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| Coronavirus: New York mayor says city should prepare for 'shelter in place', contradicting governor – as it happened | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Bill de Blasio says lockdown order could come within the next 48 hours | Bill de Blasio says lockdown order could come within the next 48 hours |
| Officials are telling Americans to “stop going out” to crowded places, in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus. | Officials are telling Americans to “stop going out” to crowded places, in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus. |
| Several Bay Area counties have been ordered to shelter in place. South Carolina has announced sweeping social distancing measures, and Navajo Nation has told citizens to stay home after a member tested positive. | Several Bay Area counties have been ordered to shelter in place. South Carolina has announced sweeping social distancing measures, and Navajo Nation has told citizens to stay home after a member tested positive. |
| New York’s mayor has told residents to brace for similar shelter in place orders, even as the state’s government insisted that no quarantine measures will be taken for now. | |
| Coronavirus is in all 50 states now, after West Virginia confirmed its first case. | |
| US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin met with Republican senators to discuss a stimulus plan that would cost $1 trillion, and include $250bn in payments to Americans. | US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin met with Republican senators to discuss a stimulus plan that would cost $1 trillion, and include $250bn in payments to Americans. |
| Primary voting is underway in Florida, Arizona and Illinois today. The Ohio democratic party is fighting a state department of health decision to postpone its primary until June. | Primary voting is underway in Florida, Arizona and Illinois today. The Ohio democratic party is fighting a state department of health decision to postpone its primary until June. |
| My colleague Joan E Greve in Washington DC will be providing live updates as the results from the primaries roll in. Follow along: | |
| The party has filed a writ of prohibition with the Ohio Supreme Court to ensure that the primaries will move forward despite orders from the state’s department of health. | The party has filed a writ of prohibition with the Ohio Supreme Court to ensure that the primaries will move forward despite orders from the state’s department of health. |
| “This primary election must move forward,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said in a statement. “Today’s action seeks that court order, preserving the primary while also proposing a more workable window for the election to take place, along with multiple opportunities and a reasonable amount of time for voters to vote.” | “This primary election must move forward,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said in a statement. “Today’s action seeks that court order, preserving the primary while also proposing a more workable window for the election to take place, along with multiple opportunities and a reasonable amount of time for voters to vote.” |
| In a new statement, the DNC urged states that have yet to hold their primary to use vote by mail and “other critical mechanisms that will make voting easier and safer for voters and election officials alike” rather than reschedule elections. | In a new statement, the DNC urged states that have yet to hold their primary to use vote by mail and “other critical mechanisms that will make voting easier and safer for voters and election officials alike” rather than reschedule elections. |
| “Where in-person voting can still take place under public health guidelines, states should expand days and hours of early voting to reduce lines,” said DNC Chair Tom Perez. | “Where in-person voting can still take place under public health guidelines, states should expand days and hours of early voting to reduce lines,” said DNC Chair Tom Perez. |
| Perez criticized Ohio, which postponed its primary. “What happened in Ohio last night has only bred more chaos and confusion,” he said. “Eligible voters deserve certainty, safety, and accessibility.” | Perez criticized Ohio, which postponed its primary. “What happened in Ohio last night has only bred more chaos and confusion,” he said. “Eligible voters deserve certainty, safety, and accessibility.” |
| San Francisco’s mayor London Breed has announced a moratorium on commercial evictions through the coronavirus crisis. Small and medium-sized businesses that lose income during the pandemic won’t be evicted if they can’t make rent, Breed announced. | San Francisco’s mayor London Breed has announced a moratorium on commercial evictions through the coronavirus crisis. Small and medium-sized businesses that lose income during the pandemic won’t be evicted if they can’t make rent, Breed announced. |
| “Under normal state law, localities are prohibited from regulating commercial evictions,” Breen said in a statement. “San Francisco is allowed to take this action following Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order that was signed yesterday, and Mayor Breed issued this moratorium under the powers of the Local Emergency she declared on February 25th.” | “Under normal state law, localities are prohibited from regulating commercial evictions,” Breen said in a statement. “San Francisco is allowed to take this action following Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order that was signed yesterday, and Mayor Breed issued this moratorium under the powers of the Local Emergency she declared on February 25th.” |
| The moratorium will be in effect for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days through executive order. Businesses that have less than $25 million in annual gross receipts are covered. | The moratorium will be in effect for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days through executive order. Businesses that have less than $25 million in annual gross receipts are covered. |
| “We call upon our Navajo people to do their best to remain calm and make good decisions by staying home to prevent the spread of the virus among our communities,” said president Jonathan Nez. | “We call upon our Navajo people to do their best to remain calm and make good decisions by staying home to prevent the spread of the virus among our communities,” said president Jonathan Nez. |
| Last week, Navajo officials made the decision to close parks on the Nation’s land, including the Four Corners. | Last week, Navajo officials made the decision to close parks on the Nation’s land, including the Four Corners. |
| They also announced travel restrictions for executive members and canceled events that take people off the Nation. | They also announced travel restrictions for executive members and canceled events that take people off the Nation. |
| “We have health and emergency experts who have been planning and preparing for this situation for several weeks,” Nez reassured. | “We have health and emergency experts who have been planning and preparing for this situation for several weeks,” Nez reassured. |
| Governor Henry McMaster announced executive orders to close all bars and restaurants’ dine-in services, push state tax filing deadlines to June, ban gatherings of 50 or more in public/gov’t-owned facilities and mobilize the National Guard to help hospitals. | Governor Henry McMaster announced executive orders to close all bars and restaurants’ dine-in services, push state tax filing deadlines to June, ban gatherings of 50 or more in public/gov’t-owned facilities and mobilize the National Guard to help hospitals. |
| The governor also requested that insurance companies pay for office visits, tests and procedures for coronavirus patients, that grocery stores limit customer purchases of certain essentials, and have special hours for senior citizens, among other suggestions. | The governor also requested that insurance companies pay for office visits, tests and procedures for coronavirus patients, that grocery stores limit customer purchases of certain essentials, and have special hours for senior citizens, among other suggestions. |
| Elizabeth Warren has laid out a progressive “litmus test” for a bailout package. | Elizabeth Warren has laid out a progressive “litmus test” for a bailout package. |
| Among her suggestions: | Among her suggestions: |
| Warren has called for a $750 billion economic stimulus package focused “on recovery from the grassroots up, not Wall Street down” her office said in a statement. | Warren has called for a $750 billion economic stimulus package focused “on recovery from the grassroots up, not Wall Street down” her office said in a statement. |
| Though she’s no longer running for president, it seems Warren is using her newfound national platform and leverage as senator to push progressive priorities. | Though she’s no longer running for president, it seems Warren is using her newfound national platform and leverage as senator to push progressive priorities. |
| As New York mayor Bill de Blasio tells the city to brace for a shelter in place order, a senior advisor to New York governor Andrew Cuomo reiterated what the governor had said earlier: That a city can’t unilaterally declare a quarantine without the state’s approval. | As New York mayor Bill de Blasio tells the city to brace for a shelter in place order, a senior advisor to New York governor Andrew Cuomo reiterated what the governor had said earlier: That a city can’t unilaterally declare a quarantine without the state’s approval. |
| “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.” | “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. | 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 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? | 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. | 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? | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 partnered with 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 partnered with 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. |