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Coronavirus US live: taskforce chief says 'stop going out' or containment will fail – live updates Coronavirus: New York mayor says city should prepare for 'shelter in place', contradicting governor – live
(32 minutes later)
Deborah Birx says many people are defying the guidelines and ‘if we continue with that practice we will fail to contain this virus’ Bill de Blasio says lockdown order could come within the next 48 hours
“We expect to emerge tonight with a bigger delegate lead than we had going into the night,” said Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s deputy campaign manager in a memo. “It would take a drastic, historically-incomparable swing for Senator Sanders to win more delegates than Biden today or to close the delegate differential.”
Although coronavirus concerns will affect voter turnout today, “we believe that, with early vote and vote by mail, overall turnout will be roughly on pace for 2016 in Arizona and Florida and roughly on pace for 2018 in Illinois, and that voter turnout in all three states will reflect the population at large,” Bedingfield added.
What exactly does a shelter in place order entail? The Guardian’s West Coast reporter Vivian Ho explains how it works in California:
What happens to retail and restaurants?
All businesses considered non-essential, like bars, shops and fitness centers, were ordered to close. Restaurants will remain open in only a takeout and delivery capacity. Grocery stores, hardware stores and pharmacies will stay open.
What about transit?
All non-essential travel “on foot, bicycle, scooter, automobile or public transit” is prohibited. Under the order, essential travel is categorized as traveling for necessary supplies, accessing healthcare or going to provide aid to family or friends. Airports, taxis, Uber, Lyft and public transit will continue running to service essential travel, but those using any mode of travel are expected to practice social distancing.
Earlier today, New York governor had said that he would not yet order people to shelter in place. “No city in the state can quarantine itself without state approval, and I have no interest whatsoever and no plan whatsoever to quarantine any city,” said governor Andrew Cuomo.
The Guardian’s Amanda Holpuch reported:
Cuomo said he would not yet order people to shelter in place in part because such a dramatic decision would need to be made in a uniform fashion. It would not be helpful, he said, if there was a shelter in place in New York City or the state capital, Albany, because it could drive large groups of people to leave.
The state would use other measures to reduce transmission, he said, such as a greater reduction in business operations, before it would need to advise a regional quarantine.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the order could come within the next 48 hours.Mayor Bill de Blasio said the order could come within the next 48 hours.
“It is definitely a possibility at this point,” he said in a briefing. “It is a difficult, difficult decision.”“It is definitely a possibility at this point,” he said in a briefing. “It is a difficult, difficult decision.”
New York governor Andrew Cuomo had said there were no plans to enact such a “drastic” order as yet, and indicated that the state would use other measures to limit the trasmission coronavirus.
A shelter in place order in the Bay Area requires people to stay home except for essential activities. De Blasio did not elaborate on what a similar order in New York would look like. He also announced that the city will soon have the capacity to test 5,000 people a day for coronavirus.A shelter in place order in the Bay Area requires people to stay home except for essential activities. De Blasio did not elaborate on what a similar order in New York would look like. He also announced that the city will soon have the capacity to test 5,000 people a day for coronavirus.
The Department of Defense will make 5m masks available from “strategic reserves” said secretary Mark Esper. One million will be made available immediately. The DOD will also make available 13 laboratories capable of testing for COVID-19, as well as 2000 ventilators.The Department of Defense will make 5m masks available from “strategic reserves” said secretary Mark Esper. One million will be made available immediately. The DOD will also make available 13 laboratories capable of testing for COVID-19, as well as 2000 ventilators.
“We are considering activating national guard and reserve units,” he added, to help with coronavirus challenge. He said he’s also willing to make the Army Corps of Engineers available to help if asked. Hospital ships USNS Comfort (in Norfolk, Virginia) and USNS Mercy (in San Diego, California) may also become available to help relieve civilian hospitals. Since these ships are geared toward treating trauma rather than illness, those theoretically could take trauma cases out of hospitals to make room for coronavirus patients.“We are considering activating national guard and reserve units,” he added, to help with coronavirus challenge. He said he’s also willing to make the Army Corps of Engineers available to help if asked. Hospital ships USNS Comfort (in Norfolk, Virginia) and USNS Mercy (in San Diego, California) may also become available to help relieve civilian hospitals. Since these ships are geared toward treating trauma rather than illness, those theoretically could take trauma cases out of hospitals to make room for coronavirus patients.
The ventilators that the DOD has are a bit different than civilian ventilators, Esper said, but military personnel could train medical staff on how to use them.The ventilators that the DOD has are a bit different than civilian ventilators, Esper said, but military personnel could train medical staff on how to use them.
“In some ways, we want to be the last resort,” Esper added, in a measured response. He said he wants to be careful and strateguc about how forces are used.“In some ways, we want to be the last resort,” Esper added, in a measured response. He said he wants to be careful and strateguc about how forces are used.
During a closed-door lunch with Republican Senators, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin proposed a stimulus plan that would cost up to $1 trillion. The plan includes $250bn of direct aide to Americans, with a number of Republican senators telling reporters they’d prefer that to tax cuts.During a closed-door lunch with Republican Senators, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin proposed a stimulus plan that would cost up to $1 trillion. The plan includes $250bn of direct aide to Americans, with a number of Republican senators telling reporters they’d prefer that to tax cuts.
Majority leader Mitch McConnell also said the Senate will pass the Phase 2 House coronavirus bill, and begin to work on a Phase 3 bill. “The Senate will not leave” until work on the third relief bill is done, he told reporters.Majority leader Mitch McConnell also said the Senate will pass the Phase 2 House coronavirus bill, and begin to work on a Phase 3 bill. “The Senate will not leave” until work on the third relief bill is done, he told reporters.
After pictures of Florida beaches packed with spring breakers appeared on social media, Florida Governor Rick DeSantis has issued an executive order in an effort to quell critics.After pictures of Florida beaches packed with spring breakers appeared on social media, Florida Governor Rick DeSantis has issued an executive order in an effort to quell critics.
However, his new order is muddy at best.However, his new order is muddy at best.
The order closes nightclubs and bars for 30 days, but encourages restaurants to stay open while only seating people at half-capacity. Restaurants are also required to stagger seating. The order also asks people not to go to public beaches in groups greater than 10, “per CDC guidance”.The order closes nightclubs and bars for 30 days, but encourages restaurants to stay open while only seating people at half-capacity. Restaurants are also required to stagger seating. The order also asks people not to go to public beaches in groups greater than 10, “per CDC guidance”.
However, the CDC has strongly encouraged people to go much further than DeSantis’s order. The CDC has directed people “avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants and food courts,” to “avoid travel, shopping trips, and social visits”.These practices are part of “social distancing”. Here’s an expert guide on how to practice social distancing and slow the spread of the virus.However, the CDC has strongly encouraged people to go much further than DeSantis’s order. The CDC has directed people “avoid eating or drinking at bars, restaurants and food courts,” to “avoid travel, shopping trips, and social visits”.These practices are part of “social distancing”. Here’s an expert guide on how to practice social distancing and slow the spread of the virus.
The Guardian’s tech reporter Kari Paul reports:The Guardian’s tech reporter Kari Paul reports:
Shared scooter company Lime is suspending services in US markets including California and Washington state, as well as in Italy, France, Spain, due to coronavirus concerns, it said in a statement on Monday evening.Shared scooter company Lime is suspending services in US markets including California and Washington state, as well as in Italy, France, Spain, due to coronavirus concerns, it said in a statement on Monday evening.
The company, which is owned by Uber, said it is pausing services to “help people stay put, and stay safe” as a number of states and cities enact shelter in place orders. Uber and other rideshare services are not affected by the shelter in place order in California as they are considered essential businesses, but Lime is still shutting down services.The company, which is owned by Uber, said it is pausing services to “help people stay put, and stay safe” as a number of states and cities enact shelter in place orders. Uber and other rideshare services are not affected by the shelter in place order in California as they are considered essential businesses, but Lime is still shutting down services.
“In the Bay Area we are temporarily pausing operations and taking scooters offline to comply with government orders, and we ask the Lime community to do their part in protecting themselves and each other”, a spokesman said. “We are committed to quickly reactivating once the coronavirus virus is under control”.“In the Bay Area we are temporarily pausing operations and taking scooters offline to comply with government orders, and we ask the Lime community to do their part in protecting themselves and each other”, a spokesman said. “We are committed to quickly reactivating once the coronavirus virus is under control”.
Lyft is still running its scooters, it said in a Monday email, and regularly sanitizing them. Bay Area residents could still be seen riding them Monday, some wearing masks. Bird, another commonly used shared scooter startup in the Bay Area, did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the status of its program.Lyft is still running its scooters, it said in a Monday email, and regularly sanitizing them. Bay Area residents could still be seen riding them Monday, some wearing masks. Bird, another commonly used shared scooter startup in the Bay Area, did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the status of its program.
In a meeting with tourism industry executives, Donald Trump previewed the relief plan being considered in Congress, according to the White House press pool.In a meeting with tourism industry executives, Donald Trump previewed the relief plan being considered in Congress, according to the White House press pool.
“Thank you very much we have tourism industry executives...the true leaders of our tourism and hospitality industries,” Trump said. “We are going to come out stronger than ever before.”“Thank you very much we have tourism industry executives...the true leaders of our tourism and hospitality industries,” Trump said. “We are going to come out stronger than ever before.”
The president said he asked Small Business Administration lending to go up To $50 billion, “and actually more”.The president said he asked Small Business Administration lending to go up To $50 billion, “and actually more”.
Following lunch with treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, Republican senators seem open to growing the debt in order to provide stimulus relief.Following lunch with treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, Republican senators seem open to growing the debt in order to provide stimulus relief.
“The bottom line is, as a matter of course and in the everyday affairs of this country, I believe very much that we should not be growing the debt,” Senator Marco Rubio of Florida told reporters on Capitol Hill. But he added: “These are not normal times. The circumstances in which we live in now have no precedent.”“The bottom line is, as a matter of course and in the everyday affairs of this country, I believe very much that we should not be growing the debt,” Senator Marco Rubio of Florida told reporters on Capitol Hill. But he added: “These are not normal times. The circumstances in which we live in now have no precedent.”
He seemed positive that lawmakers woud pass some sort of stimulus package. “I think really now it’s a question of drafting it and crafting it in a way that can pass and that will work soon enough,” he said.He seemed positive that lawmakers woud pass some sort of stimulus package. “I think really now it’s a question of drafting it and crafting it in a way that can pass and that will work soon enough,” he said.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is discussing a stimulus plan that would include sending out $250bn worth of checks to Americans, amounting to two weeks of pay, by the end of April, according to multiple reports.
Mnuchin met with Senate Republicans behind closed doors to discuss a stimulus package which would also include aid for the airline industry, small-business support and a payroll tax holiday. The totals cost of the stimulus package is estimated to be between $800bn and $1 trillion, per reports.
Medical and student debt owed to New York state will be temporarily suspended, according to the state’s attorney general. “In this time of crisis, I won’t add undue stress or saddle NYers with unnecessary financial burden, this is the time to support residents,” said attorney general Letitia James, in a tweet.
James’ measure won’t affect debt owed to the federal government but will bring some temporary relief to those who owe the state government.
The virus that causes COVID-19 can survive for hours to days in aerosols and on surfaces, according to new research from the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and universities.
The study, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that SARS-CoV-2 was detectable for up to three hours in aerosols, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.
NIH scientists advise that people clean and disinfect frequently touched objects using regular household cleaning sprays.
Duncan Hunter, the disgraced California congressman who pleaded guilty to stealing his campaign funds and spending the money on vacations, school tuition for his children and shopping sprees, has been sentenced to 11 months in prison.
His attornies had asked for home confinement, citing his military and congressional service. Hunter resigned from Congress in January after serving nearly six terms representing one of California’s last solidly red districts.
A district court judge also sentenced Hunter to three years of supervised release.
Nancy Pelosi has outlined her demands for the third coronavirus bill.
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
Rebecca Gross, 16, showed up to work as a student election judge at 5 a.m. this morning, but said election officials had yet to deliver any of the equipment needed to run an election by midday to her precinct.“No people at our precinct are able to vote,” she said in an interview. She said election workers at her precinct in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood had been trying to contact local election officials, but were sent to a full voice mailbox.
Gross said she and other election workers began redirecting people to a nearby precinct where they could vote. So far, she estimated they had turned away about 75 people. “It sucks, honestly,” she said of redirecting people. “A lot of people have ended up saying ‘I actually can’t do that, I have work.’”
Amid fears about the coronavirus, Gross said she brought her own wipes and gloves from home to share with other workers. The only materials election officials provided to the poll workers at her precinct were four bottles of hand sanitizer and one roll of Clorox wipes.
Gross said she thinks Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, should have moved to postpone the primary election, following the lead of a handful of other states that have chosen to do so.
Maanvi Singh, here. I’ll be bringing you more updates on the administration’s evolving response to the coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, voting is still underway in Illinois. Officials say they’ve taken precautions to protect poll workers shortages and confusion over polling locations.
It seems some voters are also donating sanitizing products in order to help keep poll workers safe.
The White House coronavirus task force press briefing just wrapped up after an hour and half. I’m handing the blog over to my west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, now and she will take you through the next few busy hours. Then Joanie Greve in Washington will be your blogger for the primary results this evening.
Here are some of the key events so far today:
Top US public health officials are telling American bluntly to “stop going out” to crowded places, in order to limit the spread of the disease.
US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who is talking to the Senate now about an economic stimulus package, said the US financial markets will not shut over Covid-19.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo talked about the chaos of the disruption to American life by the coronavirus and restrictions coming into place to limit the spread, currently has no intention of quarantining cities.
Donald Trump and Cuomo are trying to smooth over their ugly spat about who’s doing a better/worse job of tackling the virus.
The Trump administration is seeking an $850 billion economic stimulus package from Congress. Talks underway.
Primary voting is underway, not without glitches, in Florida, Arizona and Illinois today. The Ohio primary to decide the Democratic party nominee to face Donald Trump in November was postponed (Maryland also postponed its primary).
The president and Republican leaders have been strongly criticized for referring to coronavirus as the Chinese virus or Wuhan virus, reflecting where the pandemic began.
The Guardian’s David Smith, at the White House coronavirus task force briefing now still going on in Washington, just asked Donald Trump about his use once gain, just this morning on Twitter, of the title “Chinese virus”.
Trump defended it. “China was putting out information that our military gave it to them. We have to call it where it came from, it came from China,” he said.
But would that perpetuate stigma, Smith asked in his follow-up, against China and the Chinese?
Trump said: “Saying that our military gave it to them, that creates a stigma,” he said. The race to the bottom continues.
A prominent Chinese official last week promulgated the inaccurate notion that coronavirus may have been brought to the city of Wuhan (where the outbreak began) by the US army.
Here’s the relevant tweet from Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lijian Zhao.
Ah, Trump now returning to familiar territory, slamming the mainstream media for not praising his and his administration’s approach to tackling coronavirus.
The man who first said words to the effect that the coronavirus was a Democratic party hoax and a media fantasy just emphasized once again, in this new week for Donald Trump, how seriously everyone needs to take the virus. And how seriously he is taking it.
“We are looking at saving the maximum number of lives. Everything else will come back, lives do not come back,” the president just said at the White House briefing now ongoing.
“This is a pandemic,” he stated. Then he stepped outside the truth.
“I have always viewed it as very serious,” he said.
As the Guardian’s David Smith wrote in that article: