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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 |
| A distinct partisan divide still exists in how seriously Americans are taking the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll by ABC News/Ipsos. | |
| The survey found that 87% of Democrats are concerned about getting coronavirus, compared to just 66% of Republicans. The divide is somewhat narrower than last week, when just 56% of Republicans reported concern about the virus. | |
| Strikingly, nearly three fourths of respondents (72%) said their lives had been disrupted by the coronavirus in some way – a huge jump from the previous week’s poll when only 26% of Americans reported the same. | |
| The poll also found growing numbers of people working from home (17%, from 3% last week), and that the highest rates of concern for Americans came from 18-29 year olds (83%). People over 65 reported similarly high rates of concern (82%). | |
| When billionaire Mike Bloomberg launched his ill-fated presidential campaign in late 2019, he promised staffers that they would be employed through November, whether or not he won the Democratic nomination. | |
| But since dropping out after failing to win a single state on Super Tuesday (he did win American Samoa, a US territory), the former New York City mayor has reneged on that promise. | |
| Today, the Bloomberg campaign announced that it is donating $18m to the Democratic National Committee – and laying off staff in six swing states, BuzzFeed News reports. | |
| The newly unemployed staffers will lose their healthcare at the end of April. “He’s chopping his employees in a pandemic,” one staffer told BuzzFeed. | |
| The $18m donation to the DNC is large, and could enable the committee to hire the laid-off organizers, but there are no guarantees of employment. | |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: | The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: |
| Wisconsin elections officials do not currently have enough cleaning supplies or poll workers to adequately run the state’s April 7 primary, election officials warned on Friday. | Wisconsin elections officials do not currently have enough cleaning supplies or poll workers to adequately run the state’s April 7 primary, election officials warned on Friday. |
| The officials asked Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, to help them acquire hand sanitizer, as well as with assistance recruiting poll workers in a Friday letter. They also asked him to assign a public health expert to the commission to assist with guidance for local officials and messaging. | The officials asked Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, to help them acquire hand sanitizer, as well as with assistance recruiting poll workers in a Friday letter. They also asked him to assign a public health expert to the commission to assist with guidance for local officials and messaging. |
| “As of today, local election officials do not have access to the people or supplies needed. This leaves voters, clerks, and poll workers to make difficult choices,” Megan Wolfe, the commission’s administrator, wrote on Friday. “Voters should not have to choosebetween voting or staying healthy.” | “As of today, local election officials do not have access to the people or supplies needed. This leaves voters, clerks, and poll workers to make difficult choices,” Megan Wolfe, the commission’s administrator, wrote on Friday. “Voters should not have to choosebetween voting or staying healthy.” |
| Florida and Illinois, two states that held primaries this week faced criticism for moving ahead with their primary contests despite health concerns. In both states, poll workers didn’t show up on election day and some of those who did lacked adequate cleaning supplies. A handful of states have already moved their primaries amid the Covid-19 outbreak. | Florida and Illinois, two states that held primaries this week faced criticism for moving ahead with their primary contests despite health concerns. In both states, poll workers didn’t show up on election day and some of those who did lacked adequate cleaning supplies. A handful of states have already moved their primaries amid the Covid-19 outbreak. |
| Wisconsin’s April 7 election includes many local contests in addition to its presidential preference primary, including a crucial statewide state supreme court race. The state does not require an excuse to vote absentee, and election officials there have already received more than 300,000 requests for absentee ballots. Democrats are suing the state to try and give voters more time to register online or by mail and to waive the requirement that voters submit photo ID with their request for a ballot. | Wisconsin’s April 7 election includes many local contests in addition to its presidential preference primary, including a crucial statewide state supreme court race. The state does not require an excuse to vote absentee, and election officials there have already received more than 300,000 requests for absentee ballots. Democrats are suing the state to try and give voters more time to register online or by mail and to waive the requirement that voters submit photo ID with their request for a ballot. |
| Hello everyone, this is Julia Carrie Wong in Oakland, California, taking over the blog for the rest of the day. | Hello everyone, this is Julia Carrie Wong in Oakland, California, taking over the blog for the rest of the day. |
| Connecticut governor Ned Lamont plans to order employees of “non-essential” businesses to stay home due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Hartford Courant reports. | Connecticut governor Ned Lamont plans to order employees of “non-essential” businesses to stay home due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Hartford Courant reports. |
| The order is akin to that of New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who ordered non-essential businesses in his state closed earlier on Friday. | The order is akin to that of New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who ordered non-essential businesses in his state closed earlier on Friday. |
| Businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations will remain open, but offices, malls and clothing stores will close. Construction and manufacturing can continue, according to the Courant. | Businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations will remain open, but offices, malls and clothing stores will close. Construction and manufacturing can continue, according to the Courant. |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Julia Carrie Wong, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Julia Carrie Wong, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| New York and Illinois told residents to stay home except for essential activities in order to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. The announcements come one day after California issued a similar order to its 40 million residents. | New York and Illinois told residents to stay home except for essential activities in order to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. The announcements come one day after California issued a similar order to its 40 million residents. |
| The US-Mexico border is closing to all non-essential travel, secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced. The same restrictions will take affect at the US-Canadian border tonight at midnight. | The US-Mexico border is closing to all non-essential travel, secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced. The same restrictions will take affect at the US-Canadian border tonight at midnight. |
| The Dow closed down 900 points, extending its weekly loss to 17%. Overall, the markets suffered their worst week since the 2008 financial crisis. | The Dow closed down 900 points, extending its weekly loss to 17%. Overall, the markets suffered their worst week since the 2008 financial crisis. |
| Senators are negotiating over the stimulus package, which is meant to bolster the economy through the coronavirus crisis. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he wants an “agreement in principle” on the bill, which will likely cost more than $1 trillion, by tonight in order to set up a Monday vote. | Senators are negotiating over the stimulus package, which is meant to bolster the economy through the coronavirus crisis. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he wants an “agreement in principle” on the bill, which will likely cost more than $1 trillion, by tonight in order to set up a Monday vote. |
| Senator Richard Burr called for a Senate ethics investigation into his recent stock trades. The North Carolina Republican is facing calls for his resignation after reports revealed he sold up to $1.7 million in stock last month while receiving briefings on coronavirus, sparking accusations he tried to profit off the pandemic. | Senator Richard Burr called for a Senate ethics investigation into his recent stock trades. The North Carolina Republican is facing calls for his resignation after reports revealed he sold up to $1.7 million in stock last month while receiving briefings on coronavirus, sparking accusations he tried to profit off the pandemic. |
| Trump attacked the press for the second day in a row during the daily coronavirus briefing. Asked what he would say to Americans who are scared about the pandemic right now, Trump told NBC’s Peter Alexander, “I say that you’re a terrible reporter.” | Trump attacked the press for the second day in a row during the daily coronavirus briefing. Asked what he would say to Americans who are scared about the pandemic right now, Trump told NBC’s Peter Alexander, “I say that you’re a terrible reporter.” |
| Julia will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | Julia will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| The Dow has closed down 900 points, capping the worst week for the markets since the financial crisis. | The Dow has closed down 900 points, capping the worst week for the markets since the financial crisis. |
| Overall, the Dow’s weekly loss landed at 17% as investors’ fears about the economic fallout from coronavirus intensified. | Overall, the Dow’s weekly loss landed at 17% as investors’ fears about the economic fallout from coronavirus intensified. |
| Meanwhile, senators continue to negotiate over the stimulus package to bolster the economy through the crisis, a proposal that will likely end up costing more than $1 trillion. | Meanwhile, senators continue to negotiate over the stimulus package to bolster the economy through the crisis, a proposal that will likely end up costing more than $1 trillion. |
| For more analysis on the market drop, read the Guardian’s business live blog: | For more analysis on the market drop, read the Guardian’s business live blog: |
| Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said essential services like grocery stores would remain open and urged residents to only buy the supplies they need, as many stores’ shelves go empty. | Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said essential services like grocery stores would remain open and urged residents to only buy the supplies they need, as many stores’ shelves go empty. |
| “Grocery stories, pharmacies, gas stations, these sources of fundamental supplies will continue to operate,” Pritzker said. | “Grocery stories, pharmacies, gas stations, these sources of fundamental supplies will continue to operate,” Pritzker said. |
| “There is no need to run out and hoard food, gas, or medicine. Buy what you need within reason. There is enough to go around as long as people do not hoard.” | “There is no need to run out and hoard food, gas, or medicine. Buy what you need within reason. There is enough to go around as long as people do not hoard.” |
| The “stay at home” order will take effect tomorrow evening and last until at least April 7. | The “stay at home” order will take effect tomorrow evening and last until at least April 7. |
| Three states are now ordering all residents to stay home except for essential activities: California, New York and Illinois. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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 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 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 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 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: | 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. | 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. |