This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/mar/12/donald-tump-coronavirus-travel-ban-joe-biden-bernie-sanders-stock-markets-live-updates

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Trump considering travel restrictions to California and Washington state – live Trump considering travel restrictions to California and Washington state – live
(32 minutes later)
Possible US travel restrictions would follow Europe ban; meanwhile photo shows Trump next to Bolsonaro aide who tested positivePossible US travel restrictions would follow Europe ban; meanwhile photo shows Trump next to Bolsonaro aide who tested positive
Biden said federal agencies, private labs and medical manufacturers “should be walking in lock step”, he said, with no effort spared.
“No-one should be hiding the true numbers” in order to serve political needs or the stock markets, he said.
Biden is objectively calm, clear and concise. Not especially charismatic, or, it must be said, presidential as such. But he’s making excellent sense.
He did not mention Trump in relation to the next sentence but was clearly pointed when he said, on the extent of the outbreak in the US, where there has been minimal testing for coronavirus compared with many other countries: “There must be “no efforts to cover it up.”
“We have to do everything to beat this challenge sooner rather than later,” he said. Which does sound more authoritative than Trump’s “we will defeat this virus”.
He later noted:
“It’s a national disgrace that so many of our workers do not have a single day of paid sick leave,” he said.
“We should be leading a global response, just like we did with the Ebola crisis,” he said.
“When I’m president the response will be better...we will lead with science. In the difficult days ahead I know this country will summon the spirit needed.”
Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden is speaking now, follow live at the top of our blog. He’s slamming Donald Trump’s response.
Says we must “rely on science”. The president is often notoriously dismissive of scientific facts, especially those that are not politically expedient for him.
Biden thanked “those making sacrifices to protect us.”
He accused the Trump administration of “downplaying, being overly dismissive” and spreading confusing information to the public.
Biden said there is no place for xenophobia around the coronavirus.
“Labeling Covid-19 a foreign virus does not cover for the missteps made by this administration.”
This virus has “laid bare” the shortcomings of the president, he said.
Biden also said: “This is going to require a national response. Not just elected leaders and health officials, but all of us.”
The former vice-president is running a little late but looks like he’ll get underway in an address from Wilmington, Delaware, moments from now. There’s a live steam at the top of the blog.
We expect Joe Biden, now the Democratic frontrunner for the 2020 nomination, to emerge from the wings soon.
Aides are fiddling with the gear to get the microphones right, and media are assembled and waiting as patiently as journalists on constant rolling deadlines can...
America’s top infectious diseases doctor, Anthony Fauci, a key member of the Trump Administration’s task force (headed by VP Mike Pence) on tackling the coronavirus outbreak made a serious admission in Congress this morning.America’s top infectious diseases doctor, Anthony Fauci, a key member of the Trump Administration’s task force (headed by VP Mike Pence) on tackling the coronavirus outbreak made a serious admission in Congress this morning.
FYI we’re waiting for Joe Biden to start talking in Delaware about the virus.FYI we’re waiting for Joe Biden to start talking in Delaware about the virus.
There is alarm on Capitol Hill about the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the outbreak in theUS.There is alarm on Capitol Hill about the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the outbreak in theUS.
The AP writes:The AP writes:
Washington DC, is straining for an ample response to the coronavirus outbreak that is testing the nation’s political and health care systems, the Associated Press writes.Washington DC, is straining for an ample response to the coronavirus outbreak that is testing the nation’s political and health care systems, the Associated Press writes.
The president was talking in the White House moments ago.The president was talking in the White House moments ago.
The president invited press questions while hosting Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office.The president invited press questions while hosting Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office.
The Brazilian government has confirmed that President Jair Bolsonaro’s communications secretary, Fabio Wajngarten, has coronavirus just days after meeting Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, the Guardian’s Dom Phillips, in Rio de Janeiro, reports.The Brazilian government has confirmed that President Jair Bolsonaro’s communications secretary, Fabio Wajngarten, has coronavirus just days after meeting Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, the Guardian’s Dom Phillips, in Rio de Janeiro, reports.
Confirming a newspaper report, it said:Confirming a newspaper report, it said:
It added:It added:
Wajngarten shared photos of himself with Trump and Mike Pence during the trip, as well as Bolsonaro. The two presidents dined on Saturday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. In one video, Wajngarten (wearing glasses) is seen just behind Trump and Bolsonaro.Wajngarten shared photos of himself with Trump and Mike Pence during the trip, as well as Bolsonaro. The two presidents dined on Saturday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. In one video, Wajngarten (wearing glasses) is seen just behind Trump and Bolsonaro.
The US government has been informed “so that they can adopt the necessary cautionary measures”, the statement said. Wajngarten is in home quarantine.The US government has been informed “so that they can adopt the necessary cautionary measures”, the statement said. Wajngarten is in home quarantine.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in voluntary quarantine after his wife exhibited flu-like symptoms.Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in voluntary quarantine after his wife exhibited flu-like symptoms.
We’ll have a lot of US coronavirus news in this blog today, for a wider sense of what’s going on internationally with the illness and the world’s response, do follow our dedicated global coronavirus live blog, HERE.We’ll have a lot of US coronavirus news in this blog today, for a wider sense of what’s going on internationally with the illness and the world’s response, do follow our dedicated global coronavirus live blog, HERE.
The president is still in an extemporaneous Q & A with pool reporters at the White House and he is now addressing the coronavirus outbreak at its core.The president is still in an extemporaneous Q & A with pool reporters at the White House and he is now addressing the coronavirus outbreak at its core.
Trump is talking about the virus, the election and the markets.Trump is talking about the virus, the election and the markets.
He has just announced a likely further cancelation of 2020 campaign rallies. The recent cancellations by Trump and his Democratic opponents Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have already upended the election campaign this month.He has just announced a likely further cancelation of 2020 campaign rallies. The recent cancellations by Trump and his Democratic opponents Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have already upended the election campaign this month.
Trump mentions that rallies he’s planned to hold in Nevada as part of his election campaign have been canceled and looks like an upcoming one in Florida is off now, too.Trump mentions that rallies he’s planned to hold in Nevada as part of his election campaign have been canceled and looks like an upcoming one in Florida is off now, too.
“We canceled one in Las Vegas, and Reno, we had about three of them in Nevada, and four or five of them that we’re thinking about,” he said.“We canceled one in Las Vegas, and Reno, we had about three of them in Nevada, and four or five of them that we’re thinking about,” he said.
He said there is a rally planned in Tampa, Florida, (March 25) for which tickets have been selling well.He said there is a rally planned in Tampa, Florida, (March 25) for which tickets have been selling well.
“But I think we will probably not do it,” he said.“But I think we will probably not do it,” he said.
And putting it all in context, the president added:And putting it all in context, the president added:
“We need a little separation. Until such time as this [coronavirus] goes away. It’s going to go away,” he reiterated. This is something he’s said frequently in recent days, assuming the virus will fade as the weather warms.“We need a little separation. Until such time as this [coronavirus] goes away. It’s going to go away,” he reiterated. This is something he’s said frequently in recent days, assuming the virus will fade as the weather warms.
“Two months,” he said, without elaborating, but in the context of expecting the virus will peter out in the US in that time frame.“Two months,” he said, without elaborating, but in the context of expecting the virus will peter out in the US in that time frame.
“In the meantime we want to lose as few people as possible. This morning, is it 32?”“In the meantime we want to lose as few people as possible. This morning, is it 32?”
As of this morning the death toll from the virus in the US was 38, but the number of deaths and cases changes sometimes by the hour.As of this morning the death toll from the virus in the US was 38, but the number of deaths and cases changes sometimes by the hour.
Trump points out the death toll in the US is much lower than most other countries so far.Trump points out the death toll in the US is much lower than most other countries so far.
Trump speaking at the White HouseTrump speaking at the White House
Moments ago he was having one of those off-the-cuff Q & As with pool journalists in the White House, while Donald Trump was meeting Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar.Moments ago he was having one of those off-the-cuff Q & As with pool journalists in the White House, while Donald Trump was meeting Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar.
The president was talking about Elizabeth Warren, oil prices, mentions obliquely the coronavirus isolation zone around the suburban New York community in New Rochelle....The president was talking about Elizabeth Warren, oil prices, mentions obliquely the coronavirus isolation zone around the suburban New York community in New Rochelle....
Unclear if he talked more directly about the coronavirus outbreak in the US and he cut off reporters’ shouted questions pretty quickly.Unclear if he talked more directly about the coronavirus outbreak in the US and he cut off reporters’ shouted questions pretty quickly.
He’s still talking.He’s still talking.
No word yet on his response to the fact that the press secretary to Brazil’s leader Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for Covid-19, days after he (Fabio Wajngarten) was pictured next to Trump at Mar-a-Lago.No word yet on his response to the fact that the press secretary to Brazil’s leader Jair Bolsonaro has tested positive for Covid-19, days after he (Fabio Wajngarten) was pictured next to Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
Jair Bolsonaro’s communications secretary has tested positive for coronavirus just days after accompanying the Brazilian president on a trip to the US where they met Donald Trump.Jair Bolsonaro’s communications secretary has tested positive for coronavirus just days after accompanying the Brazilian president on a trip to the US where they met Donald Trump.
The two leaders dined together at Mar-a-Lago in Florida last Saturday night and Bolsonaro and ministers who were on the trip are reportedly under observation.The two leaders dined together at Mar-a-Lago in Florida last Saturday night and Bolsonaro and ministers who were on the trip are reportedly under observation.
The news was revealed by Fabio Wajngarten’s wife Sophie on a WhatsApp group of parents at the school their children attend, the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported on Thursday.The news was revealed by Fabio Wajngarten’s wife Sophie on a WhatsApp group of parents at the school their children attend, the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper reported on Thursday.
“My husband returned from the trip to Miami yesterday and did the Covid exam which was positive,” she wrote, referring to the novel strain of coronavirus involved in the current outbreak, Covid-19.“My husband returned from the trip to Miami yesterday and did the Covid exam which was positive,” she wrote, referring to the novel strain of coronavirus involved in the current outbreak, Covid-19.
She added that he is “taking all care at home and since his return he has been isolated in a room, following all the quarantine protocol.”She added that he is “taking all care at home and since his return he has been isolated in a room, following all the quarantine protocol.”
Wajngarten had attacked Brazilian media yesterday after reports he had been tested for the virus. “I’m well,” he tweeted.Wajngarten had attacked Brazilian media yesterday after reports he had been tested for the virus. “I’m well,” he tweeted.
During the US trip Wajngarten shared a photo of himself, Trump, US vice-president Mike Pence and Brazilian TV presenter Alvaro Garnero on his Instagram.During the US trip Wajngarten shared a photo of himself, Trump, US vice-president Mike Pence and Brazilian TV presenter Alvaro Garnero on his Instagram.
On Wednesday Bolsonaro once again downplayed the coronavirus crisis. “Other flues kill more than this,” he said. He has also called it “oversized”.On Wednesday Bolsonaro once again downplayed the coronavirus crisis. “Other flues kill more than this,” he said. He has also called it “oversized”.
Donald Trump didn’t warn European leaders before imposing his latest coronavirus-related travel restrictions and announcing it to the world from the Oval Office last night.Donald Trump didn’t warn European leaders before imposing his latest coronavirus-related travel restrictions and announcing it to the world from the Oval Office last night.
The move is reported to have caused uproar in European leadership circles. Here’s Trump on this at the White House moments ago.The move is reported to have caused uproar in European leadership circles. Here’s Trump on this at the White House moments ago.
We’ll definitely do more on this a bit later, but #ICYMI, former secretary of state Madeleine Albright has endorsed Joe Biden for the 2020 Democratic party nomination.We’ll definitely do more on this a bit later, but #ICYMI, former secretary of state Madeleine Albright has endorsed Joe Biden for the 2020 Democratic party nomination.
The president, without evidence/crystal ball, has asserted that the markets are going to be fine.
Markets are in turmoil. For all the developments, do follow our dedicated business live blog.
Literally. This picture has just been posted on Twitter by a Reuters reporter in Brazil.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is trying to wrap up her press conference. She’s been talking up the new legislation the Democrats introduced in the House this morning but she’s also not especially impressed by Donald Trump’s suspending entry for most passengers arriving in the US from Europe.
As many have pointed out, by leaving Britain out of the temporary travel ban, it leaves a gaping loophole in the president’s plan.
“You just get in the Chunnel and you will be in the UK,” Pelosi pointed out.
That’s the Channel Tunnel that connects south-east England with north-west France, of course, which runs passenger trains and is also a route for goods vehicles and passenger cars/buses/caravans traveling between the European continent and Brexitised Britain.
As my Washington, DC, colleague David Smith pointed out overnight, is Brexit now the new TSA PreCheck [the pre-approved airport flight checks for entering the US]?
She’s not trying out the microphone, she’s talking about dealing with the coronavirus outbreak in the US.
The House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding her press conference right now.
She urges more widespread testing for coronavirus, which has been woefully limited in the US, a tiny fraction of testing that has happened in come other countries.
“Testing, testing, testing,” so very important,” said Pelosi.
Before, unfortunately, getting out a hankie and blowing her nose.
“It’s like the house is on fire,” she added, about the sense of emergency now unfolding in the country.
The latest chatter is that the president may sign a disaster declaration today.
Larry Kudlow is director of the White House’s National Economic Council.
The Stafford Act is otherwise known as the Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and is essentially a federal law designed to bring an orderly and systemic means of federal natural disaster assistance for state and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to aid citizens.
It’s a little on the nose, perhaps, but here’s former Pittsburgh Post-Gazette cartoonist Rob Rogers’ take on all this today.
To refresh, here’s Rob’s story:
There’s a fight breaking out on Capitol Hill about the new bill to tackle the coronavirus outbreak in the US, unveiled by Democrats today.
House Democrats earlier unveiled an ambitious set of measures to provide free testing for the coronavirus, paid sick leave and strengthened unemployment insurance as a response to the worsening outbreak’s economic impact on people across the United States, the AP reports.
The House legislation related to the virus is slated for a vote in the Democratic-controlled House on Thursday.
The legislation includes requiring private health insurance plans to provide free coronavirus testing and waiving cost-sharing rules for testing provided to people covered by Medicare, Medicaid and federal retirement programs.It establishes an unprecedented but temporary federal sick leave benefit paid through the Social Security program. Workers with the coronavirus or caring for family members with it would receive two-thirds of their wages for up to three months. The benefit would expire in January 2021.
It also creates a federally mandated sick leave benefit for private businesses that would require all employers to allow their workers to accrue seven days of paid sick leave, with an additional 14 days available immediately in the event of public health emergencies such as the current coronavirus crisis.It provides $1.3 billion in emergency food aid for low-income pregnant women and their young children, senior citizens and food banks. It allows states to provide food stamps to make up for lost school lunch benefits if their children are kept home from school.
Later Thursday morning, Reuters reports:
McCarthy has been heavily criticized for biased language around Covid-19.
With demands from some for apologies.
Tourist rout at Capitol
The US Capitol in Washington, DC, is normally crowded with excited tourists admiring the seat of power both outside and inside, and sometimes getting to go into the chambers of the House or Senate to watch proceedings.
Members of both houses of Congress have been increasingly worried about the crowds in and around the Capitol who have flown across the country (or world) to be there.
Well that was yesterday. Here’s today
Hello US politics watchers, Joanna Walters in New York, taking the blog from my colleagues in London.
It’s going to be a busy day in a week that feels like a tipping point both in America’s response to the coronavirus outbreak and in the 2020 Democratic nominating race and maybe the entire election.
Coming up later this morning we have:
Nancy Pelosi’s press conference in Washington at 10.45 am ET. The president has already indirectly attacked her on Twitter already this morning, by retweeting criticism from Fox News.
Federal health chiefs Robert Redfield and Anthony Fauci testifying in front of the House oversight committee at 11am.
Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden is talking from Wilmington, Delaware, at 1pm, his home state. He will be talking about the US response to coronavirus and no doubt realizes how vital it is that he appear Obama-presidential (not Trump-presidential or Biden-streetfighter presidential).
Bernie Sanders is preparing for his crucial debate appearance alongside Biden in Phoenix on Sunday, where he has to justify staying in the race and give a convincing argument for advancing his left-wing movement by doing so.
Do stay tuned.
The markets opened…and then trading was halted
It will resume in 15 minutes.