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Pelosi slams Trump administration's limited amount of coronavirus testing - live Trump shown in photo next to man who reportedly has coronavirus – live
(32 minutes later)
House speaker urges widespread testing in US, which has had a tiny fraction compared to some other countries Photo shows president rubbing shoulders with man who tested positive, while Pelosi slams Trump administration’s limited amount of testing
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 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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.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.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.“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.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]?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.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.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.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.“Testing, testing, testing,” so very important,” said Pelosi.
Before, unfortunately, getting out a hankie and blowing her nose.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.“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.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.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.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.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: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.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.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 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.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.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:Later Thursday morning, Reuters reports:
McCarthy has been heavily criticized for biased language around Covid-19.McCarthy has been heavily criticized for biased language around Covid-19.
With demands from some for apologies.With demands from some for apologies.
Tourist rout at CapitolTourist 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.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.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 todayWell that was yesterday. Here’s today
Hello US politics watchers, Joanna Walters in New York, taking the blog from my colleagues in London.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.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: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.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.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).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.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.Do stay tuned.
The markets opened…and then trading was haltedThe markets opened…and then trading was halted
It will resume in 15 minutes.It will resume in 15 minutes.
House Democrats have 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.Workers laid off because of the coronavirus outbreak are already eligible for unemployment benefits, but the legislation provides $1 billion for additional caseloads and administrative costs to encourage temporarily furloughed workers to obtain unemployment benefits.
General Kenneth McKenzie, who is responsible for Afghanistan, Iraq and the Mid East is testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee. Two US soldiers were killed in a rocket attack in Iraq last night.
You can watch his appearance here:
Republican Senator Tom Cotton has announced that he is temporarily closing his Washington office in response to the coronavirus.
In a statement which very squarely attempts to blame China for the emergence of the virus, he finishes by saying:
Cotton says his Arkansas office remains open.
The World Health Organisation have designated the illness caused by the coronavirus as Covid-19, and strongly discourage the use of geographic locations in the naming of illnesses.
“I’m hoping that we can just get a lot of facts out in the few minutes we have together”
Savannah Guthrie is picking up praise on social media for the way she tackled Mike Pence this morning on TV. The vice president was doing the rounds of the morning shows, trying to reassure the nation that the administration is on top on the coronavirus outbreak. You can watch the eight minute segment here:
Pence said that for senior citizens with serious underlying health conditions in the US the illness represents a threat of “very serious consequences”. Americans returning from Europe are being asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Far from Trump’s claim a couple of weeks ago that the 15 cases would soon be nearer zero, Pence said we know that “there will be thousands more cases”.
It is going to be a rough ride on Wall Street today - if Trump intended to calm world markets with a message that the US was on top of the coronavirus outbreak, that certainly did not happen. Dow Jones futures are down more than 1,000 points as the market braces for more losses when it opens. On Wednesday, the Dow dropped 1,464 points, dragging it 20% below the record set last month and putting the index in a bear market.
European and Asian markets have been tumbling already today - you can follow the rout over on our live business blog.
Bernie Sanders sounded determined as he announced he was sticking with the race to win the Democratic nomination after his disappointing results in Tuesday’s votes. Politico this morning have been looking at how next week’s vote in Florida may prove to be the crucial step too far for the Vermont senator.
Marc Caputo looks at how a poll released yesterday showed Florida Hispanics, by a 34-point margin, look unfavourably upon Sanders. It’s not just the “socialist” tag, he angered many of the state’s Hispanic voters with last month’s “60 Minutes” interview where he praised Fidel Castro’s literacy and healthcare record in Cuba - airbrushing over the human rights concerns over the regime.
Read it here - Politico: Florida poised to stamp out Sanders campaign
There’s inevitably been a lot of focus over the last weeks during the Democratic primaries on whether black voters are turning out for Joe Biden or for Bernie Sanders. But that analysis often takes for granted that the black vote will back the Democrats. That isn’t the case:
My colleague Kenya Evelyn in New York has been looking at how black Republicans are debunking the myth of a voter monolith.
The Associated Press have been looking at how the coronavirus outbreak will impact the election campaign.
“If coronavirus has the lasting impact that we all fear it will, it will also dramatically reshape the way a presidential campaign unfolds,” Jesse Ferguson, a veteran Democratic strategist and former spokesman for Hillary Clinton’s campaign, told AP.
“Politics is fundamentally about leaders interacting with the people who they represent, and if a pandemic forecloses that ability, it changes everything how you campaign, how you knock doors, how you do events and how you do the retail part of politics.”
The weekend’s TV debate between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders will now take place without a studio audience.
Coronavirus restrictions could severely stifle the remainder of the Sanders campaign in particular. Steve Schmidt was John McCain’s top adviser when his 2008 campaign was interrupted by the financial crisis. He told AP:
“The raw politics of this is that it freezes the Democratic race in place for Bernie Sanders, who is on his last legs. You can’t have a revolution without rallies,” he said.
“The Trump show is sustained by rallies,” he added.
Yesterday feels like the day that the US suddenly began to get to grips with the idea that widespread disruption from the coronavirus outbreak was inevitable. No St Patrick’s Day parades. No NBA. No college. A prime-time address from the Oval Office, and the news that Trump has cancelled campaign events. Mike Pence, in charge of the administration’s efforts to combat the virus, will be on CBS News this morning to talk about the outbreak.
We’ve got full live coverage of the coronavirus crisis as it unfolds over here:
Good morning. On 26 February Donald Trump said that the US had 15 cases of the coronavirus, and that “the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero, that’s a pretty good job we’ve done.”
It is now 15 days later, the US has 1,312 cases, and has seen 38 deaths. The NBA season has been suspended. Today’s news is likely to be dominated by the administration’s continued efforts to get on top of the crisis, and the fall-out from the sweeping travel ban for visitors from Europe that Trump announced last night.
European markets, airline stocks and the pirce of oil have all tumbled after the announcement. It could be turbulent again when Wall Street opens this morning.
Somewhat ironically - the president will be busy greeting a guest from Europe this morning - Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar. Ireland is not covered by the ban. What Trump said in his address, and what has actually been written down in Proclamation 9984 are slightly at odds. Here’s an explainer of what it means in practice.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be having her weekly press conference, then is hosting the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon, with Varadkar as a guest at 11.30am.
Democratic front runner Joe Biden will be in Wilmington, Delaware, at lunchtime, where he is expected to talk about the coronavirus pandemic.
We might also get some further administration reaction to the news that two American service members were killed last night by a rocket attack on a military base in Iraq.