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Trump expected to declare national emergency over coronavirus – live Trump set to declare national emergency over coronavirus – live
(32 minutes later)
Declaring emergency would allow easier flow of federal aid – follow for live updates Declaring emergency allows easier flow of federal aid – follow for live updates
Daniel Strauss taking over the blog here for a bit.Daniel Strauss taking over the blog here for a bit.
Over in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster. The Dallas Morning News has more:Over in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster. The Dallas Morning News has more:
Virginia closes schools amidst coronavirus concernsVirginia closes schools amidst coronavirus concerns
Virginia governor Ralph Northam just announced that Virginia schools will be closed for a minimum of two weeks as the spread of Covid-19 continues in the area.Virginia governor Ralph Northam just announced that Virginia schools will be closed for a minimum of two weeks as the spread of Covid-19 continues in the area.
The announcement means that all schools in the DMV area – Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia – will be closed for most of the month.The announcement means that all schools in the DMV area – Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia – will be closed for most of the month.
Major US companies tell their employees to work from homeMajor US companies tell their employees to work from home
Thousands of employees of major US companies have been instructed to work from home if they are able to given the spread of Covid-19.Thousands of employees of major US companies have been instructed to work from home if they are able to given the spread of Covid-19.
Ford, General Motors and AT&T have all told their employees to work from home if possible. JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs have instructed their staff in New York City to work from home as the number of cases in the New York City metro area rises.Ford, General Motors and AT&T have all told their employees to work from home if possible. JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs have instructed their staff in New York City to work from home as the number of cases in the New York City metro area rises.
Here’s more from the Guardian’s business editor Dominic Rushe on the effect coronavirus is having on employees and the economy:Here’s more from the Guardian’s business editor Dominic Rushe on the effect coronavirus is having on employees and the economy:
Nancy Pelosi holds brief press conference on coronavirus aid packageNancy Pelosi holds brief press conference on coronavirus aid package
Speaker Nancy Pelosi just gave a short press conference – taking no questions from reports – detailing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that House Democrats are planning to pass today.Speaker Nancy Pelosi just gave a short press conference – taking no questions from reports – detailing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that House Democrats are planning to pass today.
Pelosi said the bill’s main component is “testing, testing, testing’. “This legislation facilitates free testing for everyone who needs a test, including the insured,” she said.Pelosi said the bill’s main component is “testing, testing, testing’. “This legislation facilitates free testing for everyone who needs a test, including the insured,” she said.
The speaker also said that federal sick leave and unemployment support was also a priority.The speaker also said that federal sick leave and unemployment support was also a priority.
During the press conference, which only lasted a few minutes, Pelosi did not divulge any information on how talks with her Republican counterparts in the White House are going.During the press conference, which only lasted a few minutes, Pelosi did not divulge any information on how talks with her Republican counterparts in the White House are going.
Trump is expected to speak in the Rose Garden at 3pm for his own press conference on the coronavirus outbreak.Trump is expected to speak in the Rose Garden at 3pm for his own press conference on the coronavirus outbreak.
House majority leader says chamber will vote on coronavirus aid package todayHouse majority leader says chamber will vote on coronavirus aid package today
House Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer released a statement saying the House will put up the coronavirus aid package up for a vote regardless of whether they have the support of their Republican colleagues.House Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer released a statement saying the House will put up the coronavirus aid package up for a vote regardless of whether they have the support of their Republican colleagues.
Hoyer said a vote will take place no earlier than 2:30, after Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a press conference on the bill at 2pm. We’ll be tuning in.Hoyer said a vote will take place no earlier than 2:30, after Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a press conference on the bill at 2pm. We’ll be tuning in.
Delta airlines to reduce capacity to by 40%Delta airlines to reduce capacity to by 40%
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Delta just announced that it is reducing its capacity by 40% – the largest capacity reduction in the company’s history.In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Delta just announced that it is reducing its capacity by 40% – the largest capacity reduction in the company’s history.
The company said it will eliminate all flights to Europe, with the exception of London, for the next 30 days with the possibility of extension. It will also be trying to cut down its workforce, offering voluntary, short-term unpaid leaves and will reduce the number of consultants and contractors it works with.The company said it will eliminate all flights to Europe, with the exception of London, for the next 30 days with the possibility of extension. It will also be trying to cut down its workforce, offering voluntary, short-term unpaid leaves and will reduce the number of consultants and contractors it works with.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to give a press conference in 15 minutes on a coronavirus aid package the House deliberated on this morning.Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to give a press conference in 15 minutes on a coronavirus aid package the House deliberated on this morning.
What is a national emergency?What is a national emergency?
Donald Trump, as president, has the power to declare a national emergency, which gives power to the federal government to more freely redistribute funds to state and local governments in a time of the crisis.Donald Trump, as president, has the power to declare a national emergency, which gives power to the federal government to more freely redistribute funds to state and local governments in a time of the crisis.
The president is set to declare a national emergency because of the coronavirus outbreak under the Stafford Act, which was signed into law in 1988 and is designed to encourage local municipalities to design and run their own disaster mitigation efforts, with federal assistance.The president is set to declare a national emergency because of the coronavirus outbreak under the Stafford Act, which was signed into law in 1988 and is designed to encourage local municipalities to design and run their own disaster mitigation efforts, with federal assistance.
The last time Trump declared a national emergency was in February 2019 when he declared a national emergency to divert funding for his border wall. That national emergency was declared under a different act, the 1976 National Emergencies Act.The last time Trump declared a national emergency was in February 2019 when he declared a national emergency to divert funding for his border wall. That national emergency was declared under a different act, the 1976 National Emergencies Act.
The Guardian’s voting rights reporter Sam Levine:The Guardian’s voting rights reporter Sam Levine:
Louisiana will postpone its April 4 presidential preference primary amid ongoing concern over coronavirus, Kyle Ardoin, the state’s top election official announced on Friday.Louisiana will postpone its April 4 presidential preference primary amid ongoing concern over coronavirus, Kyle Ardoin, the state’s top election official announced on Friday.
The Democratic contest will be postponed until June 20. Ardoin is acting to the contest using a provision in state law that allows him to move an election in an emergency situation, according to the Advocate. Louisiana is the first state to postpone its primary election as the nation tries to contain the spread of the virus.The Democratic contest will be postponed until June 20. Ardoin is acting to the contest using a provision in state law that allows him to move an election in an emergency situation, according to the Advocate. Louisiana is the first state to postpone its primary election as the nation tries to contain the spread of the virus.
Election officials in other states are rushing to implement last-minute changes to safeguard against the virus. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose this week ordered local election officials to relocate all polling stations from senior centers and assisted living facilities. Some election officials in Illinois and Florida are taking similar steps.Election officials in other states are rushing to implement last-minute changes to safeguard against the virus. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose this week ordered local election officials to relocate all polling stations from senior centers and assisted living facilities. Some election officials in Illinois and Florida are taking similar steps.
Throughout the country, local election offices are taking extra sanitization steps, providing wipes and hand sanitizer at polling stations.Throughout the country, local election offices are taking extra sanitization steps, providing wipes and hand sanitizer at polling stations.
More reports are suggesting that Donald Trump will be declaring a national emergency at a 3pm press conference today.More reports are suggesting that Donald Trump will be declaring a national emergency at a 3pm press conference today.
Miami mayor tests positive for coronavirusMiami mayor tests positive for coronavirus
The mayor of Miami, Florida Francis Suarez has tested positive for coronavirus, the Miami Herald is reporting. Suarez attended an event with a Brazilian government official earlier this week who has since tested positive with coronavirus.The mayor of Miami, Florida Francis Suarez has tested positive for coronavirus, the Miami Herald is reporting. Suarez attended an event with a Brazilian government official earlier this week who has since tested positive with coronavirus.
Suarez announced earlier this week that he was not displaying any symptoms, but self-quarantined himself out of safety precaution once he learned that one of Bolsonaro’s staff members tested positive.Suarez announced earlier this week that he was not displaying any symptoms, but self-quarantined himself out of safety precaution once he learned that one of Bolsonaro’s staff members tested positive.
Suarez was one of several politicians who interacted with Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and his staff, along with Donald Trump and his staff, when they came to Miami earlier this week. Earlier today, reports said Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus, but now other reports are saying the test came back negative.Suarez was one of several politicians who interacted with Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and his staff, along with Donald Trump and his staff, when they came to Miami earlier this week. Earlier today, reports said Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus, but now other reports are saying the test came back negative.