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US coronavirus: Cuomo urges Trump to act on medical supplies as Rand Paul tests positive – live US coronavirus: negotiations over stimulus bill teeter as nation awaits Trump briefing – live
(32 minutes later)
New York governor offers scathing indictment of government’s delays and missteps as mayor warns hospital supplies will run out in a week Rand Paul becomes first senator to test positive for Covid-19 as New York governor offers scathing indictment of government’s delays and missteps
Further afield , it appears likely that the 2020 Olympics will be postponed (making them possibly the 2021 Olympics). The IOC has dithered on the matter while sports leagues around the world have postponed or suspended seasons. Here’s our story:
Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at 5pm ET but it looks like the $1tn package to help the battered US economy is in trouble. The Republican-majority Senate is looking to vote despite disagreement from Democrats in Congress. Speaker Nancy Pelosi even said on Sunday that House Democrats may look to pursue their own legislation. “It’s on the Senate side now because that’s their deadline for a vote,” Pelosi said. “But we’ll be introducing our own bill and hopefully, it will be compatible with what they discussed in the Senate.”
Utah has reported its first death from Covid-19. Health officials said the man had been at Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful for two days and tested positive for the virus on Saturday. He has not been named but was over 60 and had existing health problems.
Ohio and Louisiana have now joined states such as Illinois, New York and California in telling residents to stay at home. The orders will come into effect in both states from Monday evening. All non-essential businesses will close but residents will be allowed to leave their homes for activities such as exercise, grocery shopping and medical emergencies.Ohio and Louisiana have now joined states such as Illinois, New York and California in telling residents to stay at home. The orders will come into effect in both states from Monday evening. All non-essential businesses will close but residents will be allowed to leave their homes for activities such as exercise, grocery shopping and medical emergencies.
“The bottom line is we are in a race against time when it comes to this coronavirus and its rapid spread in Louisiana,” the state’s governor, John Bel Edwards said on Sunday.
The Washington Post reports that New York-Presbyterian hospitals have banned visitors - including partners -for women giving birth, due to fears they could help spread Covid-19 among patients and medical staff. “For the time being, we really do need to exclude all visitors, including partners for women admitted in labor. This is intended to protect all of us,” Dena Goffman, the quality and patient-safety leader for obstetrics across the New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell enterprise, told the Post.The Washington Post reports that New York-Presbyterian hospitals have banned visitors - including partners -for women giving birth, due to fears they could help spread Covid-19 among patients and medical staff. “For the time being, we really do need to exclude all visitors, including partners for women admitted in labor. This is intended to protect all of us,” Dena Goffman, the quality and patient-safety leader for obstetrics across the New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell enterprise, told the Post.
It was hoped drive-thru sites would increase the number of Americans getting access to tests for Covid-19. But the system as a whole appears to be struggling with long delays reported at many sites - for tests and the results of those tests. As of Saturday, around 195,000 people in the US had been tested, although that number does not include private facilities.It was hoped drive-thru sites would increase the number of Americans getting access to tests for Covid-19. But the system as a whole appears to be struggling with long delays reported at many sites - for tests and the results of those tests. As of Saturday, around 195,000 people in the US had been tested, although that number does not include private facilities.
“We need to be testing more broadly to fully understand the scope of the public health situation we are facing,” said Joseph Wendelken, a spokesman for the Rhode Island Department of Health.“We need to be testing more broadly to fully understand the scope of the public health situation we are facing,” said Joseph Wendelken, a spokesman for the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Hopes of a package being agreed today to stimulate the embattled US economy are fading. Here’s the latest from the Associated Press:Hopes of a package being agreed today to stimulate the embattled US economy are fading. Here’s the latest from the Associated Press:
Just a reminder, you can follow the wider effect of Covid-19 on our global liveblog, including the news that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in quarantine after a doctor who gave her a vaccine tested positive for coronavirus. You can follow the full story here:Just a reminder, you can follow the wider effect of Covid-19 on our global liveblog, including the news that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in quarantine after a doctor who gave her a vaccine tested positive for coronavirus. You can follow the full story here:
New York governor Andrew Cuomo is on CNN and says he thinks 40-80% of people in his state, which has a population of just under 20 million, will get Covid-19. He wants to “slow that rate so it doesn’t overwhelm the hospital system”. He says slowing the rate of infection is crucial to prevent spikes from putting too much strain on hospitals. New York now has 15,168 confirmed cases - or 5% of cases worldwide. That’s a rise of 4,812 since Saturday, although some of that number is due to more widespread testing. 114 people in the state have died from Covid-19.New York governor Andrew Cuomo is on CNN and says he thinks 40-80% of people in his state, which has a population of just under 20 million, will get Covid-19. He wants to “slow that rate so it doesn’t overwhelm the hospital system”. He says slowing the rate of infection is crucial to prevent spikes from putting too much strain on hospitals. New York now has 15,168 confirmed cases - or 5% of cases worldwide. That’s a rise of 4,812 since Saturday, although some of that number is due to more widespread testing. 114 people in the state have died from Covid-19.
On a wider level, he thinks the federal government should nationalize the medical supply system as states are competing against each other to buy equipment like facemasks, which drives up prices for everyone. Peter T Gaynor, of Fema, said earlier in the day that the scramble for equipment would mean some states would have to wait in line. “There’s hundreds of requests – virtually every state in the union looking for the same thing, and it’s not just the demand nationally, it’s a demand globally for these items,” said Gaynor.On a wider level, he thinks the federal government should nationalize the medical supply system as states are competing against each other to buy equipment like facemasks, which drives up prices for everyone. Peter T Gaynor, of Fema, said earlier in the day that the scramble for equipment would mean some states would have to wait in line. “There’s hundreds of requests – virtually every state in the union looking for the same thing, and it’s not just the demand nationally, it’s a demand globally for these items,” said Gaynor.
Rand Paul of Kentucky has become the first US senator to test positive for Covid-19. A statement on his Twitter account said the 57-year-old is asymptomatic - that may raise questions why he was tested in the first place, although the statement said he was tested due out of “an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events”. The statement said Paul was not aware of any direct contact with an infected person. He expects to be back in the Senate once his quarantine ends.Rand Paul of Kentucky has become the first US senator to test positive for Covid-19. A statement on his Twitter account said the 57-year-old is asymptomatic - that may raise questions why he was tested in the first place, although the statement said he was tested due out of “an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events”. The statement said Paul was not aware of any direct contact with an infected person. He expects to be back in the Senate once his quarantine ends.
Paul was a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 2016 presidential election.Paul was a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 2016 presidential election.
It’s been a morning of back-and-forth jabs between the President of the United States and some of the country’s 50 governors.It’s been a morning of back-and-forth jabs between the President of the United States and some of the country’s 50 governors.
Check out the highlights:Check out the highlights:
New York governor Andrew Cuomo called on Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production ActNew York governor Andrew Cuomo called on Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act
Cuomo’s pressers have garnered praise, especially compared to Trump’s chaotic White House briefingsCuomo’s pressers have garnered praise, especially compared to Trump’s chaotic White House briefings
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio added to the fire, blasting Trump for the chaos and the federal government’s delayed coronavirus response.New York City mayor Bill de Blasio added to the fire, blasting Trump for the chaos and the federal government’s delayed coronavirus response.
Not to be outdone, Trump angry tweeted attacks on critics in response to the criticismNot to be outdone, Trump angry tweeted attacks on critics in response to the criticism
Stay tuned for more highlights and updates throughout the day.Stay tuned for more highlights and updates throughout the day.
Fauci: ‘No disagreement’ with POTUS on COVID-19 drug
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday that he has no disagreement with President Donald Trump over whether a drug used to treat COVID-19 is actually on the way.
The government’s top infectious disease expert insisted Trump was expressing hope based on anecdotal reports he heard that a malaria drug could be used for the coronavirus.
Last week, Trump asserted that tests had provided evidence the drug is useful for COVID-19, a statement Fauci contradicted during televised White House briefings.
Trump also falsely suggested that the FDA had just cleared the drug specifically for the viral pandemic, forcing the entity to release a statement denying the drug’s approval. It is awaiting clinical trials.
Fauci explained that Trump was merely “trying to bring hope to the people” by relaying new drug information, but added his own job is to “prove definitively from a scientific job that [those drugs] do work.”
President Donald Trump responded to critics of the White House’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, tweeting Sunday that they should not be “blaming the federal government for their own shortcomings.”
Earlier in the day, Democratic lawmakers, including Illinois’ governor JB Pritzker and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, went on Sunday morning political TV shows claiming they to fight with states over medical resources.
The lawmakers questioned why Trump hasn’t yet made military resources available despite triggering the Defense Production Act late last week. Trump, in response, insisted his administration is not to blame for a delayed response to the initial outbreak and lack of resources for medical teams.
Noticeably absent from Trump’s attacks on specific lawmakers is New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who continues to draw praise from his assertive and informative updates on the coronavirus outbreak in his state, in direct contrast to the president.
Still, the president claims rumors (or the quoted words of lawmakers themselves) about a lack of federal cooperation are fake news.
As the US braces for the looming impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Americans are looking for an authoritative voice to reassure the nation it’s prepared.
They’re finding that voice in New York governor Andrew Cuomo.
Following his Sunday morning presser in which the governor implored the federal government to step up response efforts and finger-wagged “irresponsible” young people still not social distancing, Cuomo was inundated with responses online from Americans across the country expressing gratitude for his leadership.
The New York governor’s daily briefings are increasingly drawing comparisons to the often hostile and confusing pressers offered by the White House and President Donald Trump.
In contrast, Trump has downplayed the virus or provided inaccurate information, forcing the CDC and FDA to issue corrections. Despite the criticism, the president has remained mostly combative with reporters who’ve questioned the appropriateness of his tone and actions amid a growing pandemic.
While actor and producer Mark Ruffalo noted “New Yorkers are lucky to have a leader” like Cuomo, the praise extended beyond state borders. Even viewers outside of New York remarked the governor’s updates are needed break from the chaos coming out of Washington.
US State Department hits France over prisoner swap with Iran
The Trump administration lashed out at France on Sunday for releasing an Iranian man wanted for prosecution. Jalal Rohollahnejad was the subject of a extradition request on charges of violating American sanctions on Iran.
He was released from French custody on Friday in an apparent swap instead. In exchange Iran released French researcher Roland Marchal, who had been detained for more than 8 months on charges of violating state security laws.
US State department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement:
Iranian state TV reported late Friday that Marchal had been freed, just hours after French authorities released Ruhollahnejad.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren calls for nationwide closure of immigration courts
Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren urged US Attorney General Bill Barr to close US immigration courts nationwide as the country grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter to sent to the US Justice department, Senator Warren called Barr’s handling of immigration and CDC cooperation “irresponsible,” claiming the department is “putting people’s health at risk.”
“Courtrooms and waiting areas remain full of people,” Senator Warren said. “Limited availability of testing means that we do not know who is sick and transmitting the virus.”
NY Governor to young people: ‘You are not immune to this’
According to the New York governor Andrew Cuomo, “18-49 year-olds represent 53%” of the total number of confirmed coronaviruses cases statewide.
“Too many young people are not taking things serious & this why this is going to get much worse,” Governor Cuomo said. “I say to the young people of America, you are not immune to this. It’s a very nasty sickness.”
As part of his now-daily briefings on the state’s crisis response, Cuomo laid into young people for continuing to party and congregate in many of the state’s public parks:
Bill De Blasio, the mayor of New York City, warned on Sunday that essential hospital supplies would be exhausted in barely more than a week, leading to the deaths of many more people.
In comments sharply critical of what he sees as a botched federal response to the escalating Coronavirus crisis, De Blasio said: “It feels like we’re on our own.”
Speaking on CNN, the mayor said: “We’re about 10 days away now from seeing widespread shortages of ventilators, surgical masks, the things necessary to keep a hospital system running.
“We have seen next to nothing from the federal government at this point. We’ve made this plea publicly, privately, letters, phone calls, very little has arrived.
“The military has not been mobilized. The Defense Production Act has not been utilized in any way I can see. Not just for New York City, New York state, for a lot of the country, it feels like we’re on our own at this point. We’re not seeing action from the federal government.”
He added bluntly: “If we don’t get more ventilators in the next 10 days, people will die.”
New York’s hospitals are dealing with a “deluge” of Coronavirus cases, the New York Times reported, with critical shortages of equipment in several boroughs including Bronx and Brooklyn. By Saturday night, hospitals statewide were already handling more than 10,000 cases.
Speaking later Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, De Blasio said: “April is going to be a lot worse than March and I fear May will be worse than April.
“If the president does not act, people will die who could have lived otherwise.”
New York governor Andrew Cuomo called on US President Donald Trump and the federal government to increase its response to the coronavirus pandemic spreading throughout the US.
At his daily press conference Sunday, Governor Cuomo implored the president to enact the Defense Production Act, which would mandate firms to make essential medical supplies such as masks.
“We are ready to go as soon as the federal government is ready to go,” he said. “If the federal government did it then they can do it in a very orderly way. They can distribute these goods by need rather than have these states competing with each other.”
In the press conference Cuomo offered a scathing indictment of the federal government’s continued delays and missteps, specifically calling on the president to “cut the red tape, cut the bureaucracy”.
“Time matters, minutes count and this is literally a matter of life and death,” Cuomo said.
The Defense Production Act, passed in the 1950s, allows the president to “prioritize and accept government contracts” with private sector companies to produce needed materials during war or national emergency.
Despite growing calls, so far, the Trump administration has been inconsistent. Trump first issued an executive order invoking the act this week, but has resisted using it to mobilize private industry.
From The New York Times:
Good day and welcome to the Sunday US liveblog. I’m Kenya Evelyn leading off today’s coverage.
We’re following the country’s continued response to the coronavirus pandemic, which you can follow more in depth on our coronavirus live blog
And several key figures are making the rounds on the US Sunday morning shows. We’ll keep you posted on all the latest. Stay tuned.