rt--2020-04-15--Facebook constructs bot-based universe to test out scenarios for manipulating humans, but don’t worr

Facebook constructs bot-based universe to test out scenarios for manipulating humans, but don’t worry, it’s safe

Facebook has debuted a “ web-enabled simulation ” in which a population of bots it has created based on real users can duke it out - supposedly to help the platform deal with bad actors .
But it ’ s not totally isolated from reality .
The social media behemoth ’ s new playpen for malevolent bots and their simulated victims is described in a company paper released on Wednesday with the ultra-bland , ’ please , don ’ t read this , ordinary humans ’ title of “ WES : Agent-based User Interaction Simulation on Real Infrastructure.
” While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bots ’ activities in several layers of academic language , the report reveals their creations are interacting through the real-life Facebook platform , not a simulation .
The bots are set up to model different “ negative ” behaviors – scamming , phishing , posting wrongthink – that Facebook wants to curtail , and the simulation allows Facebook to tweak its control mechanisms for suppressing these behaviors .
Don ’ t be evil , just OBEY : After Covid-19 tech giants will have even more control over what you see & what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating on real-life Facebook , with only the thinnest veil of programming separating them from interacting with real-world users , the researchers seem convinced enough of their ability to keep fantasy and reality separate that they feel comfortable hinting in the paper of new and different ways of invading Facebook users ’ privacy .
But these nosy bots aren ’ t wholly walled off from reality by any means .
“ A smaller group of read-only bots will need to read real user actions and react to them in the simulation , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the unusual experiment , pointing out that the bots ’ masters “ haven ’ t decided whether to completely sandbox the bots or simply use a restricted version of the platform.
” The outlet described Facebook ’ s goal with creating this simulation as building “ its own virtual Westworld '' – the western-themed robot-populated quasi-dystopic Disneyland of HBO ’ s popular sci-fi series .
And just as Westworld ’ s robots come into contact with real humans , Facebook ’ s researchers acknowledge in their paper that the possibility of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exists .
“ Bots must be suitably isolated from real users to ensure that the simulation , although executed on real platform code , does not lead to unexpected interactions between bots and real users.
” However , given the sheer volume of ‘ oops ’ moments Facebook has experienced in recent years – from leaving hundreds of millions of users ’ phone numbers on an unprotected server to letting apps like Cambridge Analytica data-mine tens of millions of unsuspecting users to feeding user data to phone companies and other third parties without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ‘ word ’ is unlikely to count for much to users concerned about being unwittingly enrolled in a bot-filled simulation .
Think your friends would be interested ?
Share this story !

Facebook has debuted a “web-enabled simulation” in which a population of bots it has created based on real users can duke it out – supposedly to help the platform deal with bad actors. But it’s not totally isolated from reality.
The social media behemoth’s new playpen for malevolent bots and their simulated victims is described in a company paper released on Wednesday with the ultra-bland, ’please, don’t read this, ordinary humans’ title of “WES: Agent-based User Interaction Simulation on Real Infrastructure.”
While the writers have cloaked their and their bots’ activities in several layers of academic language, the report reveals their creations are interacting through the real-life Facebook platform, not a simulation. The bots are set up to model different “negative” behaviors – scamming, phishing, posting 'wrongthink' – that Facebook wants to curtail, and the simulation allows Facebook to tweak its control mechanisms for suppressing these behaviors.
Also on rt.com Don’t be evil, just OBEY: After Covid-19 tech giants will have even more control over what you see & what you think
Even though the bots are technically operating on real-life Facebook, with only the thinnest veil of programming separating them from interacting with real-world users, the researchers seem convinced enough of their ability to keep fantasy and reality separate that they feel comfortable hinting in the paper of new and different ways of invading Facebook users’ privacy.
Because the WW bots are isolated from affecting real users, they can be trained to perform potentially privacy-violating actions on each other.
But these nosy bots aren’t wholly walled off from reality by any means. “A smaller group of read-only bots will need to read real user actions and react to them in the simulation,” Input Mag pointed out in its coverage of the unusual experiment, pointing out that the bots’ masters “haven’t decided whether to completely sandbox the bots or simply use a restricted version of the platform.” The outlet described Facebook’s goal in creating this simulation as building “its own virtual Westworld" – the western-themed, robot-populated, quasi-dystopic Disneyland of HBO’s popular sci-fi series.
Also on rt.com Facebook’s Oversight Board will be Zuckerberg’s patsy censors, giving him cover as he aims to control all global information
And just as Westworld’s robots come into contact with real humans, Facebook’s researchers acknowledge in their paper that the possibility of their supposedly self-contained bots interacting with real users exists. “Bots must be suitably isolated from real users to ensure that the simulation, although executed on real platform code, does not lead to unexpected interactions between bots and real users.”
However, given the sheer volume of ‘oops’ moments Facebook has experienced in recent years – from leaving hundreds of millions of users’ phone numbers on an unprotected server to letting apps like Cambridge Analytica data-mine tens of millions of unsuspecting users to feeding user data to phone companies and other third parties without their consent – the social media behemoth’s ‘word’ is unlikely to count for much to users concerned about being unwittingly enrolled in a bot-filled simulation.
Also on rt.com People want sex dolls like in HBO’s Westworld, but the technology is not there yet, manufacturer claims
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!


rt--2020-04-15--California gov announces $125 million relief for illegal immigrants over Covid-19

California will be the first state in the US to provide financial relief to illegal immigrants amid the Covid-19 pandemic .
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a series of new measures by his state to provide financial relief to citizens suffering because of Covid-19 lockdown measures .
Among the measures is an eye-catching $ 125 million fund for illegal immigrants living within the state .
“ California is the most diverse state in the nation .
Our diversity makes us stronger and more resilient .
Every Californian , including our undocumented neighbors and friends , should know that California is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Newsom said .
The $ 125 million will be a mix of public and private funds , with $ 75 million coming from the state and another $ 50 million from Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees ( GCIR ) , a network of foundations focused on immigration issues , which has promised to raise the funds through private means .
According to a press release detailing the fund , around 150,000 undocumented workers will receive a one-time cash payment of $ 500 per adult , with a $ 1000 cap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for payments starting next month .
The move is a response to illegal immigrants not being eligible for financial relief from the CARES Act , due to their citizenship status .
Newsom noted that 10 percent of his state ’ s workforce is undocumented workers who have paid billions in state and local taxes .
Despite President Trump ’ s hard stance on the southern border with Mexico and his ramping up deportations of illegal immigrants , California has remained the most aggressive state in the US when it comes to giving benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first in the nation last year to give health benefits to adults below the age of 26 living within the country illegally , and he has proposed expanding those benefits to seniors 65 years and older this year .
The new relief fund is sure to be used as ammo in the ongoing illegal immigration debate against Democrats by conservatives , who have consistently argued against non-citizens receiving government benefits puts an unneeded strain on the country .
If you like this story , share it with a friend !

California will be the first state in the US to provide financial relief to illegal immigrants amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a series of new measures by his state to provide financial relief to citizens suffering because of Covid-19 lockdown measures. Among the measures is an eye-catching $125 million fund for illegal immigrants living within the state.
“California is the most diverse state in the nation. Our diversity makes us stronger and more resilient. Every Californian, including our undocumented neighbors and friends, should know that California is here to support them during this crisis,” Newsom said.
The $125 million will be a mix of public and private funds, with $75 million coming from the state and another $50 million from Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), a network of foundations focused on immigration issues, which has promised to raise the funds through private means.
Also on rt.com Should Biden create his own ‘SHADOW GOVT, shadow cabinet, shadow SWAT team’ to counter Trump… asks MSNBC host
According to a press release detailing the fund, around 150,000 undocumented workers will receive a one-time cash payment of $500 per adult, with a $1,000 cap on each household. People can apply for payments starting next month.
The move is a response to illegal immigrants not being eligible for financial relief from the CARES Act, due to their citizenship status.
Newsom noted that 10 percent of his state’s workforce are undocumented workers who have paid billions in state and local taxes.
Also on rt.com NY gov Cuomo mandates masks after offering New Yorkers as GUINEA PIGS for coronavirus vaccine
Despite President Trump’s hard stance on the southern border with Mexico and his ramping up of deportations of illegal immigrants, California has remained the most aggressive state in the US when it comes to giving benefits to non-citizens. The state became the first in the nation last year to give health benefits to adults below the age of 26 living within the country illegally, and he has proposed expanding those benefits to seniors 65 years and older this year.
The new relief fund is sure to be used as ammo in the ongoing illegal immigration debate against Democrats by conservatives, who have consistently argued against non-citizens receiving government benefits puts an unneeded strain on the country.
If you like this story, share it with a friend!


rt--2020-04-15--Trump threatens to dismiss both chambers of Congress over held-up appointments

Protesting pro-forma sessions of the House and Senate blocking him from recess appointments , US President Donald Trump said he might force both chambers of Congress to officially adjourn unless they did so voluntarily .
The Senate should “ either fulfill its duty and vote on my nominees , or formally adjourn so that I can make recess appointments , ” the president said Wednesday at the White House press conference .
Both the Republican-majority Senate and the Democrat-majority House continue to gavel in for pro forma sessions while most of the lawmakers have departed Washington , DC and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump noted .
This is having the effect of preventing him from making appointments in the manner provided by law .
“ The current practice of leaving town while conducting phony pro forma sessions is a dereliction of duty the American people ca n't afford during this crisis , ” Trump argued .
Democrats have dragged their feet in approving 129 nominees to various government posts in the Senate in “ a concerted effort to make life difficult , ” Trump said .
Unless the lawmakers either return to work or formally adjourn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my constitutional rights to adjourn both chambers of Congress.
” Some of these nominations have been held up for years , he added , using as example his nominee to head the government broadcast agency in charge of Voice of America – which has even been renamed in the meantime , from the Broadcasting Board of Governors to US Agency for Global Media .
Like this story ?
Share it with a friend !

US President Donald Trump has said he may force both chambers of Congress to officially adjourn unless they do so voluntarily in a protest over the House and Senate blocking him from recess appointments.
The Senate should “either fulfill its duty and vote on my nominees, or formally adjourn so that I can make recess appointments,” the president said on Wednesday at a White House press conference.
Both the Republican-majority Senate and the Democrat-majority House continue to gavel in for pro forma sessions while most of the lawmakers have departed Washington DC and do not intend to return until May, Trump noted. This is having the effect of preventing him from making appointments in the manner provided for by law.
“The current practice of leaving town while conducting phony pro forma sessions is a dereliction of duty the American people can't afford during this crisis,” Trump argued.
It is a scam, and everybody knows this.
Democrats have dragged their feet in approving 129 nominees to various government posts in the Senate in “a concerted effort to make life difficult,” Trump said. Unless the lawmakers either return to work or formally adjourn, he said he would “exercise my constitutional rights to adjourn both chambers of Congress.”
Some of these nominations have been held up for years, he added, using as an example his nominee to head the government broadcast agency in charge of Voice of America – which has even been renamed in the meantime, from the Broadcasting Board of Governors to US Agency for Global Media.
Also on rt.com Voice of America is Chinese propaganda? White House goes after own agency in bizarre newsletter attack
Like this story? Share it with a friend!


rt--2020-04-15--Trump says US has ‘passed the peak’ on new Covid-19 infections as daily death toll sets new record

US President Donald Trump said the data so far suggests the number of new cases nationwide has peaked , and promised to unveil guidelines for reopening the country on Thursday .
Speaking at the daily press conference in the White House garden on Wednesday , the president said the “ war against the invisible enemy ” isn ’ t over , but that the latest data shows the number of new cases declining as testing is ramped up across the nation , with more than 3 million carried out in total .
“ These encouraging developments have put us in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for states on reopening the country , ” Trump said .
New infections are falling in New York City ’ s metropolitan area – by far the country ’ s worst-hit region – as well as in other hotspots like Detroit and Denver , the president said , adding that in total , 29 states were in “ really good shape ” and showing signs of improvement .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) does show new cases in the US dropping since April 2 , but with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As cases level off , however , the number of new fatalities has yet to reach its peak , with the US tallying 2,371 deaths so far on Wednesday alone , surpassing Tuesday ’ s record death toll , according to Reuters .
Vice President Mike Pence , who oversees the White House Covid-19 task force , said new guidelines on when and how to reopen the country would be unveiled to governors on Thursday , and later released to the public .
Regions with more severe outbreaks will require continued social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other areas will be allowed greater “ flexibility ” to lift travel and business restrictions .
So far , a total of 632,878 Americans have been diagnosed with Covid-19 , and 27,850 have died – almost a third of that number in New York City alone .
Think your friends would be interested ?
Share this story !

US President Donald Trump said the data so far suggests the number of new cases nationwide has peaked, and promised to unveil guidelines for reopening the country on Thursday.
Speaking at the daily press conference in the White House garden on Wednesday, the president said the “war against the invisible enemy” isn’t over, but that the latest data shows the number of new cases declining as testing is ramped up across the nation, with more than three million carried out in total.
The battle continues, but the data suggests that nationwide, we have passed the peak on new cases.
“These encouraging developments have put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country,” Trump said.
Also on rt.com Resistance loses it as Trump offers extra US ventilators to RUSSIA to help with Covid-19
New infections are falling in New York City’s metropolitan area – by far the country’s worst-hit region – as well as in other hotspots like Detroit and Denver, the president said, adding that in total, 29 states were in “really good shape” and showing signs of improvement.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does show new cases in the US dropping since April 2, but with a note that the data might be incomplete.
As cases level off, however, the number of new fatalities has yet to reach its peak, with the US tallying 2,371 deaths so far on Wednesday alone, surpassing Tuesday’s record death toll, according to Reuters. So far, over 630,000 Americans have been diagnosed with Covid-19, and 30,885 have died – almost a third of that number in New York City alone.
Vice President Mike Pence, who oversees the White House Covid-19 task force, said new guidelines on when and how to reopen the country would be unveiled to governors on Thursday, and later released to the public. Regions with more severe outbreaks will require continued social distancing, Pence said, adding that other areas will be allowed greater “flexibility” to lift travel and business restrictions.
Also on rt.com Permanent crisis: New York divides scientific opinion with decision to add 3,700 ‘presumed’ Covid-19 dead to official tally
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!


rt--2020-04-15--Should Biden create his own ‘SHADOW GOVT, shadow cabinet, shadow SWAT team’ to counter Trump… asks M

Should Biden create his own ‘SHADOW GOVT, shadow cabinet, shadow SWAT team’ to counter Trump… asks MSNBC host

MSNBC ’ s Stephanie Ruhle went beyond the point of shilling for Joe Biden by asking whether the former vice president should set up a “ shadow government ” to counter Donald Trump ’ s coronavirus daily briefings .
Biden may be riding the momentum of endorsements from previous competitors Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders , as well as from former President Barack Obama , but one MSNBC host thinks he needs to do more to “ counter-program ” Trump during the Covid-19 pandemic .
“ Should he be creating his own shadow government , shadow cabinet , shadow SWAT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a podium every night saying , ‘ here ’ s the crisis we ’ re in , ’ ” Ruhle said , after a guest referred to Trump ’ s daily coronavirus press briefings as “ clown ” shows on Wednesday .
While most would be taken aback by the suggestion that a political candidate should go ahead and skip an election and just create a parallel government to somehow override the existing one , Ruhle ’ s guest , former Obama White House office Jim Messina , was unfazed by the comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader providing guidance to citizens during the current pandemic .
The comment did not go over so smoothly on social media .
Daily Wire contributor Derek Hunter dubbed Ruhle the “ dumbest f**king person on cable television ” for the suggestion .
“ Can you imagine if a Democrat were in the WH and this was suffering Fox News ?
” another user asked .
Ruhle ’ s comment about a “ shadow government ” is not her first time endorsing such an idea , just the only time she ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for Biden to put together a “ shadow council ” to re-open American industries .
But since Biden is no longer vice president and holds no official authority , it ’ s difficult to see how Ruhle thinks a “ shadow ” -anything would have any more authority under him than some anti-government militia led by a private citizen .
If you like this story , share it with a friend !

MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle went beyond the point of shilling for Joe Biden by asking whether the former vice president should set up a “shadow government” to counter Donald Trump’s coronavirus daily briefings.
Biden may be riding the momentum of endorsements from previous competitors Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, as well as from former President Barack Obama, but one MSNBC host thinks he needs to do more to “counter-program” Trump during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Should he be creating his own shadow government, shadow cabinet, shadow SWAT team, and getting up there on a podium every night saying, ‘here’s the crisis we’re in,’” Ruhle said, after a guest referred to Trump’s daily coronavirus press briefings as “clown” shows on Wednesday.
MSNBC's @SRuhle suggests Biden create "shadow government" to counter Trump during pandemic crisis pic.twitter.com/pxT8RvBuTU — Kyle Drennen (@kjdrennen) April 15, 2020
While most would be taken aback by the suggestion that a political candidate should go ahead and skip an election and just create a parallel government to somehow override the existing one, Ruhle’s guest, former Obama White House office Jim Messina, was unfazed by the comments and continued talking up Biden as a leader providing guidance to citizens during the current pandemic.
The comment did not go over so smoothly on social media.
“Biden can’t create a coherent sentence so good luck creating a shadow government,” one user tweeted.
Biden can’t create a coherent sentence so good luck creating a shadow government https://t.co/T36PH1EM9Q — JCorrado (@ForzaCorrado) April 15, 2020
Daily Wire contributor Derek Hunter dubbed Ruhle the “dumbest f**king person on cable television” for the suggestion.
“Can you imagine if a Democrat were in the WH and this was suffering Fox News?” another user asked.
Words utterly fail me 🤬🤬🤬🤬MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle wonders if Joe Biden should create ‘his own shadow government, shadow cabinet, shadow SWAT Team’ to counteract Trump’s COVID19 pressers [video] https://t.co/8BoZMhXwNm — Bent Not Broken!! (@PatrickArnold77) April 15, 2020
Ruhle’s comment about a “shadow government” is not her first time endorsing such an idea, just the only time she’s been direct about it. She previously tweeted support for Biden to put together a “shadow council” to re-open American industries.
But since Biden is no longer vice president and holds no official authority, it’s difficult to see how Ruhle thinks a “shadow”-anything would have any more authority under him than some anti-government militia led by a private citizen.
If you like this story, share it with a friend!


rt--2020-04-15--Pelosi’s motives questioned for labeling Zoom a ‘Chinese entity’ after waving off remote voting for

Pelosi’s motives questioned for labeling Zoom a ‘Chinese entity’ after waving off remote voting for Congress

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi slammed Zoom over security concerns when talking about Congress remotely voting , mistakenly calling the American firm “ Chinese.
” Both her logic and motives have quickly fallen under suspicion .
“ People think we can do Congress by Zoom .
Zoom is a Chinese entity that we ’ ve been told not to even trust the security of , ” Pelosi told MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes this week when questioned about Congress not meeting before the first week of May .
Zoom is a video conferencing app that has been utilized by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has shot to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic .
It has also been used by schools for online classes .
While the app has come under question for routing calls through China – which its CEO says happened “ mistakenly ” – it is an American company headquartered in San Jose , California , that has been in existence for nine years .
“ What a ridiculous evasion , ” writer Sam Adler-Bell tweeted in reaction to Pelosi ’ s comments , adding that Zoom is only one of many remote options for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potentials , Adler-Bell wrote , Pelosi is taking “ absolute control over the caucus.
” “ With most reps at home dealing with constituent needs , she ’ s effectively the only Democratic legislator right now , ” he tweeted .
“ Pelosi pretending the only remote voting option possible is Zoom calls routed through China is about as serious as Trump saying the virus would disappear through a ‘ miracle , ’ '' Huffington Post writer Zach Carter added .
Pelosi admits Covid-19 presents an “ emergency ” for the country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is allowed under the Constitution , under the rules of the House , what is possible technologically , but we haven ’ t gotten to that.
” Meanwhile , others tried to find the origin of Pelosi ’ s belief that Zoom is a “ Chinese entity ” – even suggesting she may have “ confusion ” over the ethnicity of its CEO .
“ Is ‘ routing calls through China ’ the explanation here as to why Pelosi thought Zoom was a ‘ Chinese entity ’ or is anyone going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Chinese-American and this is also maybe , perhaps the reason for her confusion , ” writer Adam H. Johnson tweeted .
While far from being the only video conferencing app , as Zoom is used more and more , it has faced a wave of questions about security concerns .
The New York City Department of Education , for instance , told educators not to use the service as hackers could infiltrate video conferences and troll with expletives or inappropriate imagery , though the issue can likely be chalked up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the app itself .
Eric Yuen , the company ’ s CEO , admitted to NPR last week he had not thought about online harassment “ seriously ” before it became an issue with more widespread usage .
He promised the company will “ transform our business to a privacy-and-security-first mentality ” following the well-publicized missteps .
Like this story ?
Share it with a friend !

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi slammed Zoom over security concerns when talking about Congress remotely voting, mistakenly calling the American firm “Chinese.” Both her logic and motives have quickly fallen under suspicion.
“People think we can do Congress by Zoom. Zoom is a Chinese entity that we’ve been told not to even trust the security of,” Pelosi told MSNBC’s Chris Hayes this week when questioned about Congress not meeting before the first week of May.
Zoom is a video conferencing app that has been utilized by many companies with employees working remotely and has shot to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has also been used by schools for online classes.
While the app has come under question for routing calls through China – which its CEO says happened “mistakenly” – it is an American company headquartered in San Jose, California, that has been in existence for nine years.
Also on rt.com Thousands DRIVE to Michigan capitol in protest over governor’s strict Covid-19 lockdown (PHOTO, VIDEO)
“What a ridiculous evasion,” writer Sam Adler-Bell tweeted in reaction to Pelosi’s comments, adding that Zoom is only one of many remote options for Congress. By waving off remote voting potentials, Adler-Bell wrote, Pelosi is taking “absolute control over the caucus.”
“With most reps at home dealing with constituent needs, she’s effectively the only Democratic legislator right now,” he tweeted.
Also what a ridiculous evasion. As if Zoom is the only option.This is what I'm talking about. Without remote voting, Pelosi has absolute control over the caucus. With most reps at home dealing with constituent needs, she's effectively the only Democratic legislator right now. https://t.co/znK6Sh2jhu — Sam Adler-Bell (@SamAdlerBell) April 15, 2020
“Pelosi pretending the only remote voting option possible is Zoom calls routed through China is about as serious as Trump saying the virus would disappear through a ‘miracle,’" Huffington Post writer Zach Carter added.
Pelosi pretending the only remote voting option possible is Zoom calls routed through China is about as serious as Trump saying the virus would disappear through a "miracle." — Zach Carter (@zachdcarter) April 15, 2020
Pelosi admits Covid-19 presents an “emergency” for the country, but Congress is still looking into “what is allowed under the Constitution, under the rules of the House, what is possible technologically, but we haven’t gotten to that.”
Meanwhile, others tried to find the origin of Pelosi’s belief that Zoom is a “Chinese entity” – even suggesting she may have “confusion” over the ethnicity of its CEO.
Also on rt.com NY gov Cuomo mandates masks after offering New Yorkers as GUINEA PIGS for coronavirus vaccine
“Is ‘routing calls through China’ the explanation here as to why Pelosi thought Zoom was a ‘Chinese entity’ or is anyone going to point out the CEO of Zoom is a Chinese-American and this is also maybe, perhaps the reason for her confusion,” writer Adam H. Johnson tweeted.
You're not gonna find a bigger China hawk than I am but, um... https://t.co/DP2wGAr2lZ — Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) April 15, 2020
While far from being the only video conferencing app, as Zoom is used more and more, it has faced a wave of questions about security concerns. The New York City Department of Education, for instance, told educators not to use the service as hackers could infiltrate video conferences and troll with expletives or inappropriate imagery, though the issue can likely be chalked up to the culture of the web more than to the app itself.
Eric Yuen, the company’s CEO, admitted to NPR last week he had not thought about online harassment “seriously” before it became an issue with more widespread usage.
He promised the company will “transform our business to a privacy-and-security-first mentality” following the well-publicized missteps.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!


rt--2020-04-15--NY gov Cuomo mandates masks after offering New Yorkers as GUINEA PIGS for coronavirus vaccine

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has volunteered his state as a “ laboratory ” for coronavirus vaccine testing as he contemplates reopening its economy .
He has then ordered state residents to wear masks in public at all times .
“ You want to use New York state as a laboratory ?
We are ready , willing and able , ” Cuomo gushed on Wednesday during his daily coronavirus press conference , addressing the Food and Drug Administration , which is conducting early-stage vaccine trials on a number of experimental coronavirus vaccine compounds .
New York was not only “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” about turning its population into pharmaceutical guinea pigs , Cuomo suggested , it was only natural given its status as the global epicenter of the epidemic .
“ You need a place to test [ a vaccine ] in large numbers , think of New York.
” Cuomo seemed to have confidence that the state ’ s economy would reopen soon , however .
“ We have the infection spread down to a manageable number , ” he said , even while acknowledging that the state would be “ going to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal ” rather than reverting to status quo .
New Yorkers “ MUST wear a mask or face covering in public in situations where social distancing is not possible , ” Cuomo declared in an executive order also posted to Twitter on Wednesday .
As examples , he mentioned public transportation and busy sidewalks .
The governor shied away from the possibility of criminal charges for not wearing masks , but hinted at “ civil penalties ” if people refused to follow the order and suggested neighborly surveillance would suffice for now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cuomo claimed “ large-scaling testing ” was “ the single best tool to safely reopen society ” but insisted “ we can ’ t get either diagnostic or antibody testing to scale without federal support.
” New York recorded 752 deaths with the coronavirus in the last 24 hours – a slight drop from the previous day – but Cuomo cautioned that “ we are not out of the woods yet ” and pledged to conduct 2,000 or more finger-prick antibody tests per day , focusing on first responders and healthcare workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus pandemic , with over 202,000 confirmed cases and 10,834 deaths with the virus , according to New York statistics .
However , casualty numbers released on Tuesday by New York City include close to 3,800 people who were never tested for coronavirus but merely assumed to have the disease .
The US has 614,482 cases as of Wednesday and some 132,276 fatalities , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Think your friends would be interested ?
Share this story !

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has volunteered his state as a “laboratory” for coronavirus vaccine testing as he contemplates reopening its economy. He has then ordered state residents to wear masks in public at all times.
“You want to use New York state as a laboratory? We are ready, willing and able,” Cuomo gushed on Wednesday during his daily coronavirus press conference, addressing the Food and Drug Administration, which is conducting early-stage vaccine trials on a number of experimental coronavirus vaccine compounds.
.@NYGovCuomo says the state won’t be normal until there’s a vaccine.“We are all in, and energized and creative and ambitious about it. So anything we can do to accelerate that vaccine, we will do. You need a place to test it in large numbers? Think of New York.” — Jimmy Vielkind (@JimmyVielkind) April 15, 2020
New York was not only “energized, and creative, and ambitious” about turning its population into pharmaceutical guinea pigs, Cuomo suggested, it was only natural given its status as the global epicenter of the epidemic. “You need a place to test [a vaccine] in large numbers, think of New York.”
Anything we can do to accelerate that vaccine, we will do.
Cuomo seemed to have confidence that the state’s economy would reopen soon, however. “We have the infection spread down to a manageable number,” he said, even while acknowledging that the state would be “going to a different place, which is a new normal” rather than reverting to status quo.
New Yorkers “MUST wear a mask or face covering in public in situations where social distancing is not possible,” Cuomo declared in an executive order also posted to Twitter on Wednesday. As examples, he mentioned public transportation and busy sidewalks.
#BREAKING: I am issuing an Executive Order today that all people MUST wear a mask or face covering in public in situations where social distancing is not possible. — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) April 15, 2020
The governor shied away from the possibility of criminal charges for not wearing masks, but hinted at “civil penalties” if people refused to follow the order and suggested neighborly surveillance would suffice for now.
By the way, people will enforce it, they’ll say to you, if they’re standing next to you on a street corner, ‘Where’s your mask, buddy?’ in a nice New York kind of way.
Calling for aid from the Trump administration, Cuomo claimed “large-scaling testing” was “the single best tool to safely reopen society” but insisted “we can’t get either diagnostic or antibody testing to scale without federal support.”
New York recorded 752 deaths with the coronavirus in the last 24 hours – a slight drop from the previous day – but Cuomo cautioned that “we are not out of the woods yet” and pledged to conduct 2,000 or more finger-prick antibody tests per day, focusing on first responders and healthcare workers. The state is currently the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, with over 202,000 confirmed cases and 10,834 deaths with the virus, according to New York statistics. However, casualty numbers released on Tuesday by New York City include close to 3,800 people who were never tested for coronavirus but merely assumed to have the disease. The US has 614,482 cases as of Wednesday and some 132,276 fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Also on rt.com ‘Presumed Covid-19’: NYC corona deaths suddenly soar past 10,000 after more than 3,700 victims added to list on PROBABLE grounds
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!


rt--2020-04-15--Thousands DRIVE to Michigan capitol in protest over governor’s strict Covid-19 lockdown (PHOTO, VIDE

Thousands DRIVE to Michigan capitol in protest over governor’s strict Covid-19 lockdown (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Outraged by their governor ’ s ban on “ non-essential ” sales and activities , thousands of angry Michigan residents got into their cars and drove to her office in Lansing , in what they dubbed ‘ Operation Gridlock.
’ Long convoys of cars , trucks and other vehicles streamed into the state capital on Wednesday , in freezing weather and through snow showers , to protest what many see as a draconian order .
Video from the scene showed long lines of vehicles parked in the streets .
Governor Gretchen Witmer , a Democrat , issued the executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not necessary to sustain or protect life ” – severely limiting sales , recreation , and even travel , citing the need to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
READ MORE : Lotto tickets are OK , but not seeds ?
Residents baffled after Michigan bans purchases of ‘ non-essential ’ items At least 15,000 vehicles were expected at the protest , the organizers told Fox News .
Additional protesters joined the horn-honking cars on foot , mostly maintaining the 6-foot ( 2-meter ) “ social distance ” mandated by health authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement of sick people .
Tyranny is when you restrict the movement of healthy people , ” Meshawn Maddock of the Michigan Conservative Coalition told the network .
“ Every person has learned a harsh lesson about social distancing .
We don ’ t need a nanny state to tell people how to be careful.
” Republican politician Mike Detmer shared a sign for the event , with the slogan “ She ’ s driving us out of business – We ’ re driving to Lansing.
” Armed militia members showed up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters climbed on top of their cars and waved about American flags – as well as campaign banners for President Donald Trump .
Others carried signs about freedom , liberty , and wanting to work .
A million Michiganders were laid off due to the coronavirus shutdown so far – along with 20 million people across the US .
The protest wasn ’ t popular with all Michiganders , however – online # Resistance accused the demonstrators of dangerous and irresponsible behavior , and even cursed them out on social media .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US so far , with 26,000 deaths and counting .
Of those , Michigan accounted for 27,000 infections and 1,768 deaths – overwhelmingly concentrated in Detroit and the three neighboring counties .
Yet the state ’ s shutdown has been one of the strictest in the US .
A petition to recall Whitmer in response to her “ tyrannical ” orders has already received almost 250,000 signatures .
Think your friends would be interested ?
Share this story !

Outraged by their governor’s ban on “non-essential” sales and activities, thousands of angry Michigan residents got into their cars and drove to her office in Lansing, in what they dubbed ‘Operation Gridlock.’
Long convoys of cars, trucks and other vehicles streamed into the state capital on Wednesday, in freezing weather and through snow showers, to protest what many see as a draconian order. Video from the scene showed long lines of vehicles parked in the streets.
Massive convoy heading from Lowell to Lansing for #operationgridlock. Group is protesting @GovWhitmer extending stay-at-home order through end of April. Saying it violates their rights @wzzm13pic.twitter.com/Jfc4u9odf2 — Noah Fromson (@NoahFromson) April 15, 2020
The protest in Lansing has already started pic.twitter.com/j7IRUEQagp — Rick Albin (@RickAlbinWoodTV) April 15, 2020
Governor Gretchen Witmer, a Democrat, issued the executive order last week suspending “activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life” – severely limiting sales, recreation, and even travel, citing the need to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
READ MORE: Lotto tickets are OK, but not seeds? Residents baffled after Michigan bans purchases of ‘non-essential’ items
At least 15,000 vehicles were expected at the protest, the organizers told Fox News. Additional protesters joined the horn-honking cars on foot, mostly maintaining the 6-foot (2-meter) “social distance” mandated by health authorities.
Chants of “recall Whitmer,” “USA” and “lock her up” outside Michigan Capitol. #OperationGridlockpic.twitter.com/7Q7niiNFUF — Malachi Barrett (@PolarBarrett) April 15, 2020
Happening in Lansing, MI This is getting big. Thousands of cars are rolling into town. State Police are closing off exits around the city. I'm proud of my state right now. pic.twitter.com/1N1wSfN0za — Reverend Calvin Barnes (@VoiceofCal) April 15, 2020
“Quarantine is when you restrict movement of sick people. Tyranny is when you restrict the movement of healthy people,” Meshawn Maddock of the Michigan Conservative Coalition told the network. “Every person has learned a harsh lesson about social distancing. We don’t need a nanny state to tell people how to be careful.”
Republican politician Mike Detmer shared a sign for the event, with the slogan “She’s driving us out of business – We’re driving to Lansing.”
OPERATION GRIDLOCK #OperationGridlockLivingston county residents: We will be meeting at 10 am this morning at Art Van in Howell / departing for Lansing around 11 am tentative arrival 12 Noon! pic.twitter.com/mbH7TE9879 — Detmer for Congress 2020 (@DetmerMike) April 15, 2020
Armed militia members showed up on foot as well. Some of the protesters climbed on top of their cars and waved about American flags – as well as campaign banners for President Donald Trump.
Check out what’s happening in Lansing today over the Governor’s thoughtless actions pic.twitter.com/iWtIDCOCXz — joellesrebinski (@joellesrebinski) April 15, 2020
Others carried signs about freedom, liberty, and wanting to work. A million Michiganders were laid off due to the coronavirus shutdown so far – along with 20 million people across the US.
The protest wasn’t popular with all Michiganders, however – online #Resistance accused the demonstrators of dangerous and irresponsible behavior, and even cursed them out on social media.
Everyone has the right to protest, but to be clear: Lansing is empty. We are almost entirely working remotely. All Operation Gridlock is accomplishing is blocking traffic for essential workers and first responders in the middle of a pandemic. This is silly and irresponsible. — Laurie Pohutsky (@lpohutsky19) April 15, 2020
A conservative group made up of entitled white men and their wives who can’t think for themselves is headed to our capitol to protest our governors stay at home orders.Their intention is to cause gridlock. Workers in Lansing have been working from home for weeks.Dumb fucks — lisastark35 (@lisastark351) April 15, 2020
Some 610,000 cases of Covid-19 have been registered in the US so far, with 26,000 deaths and counting. Of those, Michigan accounted for 27,000 infections and 1,768 deaths – overwhelmingly concentrated in Detroit and the three neighboring counties. Yet the state’s shutdown has been one of the strictest in the US.
A petition to recall Whitmer in response to her “tyrannical” orders has already received almost 250,000 signatures.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!


rt--2020-04-15--‘Post-mortem’ analysis needed: US disease control chief says too early to say whether WHO failed, af

‘Post-mortem’ analysis needed: US disease control chief says too early to say whether WHO failed, after Trump suspends funding

The US CDC director , Robert Redfield , has hailed America ’ s ‘ productive cooperation ’ with the WHO as President Donald Trump blamed if for failed response to Covid-19 crisis .
It was too early to decide if it failed , Redfield said .
“ The CDC and WHO have had a long history of working together in multiple outbreaks throughout the world , and we continue to do [ so ] on this one , ” Robert Redfield told ABC ’ s Good Morning America , when asked about Trump ’ s decision to cut the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s funding .
Redfield refrained from directly assessing either the president ’ s actions or those of the WHO , saying it was not the right time to pass judgment .
“ I would like to do the post-mortem on this outbreak once we get through it together , ” he said .
He maintained that the relationship between his agency and the WHO has been “ very productive ” and would continue to be so .
‘ Now is not the time !
’ UN chief says WHO is ‘ critical ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuts funding to probe its ‘ China ties ’ On Monday , Trump cut funding to the WHO , blaming it for “ severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.
” He said it had failed to obtain the necessary information in time , allegedly out of fear of offending China , where the virus originated .
Both the WHO and China responded to Trump ’ s criticism by publishing detailed timelines of their actions to tackle the outbreak , while WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that politicizing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body bags.
” Washington ’ s decision to cease funding has also since been criticized by the UN and America ’ s allies in Europe .
If you like this story , share it with a friend !

The US CDC director, Robert Redfield, has hailed America’s ‘productive cooperation’ with the WHO as President Donald Trump blamed if for failed response to Covid-19 crisis. It was too early to decide if it failed, Redfield said.
“The CDC and WHO have had a long history of working together in multiple outbreaks throughout the world, and we continue to do [so] on this one,” Robert Redfield told ABC’s Good Morning America, when asked about Trump’s decision to cut the United Nations (UN) health watchdog’s funding.
Redfield refrained from directly assessing either the president’s actions or those of the WHO, saying it was not the right time to pass judgment. “I would like to do the post-mortem on this outbreak once we get through it together,” he said. He maintained that the relationship between his agency and the WHO has been “very productive” and would continue to be so.
Also on rt.com ‘Now is not the time!’ UN chief says WHO is ‘critical’ in global war against Covid-19 as US cuts funding to probe its ‘China ties’
On Monday, Trump cut funding to the WHO, blaming it for “severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus.” He said it had failed to obtain the necessary information in time, allegedly out of fear of offending China, where the virus originated.
Both the WHO and China responded to Trump’s criticism by publishing detailed timelines of their actions to tackle the outbreak, while WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that politicizing the issue would lead only to “more body bags.” Washington’s decision to cease funding has also since been criticized by the UN and America’s allies in Europe.
If you like this story, share it with a friend!


rt--2020-04-15--Playing it really, really safe? Warren waits until Biden’s the last man standing before endorsing hi

Playing it really, really safe? Warren waits until Biden’s the last man standing before endorsing him for 2020

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has finally endorsed former vice president Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential race .
With no other Democrats left in the field , her tardy decision left voters less than enthusiastic .
Warren somewhat belatedly threw her support behind the presumptive nominee on Wednesday via Twitter , days after Democratic Socialist challenger Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race .
She was the last holdout among Biden 's former rivals to endorse the centrist Democrat .
Warren ruffled supporters ' feathers after her own departure from the nominating contest last month , when she refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Biden .
Many in the party 's progressive faction resented her for supposedly taking a fatal bite out of Sanders ' lead in several close Super Tuesday races .
The senator 's waiting game – even former president Barack Obama endorsed Biden on Tuesday !
– did not go unnoticed by the social media commentariat .
`` Brave of her , '' one user snarked .
Some hoped ( or feared ) that Warren might end up as Biden 's vice president .
The Trump campaign and its supporters weighed in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him a `` Washington insider '' less than two months ago and suggesting she was less than sincere about the whole thing .
Snake emojis were rampant from disaffected progressives – as were references to sexual assault allegations against Biden .
But the blue-check brigade was all smiles - better late than never !
Think your friends would be interested ?
Share this story !

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has finally endorsed former vice president Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential race. With no other Democrats left in the field, her tardy decision left voters less than enthusiastic.
Warren somewhat belatedly threw her support behind the presumptive nominee on Wednesday via Twitter, days after Democratic Socialist challenger Bernie Sanders dropped out of the race. She was the last holdout among Biden's former rivals to endorse the centrist Democrat.
Also on rt.com Elizabeth Warren officially endorses Democrat Joe Biden for 2020 election
Warren ruffled supporters' feathers after her own departure from the nominating contest last month, when she refused to come out in support of either Sanders or Biden. Many in the party's progressive faction resented her for supposedly taking a fatal bite out of Sanders' lead in several close Super Tuesday races.
The senator's waiting game – even former president Barack Obama endorsed Biden on Tuesday! – did not go unnoticed by the social media commentariat. "Brave of her," one user snarked.
Shocking turn of events, going out on a limb, choosing the last remaining Democrat over Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/xN0Bq1F5TC — 🌹 Clark wants Joe Biden to draw a clock (@Clarknt67) April 15, 2020
Breaking: 1/2024 Native American Serpent Endorses Candidate With 0% Chance of Winning — Krian Brassenstein (@KBrassenstein) April 15, 2020
Some hoped (or feared) that Warren might end up as Biden's vice president.
I really hope @JoeBiden picks you for his Vice President. — PhatboyNYC (@PhatboyNYC) April 15, 2020
Wonder if he'll pick her as VP to pander to the Progressives and try and drag some of the Bernie supporters back over? — Chesty Puller's Ghost 🇺🇲 (@Priv_Sht_Lord) April 15, 2020
The Trump campaign and its supporters weighed in, pointing out that she had just called him a "Washington insider" less than two months ago and suggesting she was less than sincere about the whole thing.
Just six weeks ago, Elizabeth Warren attacked Joe Biden as a "Washington insider" backed by "Washington insiders.""Nominating a man who says we do not need any fundamental change in this country will not meet this moment," she said. pic.twitter.com/eXsByQUKIQ — Trump War Room - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) April 15, 2020
Elizabeth Warren’s backing of Joe Biden has to be the least sincere endorsement ever.No one else is left in the Democrat race.The whole of the Democrat establishment has fallen in line.Warren looks around a gives a half-hearted “Same.”The ambivalence is palpable. — Tim Murtaugh - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TimMurtaugh) April 15, 2020
Snake emojis were rampant from disaffected progressives – as were references to sexual assault allegations against Biden.
Was waiting until after Bernie endorsed the concession you got for completely selling out? We're coming for your Senate seat in 2024. Don't even THINK about running for POTUS again. 🐍 — Johnny Doesn't Vote For Rapists 🔥✊🌹🦺 (@JohnnyJamsSEA) April 15, 2020
I mean she did just endorse a rapist but ok — In a Deep Blue or Deep Red State? Vote Green! (@berniebromanny) April 15, 2020
But the blue-check brigade was all smiles - better late than never!
This is so, so damn good. As with everything else, Elizabeth Warren refuses to just check a box. She's showing up for the fight and making it clear we need to get behind Joe Biden as the next leader of our country. https://t.co/8eYUyDL4HG — Charlotte Clymer 🏳🌈 (@cmclymer) April 15, 2020
Classy, effective, well produced endorsement — Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) April 15, 2020
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!


rt--2020-04-15--Elizabeth Warren officially endorses Democrat Joe Biden for 2020 election

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has joined former President Barack Obama and fellow ex-candidate Bernie Sanders in throwing her support behind Joe Biden , the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for the 2020 election .
`` In this moment of crisis , it ’ s more important than ever that the next president restores Americans ’ faith in good , effective government , '' Warren tweeted on Wednesday morning in her endorsement of Biden .
The senator also tweeted out a video of her talking up Biden 's commitment to `` public service '' and `` empathy , '' admitting she does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` 100 percent of the time , '' but respects that he `` will always tell you where he stands . ''
Warren 's endorsement comes two days after Sanders officially backed Biden , and one day after Obama did , further cementing Biden 's status as the Democrat Party 's most likely 2020 presidential nominee .
The more progressive Warren and more moderate Biden clashed often on the campaign trail until the senator ended her campaign last month .
Warren has called Biden a “ Washington insider , ” while Biden criticized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way or the highway attitude ” on policy .
Warren 's endorsement sparked mixed reactions among Democratic supporters , with some welcoming her move as a bid towards a more `` unified '' party “ to defeat Trump.
” The senator 's announcement on Wednesday , however , has also reignited criticism over whether she helped Biden 's campaign by not dropping out until after Super Tuesday .
Pundits , as well as President Donald Trump , have argued Warren staying in the race cost Sanders serious delegate numbers and his last fighting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up the sentiment of many by tweeting that “ the most helpful thing ” Warren has done for Biden isn ’ t her official backing , but “ her decision not to endorse Bernie Sanders five weeks ago when she suspended her campaign , despite their ideological alignment . ''
Think your friends would be interested ?
Share this story !

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren has joined former President Barack Obama and fellow ex-candidate Bernie Sanders in throwing her support behind Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic Party nominee for the 2020 election.
"In this moment of crisis, it’s more important than ever that the next president restores Americans’ faith in good, effective government," Warren tweeted on Wednesday morning in her endorsement of Biden.
The senator also tweeted out a video of her talking up Biden's commitment to "public service" and "empathy," admitting she does not agree with the former vice president "100 percent of the time," but respects that he "will always tell you where he stands."
In this moment of crisis, it’s more important than ever that the next president restores Americans’ faith in good, effective government—and I’ve seen Joe Biden help our nation rebuild. Today, I’m proud to endorse @JoeBiden as President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/VrfBtJvFee — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) April 15, 2020
Warren's endorsement comes two days after Sanders officially backed Biden, and one day after Obama did, further cementing Biden's status as the Democrat Party's most likely 2020 presidential nominee.
The more progressive Warren and more moderate Biden clashed often on the campaign trail until the senator ended her campaign last month. Warren has called Biden a “Washington insider,” while Biden criticized her campaign for having a “my way or the highway attitude” on policy.
Warren's endorsement sparked mixed reactions among Democratic supporters, with some welcoming her move as a bid towards a more "unified" party “to defeat Trump.”
.@ewarren is endorsing @JoeBiden this morning. Thank you Senator Warren. This is what Democracy & UNITY looks like. I am hopeful for our country & hopeful that this country will finally deal with gun violence. I hope the supporters of all candidates will join this movement. — Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) April 15, 2020
The senator's announcement on Wednesday, however, has also reignited criticism over whether she helped Biden's campaign by not dropping out until after Super Tuesday. Pundits, as well as President Donald Trump, have argued Warren staying in the race cost Sanders serious delegate numbers and his last fighting chance against Biden.
One person summed up the sentiment of many by tweeting that “the most helpful thing” Warren has done for Biden isn’t her official backing, but “her decision not to endorse Bernie Sanders five weeks ago when she suspended her campaign, despite their ideological alignment."
Warren's double standards are evident: endorsing Biden and assisting once again the Democrats to oust Bernie Sanders, from the 2020 elections — FirstWorldcitizen (@FWorldcitizen) April 15, 2020
Also on rt.com Trump blames Warren & DNC for Sanders ending campaign, INVITES ‘Bernie people’ to the Republican Party
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!


rt--2020-04-15--Mysterious Covid-19 outbreak forces US Navy to quarantine 116 crew on HOSPITAL ship treating handful

Mysterious Covid-19 outbreak forces US Navy to quarantine 116 crew on HOSPITAL ship treating handful of non-coronavirus patients

The US Navy has removed more than 100 sailors from a hospital ship docked in Los Angeles to aid the city ’ s fight against Covid-19 after seven crew members contracted the lethal virus – but exactly how remains a mystery .
The 116 medical staff members were pulled off the USNS 'Mercy ' on Tuesday and brought to a nearby base where they entered quarantine , Lieutenant Rochelle Rieger of the 3rd Fleet told the Associated Press , adding that none have been hospitalized .
More puzzling , however , is how – and where – the seven infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , given that the ship 's entire crew of more than 1,000 were tested and cleared before it set off for Los Angeles in late March .
Since then , none of the sailors have been allowed to leave the vessel .
Though the 'Mercy ' was deployed to take pressure off of LA ’ s crowded hospitals – intending to receive non-coronavirus patients to make room in intensive care units around the city – the ship has only taken in some 20 patients to date , largely due to strict military protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that two of the infected personnel came in close contact with a handful of patients , but only while wearing full protective gear , including goggles , gloves and N95 masks .
None of the ship ’ s 20 patients have tested positive for the virus , however medical experts have warned that some Covid-19 test kits are unreliable and can return ‘ false negative ’ results , leaving some room for infected individuals to slip past screenings .
While there are now more questions than answers as to how the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' Rieger said the relocation of the 116 crewmen won ’ t affect the ship ’ s ability to treat patients – what few of them there are – adding that the Navy will send some of the staff to work in LA ’ s medical facilities after completing a 14-day quarantine .
Like this story ?
Share it with a friend !

The US Navy has removed more than 100 sailors from a hospital ship docked in Los Angeles to aid the city’s fight against Covid-19 after seven crew members contracted the lethal virus – but exactly how remains a mystery.
The 116 medical staff members were pulled off the USNS 'Mercy' on Tuesday and brought to a nearby base where they entered quarantine, Lieutenant Rochelle Rieger of the 3rd Fleet told the Associated Press, adding that none have been hospitalized.
More puzzling, however, is how – and where – the seven infected sailors could have picked up the virus, given that the ship's entire crew of more than 1,000 were tested and cleared before it set off for Los Angeles in late March. Since then, none of the sailors have been allowed to leave the vessel.
Also on rt.com US sailor from corona-stricken aircraft carrier 'Theodore Roosevelt' dies after days in intensive care
Though the 'Mercy' was deployed to take pressure off of LA’s crowded hospitals – intending to receive non-coronavirus patients to make room in intensive care units around the city – the ship has only taken in some 20 patients to date, largely due to strict military protocols governing who can receive treatment.
The only people going on and off the ship are the actual patients we've been treating so it's very hard to trace where this came from.
Rieger said that two of the infected personnel came in close contact with a handful of patients, but only while wearing full protective gear, including goggles, gloves and N95 masks. None of the ship’s 20 patients have tested positive for the virus, however medical experts have warned that some Covid-19 test kits are unreliable and can return ‘false negative’ results, leaving some room for infected individuals to slip past screenings.
While there are now more questions than answers as to how the virus made it on board the 'Mercy,' Rieger said the relocation of the 116 crewmen won’t affect the ship’s ability to treat patients – what few of them there are – adding that the Navy will send some of the staff to work in LA’s medical facilities after completing a 14-day quarantine.
Also on rt.com Los Angeles man tries to RAM train into ‘suspicious’ US Navy hospital ship ‘to wake people up’
Like this story? Share it with a friend!


rt--2020-04-14--‘Presumed Covid-19’: NYC corona deaths suddenly soar past 10,000 after more than 3,700 victims added

‘Presumed Covid-19’: NYC corona deaths suddenly soar past 10,000 after more than 3,700 victims added to list on PROBABLE grounds

Coronavirus deaths in New York City have spiked by more than 3,700 after officials tacked on a group of victims merely suspected of having the virus .
The city joins a growing list of sites counting “ probable ” cases as infected .
The additional deaths – 3,778 , to be exact – include people who are “ presumed to have been infected because of their symptoms and medical history , ” according to two sources cited by the New York Times , which reported the deaths on Tuesday .
These “ probables ” bring the total number of casualties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raise the nation ’ s total death toll by a whopping 17 percent .
Over 26,000 people are now considered to have died with the coronavirus in the US , according to the Times .
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had initially declined to include the “ probables ” as coronavirus deaths but reportedly changed his mind after a weekend briefing , the sources said , adding that most of the presumed deaths took place in hospitals .
While New York has tested more people per capita for coronavirus than anywhere else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other sites – city health commissioner Oxiris Barbot named Connecticut , Ohio , Maryland , and Delaware – that began reporting “ probable ” cases as coronavirus deaths this week .
Other sites , including California and Seattle , have limited their casualty counts to those that can be confirmed by testing .
Disagreements between local and regional health authorities over the number of coronavirus deaths have also been blamed on the use of “ different data systems.
” New York City authorities have complained that the state has dragged its feet sharing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A similar decision to classify cases that haven ’ t tested positive as coronavirus was reported by the Times earlier this month .
The oddly-worded piece claimed “ experts said ” that “ a vast majority of people visiting emergency rooms with flu-like symptoms probably have the coronavirus.
” Some city hospitals were no longer even bothering to test for influenza , instead assuming that everyone with flu-like symptoms was a coronavirus patient , an infectious disease specialist told the outlet .
The classification has raised more than a few eyebrows among medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senator and physician Dr Scott Jensen slammed as “ ridiculous ” the Centers for Disease Control guidelines advising doctors to list cause of death as coronavirus even in the absence of a test .
“ We are going to undermine the public trust , ” he told Fox News last week , warning that the public ’ s “ trust in politicians is already wearing thin.
” Like this story ?
Share it with a friend !

Coronavirus deaths in New York City have spiked by more than 3,700 after officials tacked on a group of victims merely suspected of having the virus. The city joins a growing list of sites counting “probable” cases as infected.
The additional deaths – 3,778, to be exact – include people who are “presumed to have been infected because of their symptoms and medical history,” according to two sources cited by the New York Times, which reported the deaths on Tuesday. These “probables” bring the total number of casualties for New York City to 10,367 and raise the nation’s total death toll by a whopping 17 percent. Over 26,000 people are now considered to have died with the coronavirus in the US, according to the Times.
Also on rt.com ‘That won’t happen!’ Trump & Cuomo clash over New York’s ‘independence’ post-coronavirus
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had initially declined to include the “probables” as coronavirus deaths but reportedly changed his mind after a weekend briefing, the sources said, adding that most of the presumed deaths took place in hospitals. While New York has tested more people per capita for coronavirus than anywhere else in the US, it joins several other sites – city health commissioner Oxiris Barbot named Connecticut, Ohio, Maryland, and Delaware – that began reporting “probable” cases as coronavirus deaths this week. Other sites, including California and Seattle, have limited their casualty counts to those that can be confirmed by testing.
Disagreements between local and regional health authorities over the number of coronavirus deaths have also been blamed on the use of “different data systems.” New York City authorities have complained that the state has dragged its feet sharing data from hospitals and nursing homes.
A similar decision to classify cases that haven’t tested positive as coronavirus was reported by the Times earlier this month. The oddly-worded piece claimed “experts said” that “a vast majority of people visiting emergency rooms with flu-like symptoms probably have the coronavirus.” Some city hospitals were no longer even bothering to test for influenza, instead assuming that everyone with flu-like symptoms was a coronavirus patient, an infectious disease specialist told the outlet.
The classification has raised more than a few eyebrows among medical professionals and laypeople alike. Minnesota state senator and physician Dr Scott Jensen slammed as “ridiculous” the Centers for Disease Control guidelines advising doctors to list cause of death as coronavirus even in the absence of a test. “We are going to undermine the public trust,” he told Fox News last week, warning that the public’s “trust in politicians is already wearing thin.”
Now @NYCMayor says the city will count people who died “indirectly” from #COVID in its ever-rising death counts. What does that even mean? Can we assume every person who dies in NYC will be counted as a virus death unless proven otherwise? And how far back will the backdating go? pic.twitter.com/tfekYxmLfb — Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) April 14, 2020
This is ... not how math or science or medical research or data works https://t.co/dDOa3lohCH — Benny (@bennyjohnson) April 14, 2020
Like this story? Share it with a friend!


rt--2020-04-14--Obama endorses Biden for president in long-expected video

Former US president Barack Obama has officially endorsed his former vice president Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential race .
The long-awaited anointing came days after challenger Bernie Sanders packed in his own candidacy .
Obama endorsed Biden in a video message on Twitter on Tuesday , calling the selection of Biden as his VP “ one of the best decisions I ever made ” and referring to the candidate as `` a close friend . ''
Waxing poetic about how Biden was “ always asking what every policy would do for the middle class , ” Obama praised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s standing and leadership in the world ” and guide the country through the swine flu epidemic .
Obama alluded to the once-crowded Democratic field , claiming that facing off against some two dozen candidates had made Biden stronger .
He spared a few words of praise for Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders and “ the energy and enthusiasm he inspired , especially in young people.
” Obama called on “ Americans of all political stripes ” to unite to extricate President Donald Trump from the White House - though , as usual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successor ’ s name .
Warning that “ the other side has a propaganda network with little regard for the truth , ” he hinted that “ pandemics have a way of cutting through a lot of noise and spin.
” In what seemed to be a nod to some voters ' worries about Biden ’ s fitness for office , Obama reassured his audience that his anointed successor would “ surround himself with good people - experts , scientists , military officials , who actually know how to run the government.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throw his weight behind his former VP , he made a show during the primaries of keeping his cards close to his chest even as seemingly every candidate ran ads touting their cozy relationship with the first black US president .
President Donald Trump ’ s campaign welcomed the development on Tuesday , saying that Obama had spent five years telling his eight-year vice president not to run , and now endorsed him because he had no choice .
“ Biden is a bad candidate who will embarrass himself and his party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign said in a statement .
Sanders was the last of the challengers to drop out after low voter turnout triggered by the coronavirus epidemic contributed to his lengthy primary losing streak .
The Vermont senator has opted to remain on the ballot collecting delegates , claiming he hopes to use those numbers to pressure Biden into shifting his platform leftward at the convention - which has already been postponed once .
Think your friends would be interested ?
Share this story !

Former US president Barack Obama has officially endorsed his former vice president Joe Biden for the 2020 presidential race. The long-awaited anointing came days after challenger Bernie Sanders packed in his own candidacy.
Obama endorsed Biden in a video message on Twitter on Tuesday, calling the selection of Biden as his VP “one of the best decisions I ever made” and referring to the candidate as "a close friend."
I’m proud to endorse my friend @JoeBiden for President of the United States. Let's go: https://t.co/maHVGRozkX — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 14, 2020
Waxing poetic about how Biden was “always asking what every policy would do for the middle class,” Obama praised the candidate for “helping restore America’s standing and leadership in the world” and guide the country through the swine flu epidemic.
Obama alluded to the once-crowded Democratic field, claiming that facing off against some two dozen candidates had made Biden stronger. He spared a few words of praise for Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders and “the energy and enthusiasm he inspired, especially in young people.”
Also on rt.com Sanders joins Biden livestream to give full-throated ENDORSEMENT
Obama called on “Americans of all political stripes” to unite to extricate President Donald Trump from the White House - though, as usual, the former president did not utter his successor’s name. Warning that “the other side has a propaganda network with little regard for the truth,” he hinted that “pandemics have a way of cutting through a lot of noise and spin.”
In what seemed to be a nod to some voters' worries about Biden’s fitness for office, Obama reassured his audience that his anointed successor would “surround himself with good people - experts, scientists, military officials, who actually know how to run the government.”
While Obama had long been expected to throw his weight behind his former VP, he made a show during the primaries of keeping his cards close to his chest even as seemingly every candidate ran ads touting their cozy relationship with the first black US president.
Also on rt.com The whole Democratic primary is an Obama lookalike contest (and everyone's losing)
President Donald Trump’s campaign welcomed the development on Tuesday, saying that Obama had spent five years telling his eight-year vice president not to run, and now endorsed him because he had no choice.
“Biden is a bad candidate who will embarrass himself and his party. President Trump will destroy him,” the campaign said in a statement.
Sanders was the last of the challengers to drop out after low voter turnout triggered by the coronavirus epidemic contributed to his lengthy primary losing streak. The Vermont senator has opted to remain on the ballot collecting delegates, claiming he hopes to use those numbers to pressure Biden into shifting his platform leftward at the convention - which has already been postponed once.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!


rt--2020-04-14--‘That won’t happen!’ Trump & Cuomo clash over New York’s ‘independence’ post-coronavirus

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said he wouldn ’ t lift the economic shutdown of his state if ordered by President Trump , as long as public health was in danger .
But Trump insists Cuomo ’ s vaunted “ independence ” is a pipe dream .
“ If he ordered me to reopen in a way that would endanger the public health of the people of my state , I wouldn ’ t do it , ” Cuomo said in an interview with CNN on Tuesday .
The interview came a day after Trump asserted his authority to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with five regional governors to affirm their right to reopen on their own terms .
Much of the US economy has been in a state of near-total shutdown for three weeks , and Trump has reportedly said he plans to begin reversing this at the end of the month , when social distancing guidelines expire – or “ even ahead of schedule , ” as he hinted on Monday .
Trump has repeatedly insisted that the order to reopen is his alone to give , declaring on Monday that “ it is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many good reasons.
” Later that evening , he again flexed this power at a press conference , saying he has “ total ” authority to decide how and when to reboot the economy .
Cuomo disagreed , countering on Tuesday that he had the Constitution on his side .
“ It says the federal government does not have absolute power , ” he said .
“ It says the exact opposite of what the president said .
It says that would be a king.
” Trump responded by skewering Cuomo on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic , mocking the Democratic governor and his peers ’ quest for “ independence.
” Revealing that “ Cuomo ’ s been calling daily , even hourly , begging for everything , most of which should have been the state ’ s responsibility , ” Trump slammed his rival for allegedly failing to have the healthcare infrastructure in place to deal with the coronavirus pandemic .
Six weeks after recording its first case of Covid-19 , New York is still the hardest-hit state in the country by the pandemic .
Nearly 200,000 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Empire State , and more than 10,000 people have died .
New York accounts for around a third of all US cases , and nearly half of all Covid-19 deaths in the country .
Should Trump order Cuomo to reopen his state , the governor could challenge the order in court on Constitutional grounds .
Under the Tenth Amendment , states reserve all powers not explicitly held by the federal government – for example , in deciding their own public safety and healthcare policies .
A 2012 Supreme Court decision , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Care Act ( ACA , or Obamacare ) violated states ’ rights as it coerced the states into accepting an expansion of Medicaid coverage .
Trump could , however , instruct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to withhold funding from New York if Cuomo were to follow through on his promise .
When the president approved a major disaster declaration in New York last month , he granted Cuomo access to a $ 42-billion pot of federal disaster cash .
Under the Stafford Act , which governs such declarations , the president “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rapid deployment , use and distribution of critical resources to victims of an emergency , ” once a declaration has been made .
Nevertheless , the Act requires governors to prove that their states are incapable of handling the disaster on their own .
If Trump could prove that containing the crisis is not beyond the capabilities of Cuomo ’ s government , the flow of federal cash to New York could dry up .
Ultimately , the American people would be the biggest losers in a prolonged political grudge match between Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With over 16 million new unemployment claims filed in just three weeks , the US faces a massive economic depression the likes of which most have never seen .
Like this story ?
Share it with a friend !

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said he wouldn’t lift the economic shutdown of his state if ordered by President Trump, as long as public health was in danger. But Trump insists Cuomo’s vaunted “independence” is a pipe dream.
“If he ordered me to reopen in a way that would endanger the public health of the people of my state, I wouldn’t do it,” Cuomo said in an interview with CNN on Tuesday.
This morning, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo explicitly threatened legal action against the administration if Trump "ordered me to reopen in a way that would endanger the public health" of New Yorkers https://t.co/4NOowsLgjrpic.twitter.com/wNOJhtwtTr — POLITICO (@politico) April 14, 2020
The interview came a day after Trump asserted his authority to lift lockdown measures and Cuomo banded together with five regional governors to affirm their right to reopen on their own terms. Much of the US economy has been in a state of near-total shutdown for three weeks, and Trump has reportedly said he plans to begin reversing this at the end of the month, when social distancing guidelines expire – or “even ahead of schedule,” as he hinted on Monday.
"We're very close to completing a plan to open our country." pic.twitter.com/xnV4XxwnjL — The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 13, 2020
Trump has repeatedly insisted that the order to reopen is his alone to give, declaring on Monday that “it is the decision of the president, and for many good reasons.” Later that evening, he again flexed this power at a press conference, saying he has “total” authority to decide how and when to reboot the economy.
Cuomo disagreed, countering on Tuesday that he had the Constitution on his side. “It says the federal government does not have absolute power,” he said. “It says the exact opposite of what the president said. It says that would be a king.”
Trump responded by skewering Cuomo on Twitter for supposedly being unprepared for the coronavirus epidemic, mocking the Democratic governor and his peers’ quest for “independence.”
Cuomo’s been calling daily, even hourly, begging for everything, most of which should have been the state’s responsibility, such as new hospitals, beds, ventilators, etc. I got it all done for him, and everyone else, and now he seems to want Independence! That won’t happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 14, 2020
Revealing that “Cuomo’s been calling daily, even hourly, begging for everything, most of which should have been the state’s responsibility,” Trump slammed his rival for allegedly failing to have the healthcare infrastructure in place to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
I got it all done for him, and everyone else, and now he seems to want independence! That won’t happen!
Six weeks after recording its first case of Covid-19, New York is still the hardest-hit state in the country by the pandemic. Nearly 200,000 cases of the deadly virus have been recorded in the Empire State, and more than 10,000 people have died. New York accounts for around a third of all US cases, and nearly half of all Covid-19 deaths in the country.
Should Trump order Cuomo to reopen his state, the governor could challenge the order in court on Constitutional grounds. Under the Tenth Amendment, states reserve all powers not explicitly held by the federal government – for example, in deciding their own public safety and healthcare policies. A 2012 Supreme Court decision, for instance, ruled that the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare) violated states’ rights as it coerced the states into accepting an expansion of Medicaid coverage.
Also on rt.com Here comes ‘Cascadia’? Democrat governors colluding to end Covid-19 lockdowns spark talk of secession
Trump could, however, instruct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to withhold funding from New York if Cuomo were to follow through on his promise. When the president approved a major disaster declaration in New York last month, he granted Cuomo access to a $42-billion pot of federal disaster cash. Under the Stafford Act, which governs such declarations, the president “shall not ... delay or impede the rapid deployment, use and distribution of critical resources to victims of an emergency,” once a declaration has been made.
Nevertheless, the Act requires governors to prove that their states are incapable of handling the disaster on their own. If Trump could prove that containing the crisis is not beyond the capabilities of Cuomo’s government, the flow of federal cash to New York could dry up.
Also on rt.com Fed’s latest $2.3tn bailout unleashes it on US junk bond market while Main Street continues to languish
Ultimately, the American people would be the biggest losers in a prolonged political grudge match between Trump and a Cuomo-led pack of Democratic governors. With over 16 million new unemployment claims filed in just three weeks, the US faces a massive economic depression the likes of which most have never seen.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!


rt--2020-04-14--Trump threatens consequences for Beijing as Senate launches China-centered probe into Covid-19 origi

Trump threatens consequences for Beijing as Senate launches China-centered probe into Covid-19 origins

China will have to answer for allegedly misleading the world about coronavirus , President Donald Trump has signaled .
His thinly-veiled threat comes as the US Senate begins an investigation into the causes of the health crisis .
The US president took a swipe at China – as well as CBS reporter Paula Reid – after the journalist asked him why there had been no “ consequences ” for Beijing ’ s “ misinformation ” during the pandemic .
“ I would n't tell you .
China will find out .
Why would I tell you ?
” Trump fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are no consequences ?
You ’ re going to find out.
” His warning coincided with the launch of a Senate probe into the origins of and response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson said that the investigation would ask difficult questions about why the United States was not properly prepared to handle the health crisis .
The inquiry will also put the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and China under the microscope .
“ Where did this all start from ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Was this from a lab in China ?
Might have been the best of intentions trying to come up with the different cures , with the different therapies for the coronavirus in general , ” Johnson said on Monday .
“ We need to know what role [ the ] WHO might have had in trying to cover this thing up.
” Accusations that China is at least partially responsible for the pandemic also came from the State Department .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed in an interview that Beijing failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purportedly originated in Wuhan , China , in a “ timely fashion.
” He said that the US government was focused on overcoming the crisis but that there will later be “ time for recriminations.
” The United States and China have exchanged incendiary accusations over the virus , with officials from both countries alleging cover-ups and other nefarious activities .
At home , Democrats have accused the Trump administration of downplaying the seriousness of the virus while there was still time to prepare .
Many Americans have instead placed their faith in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s response to the Covid-19 outbreak .
Trump and Fauci have locked horns over how to manage the crisis .
The medical expert sparked a media firestorm after arguing that lives could have been saved if the government had acted sooner to combat the virus .
However , Fauci also seems to have been slow to realize the danger .
In February , he told media that there was no need for Americans to wear face masks unless they were “ contagious.
” “ Whenever you have the threat of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degrees from understandable to outlandish extrapolations of fear , ” Fauci said at the time .
Like this story ?
Share it with a friend !

China will have to answer for allegedly misleading the world about coronavirus, President Donald Trump has signaled. His thinly-veiled threat comes as the US Senate begins an investigation into the causes of the health crisis.
The US president took a swipe at China – as well as CBS reporter Paula Reid – after the journalist asked him why there had been no “consequences” for Beijing’s “misinformation” during the pandemic.
“I wouldn't tell you. China will find out. Why would I tell you?” Trump fired back. “How do you know there are no consequences? You’re going to find out.”
His warning coincided with the launch of a Senate probe into the origins of and response to the coronavirus pandemic. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson said that the investigation would ask difficult questions about why the United States was not properly prepared to handle the health crisis. The inquiry will also put the World Health Organization (WHO) and China under the microscope.
“Where did this all start from? Was this transferred animal to human? Was this from a lab in China? Might have been the best of intentions trying to come up with the different cures, with the different therapies for the coronavirus in general,” Johnson said on Monday. “We need to know what role [the] WHO might have had in trying to cover this thing up.”
Also on rt.com Huawei urges UK to stick with 5G collaboration as Chinese firm becomes target of Covid-19 conspiracies
Accusations that China is at least partially responsible for the pandemic also came from the State Department. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed in an interview that Beijing failed to inform the world about Covid-19, which purportedly originated in Wuhan, China, in a “timely fashion.” He said that the US government was focused on overcoming the crisis but that there will later be “time for recriminations.”
The United States and China have exchanged incendiary accusations over the virus, with officials from both countries alleging cover-ups and other nefarious activities.
At home, Democrats have accused the Trump administration of downplaying the seriousness of the virus while there was still time to prepare. Many Americans have instead placed their faith in Dr Anthony Fauci, who is spearheading the country’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Also on rt.com China denies discriminating against 'African brothers' & says accusations by US govt are attempt at diplomatic sabotage
Trump and Fauci have locked horns over how to manage the crisis. The medical expert sparked a media firestorm after arguing that lives could have been saved if the government had acted sooner to combat the virus.
However, Fauci also seems to have been slow to realize the danger. In February, he told media that there was no need for Americans to wear face masks unless they were “contagious.”
“Whenever you have the threat of a transmissible infection, there are varying degrees from understandable to outlandish extrapolations of fear,” Fauci said at the time.
Like this story? Share it with a friend!


rt--2020-04-13--‘We scared the hell out of the American people’ over ‘flu,’ says Fox News guest

Former education secretary Bill Bennett has been savaged online for suggesting that the coronavirus is “ not a pandemic , ” calling for the lifting of lockdown measures , as the debate rages over reopening the shuttered US economy .
More than half a million Americans have caught the coronavirus , with just over 22,000 deaths .
While the numbers are dire , the University of Washington ’ s forecasters revised their total predicted Covid-19 deaths down to 60,000 last week , a number comparable to deaths from influenza in 2017-2018 , and significantly lower than the six-figure death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top medical adviser , Dr Anthony Fauci , last month .
“ For this , we scared the hell out of the American people , we lost 17 million jobs , we put a major dent in the economy , we closed down the schools ... shut down the churches , ” Bennett said on Monday ’ s edition of Fox and Friends .
“ You know , this was not , and is not a pandemic .
But we do have panic and pandemonium as a result of the hype of this.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus a pandemic on March 11 and it has been reported in almost every country around the world .
Bennett was flayed online for his “ aggressively stupid ” statement .
“ Bill Bennett may be a self-proclaimed ethics expert , but he obviously knows very little about logic and cause-and-effect , ” wrote author Ward Carroll .
“ It is deeply irresponsible to air this view on national television , ” tweeted CNN ’ s Chris Cillizza , while neoconservative pundit Bill Kristol suggested the low death toll was a direct result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the American people.
” Modeling the spread of infectious diseases is an imprecise science .
While the University of Washington ’ s researchers attribute their revised predictions to “ crucial ” social distancing measures and recommend they remain in place until the end of May , many initial predictions about the virus were wrong .
When it first entered the US in January , media outlets urged Americans not to panic , warning them that the flu was a more imminent threat .
These same outlets now tell a different story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February that there was “ no need to change anything you ’ re doing on a day-to-day basis.
” On Sunday , he told CNN ’ s Jake Tapper that the government “ could have saved lives ” if social distancing started earlier .
With commentators on the right demanding a relaxation of lockdown rules , and Trump ’ s advisers telling the president – to quote Fauci – that “ the virus decides ” when things return to normal , no clear path forward is obvious .
Over the weekend , Kentucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyone attending in-person church services with misdemeanor violations and promised to record the license plates of attendees and force them to self-isolate for two weeks .
A conservative backlash ensued , with churchgoers just one group tiring of the lockdown measures .
Some governors and mayors have insisted that they ’ ll lock down their states and cities for as long as necessary , should Trump lift restrictions in May .
Connecticut ’ s Ned Lamont , for example , has extended his state ’ s stay-at-home order until at least May 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to take our foot off the accelerator.
” However , Trump has insisted that he has the power to order states to resume business as usual , and blamed the “ fake news media ” for stating otherwise .
A decision on reopening the American economy , he tweeted on Monday , “ will be made shortly.
” Think your friends would be interested ?
Share this story !

Former education secretary Bill Bennett has been savaged online for suggesting that the coronavirus is “not a pandemic,” calling for the lifting of lockdown measures, as the debate rages over reopening the shuttered US economy.
More than half a million Americans have caught the coronavirus, with just over 22,000 deaths. While the numbers are dire, the University of Washington’s forecasters revised their total predicted Covid-19 deaths down to 60,000 last week, a number comparable to deaths from influenza in 2017-2018, and significantly lower than the six-figure death toll floated by President Donald Trump’s top medical adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, last month.
“For this, we scared the hell out of the American people, we lost 17 million jobs, we put a major dent in the economy, we closed down the schools... shut down the churches,” Bennett said on Monday’s edition of Fox and Friends. “You know, this was not, and is not a pandemic. But we do have panic and pandemonium as a result of the hype of this.”
Fox News contributor Bill Bennett compares coronavirus to the flu, claiming that "this was not and is not a pandemic." pic.twitter.com/Q4oBcXKISV — Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) April 13, 2020
The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic on March 11 and it has been reported in almost every country around the world. Bennett was flayed online for his “aggressively stupid” statement.
“Bill Bennett may be a self-proclaimed ethics expert, but he obviously knows very little about logic and cause-and-effect,” wrote author Ward Carroll.
Aggressively stupid Bill Bennett may be a self-professed ethics expert, but he obviously knows little about logic or cause-and-effect.Hey, Billy Boy, do you think there's any relationship between actions taken and the number of #COVID19 fatalities?And get a haircut, old man. — Ward Carroll (@wardcarroll) April 13, 2020
“It is deeply irresponsible to air this view on national television,”tweeted CNN’s Chris Cillizza, while neoconservative pundit Bill Kristol suggested the low death toll was a direct result of the government scaring “the hell out of the American people.”
Needless to say, if we have “only” 60,000 deaths, it’s BECAUSE “we scared the hell out of the American people,” and they radically changed behavior. Or rather: “We” didn’t scare anyone. People were alarmed by the facts and adjusted—despite dangerous happy talk from our president. https://t.co/yTeivjA82F — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) April 13, 2020
My doctor told me he presumes I had #COVID19 and then related #coronavirus pneumonia. I can assure Bill Bennett that even though I exercised and ate well, covid kicked my ass. It was terrifying. I couldn’t breathe and thought I was dying.It was nothing like the flu, fool. https://t.co/9BjQvC2yyU — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) April 13, 2020
Bill Bennett doesn’t understand that the only reason my “only” 60,000 people will die is because we’re all stuck at home.I’ve said before. If the GOP thinks this is a hoax then go throw a huge party and invite yours entire family and Trump, and see how it goes. https://t.co/6TR3I0MyXC — John Aravosis 🇺🇸 (@aravosis) April 13, 2020
Modeling the spread of infectious diseases is an imprecise science. While the University of Washington’s researchers attribute their revised predictions to “crucial” social distancing measures and recommend they remain in place until the end of May, many initial predictions about the virus were wrong. When it first entered the US in January, media outlets urged Americans not to panic, warning them that the flu was a more imminent threat. These same outlets now tell a different story.
Likewise, Fauci himself said in February that there was “no need to change anything you’re doing on a day-to-day basis.” On Sunday, he told CNN’s Jake Tapper that the government “could have saved lives” if social distancing started earlier.
With commentators on the right demanding a relaxation of lockdown rules, and Trump’s advisers telling the president – to quote Fauci – that “the virus decides” when things return to normal, no clear path forward is obvious.
Also on rt.com Collision course with Trump? Cuomo says governors will decide when to lift lockdown, not White House
Over the weekend, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D) threatened anyone attending in-person church services with misdemeanor violations and promised to record the license plates of attendees and force them to self-isolate for two weeks. A conservative backlash ensued, with churchgoers just one group tiring of the lockdown measures.
Some governors and mayors have insisted that they’ll lock down their states and cities for as long as necessary, should Trump lift restrictions in May. Connecticut’s Ned Lamont, for example, has extended his state’s stay-at-home order until at least May 30, saying“now is not the time to take our foot off the accelerator.”
However, Trump has insisted that he has the power to order states to resume business as usual, and blamed the “fake news media” for stating otherwise. A decision on reopening the American economy, he tweeted on Monday, “will be made shortly.”
For the purpose of creating conflict and confusion, some in the Fake News Media are saying that it is the Governors decision to open up the states, not that of the President of the United States & the Federal Government. Let it be fully understood that this is incorrect.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 13, 2020
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!