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Coronavirus latest: Trump says Americans should avoid gatherings of 10 or more – live Coronavirus latest: Trump says Americans should avoid gatherings of 10 or more – live
(32 minutes later)
Trump says he is not currently considering a nationwide lockdown in response to the coronavirus crisisTrump says he is not currently considering a nationwide lockdown in response to the coronavirus crisis
The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from California:
San Francisco and five other Bay Area counties in California have ordered all residents to shelter-in-place to curb the spread of coronavirus, in a drastic move similar to ones taken in Italy, Spain and China, but the first of its kind in the US.
“The most important thing you can do is remain home as much as possible,” London Breed, the San Francisco mayor, said in a tweet.
The order came Monday following a 14% increase in positive coronavirus cases in California, with 335 reported and six deaths. More than a third of all positive cases were in Santa Clara county, the home of Silicon Valley, as well as two deaths. San Francisco has had 40 positive cases.
More than 6.7 million people live in San Francisco and the five counties issuing this order – Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The order does not confine residents to their home unless they have permission to leave, as the lockdown orders in Italy and China do, but directs them to stay inside unless absolutely necessary.
Residents can go to the grocery store, the laundromat, the doctor and to perform essential work, as well as to engage in outdoor exercise that complies with social distancing requirements.
The president and the coronavirus task force have just concluded their press conference in the White House briefing room.
The biggest news from the press conference was that the federal government is releasing heightened guideleines for the next 15 days to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
Americans are being asked to avoid gatherings larger than 10 people, limit discretionary travel and try to work from home wherever possible.
However, the press conference was also notable for the marked change in tune from Trump, who has previously sought to downplay the pandemic.
Today, the president was much more somber and grim, bringing his outlook on the crisis more in line with that of health experts.
Trump said there “may” be a recession because of the pandemic, and he acknowledged the crisis could extend into the summer and potentially later.
“If you’re talking about the virus, that’s not under control for any place in the world,” Trump said.
It was a notable shift from the US leader, who just yesterday said his administration had “tremendous control” over the crisis.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the coronavirus task force, said he has not yet been tested for the virus.
Pence said he is in regular consultation with the White House physician and has been keeping tabs on his temperature to monitor for a potential fever.
The vice president said second lady Karen Pence is following the same precautions, and they will take a test if it’s deemed necessary.
Trump voiced confidence that the markets would recover from the coronavirus crisis, as the Dow closed down nearly 3,000 points.
“The market will take care of itself,” Trump said. “The market will be very strong once we get rid of the virus.”
Trump’s comments came as the Dow suffered its worst one-day point drop in history.
The Dow closed down 2,997 points, or 12.93%. For the latest updates and analysis on the market drop, follow the Guardian’s business live blog:
Trump said he did not think it was necessary to postpone elections amid the coronavirus crisis.
“Postponing elections is not a very good thing,” Trump said. “I think postponing is unnecessary.”
His comments came shortly after Ohio announced it was canceling in-person voting tomorrow for the Democratic presidential primary.
Asked whether the buck stops with him, the president said it “normally” does, but this is an extraordinary situation.Asked whether the buck stops with him, the president said it “normally” does, but this is an extraordinary situation.
“This has never been done before in this country,” Trump said of the coronavirus crisis.“This has never been done before in this country,” Trump said of the coronavirus crisis.
Trump gave himself top marks for his administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis.Trump gave himself top marks for his administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
“I’d rate it a 10,” the president said when asked to rate his response on a scale of 1 to 10. “I think we’ve done a great job.”“I’d rate it a 10,” the president said when asked to rate his response on a scale of 1 to 10. “I think we’ve done a great job.”
But the administration has been widely criticized for not making more coronavirus tests available more quickly.But the administration has been widely criticized for not making more coronavirus tests available more quickly.
Asked about how he is protecting himself from contracting coronavirus, Trump, a self-described germophobe, said he is washing his hands “a lot.”Asked about how he is protecting himself from contracting coronavirus, Trump, a self-described germophobe, said he is washing his hands “a lot.”
The president also said the coronavirus test he took, which was negative, was not necessarily pleasant.The president also said the coronavirus test he took, which was negative, was not necessarily pleasant.
“Not something I want to do every day, I can tell you that,” Trump said of getting the test. “Nothing pleasant about it.”“Not something I want to do every day, I can tell you that,” Trump said of getting the test. “Nothing pleasant about it.”
Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, just offered an important clarification on the newest coronavirus guidelines.Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, just offered an important clarification on the newest coronavirus guidelines.
Trump said he has been told to expect the health crisis to extend into July or August and possibly later.Trump said he has been told to expect the health crisis to extend into July or August and possibly later.
But Fauci clarified that the president was not saying these guidelines will necessarily be in effect until then.But Fauci clarified that the president was not saying these guidelines will necessarily be in effect until then.
These latest guidelines, which advise Americans to avoid gatherings larger than 10 people, will be in effect for 15 days, Fauci said. Then the coronavirus response team will revisit them.These latest guidelines, which advise Americans to avoid gatherings larger than 10 people, will be in effect for 15 days, Fauci said. Then the coronavirus response team will revisit them.
However, Fauci said experts expect coronavirus cases to continue into the summer and possibly later.However, Fauci said experts expect coronavirus cases to continue into the summer and possibly later.
Trump said he was not currently considering implementing a national curfew to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.Trump said he was not currently considering implementing a national curfew to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
In a surprising note from this president, Trump said he believed the media has been “very fair” in its coverage of the crisis.In a surprising note from this president, Trump said he believed the media has been “very fair” in its coverage of the crisis.
Trump also expressed support for the airline industry, which is seeing steep financial losses because of the crisis.Trump also expressed support for the airline industry, which is seeing steep financial losses because of the crisis.
Trump was asked about his comment yesterday that his administration has “tremendous control” over the coronavirus crisis.Trump was asked about his comment yesterday that his administration has “tremendous control” over the coronavirus crisis.
The president said he was not claiming the White House has control over the virus itself.The president said he was not claiming the White House has control over the virus itself.
“If you’re talking about the virus, that’s not under control for any place in the world,” Trump said.“If you’re talking about the virus, that’s not under control for any place in the world,” Trump said.
In comparison to his past comments on the pandemic, the president’s remarks today sound much more grim and thus more in line with comments from health experts.In comparison to his past comments on the pandemic, the president’s remarks today sound much more grim and thus more in line with comments from health experts.
Trump said he is not currently considering a nationwide lockdown in response to the coronavirus crisis.Trump said he is not currently considering a nationwide lockdown in response to the coronavirus crisis.
“At this point, not nationwide,” Trump said. “We may look at certain areas, certain hotspots.”“At this point, not nationwide,” Trump said. “We may look at certain areas, certain hotspots.”
A number of European countries and US states have announced lockdowns in recent days.A number of European countries and US states have announced lockdowns in recent days.
“We look forward to the day that we can get back to normal,” Trump said.“We look forward to the day that we can get back to normal,” Trump said.
Trump said the coronavirus crisis could extend into the summer.Trump said the coronavirus crisis could extend into the summer.
The president said experts have told him to expect that this new reality could extend into July or August and possibly longer.The president said experts have told him to expect that this new reality could extend into July or August and possibly longer.
“It’s bad,” Trump acknowledged of the coronavirus crisis. However, he said the US is trying to avoid a worst-case scenario by deploying these guidelines.“It’s bad,” Trump acknowledged of the coronavirus crisis. However, he said the US is trying to avoid a worst-case scenario by deploying these guidelines.
The White House has now said Americans should avoid gatherings larger than 10 people in order to slow the spread of the virus.
Trump also said Americans should “avoid discretionary travel” as the administration tries to mitigate the virus’ spread.
Dr Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, specifically addressed millennials and asked them to comply with the health guidelines to protect more vulnerable groups.
Trump has taken the podium in the White House briefing room to provide an update on the coronavirus crisis.
As he addressed the reporters, he complimented them for keeping a seat open between them in the briefing room.
“I’m glad to see you are practicing social distancing,” Trump said. “It looks very nice.”
Ohio has announced no in-person voting will take place tomorrow, when the state was scheduled to hold its Democratic presidential primary.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said primary voting would be extended until June 2.
Currently, three other states -- Arizona, Florida and Illinois -- are still scheduled to hold primaries tomorrow, but those states may reconsider with Ohio’s announcement.
Senate Democrats are now calling on the federal government to commit to spending $750 billion to fight the coronavirus crisis.
The money would be used to boost testing capacity and aid Americans who are suffering financially because of the crisis.
“We will need big, bold, urgent federal action to deal with this crisis. The kinds of targeted measures we are putting together will mainline money into the economy and directly into the hands of families that need it most,” Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement.
The proposal comes as lawmakers are discussing the likely necessity of a third legislative package to address the crisis.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Kenya Evelyn.
Four more states will hold presidential primaries tomorrow, even as the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold.
Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio will collectively award 577 pledged delegates tomorrow to Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
Biden looks poised to expand his delegate lead, considering Sanders lost all four states to Hillary Clinton during the 2016 Democratic primary.
A new Arizona poll now shows Biden leading Sanders by 20 points in the state. According to the Monmouth University survey, Biden has the support of 51% of Arizona’s likely primary voters, compared to Sanders’ 31%.
If Sanders were to lose all four states again, it could put even more pressure on him to drop out of the race, especially if Biden’s margin of victory is 20 or more points.
However, the Monmouth poll may be more notable for what it says about Arizona’s Senate race. Democrats seeking to take control of the Senate are hoping astronaut Mark Kelly can defeat Republican senator Martha McSally.
According to the Monmouth survey, Kelly is currently leading McSally by 6 points in the purple state, which may alarm Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell.
US airlines are seeking government assistance of more than $50 billion in the form of direct aid and loan guarantees to combat the effects of the coronavirus on their bottom lines.
According to CNBC:
The travel industry continues to feel the effects of the coronavirus outbreak overall with US shutting down borders, ports and entire states from travel.
Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders aren’t letting the coronavirus outbreak stall the momentum of their campaigns. Both candidates announced virtual events Monday to connect with voters, as well as promote social distancing.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, along with wife Jill Biden, will host a town hall tele-conference designed for voters who’ll take to the polls for Tuesday’s primaries in Illinois, Florida, Ohio and Arizona.
Sanders appeared the more ambitious candidate, attempting to pull off an online rally tonight complete with celebrity guests.
“There are so many of us that just want to find common ground with all living beings so that we can move forward together as a world to live in peace, good health, and equality,” Jim James, frontman for My Morning Jacket.
The band is set to perform during the virtual rally.
Other notable appearances will include performers Neil Young and Daryl Hannah, as well as Ohio State senator Nina Turner, who also serves as the campaign’s co-chair.
Did Mitt Romney join the ‘Yang Gang?’
Utah senator Mitt Romney appeared to endorse a key component of Democratic presidential platforms Monday: a living wage - if only temporarily.
The New York Times’ Jonathan Martin reported Senator Romney advocated for immediate economic relief for Americans in the form of a $1,000 stipend.
The Republican senator called for the payout to help “families and workers” meet “short-term obligations and increase spending” amid a looming economic slowdown due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
Some noted the similarities to the $1,000 monthly income proposed by former democratic candidate and entrepreneur Andrew Yang.
While others noted any potential nationwide handout would be a policy initiative more reminiscent of a political system republicans shun.
Here’s what you may have missed in the rush:
The US has called on Vietnam to release a popular blogger
Dept. of Health and Human Services officials say they were hacked
Stocks plunged immediately after opening, triggering an emergency shutdown
Children of the Washington elite can’t roll eggs at the White House this year
The ‘tri-state’ is joining forces to shut down the East Coast
Marco Rubio doesn’t know the difference between ‘martial law’ and whatever Marshall Law is.
As Maryland joined the growing list of state governments enacting mandatory business closures, many concerned about the potential social impact likened the crackdowns to a rarely used executive action known as ‘martial law.’
Not to be confused with the incorrect “Marshall Law” currently trending in the Twitterverse thanks to Florida senator Marco Rubio, martial law is a period of time in which portions, or all, of the United States are under the control of its military.
While every governor has the ability to declare it for their states, only the president (in this instance Donald Trump) can impose martial law at the national level.
It’s also important to note that current executive orders announcing statewide curfews or bans on public gatherings are not the same as a formal declaration of marital law, although the closest to that would be New York governor’s use of the state’s National Guard to stave off the outbreak in city of New Rochelle, a hotbed of new cases.
Martial law, if enforced, wouldn’t be new, however. The last time martial law was declared anywhere in the US was nearly 60 years ago, in May 1961, when then-Alabama governor John Patterson declared martial law to address what he called “outside agitators coming into [the state] to violate our laws and customs.”
Those outside agitators? Civil rights activists later known as Freedom Riders who peacefully protested racial segregation to legions of sanctioned mobs.