This election was not a democratic exercise , as it required voters to choose between their health and their right to vote .
It is a poor omen for what awaits when November comes .
Evers tried twice to postpone the election .
First , he called for the Republican-controlled legislature to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they gaveled out the session in a matter of seconds without taking action .
Then he issued an emergency order moving the election to June , but the Republican-allied judges on the state Supreme Court overruled that .
The Democratic Party also sued to expand absentee balloting , but all five Republican-appointed U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled against it .
“ I thought of one other better way to explain it , but calling it a shit show was the mildest way to put it , ” Barnes told HuffPost in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have a ballot , get it in the mail ...
In good faith I can not tell people to go out there and vote.
” Republicans hope to keep their 5-2 majority on the court intact with a Kelly victory .
That will enable them to easily rule in favor of a conservative group ’ s challenge to purge 240,000 voters ahead of November ’ s general election .
( Trump won Wisconsin by fewer than 22,000 votes . )
It would also all but ensure judicial approval to any similar future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority if it votes to cut Evers out of the 2021 redistricting process .
“ It ’ s not a secret : they want to protect this Supreme Court seat , ” Barnes said , pointing to the 2018 lame duck legislative session when Republican lawmakers tried to keep the Supreme Court race off the presidential primary ballot , a typically higher turnout election .
“ This whole thing is political .
This is the fallacy of nonpartisan courts .
They knew exactly who to run to .
They knew they could get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court here and the U.S. Supreme Court.
” State leaders , particularly in the Democratic Party , urged voters to cast an absentee ballot in lieu of voting in person .
But the rules for absentee voting shifted as various courts handed down decisions in the days leading up to the election and the crush of requests meant some voters did not get their ballot in time .
This left some voters with their right to vote invalidated .
“ Hundreds of thousands of workers are going to their jobs every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society .
There ’ s no question that an election is just as important as getting take-out food , ” state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos , both Republicans , said in a statement , defending their insistence that election workers to show up amid the state outbreak .
The Republican officials fought any and all changes to in-person voting in the courts until the very last minute .
“ It ’ s a personal health and safety question you have to ask yourself , ” Nate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Wisconsin-Madison and regularly staffs elections , said .
On Tuesday he was stationed at a consolidated voting ward in one of the university ’ s student unions .
“ I did go back and forth ... One of my friends ducked out because he lives in a house full of other people .
It was too large of a risk to go out.
” As of Tuesday afternoon , Wisconsin voters had returned a record-breaking 864,750 absentee ballots out of a total of 1.2 million sent out , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10,000 voters who requested an absentee ballot never received one .
Unless they receive their ballot on Tuesday and get it to a certified drop-off site by 8 p.m. , they would have been forced to vote in person ― or not vote at all .
That ’ s what happened to Amanda Jessen , 33 , a driver who has been out of work due to the pandemic .
Jessen , who lives in Milwaukee , didn ’ t want to vote in person because she is immunocompromised and pregnant .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it never arrived .
That left her and her husband with no choice but to find a drive-up voting location .
They brought their own masks , gloves and pens to vote .
Luckily , they also brought mail that could prove their address as they were required to register to vote again .
But the Supreme Court overturned Conley ’ s decision in a 5-4 vote split along partisan lines Monday night .
Ballots without a witness signature , even when the voter attested they could not obtain one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered invalid , according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission .
Even worse , voters will not be allowed to cast a replacement ballot in person .
This has thrown the election into a state of chaos .
“ I myself waited a good 10 days to get [ an absentee ballot ] , ” Barnes said .
“ I don ’ t blame the elections commission on that , I don ’ t blame the clerks on that ... We were not well-positioned to accommodate those requests .
Going forward , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of everybody .
”

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Lines outside Milwaukee’s five polling stations — there were usually 180 — stretched blocks. In Madison, Wisconsin, polling stations usually occupied by university students were almost entirely empty, as resident halls were cleared out weeks ago. Poll workers sat behind Plexiglas barriers, donning masks and gloves. Some wore face shields and gowns.
In one polling station in Madison, voters didn’t get “I voted” stickers after casting their ballots — a precaution poll workers took to minimize human contact.
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Despite a statewide stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, Wisconsin held an election during the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday. As voters lined up at the polls, the state health department reported 138 new coronavirus diagnoses and 15 deaths. This election was not a democratic exercise, as it required voters to choose between their health and their right to vote. It is a poor omen for what awaits when November comes.
Evers tried twice to postpone the election. First, he called for the Republican-controlled legislature to do so in a special session, but they gaveled out the session in a matter of seconds without taking action. Then he issued an emergency order moving the election to June, but the Republican-allied judges on the state Supreme Court overruled that. The Democratic Party also sued to expand absentee balloting, but all five Republican-appointed U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled against it.
“Good morning and welcome to the Shit Show! Today’s episode has been produced by the Supreme Court and directed by the incomparable Speaker and Senate Majority leader duo. Buckle up, this one’s sure to disappoint!” Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes (D) tweeted Tuesday morning.
In the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, THIS is the line for in person voting as the polls open for Election Day in Wisconsin. #COVID19 #ElectionDay pic.twitter.com/WplsSHy9RF — Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) April 7, 2020
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“I thought of one other better way to explain it, but calling it a shit show was the mildest way to put it,” Barnes told HuffPost in an interview. “I have told people if they have a ballot, get it in the mail ... In good faith I cannot tell people to go out there and vote.”
Former vice president Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) were on the ballot for the presidential primary on Tuesday, but the most important race in the state is the state Supreme Court race pitting incumbent conservative Dan Kelly, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, against progressive lower court judge Jill Karofsky.
Republicans hope to keep their 5-2 majority on the court intact with a Kelly victory. That will enable them to easily rule in favor of a conservative group’s challenge to purge 240,000 voters ahead of November’s general election. (Trump won Wisconsin by fewer than 22,000 votes.) It would also all but ensure judicial approval to any similar future effort by the heavily gerrymandered Republican legislative majority if it votes to cut Evers out of the 2021 redistricting process.
“It’s not a secret: they want to protect this Supreme Court seat,” Barnes said, pointing to the 2018 lame duck legislative session when Republican lawmakers tried to keep the Supreme Court race off the presidential primary ballot, a typically higher turnout election. “This whole thing is political. This is the fallacy of nonpartisan courts. They knew exactly who to run to. They knew they could get exactly what they wanted politically through the Supreme Court here and the U.S. Supreme Court.”
Voters masked against coronavirus line up at Riverside High School for Wisconsin's primary election, April 7 in Milwaukee. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The Democratic Party of Wisconsin did not engage in its typical on-the-ground get-out-the-vote efforts, and neither did the presidential candidates. State election results will not be released until April 13 due to the overwhelming number of absentee ballots cast, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission.
State leaders, particularly in the Democratic Party, urged voters to cast an absentee ballot in lieu of voting in person. But the rules for absentee voting shifted as various courts handed down decisions in the days leading up to the election and the crush of requests meant some voters did not get their ballot in time. This left some voters with their right to vote invalidated.
For weeks, Republican leaders in the state have refused Evers’ proposal to send absentee ballots to every registered voter, and extend mail-in voting dates.
“Hundreds of thousands of workers are going to their jobs every day, serving in essential roles in our society. There’s no question that an election is just as important as getting take-out food,” state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and state Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, both Republicans, said in a statement, defending their insistence that election workers to show up amid the state outbreak. The Republican officials fought any and all changes to in-person voting in the courts until the very last minute.
“You are incredibly safe to go out,” Vos said, while wearing a full-body protective suit, mask and gloves as he worked the polls in his district.
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"You are incredibly safe to go out" Republican @SpeakerVos tells his constituents, in full gown, gloves and mask. pic.twitter.com/c3wNVhWxew — Justin (@JustinAHorwitz) April 7, 2020
By Monday evening, it became clear that voters would have to choose whether they were willing to risk exposure to the virus in order to exercise their right to vote.
“People think this is damn dumb,” said Daniel Schultz, 51, a poll worker in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin — a small town roughly 70 miles north of Milwaukee. Schultz signed up to work the election after hearing reports of staff shortages.
Wisconsin Elections Commission reported nearly 60% of Wisconsin’s municipalities had staffing shortages the week before election day. The city of Milwaukee decided to consolidate its 180 polling stations to just five. The state deployed more than 2,000 members of the state’s National Guard to operate polling stations.
“It’s a personal health and safety question you have to ask yourself,” Nate Moll, 30, who works at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and regularly staffs elections, said. On Tuesday he was stationed at a consolidated voting ward in one of the university’s student unions. “I did go back and forth ... One of my friends ducked out because he lives in a house full of other people. It was too large of a risk to go out.”
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As of Tuesday afternoon, Wisconsin voters had returned a record-breaking 864,750 absentee ballots out of a total of 1.2 million sent out, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. But nearly 10,000 voters who requested an absentee ballot never received one. Unless they receive their ballot on Tuesday and get it to a certified drop-off site by 8 p.m., they would have been forced to vote in person ― or not vote at all.
That’s what happened to Amanda Jessen, 33, a driver who has been out of work due to the pandemic. Jessen, who lives in Milwaukee, didn’t want to vote in person because she is immunocompromised and pregnant. She requested an absentee ballot on March 22, but it never arrived. That left her and her husband with no choice but to find a drive-up voting location. They brought their own masks, gloves and pens to vote. Luckily, they also brought mail that could prove their address as they were required to register to vote again.
“The whole thing has been pretty scary because the GOP is out to get Milwaukee,” Jessen said, adding, “It’s really, really bad that they’re making us risk our health so that we can have a say as citizens. It’s a betrayal.”
An opponent of a Wisconsin Supreme Court decision to proceed with the state's spring election amid coronavirus concerns displays a sign in her car in Madison, Wisconsin, Tuesday, April 7. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jesse Pokora, a 40-year old software engineer and Iraq War veteran, also requested an absentee ballot in March and never received it. The polling location he was assigned to in Milwaukee was located in the middle of one of the state’s biggest coronavirus hotspots. He decided it was not safe to vote.
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“The government had an opportunity a couple days ago when the legislature got together at the Capitol and they callously refused to do so,” Pokora said about the Republicans in the legislature. “They made a choice for their own self-interest ― whatever it was ― to put people like myself in harm’s way today.”
Other voters may have cast absentee ballots under rules that no longer apply. On April 2, Circuit Court Judge William Conley extended absentee voting in a ruling that allowed Wisconsin voters to return their ballots as late as April 13. Absentee voters could also waive the required witness signature if they attested that they could not secure a witness due to the pandemic, according to Conley’s ruling.
But the Supreme Court overturned Conley’s decision in a 5-4 vote split along partisan lines Monday night. Ballots without a witness signature, even when the voter attested they could not obtain one, as briefly allowed, will now be considered invalid, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Even worse, voters will not be allowed to cast a replacement ballot in person. This has thrown the election into a state of chaos.
“What we’re hearing is most voters have been very confused,” Shauntay Nelson, the Wisconsin state director for All Voting Is Local, a nonpartisan voting rights organization that has been helping answer voters’ questions on Election Day, said.
Milwaukee resident Jennifer Taff requested an absentee ballot almost three weeks ago, never got it. She has a father dying from lung disease and then waited hours in line to vote at Washington High School. Photo from Patricia McKnight.
More: https://t.co/i7weo2xdfv pic.twitter.com/ceHb2i8zpC — JR Radcliffe (@JRRadcliffe) April 7, 2020
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But that chaos was not evenly distributed across the state. Some localities maintained most of their polling locations, while others did not. In Madison, 66 of the normal 90 voting locations were open. Some even allowed drive-through voting. That was not the case in Milwaukee, which contains the large majority of Black state residents.
Milwaukee Election Commission executive director Neil Albrecht told reporters the city could have opened more polling stations if they had known how many members of the National Guard would be assisting.
Milwaukee is also the epicenter of Wisconsin’s coronavirus outbreak. The city has reported more than 1,300 of the state’s 2,500-plus positive coronavirus cases and nearly half of the state’s 92 coronavirus deaths.
Wisconsin expects to see its coronavirus caseload and deaths peak on April 17, a more optimistic scenario than previously reported thanks to the state’s lockdown. That could change after Tuesday’s election forced crowds into gyms and other polling locations.
“Two weeks from now when people start dying, their family members are going to have [the Republicans in the legislature] to blame,” Pokora said.
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Barnes said the state is already thinking about November, if the virus persists or comes back.
“We have to be prepared for an all-mail election,” he said. They weren’t ready this time.