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| US coronavirus news: Mexican border closed to non-essential travel as New York ordered to stay at home – live | US coronavirus news: Mexican border closed to non-essential travel as New York ordered to stay at home – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The US-Mexico border is being closed following similar move at the Canada border, and all non-essential New York employees are asked to stay home | The US-Mexico border is being closed following similar move at the Canada border, and all non-essential New York employees are asked to stay home |
| Three states are now ordering all residents to stay home except for essential activities: California, New York and Illinois. | |
| The three states collectively have 72 million residents, meaning roughly 1 in every 5 Americans is under an order to remain indoors right now. | |
| Considering the rising number of coronavirus cases across the country, other states may likely soon follow suit. | |
| Illinois is ordering all residents to stay at home except for essential activities, mirroring the restrictions in New York and California. | |
| The order will take effect tomorrow evening and will apply to all 13 million residents until at least April 7. | |
| Illinois held its presidential primary on Tuesday, which raised concerns about exposing residents to coronavirus in order to cast their ballots. | |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: | |
| Guaranteeing that every American can cast a mail-in ballot this year would cost between $982 million and $1.4 billion, according to a new estimate from the Brennan Center for Justice. | |
| The projection comes as many states are rushing to expand vote-by-mail options amid the coronavirus outbreak. States have a wide range of rules on who can use an absentee ballot (17 states require an excuse) and there is deep concern that unless states act urgently, Americans will have to choose between between risking their health and casting a ballot in November. Senators Ron Wyden and Amy Klobuchar have introduced legislation that would require every voter to be mailed a ballot. | |
| The Brennan Center’s estimate reflects the many systems states would need to invest in to guarantee vote by mail. The center estimated it would cost between $54 and $89 million to print a ballot for every American. It would cost between $413 million and $593 million to cover the cost of mailing and receiving mail-in ballots. | |
| The estimate also lays out the costs of some of the technological upgrades to switch to voting by mail, including implementing ballot tracking ($4.2 million), and better mail-in ballot processing technology ($120 to $240 million). | |
| The Trump Organization is feeling the effect of coronavirus as well, closing properties and cutting staff as the pandemic leaves hotels largely empty. | |
| The New York Times reports: | |
| Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago resort earlier this month, meeting with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Two of the Brazilian president’s colleagues who accompanied him to Mar-a-Lago later tested positive for coronavirus. | |
| The closure of DC bars and restaurants will also extend until April 27, Mayor Muriel Bowser just announced. | The closure of DC bars and restaurants will also extend until April 27, Mayor Muriel Bowser just announced. |
| The city had already shut down bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery, and that order will now last for at least another month. | The city had already shut down bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery, and that order will now last for at least another month. |
| Bowser said the city’s previous restrictions on mass gatherings would similarly be extended until at least April 27. | Bowser said the city’s previous restrictions on mass gatherings would similarly be extended until at least April 27. |
| DC will keep its schools closed until April 27, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced at a press conference moments ago. | DC will keep its schools closed until April 27, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced at a press conference moments ago. |
| Bowser’s announcement comes just after DC recorded its first coronavirus-related death, a 59-year-old man with underlying health conditions. | Bowser’s announcement comes just after DC recorded its first coronavirus-related death, a 59-year-old man with underlying health conditions. |
| Trump’s campaign launched its own attack on Joe Biden after the Democratic candidate criticized the president’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. | Trump’s campaign launched its own attack on Joe Biden after the Democratic candidate criticized the president’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| “Most of what Biden says the government should do are things President Trump is already doing,” Trump’s campaign communications director, Tim Murtaugh, said in a statement. | “Most of what Biden says the government should do are things President Trump is already doing,” Trump’s campaign communications director, Tim Murtaugh, said in a statement. |
| “The President is leading an unprecedented mobilization of America against the coronavirus and all Joe Biden can offer is ineffective partisan sniping from the sidelines.” | “The President is leading an unprecedented mobilization of America against the coronavirus and all Joe Biden can offer is ineffective partisan sniping from the sidelines.” |
| Biden said in a campaign call with reporters that Trump’s response to the crisis had alternated between “over-promising and buck-passing.” | Biden said in a campaign call with reporters that Trump’s response to the crisis had alternated between “over-promising and buck-passing.” |
| Joe Biden criticized Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in a campaign conference call with reporters. | Joe Biden criticized Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in a campaign conference call with reporters. |
| The Democratic presidential candidate said he was “inspired” by how Americans have responded to the crisis but argued Trump has not met the moment. | The Democratic presidential candidate said he was “inspired” by how Americans have responded to the crisis but argued Trump has not met the moment. |
| “In times of crisis the American people deserve a president who tells them the truth and takes responsibility,” Biden said. “Unfortunately, President Trump has not been that president.” | “In times of crisis the American people deserve a president who tells them the truth and takes responsibility,” Biden said. “Unfortunately, President Trump has not been that president.” |
| Trump has come under repeated criticism for making statements or promises during White House briefings that later have to be corrected or clarified by other officials. Just moments ago, the Mexican foreign minister came out to say Trump’s statement that Mexico was suspending flights from Europe was false. | Trump has come under repeated criticism for making statements or promises during White House briefings that later have to be corrected or clarified by other officials. Just moments ago, the Mexican foreign minister came out to say Trump’s statement that Mexico was suspending flights from Europe was false. |
| Biden gave Trump this advice: “Stop, stop stop. Stop swerving between over-promising and buck-passing. ... Stop saying false things that make you sound like a hero.” | Biden gave Trump this advice: “Stop, stop stop. Stop swerving between over-promising and buck-passing. ... Stop saying false things that make you sound like a hero.” |
| The former vice president also promised he would be taking regular questions on-camera as the coronavirus crisis unfolds. | The former vice president also promised he would be taking regular questions on-camera as the coronavirus crisis unfolds. |
| “I want to be in daily or at least significant contact with the American people and communicate what I would be doing and what I think we should be doing,” Biden said. | “I want to be in daily or at least significant contact with the American people and communicate what I would be doing and what I think we should be doing,” Biden said. |
| Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the state has had its first death from coronavirus, as the number of cases across the country continues to climb. | Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the state has had its first death from coronavirus, as the number of cases across the country continues to climb. |
| DeWine said he was acquainted with the unnamed individual, who was “very well respected by everyone who knew him.” | DeWine said he was acquainted with the unnamed individual, who was “very well respected by everyone who knew him.” |
| On a more emotional note, the governor asked state residents to remember that every coronavirus death represents not a statistic but a person who was loved. | On a more emotional note, the governor asked state residents to remember that every coronavirus death represents not a statistic but a person who was loved. |
| North Carolina’s other senator said Richard Burr owes the state an explanation for his stock activity, as some demand Burr’s resignation over the controversy. | North Carolina’s other senator said Richard Burr owes the state an explanation for his stock activity, as some demand Burr’s resignation over the controversy. |
| Senate Thom Tillis, another North Carolina Republican, said Burr’s request for the Senate ethics committee to investigate the matter was “appropriate” and called for a “professional and bipartisan inquiry into this matter.” | Senate Thom Tillis, another North Carolina Republican, said Burr’s request for the Senate ethics committee to investigate the matter was “appropriate” and called for a “professional and bipartisan inquiry into this matter.” |
| It’s worth noting that the work of the Senate ethics committee is notoriously slow, so it could be many months before the panel reaches any kind of conclusion on the issue. | It’s worth noting that the work of the Senate ethics committee is notoriously slow, so it could be many months before the panel reaches any kind of conclusion on the issue. |
| Senator Kelly Loeffler denied wrongdoing in connection to her stock trades last month, which have raised concerns she tried to profit off the coronavirus pandemic. | Senator Kelly Loeffler denied wrongdoing in connection to her stock trades last month, which have raised concerns she tried to profit off the coronavirus pandemic. |
| “I can only speak for myself in saying I have been very careful though my entire career to adhere to the letter and the spirit of the law,” the Georgia Republican told CNBC. | “I can only speak for myself in saying I have been very careful though my entire career to adhere to the letter and the spirit of the law,” the Georgia Republican told CNBC. |
| Loeffler and one of her colleagues, Richard Burr, are facing calls to resign over their stock activity, which shielded them from significant losses as coronavirus devastated the markets in recent weeks. | Loeffler and one of her colleagues, Richard Burr, are facing calls to resign over their stock activity, which shielded them from significant losses as coronavirus devastated the markets in recent weeks. |
| Burr said earlier today that he had asked the Senate ethics committee to review the matter, which Loeffler appeared to encourage. | Burr said earlier today that he had asked the Senate ethics committee to review the matter, which Loeffler appeared to encourage. |
| “I’m happy to answer any and all questions and will submit to whatever review is needed,” Loeffler said. | “I’m happy to answer any and all questions and will submit to whatever review is needed,” Loeffler said. |
| The Guardian’s Leyland Cecco in Toronto writes: | The Guardian’s Leyland Cecco in Toronto writes: |
| Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced his government will turn away asylum seekers at the US-Canada border as a temporary measure, meant to further halt the flow of people into Canada amid the coronavirus outbreak. | Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau has announced his government will turn away asylum seekers at the US-Canada border as a temporary measure, meant to further halt the flow of people into Canada amid the coronavirus outbreak. |
| “Canada and the United States are announcing a reciprocal arrangement that we will now be returning irregular migrants that attempt to cross anywhere at the Canada-US border,” Trudeau said Friday. | “Canada and the United States are announcing a reciprocal arrangement that we will now be returning irregular migrants that attempt to cross anywhere at the Canada-US border,” Trudeau said Friday. |
| Speaking to reporters from self-isolation for the fifth day in a row, Trudeau said the plan to deny entry into Canada for asylum seekers is part of a broader agreement struck with the United States. | Speaking to reporters from self-isolation for the fifth day in a row, Trudeau said the plan to deny entry into Canada for asylum seekers is part of a broader agreement struck with the United States. |
| The two countries announced plans earlier this week to shutter the 5,500 mile shared border to all non-essential travel. | The two countries announced plans earlier this week to shutter the 5,500 mile shared border to all non-essential travel. |
| Trudeau stressed the “exceptional measure” to deny asylum seekers was temporary. The federal government had previously weighed placing those seeking to enter Canada into mandatory self-isolation. | Trudeau stressed the “exceptional measure” to deny asylum seekers was temporary. The federal government had previously weighed placing those seeking to enter Canada into mandatory self-isolation. |
| Canada has received roughly nearly 55,000 asylum claims since February, 2017. | Canada has received roughly nearly 55,000 asylum claims since February, 2017. |
| The prime minister also announced plans to support manufacturing companies across the country, including large automative companies, as they quickly re-tool much of their production lines to build much-needed medical equipment, including ventilators and masks. | The prime minister also announced plans to support manufacturing companies across the country, including large automative companies, as they quickly re-tool much of their production lines to build much-needed medical equipment, including ventilators and masks. |
| Early indications suggest the virus is hitting the Canadian economy hard as businesses across the country close.. Trudeau said the government has received 500,000 employment insurance applications this week— compared to 27,000 from the same period in the prior year. | Early indications suggest the virus is hitting the Canadian economy hard as businesses across the country close.. Trudeau said the government has received 500,000 employment insurance applications this week— compared to 27,000 from the same period in the prior year. |
| Canada has close to 1,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 11 documented deaths from the virus. | Canada has close to 1,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 11 documented deaths from the virus. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| The US-Mexico border is being closed to non-essential travel, secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced. The news comes two days after it was announced the US-Canadian border was closing to all but essential travel. | The US-Mexico border is being closed to non-essential travel, secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced. The news comes two days after it was announced the US-Canadian border was closing to all but essential travel. |
| All non-essential employees in New York have been asked to stay home. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced strict guidelines for state residents, banning all non-essential gatherings of any size for any reason and ordering vulnerable groups to remain indoors. | All non-essential employees in New York have been asked to stay home. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced strict guidelines for state residents, banning all non-essential gatherings of any size for any reason and ordering vulnerable groups to remain indoors. |
| Senator Richard Burr asked the Senate ethics committee to investigate his recent stock trades. The North Carolina Republican sold up to $1.7 million in stocks last month as he received briefings on coronavirus, raising concerns that he attempted to profit off the pandemic. | Senator Richard Burr asked the Senate ethics committee to investigate his recent stock trades. The North Carolina Republican sold up to $1.7 million in stocks last month as he received briefings on coronavirus, raising concerns that he attempted to profit off the pandemic. |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| Well, that was an eventful daily coronavirus briefing. Here are some of the highlights: | Well, that was an eventful daily coronavirus briefing. Here are some of the highlights: |
| Secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced the US-Mexican border was being closed to non-essential travel. The announcement comes two days after officials said the US-Canadian border was similarly closing to all but essential travel. | Secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced the US-Mexican border was being closed to non-essential travel. The announcement comes two days after officials said the US-Canadian border was similarly closing to all but essential travel. |
| Trump said the Department of Education was waiving standardized testing requirements for K-12 students. The government is also temporarily waiving interest on all federally-held student loans. | Trump said the Department of Education was waiving standardized testing requirements for K-12 students. The government is also temporarily waiving interest on all federally-held student loans. |
| Trump lashed out against the press for the second day in a row. When NBC’s Peter Alexander asked what message the president had for Americans who are scared right now, Trump replied, “I say that you’re a terrible reporter.” | Trump lashed out against the press for the second day in a row. When NBC’s Peter Alexander asked what message the president had for Americans who are scared right now, Trump replied, “I say that you’re a terrible reporter.” |
| Dr Deborah Birx said evidence indicates the coronavirus fatality rate is twice as high for men across all age groups, based on data from Italy, which has recorded the most coronavirus deaths. | Dr Deborah Birx said evidence indicates the coronavirus fatality rate is twice as high for men across all age groups, based on data from Italy, which has recorded the most coronavirus deaths. |
| Trump offered a muddled message on whether he is using the powers of the Defense Production Act. The president said he is invoking the act, but he then seemed to say he was not requiring companies to speed up production of medical supplies. | Trump offered a muddled message on whether he is using the powers of the Defense Production Act. The president said he is invoking the act, but he then seemed to say he was not requiring companies to speed up production of medical supplies. |
| Trump and Dr Anthony Fauci sent two very different messages about a potential coronavirus treatment. Trump said he was optimistic about using a malaria drug as treatment for coroanvirus. (He said yesterday that the drug had been approved for treating coronavirus, but that was not accurate.) Fauci said the evidence of the drug’s benefits against coronavirus are “anecdotal,” and it should not be viewed as some kind of miracle cure. | Trump and Dr Anthony Fauci sent two very different messages about a potential coronavirus treatment. Trump said he was optimistic about using a malaria drug as treatment for coroanvirus. (He said yesterday that the drug had been approved for treating coronavirus, but that was not accurate.) Fauci said the evidence of the drug’s benefits against coronavirus are “anecdotal,” and it should not be viewed as some kind of miracle cure. |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| Trump and Dr Anthony Fauci both downplayed the need for universal coronavirus testing. | Trump and Dr Anthony Fauci both downplayed the need for universal coronavirus testing. |
| The president said he did not believe every American should go out and receive a coronavirus test, a message that was reiterated by Fauci. | The president said he did not believe every American should go out and receive a coronavirus test, a message that was reiterated by Fauci. |
| “I don’t see how testing everybody in the country is going to help you implement this,” said Fauci, referring to the social distancing restrictions the CDC has released. | “I don’t see how testing everybody in the country is going to help you implement this,” said Fauci, referring to the social distancing restrictions the CDC has released. |
| “Let’s not conflate testing with the action you have to take,” Fauci added. | “Let’s not conflate testing with the action you have to take,” Fauci added. |
| Trump followed up on his comments yesterday that the Carnival cruise company offered their ships for the coronavirus response. | Trump followed up on his comments yesterday that the Carnival cruise company offered their ships for the coronavirus response. |
| The president clarified that the offer was extended by the company, but he was not currently taking them up on it. | The president clarified that the offer was extended by the company, but he was not currently taking them up on it. |
| Trump again noted that two hospital ships would soon be deployed to New York City and the west coast to help free up hospital beds. | Trump again noted that two hospital ships would soon be deployed to New York City and the west coast to help free up hospital beds. |
| Vice President Mike Pence sought to answer the question asked to Trump about what message they had for scared Americans right now. | Vice President Mike Pence sought to answer the question asked to Trump about what message they had for scared Americans right now. |
| “I would say do not be afraid, be vigilant,” said the vice president, who is leading the coronavirus task force. | “I would say do not be afraid, be vigilant,” said the vice president, who is leading the coronavirus task force. |
| Pence noted early evidence indicates coronavirus is three times more contagious than the flu, which is why Americans need to take every possible precaution right now. | Pence noted early evidence indicates coronavirus is three times more contagious than the flu, which is why Americans need to take every possible precaution right now. |
| Dr Anthony Fauci criticized senator Ron Johnson for downplaying the threat of coronavirus and questioning the drastic government response to it. | Dr Anthony Fauci criticized senator Ron Johnson for downplaying the threat of coronavirus and questioning the drastic government response to it. |
| “I’m not denying what a nasty disease COVID-19 can be, and how it’s obviously devastating to somewhere between 1 and 3.4 percent of the population,” Johnson said earlier this week. | “I’m not denying what a nasty disease COVID-19 can be, and how it’s obviously devastating to somewhere between 1 and 3.4 percent of the population,” Johnson said earlier this week. |
| “But that means 97 to 99 percent will get through this and develop immunities and will be able to move beyond this. But we don’t shut down our economy because tens of thousands of people die on the highways. | “But that means 97 to 99 percent will get through this and develop immunities and will be able to move beyond this. But we don’t shut down our economy because tens of thousands of people die on the highways. |
| Fauci said it was a “false equivalency to compare traffic accidents” to coronavirus and emphasized a drastic response was necessary when a new and dangerously contagious virus was uncovered. | Fauci said it was a “false equivalency to compare traffic accidents” to coronavirus and emphasized a drastic response was necessary when a new and dangerously contagious virus was uncovered. |
| Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is now taking questions from reporters about how the State Department is addressing the coronavirus pandemic. | Secretary of state Mike Pompeo is now taking questions from reporters about how the State Department is addressing the coronavirus pandemic. |
| When Trump introduced Pompeo, he referred to the State Department as the “Deep State Department.” | When Trump introduced Pompeo, he referred to the State Department as the “Deep State Department.” |
| The derisive nickname appeared to prompt a baffled chuckle from Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. | The derisive nickname appeared to prompt a baffled chuckle from Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. |
| However, when Pompeo was asked about Trump’s use of the term, the secretary shrugged off any concern and insisted the president respects the diplomats carrying out America’s foreign policy. | However, when Pompeo was asked about Trump’s use of the term, the secretary shrugged off any concern and insisted the president respects the diplomats carrying out America’s foreign policy. |