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| Coronavirus US live: stimulus bill fails in Senate as experts urge Trump not to roll back social restrictions | Coronavirus US live: stimulus bill fails in Senate as experts urge Trump not to roll back social restrictions |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Democrats voted to oppose motion on the coronavirus stimulus bill, while Dr Anthony Fauci and others warn against scaling back social distancing | Democrats voted to oppose motion on the coronavirus stimulus bill, while Dr Anthony Fauci and others warn against scaling back social distancing |
| Lois Beckett here in our California bureau, picking up our live US politics coverage for today, as governments around the world continue to announce new measures to keep residents in their homes to reduce the spread of coronavirus. | |
| British prime minister Boris Johnson just announced a strict lockdown across the United Kingdom. You can read how Britain’s lockdown compares with other countries here, or follow The Guardian’s live coverage from London. | |
| Australia is approaching a nationwide lockdown, and South Africa imposed a 21 day “total lockdown” that will begin on Thursday. Follow our global coronavirus blog for more live global updates. | |
| I am standing by for a new White House press briefing in about ten minutes. | |
| The White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, says Donald Trump has signed an executive order to prevent hoarding and price gouging. “This sends a strong message – we will not let those hoarding vital supplies & price gougers to harm the health of America in this hour of need,” she wrote on Twitter. | The White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, says Donald Trump has signed an executive order to prevent hoarding and price gouging. “This sends a strong message – we will not let those hoarding vital supplies & price gougers to harm the health of America in this hour of need,” she wrote on Twitter. |
| The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, has announced he is putting the country into lockdown as the pandemic spreads. You can follow all the latest developments in Britain, and across the world, with our global liveblog: | The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, has announced he is putting the country into lockdown as the pandemic spreads. You can follow all the latest developments in Britain, and across the world, with our global liveblog: |
| The Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, says that the state’s ban on unnecessary surgeries includes abortions, unless they are needed to preserve the health or life of the mother. | The Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, says that the state’s ban on unnecessary surgeries includes abortions, unless they are needed to preserve the health or life of the mother. |
| Paxton said on Monday that the ban applies to “all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary, including routine dermatological, ophthalmological, and dental procedures, as well as most scheduled healthcare procedures that are not immediately medically necessary such as orthopedic surgeries or any type of abortion that is not medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.” | Paxton said on Monday that the ban applies to “all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary, including routine dermatological, ophthalmological, and dental procedures, as well as most scheduled healthcare procedures that are not immediately medically necessary such as orthopedic surgeries or any type of abortion that is not medically necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.” |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo today announced he would issue an order for the state’s hospitals to increase their bed capacity by at least 50%, though he’s asking facilities to double their capacity if they can. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo today announced he would issue an order for the state’s hospitals to increase their bed capacity by at least 50%, though he’s asking facilities to double their capacity if they can. |
| Frontline medical staff told the Guardian that efforts to ramp up capacity had already started as the number of cases continues to increase, but their main concern remains a severe lack of protective equipment such as facemasks, gloves and N95 respirator masks, putting staff and other patients at further risk of infection. | Frontline medical staff told the Guardian that efforts to ramp up capacity had already started as the number of cases continues to increase, but their main concern remains a severe lack of protective equipment such as facemasks, gloves and N95 respirator masks, putting staff and other patients at further risk of infection. |
| “It doesn’t matter how many beds you add, you don’t have enough supplies so right now, infection is escaping into the hospitals,” said Carl Ginsburg, communications director for the New York State Nurses Association. | “It doesn’t matter how many beds you add, you don’t have enough supplies so right now, infection is escaping into the hospitals,” said Carl Ginsburg, communications director for the New York State Nurses Association. |
| Michelle Gong, chief of critical care at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City told the Journal of the American Medical Association: “We’re still struggling to make sure our healthcare workers have the adequate [personal protective equipment] and I cannot tell you how important this is ... This is a topic at every discussion at every meeting we have.” | Michelle Gong, chief of critical care at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City told the Journal of the American Medical Association: “We’re still struggling to make sure our healthcare workers have the adequate [personal protective equipment] and I cannot tell you how important this is ... This is a topic at every discussion at every meeting we have.” |
| 3M, an American multinational company that manufactures protective N95 masks for medical workers has said it is shipping half a million masks to New York and Seattle, with arrivals starting today. | 3M, an American multinational company that manufactures protective N95 masks for medical workers has said it is shipping half a million masks to New York and Seattle, with arrivals starting today. |
| The White House Correspondents Association says one of its members is suspected of having Covid-19, something that could put Donald Trump’s daily press briefings at risk - or at least raise the possibility of them being done remotely. The person has not been named but was at the White House on four occasions this month. | The White House Correspondents Association says one of its members is suspected of having Covid-19, something that could put Donald Trump’s daily press briefings at risk - or at least raise the possibility of them being done remotely. The person has not been named but was at the White House on four occasions this month. |
| My colleague Sam Levine has an update on how the Covid-19 outbreak may affect voting: | My colleague Sam Levine has an update on how the Covid-19 outbreak may affect voting: |
| Local election officials and civil rights organizations wrote to Congress on Sunday urging lawmakers to appropriate significant money to help guarantee that Americans don’t have to choose between risking their health and voting. Over 150 civil rights groups signed one of the letters, which argues Congress should include at least $2bn to guarantee voting rights in November. The bill senators debated on Sunday allocated just $140m in grants to election officials. | Local election officials and civil rights organizations wrote to Congress on Sunday urging lawmakers to appropriate significant money to help guarantee that Americans don’t have to choose between risking their health and voting. Over 150 civil rights groups signed one of the letters, which argues Congress should include at least $2bn to guarantee voting rights in November. The bill senators debated on Sunday allocated just $140m in grants to election officials. |
| The letter also says Congress should mandate that states implement extended in-person early voting and no-excuse absentee voting. Seventeen states currently require voters to give a state-approved excuse to vote absentee, but a number in recent weeks have moved to allow voters to list their concerns about Covid-19 as an acceptable excuse. | The letter also says Congress should mandate that states implement extended in-person early voting and no-excuse absentee voting. Seventeen states currently require voters to give a state-approved excuse to vote absentee, but a number in recent weeks have moved to allow voters to list their concerns about Covid-19 as an acceptable excuse. |
| There is an ongoing scramble to urge lawmakers across the country to quickly act to ensure that Americans can more easily vote by mail in November. There is deep concern that unless lawmakers act now, there won’t be enough time to implement the complex procedures and equipment necessary to accommodate an increase in mail-in ballots. As the political climate gets more heated as the November election approaches, there is also worry that it will get harder to tweak election rules. | There is an ongoing scramble to urge lawmakers across the country to quickly act to ensure that Americans can more easily vote by mail in November. There is deep concern that unless lawmakers act now, there won’t be enough time to implement the complex procedures and equipment necessary to accommodate an increase in mail-in ballots. As the political climate gets more heated as the November election approaches, there is also worry that it will get harder to tweak election rules. |
| In a separate letter, local election officials spanning 11 states asked Congress to provide “substantial” funding to assist them with running elections. In several primary contests across the country, polling stations have opened late because poll workers didn’t show up and were left without adequate cleaning supplies. “Our colleagues have been forced to make last minute changes to polling places, and conduct elections without sufficient staff or poll worker support, as we work to balance public safety and the sacred right to vote,” the officials wrote in the letter.House Democrats unveiled a more robust proposal on Monday in their own stimulus package. The legislation would offer billions in grants to state elections officials, as well as a requirement that they offer 15 days of early voting and no-excuse mail-in voting. | In a separate letter, local election officials spanning 11 states asked Congress to provide “substantial” funding to assist them with running elections. In several primary contests across the country, polling stations have opened late because poll workers didn’t show up and were left without adequate cleaning supplies. “Our colleagues have been forced to make last minute changes to polling places, and conduct elections without sufficient staff or poll worker support, as we work to balance public safety and the sacred right to vote,” the officials wrote in the letter.House Democrats unveiled a more robust proposal on Monday in their own stimulus package. The legislation would offer billions in grants to state elections officials, as well as a requirement that they offer 15 days of early voting and no-excuse mail-in voting. |
| The vice-president, Mike Pence, was speaking at Fema headquarters earlier today and said the shortage of ventilators in the US could be alleviated in part by converting other machines. | The vice-president, Mike Pence, was speaking at Fema headquarters earlier today and said the shortage of ventilators in the US could be alleviated in part by converting other machines. |
| “When the President engaged leaders of a number of medical associations we determined that that the devices that are used by anesthesiologists could be easily converted to ventilators that could be used for people struggling with the coronavirus,” said Pence. “We’ve worked with the FDA and they issued guidance ... and so we directed all of our governors again today to survey all of their outpatient clinics to identify what we believe are 10s of thousands of these devices, which could add to our nation’s resources for ventilators for people that might be severely impacted by the coronavirus, we got we got a strong response from our governors.” | “When the President engaged leaders of a number of medical associations we determined that that the devices that are used by anesthesiologists could be easily converted to ventilators that could be used for people struggling with the coronavirus,” said Pence. “We’ve worked with the FDA and they issued guidance ... and so we directed all of our governors again today to survey all of their outpatient clinics to identify what we believe are 10s of thousands of these devices, which could add to our nation’s resources for ventilators for people that might be severely impacted by the coronavirus, we got we got a strong response from our governors.” |
| Texas senator Ted Cruz has joined New York governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio in urging Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act. The president invoked the law, which gives him the power to compel private companies to manufacture equipment such as ventilators, last week but he is yet to use it. | Texas senator Ted Cruz has joined New York governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio in urging Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act. The president invoked the law, which gives him the power to compel private companies to manufacture equipment such as ventilators, last week but he is yet to use it. |
| On Monday Cruz, who faced Trump in the battle to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, said failing to use the act will cost lives. “I don’t want to see doctors having to make a choice of who gets to live and who has to die because they don’t have the equipment to save their lives,” he said. | On Monday Cruz, who faced Trump in the battle to win the Republican presidential nomination in 2016, said failing to use the act will cost lives. “I don’t want to see doctors having to make a choice of who gets to live and who has to die because they don’t have the equipment to save their lives,” he said. |
| The death toll in New York City is now approaching 100. The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the city on Monday was 12,339 with 99 deaths. There are just over 20,000 confirmed cases in New York state as a whole and 157 deaths. For context, there are around 41,200 confirmed cases in the entire United States. | The death toll in New York City is now approaching 100. The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the city on Monday was 12,339 with 99 deaths. There are just over 20,000 confirmed cases in New York state as a whole and 157 deaths. For context, there are around 41,200 confirmed cases in the entire United States. |
| The State Department says it is trying to help around 13,500 US citizens who wish to return home from abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic. An official told reporters on Monday that the department is looking at chartering planes to repatriate Americans abroad, and priority would be given to those in need. “If we have somebody who is 70 years old with an underlying condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, that person is going to get a higher priority on one of those flights, than the hale and hearty 20 year old,” the official said. | The State Department says it is trying to help around 13,500 US citizens who wish to return home from abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic. An official told reporters on Monday that the department is looking at chartering planes to repatriate Americans abroad, and priority would be given to those in need. “If we have somebody who is 70 years old with an underlying condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, that person is going to get a higher priority on one of those flights, than the hale and hearty 20 year old,” the official said. |
| The stock market has reacted badly to news that the Covid-19 stimulus bill failed in the Senate earlier today. The Dow fell by 3.7% after the news emerged from Washington DC while the S&P 500 was down 3.6% in afternoon trading. | The stock market has reacted badly to news that the Covid-19 stimulus bill failed in the Senate earlier today. The Dow fell by 3.7% after the news emerged from Washington DC while the S&P 500 was down 3.6% in afternoon trading. |
| The US Census Bureau has moved to rebut rumors that American will receive checks for filling in this year’s form. The government has proposed sending checks of around $1,200 to Americans as part of its package to stimulate the economy during the coronavirus outbreak. Messages on Facebook and Twitter said people would receive the checks once they had filled out the census. | The US Census Bureau has moved to rebut rumors that American will receive checks for filling in this year’s form. The government has proposed sending checks of around $1,200 to Americans as part of its package to stimulate the economy during the coronavirus outbreak. Messages on Facebook and Twitter said people would receive the checks once they had filled out the census. |
| “Your answers cannot be used to impact your eligibility for any government benefits, including any potential stimulus package,” the bureau said in a statement on Saturday, although the rumors have continued to circulate in recent days. | “Your answers cannot be used to impact your eligibility for any government benefits, including any potential stimulus package,” the bureau said in a statement on Saturday, although the rumors have continued to circulate in recent days. |
| My colleague Daniel Strauss reports on the lawsuit against the Bloomberg campaign: | My colleague Daniel Strauss reports on the lawsuit against the Bloomberg campaign: |
| The Bloomberg campaign has issued a response to the new class-action lawsuit filed by former field organizer Donna Woods. Per a spokesperson: | The Bloomberg campaign has issued a response to the new class-action lawsuit filed by former field organizer Donna Woods. Per a spokesperson: |
| The key line there is the new fund being created. Bloomberg’s decision to transfer $18m to the Democratic National Committee rather than create a new political action committee that would essentially act as the sequel to the campaign left many staffers without insurance benefits or healthcare coverage. | The key line there is the new fund being created. Bloomberg’s decision to transfer $18m to the Democratic National Committee rather than create a new political action committee that would essentially act as the sequel to the campaign left many staffers without insurance benefits or healthcare coverage. |
| Hello, Tom Lutz here taking over the blog for now. Here’s a summary of today’s events so far: | Hello, Tom Lutz here taking over the blog for now. Here’s a summary of today’s events so far: |
| The coronavirus stimulus bill motion has failed in the Senate again amid opposition from Democrats. A $1.8tn package to boost the US economy has failed to pass amid opposition from Democrats, who say it favors big business at the expense of regular workers | The coronavirus stimulus bill motion has failed in the Senate again amid opposition from Democrats. A $1.8tn package to boost the US economy has failed to pass amid opposition from Democrats, who say it favors big business at the expense of regular workers |
| The defense secretary, Mark Esper, told reporters at a Pentagon press briefing that the US military is preparing to deploy field hospitals to New York City and Seattle. | The defense secretary, Mark Esper, told reporters at a Pentagon press briefing that the US military is preparing to deploy field hospitals to New York City and Seattle. |
| Michigan and Massachusetts are the latest states to issue stay at home orders to the public. Other states that have issued similar orders include California, New York, Louisiana, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. | Michigan and Massachusetts are the latest states to issue stay at home orders to the public. Other states that have issued similar orders include California, New York, Louisiana, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo says he will sign an emergency order today instructing all hospitals in the state to increase their bed capacity by 50%, and will also request that hospitals endeavor to expand their bed capacity by 100% | New York governor Andrew Cuomo says he will sign an emergency order today instructing all hospitals in the state to increase their bed capacity by 50%, and will also request that hospitals endeavor to expand their bed capacity by 100% |
| My colleague Edward Helmore has this quick report on the failed senate procedural vote on the stimulus package. | My colleague Edward Helmore has this quick report on the failed senate procedural vote on the stimulus package. |
| Amid fiery exchanges on the senate floor, Democrats again blocked a key vote on a $1.8tr coronavirus bill aimed at addressing the impact of the pandemic. | Amid fiery exchanges on the senate floor, Democrats again blocked a key vote on a $1.8tr coronavirus bill aimed at addressing the impact of the pandemic. |
| “This has got to stop and today is the day it has to stop,” senate majority Leader Mitch McConnell said after the measure fell short by 11 votes from the 60 vote threshold. “The country is out of time,” McConnell added, pointing the blame squarely at senate Democrats, who, he argued are trying to add unnecessary provisions sought by special interests and organized labor. “Democrats are filibustering programs to keep people on the payroll? And they’re filibustering a huge expansion of unemployment insurance, which they themselves negotiated and put into the bill?”But minority leader Charles Schumer maintained he is negotiating in good faith with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and hopes to secure a deal as long as worker protections are included.“We have an obligation to get the details right, get them done quickly,” Schumer added. “That doesn’t mean blindly accepting a Republican-only bill.” | “This has got to stop and today is the day it has to stop,” senate majority Leader Mitch McConnell said after the measure fell short by 11 votes from the 60 vote threshold. “The country is out of time,” McConnell added, pointing the blame squarely at senate Democrats, who, he argued are trying to add unnecessary provisions sought by special interests and organized labor. “Democrats are filibustering programs to keep people on the payroll? And they’re filibustering a huge expansion of unemployment insurance, which they themselves negotiated and put into the bill?”But minority leader Charles Schumer maintained he is negotiating in good faith with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and hopes to secure a deal as long as worker protections are included.“We have an obligation to get the details right, get them done quickly,” Schumer added. “That doesn’t mean blindly accepting a Republican-only bill.” |