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Coronavirus US live: California governor says 1m people filed for unemployment in state Coronavirus US live: Trump praises Senate stimulus deal and attacks US media
(32 minutes later)
Gavin Newsom says 1 million have filed since 13 March while more than 50 have died from coronavirus in California Trump said he will sign stimulus package ‘immediately’
“We don’t have to test the entire state in the Middle West,” Trump said, suggesting that areas of the country were barely affected. “I think it’s ridiculous.”
Public health experts said that the surest way out of the pandemic is to test widely and to continue social distancing measures.
Addressing a recent tweet in which he claimed that the media was inflating the crisis, Trump doubled down. “I think there are certain people who would like [the country] to do financially poorly,” he said, in order to tank his chances of reelection.
“I think it’s very clear that there are people in your profession who write fake news,” he said, pointing out individual reporters in the briefing room. “You do, she doesn’t,” he said.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin — who negotiated the stimulus package with Senate leaders late into the night — said he expects that it will sustain the economy for about three months.
Trump added that if more economic relief is needed, it will come: “If we have to go back, we will go back.”
Mnuchin said he hopes the bill will pass the Senate tonight, and predicted that “within the next three weeks”, Americans who qualify for direct payments would get their direct deposits or checks
Trump also confirmed that he’ll sign stimulus package “immediately” when it gets to his desk, adding that he’ll have a “beautiful” signing.
The $2tn coronavirus bill moving through the Senate will re-energize the economy, Trump said, urging Congress to pass the “vital legislation”.
Soon, the president reiterated — contradicting public health experts — the country will open up “like a rocket ship.” The sooner it happens, the better, he said.
“We’re also doing some very large testings throughout the country,” Trump said, boasting that the US has done more tests than South Korea.
But South Korea, which has a much smaller population, has administered more coronavirus tests per capita.
Still, Trump claimed that South Korea’s president told him that US testing has been “amazing.” Later, he said he spoke with New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, who was “very happy,” according to Trump. “It’s hard not to be happy with the job we’re doing,” he said.
New York “is by far the hottest spot,” Trump said, referring to the rising number of cases in the state. He said he’s been working with the state’s governor Andrew Cuomo.New York “is by far the hottest spot,” Trump said, referring to the rising number of cases in the state. He said he’s been working with the state’s governor Andrew Cuomo.
“I want you to know that I’m doing everything in my power to help the city pull through this challenge,” he said. He called the Defense Production Act — which allows the government to compel private companies to produce critical medical supplies — a “great negotiating tool”.“I want you to know that I’m doing everything in my power to help the city pull through this challenge,” he said. He called the Defense Production Act — which allows the government to compel private companies to produce critical medical supplies — a “great negotiating tool”.
“I don’t have to use it very much at all,” he said, referencing companies that have voluntarily pitched in to increase production of key supplies. Cuomo has repeatedly raised alarm over a lack of face masks and other protective equipment available at New York hospitals.“I don’t have to use it very much at all,” he said, referencing companies that have voluntarily pitched in to increase production of key supplies. Cuomo has repeatedly raised alarm over a lack of face masks and other protective equipment available at New York hospitals.
“Social distancing, so important,” Donald Trump began. “Such an important phrase.”“Social distancing, so important,” Donald Trump began. “Such an important phrase.”
He repeated his wish that “some sections of the country” return to normalcy earlier than others. “The more lives we can save and the sooner we can eventually get people back to work, back to school and back to normal - and there are large sections of our country probably can go back much sooner than other sections, and we’re obviously looking at that also,” he said.He repeated his wish that “some sections of the country” return to normalcy earlier than others. “The more lives we can save and the sooner we can eventually get people back to work, back to school and back to normal - and there are large sections of our country probably can go back much sooner than other sections, and we’re obviously looking at that also,” he said.
Donald Trump has continued to ignore public health experts imploring Americans to continue observing physical distancing as the number of coronavirus cases spike across the country.Donald Trump has continued to ignore public health experts imploring Americans to continue observing physical distancing as the number of coronavirus cases spike across the country.
Ahead of the Coronavirus Task Force briefing, he blamed the media for “trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success”.Ahead of the Coronavirus Task Force briefing, he blamed the media for “trying to get me to keep our Country closed as long as possible in the hope that it will be detrimental to my election success”.
Experts said it’s too soon to ease distancing measures, even as the president insisted yesterday he wanted to reopen the country for business by Easter. A spike in cases would drive up the coronavirus death toll, further strain hospitals, and set the economy back even further, per public health officials, including the senior official Dr Anthony Fauci.Experts said it’s too soon to ease distancing measures, even as the president insisted yesterday he wanted to reopen the country for business by Easter. A spike in cases would drive up the coronavirus death toll, further strain hospitals, and set the economy back even further, per public health officials, including the senior official Dr Anthony Fauci.
Still, as his task force briefing runs late, delayed by 30 minutes, then 45 and then an hour, the president continued to tweet, railing against “the fake news”.Still, as his task force briefing runs late, delayed by 30 minutes, then 45 and then an hour, the president continued to tweet, railing against “the fake news”.
Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh blogging from California.Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh blogging from California.
We’re awaiting a briefing from the Coronavirus Task Force, which is scheduled to begin shortly. In the meantime, this story from the Washington Post caught our eye.We’re awaiting a briefing from the Coronavirus Task Force, which is scheduled to begin shortly. In the meantime, this story from the Washington Post caught our eye.
Foreign ministers representing the G-7 nations failed to agree on a joint statement after the Trump administration insisted on referring to the coronavirus as the “Wuhan virus”, the Post reports, citing anonymous officials from G-7 counties”Foreign ministers representing the G-7 nations failed to agree on a joint statement after the Trump administration insisted on referring to the coronavirus as the “Wuhan virus”, the Post reports, citing anonymous officials from G-7 counties”
The CDC and WHO have both warned against describing the virus in geographic terms, especially amid rising reports of discrimination against Asian Americans.The CDC and WHO have both warned against describing the virus in geographic terms, especially amid rising reports of discrimination against Asian Americans.
The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports from California:The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports from California:
Addressing a state on lockdown, California governor Gavin Newsom told residents he doesn’t expect to lift the stay-at-home order in the coming days, or even weeks, as he urges California to prepare for the long-haul. Any estimates that the state would reopen in early April is optimistic, at least for California, Newsom has said, countering projections offered by Donald Trump.Addressing a state on lockdown, California governor Gavin Newsom told residents he doesn’t expect to lift the stay-at-home order in the coming days, or even weeks, as he urges California to prepare for the long-haul. Any estimates that the state would reopen in early April is optimistic, at least for California, Newsom has said, countering projections offered by Donald Trump.
Part of the reason it’s difficult to establish a more specific timeline is a lag in testing that muddies the true scope of how many in California have been infected.Part of the reason it’s difficult to establish a more specific timeline is a lag in testing that muddies the true scope of how many in California have been infected.
The number of tests administered in the state jumped to 66,800 tests, up from 39,000 yesterday. Newsom said that’s a result of having private labs, like Quest Diagnostics, reporting results in a more uniform fashion.The number of tests administered in the state jumped to 66,800 tests, up from 39,000 yesterday. Newsom said that’s a result of having private labs, like Quest Diagnostics, reporting results in a more uniform fashion.
The state also appears to be making headway in its effort to shelter those living on the streets. To that end, the state has now procured 4,305 hotel rooms to be used for shelter.The state also appears to be making headway in its effort to shelter those living on the streets. To that end, the state has now procured 4,305 hotel rooms to be used for shelter.
Asked to provide clarity on whether gun stores in California should be considered essential, and therefore remain open, Newsom deferred to local sheriffs to make the call. It’s remained a murky area of the law. Police in San Jose last week closed a gun store and told them they’d have to apply for a waiver from DOJ if they wanted to operate.Asked to provide clarity on whether gun stores in California should be considered essential, and therefore remain open, Newsom deferred to local sheriffs to make the call. It’s remained a murky area of the law. Police in San Jose last week closed a gun store and told them they’d have to apply for a waiver from DOJ if they wanted to operate.
California Congresswoman Katie Porter announced on Wednesday that she is self-quarantining after experiencing symptoms related to CONVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.California Congresswoman Katie Porter announced on Wednesday that she is self-quarantining after experiencing symptoms related to CONVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
At least two members of Congress and one US senator have tested positive for the virus, while more than a dozen are self-quarantined after brushes with people who have symptoms or have tested positive for the disease.At least two members of Congress and one US senator have tested positive for the virus, while more than a dozen are self-quarantined after brushes with people who have symptoms or have tested positive for the disease.
On Wednesday, Massachusetts congressman Seth Moulton said he and his wife are also experiencing symptoms.On Wednesday, Massachusetts congressman Seth Moulton said he and his wife are also experiencing symptoms.
This comes as Congress aims to rush immediate financial assistance to workers and businesses as the economy careens toward recession. Some House leaders had hoped to pass the bill – after it is approved by the Senate – by “unanimous consent” which would preclude members of Congress from having to come back to Washington to vote on the legislation.This comes as Congress aims to rush immediate financial assistance to workers and businesses as the economy careens toward recession. Some House leaders had hoped to pass the bill – after it is approved by the Senate – by “unanimous consent” which would preclude members of Congress from having to come back to Washington to vote on the legislation.
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday disagreed with the approach while progressive star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested she too might object.House minority leader Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday disagreed with the approach while progressive star Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested she too might object.
“I know we’re in a very challenging time, I know we have members who are quarantined, members who are battling the virus, members in New York City who could not travel here without 14 days, but I don’t believe we should pass a $2 trillion package by unanimous consent,” he told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.If one lawmaker objects, it would prevent passage under the rules and members would be called back.“I know we’re in a very challenging time, I know we have members who are quarantined, members who are battling the virus, members in New York City who could not travel here without 14 days, but I don’t believe we should pass a $2 trillion package by unanimous consent,” he told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.If one lawmaker objects, it would prevent passage under the rules and members would be called back.
Here’s what been covered thus far:
The 12th and final democratic debate is probably not happening
Joe Biden accused Donald Trump of downplaying the coronavirus’s seriousness
Another TV outlet is dropping Trump’s daily briefings
140 nursing homes nationwide have at least one coronavirus case
The DHS warned New York City’s morgues could hit capacity next week
Rep. Seth Moulton announced he’s self-quarantining.
California confirmed 1 million people applied for unemployment benefits.
Louisiana had its highest spike in confirmed coronavirus cases in one day.
Stay tuned for more.
Mario Koran reports on California’s coronavirus response:
“A herculean effort is underway and is taking real shape,” said California governor Gavin Newsom at an afternoon press conference. That includes getting extra funds for unemployed workers, securing shelter for the unhoused, and improvements to testing.
One million new unemployment claims have been filed in California just since March 13. The department typically sees 2,000 claims a day. The explosion threatens to overwhelm the system, even as the federal government rushes to pass a $2 trillion stimulus package that would bolster funds for unemployment.
Newsom said he’s spoken to the CEOs of 200 banks, including four of the largest institutions, who have agreed to a 90 waiver on mortgages and foreclosures. Bank of America will only commit to a 30 day waiver, he said.
About 66,800 tests have been administered in California, Newsom said, a huge jump from yesterday’s tally of 39,000 tests. The rise comes California made headlines for its lack of progress on testing -- Newsom explained it by saying private labs have started reporting their results.
The governor urged caution on news of the child in Los Angeles who is reported to be the first minor in the country whose death is attributed to the virus, but LA health officials late yesterday walked back news that the minor died of the coronavirus.
GOP Trio may block coronavirus stimulus bill
The Guardian’s Lauren Gambino with more on Republican concerns over the economic stimulus package:
A trio of Republican senators have threatened to delay the historic $2tn economic relief package over concerns that a provision in the bill could incentivize unemployment.
The Senators – Tim Scott of South Carolina, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ben Sasse of Nebraska - said the bill included what they claimed was a “massive drafting error” that could theoretically make it possible to earn more money by being unemployed.
“This isn’t an abstract, philosophical point — it’s an immediate, real-world problem,” they said in a statement. “If the federal government accidentally incentivizes layoffs, we risk life-threatening shortages in sectors where doctors, nurses, and pharmacists are trying to care for the sick, and where growers and grocers, truckers and cooks are trying to get food to families’ tables.”
Democratic aides have said the reason for the provision is technical.
As negotiators scrambled to work out the details, Senator Bernie Sanders threatened to put a hold on the bill if the Republicans did not drop their objections.
Senators say they still intend to vote on the bill today but the last-minute hurdles have scuttled any hope of a quick passage.
According to California governor Gavin Newsom, nearly half of the state’s confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus were of people between the ages of 18 and 49.
The developments continue to debunk previous notions that young people are uniquely resistant to the virus.
Nationwide, data shows 20% of all hospitalized patients and 12% of the intensive care patients are either millennials or Generation Z, meaning between the ages of 20 and 44.
Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards updated reporters on a major spike in the Covid-19 death toll and contraction rate in the state, which remains a major coronavirus hotspot.
There are now 1,975 confirmed cases, a day-on-day increase of 407, and 65 deaths, a day-on-day increase of 19.
The numbers mark the largest day-on-day increases so far in Louisiana, and highlight that curve is not being flattened despite the governor’s statewide stay-at-home order issued over the weekend.
The governor has cautioned that the state’s hospital system is set to reach capacity by the first week of April, as he struggles to deliver ventilators to satiate demand. “Our ventilator capacity is far from OK in Louisiana,” Edwards told reporters. Last night the Trump administration approved a major disaster declaration in Louisiana, following similar orders in New York, California and Washington state, other states experiencing a major surge of coronavirus cases.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a briefing on Wednesday that 1 million people have filed for unemployment in the state since March 13th.
More than 50 people have died of the coronavirus in California, with more than 2,100 people testing positive.
Massachusetts congressman Seth Moulton announced Wednesday that he has self quarantined after experiencing symptoms similar to the novel coronavirus.
“On Thursday, I began feeling unwell with a low grade fever and a concerning tightness in my chest, to a degree I’ve never felt before, that lasted several days,” the congressman said in a statement. “As a general precaution consistent with office policy, well before I began experiencing these symptoms myself, I had proactively instructed my teams in Salem and in Washington, DC (except for two essential members) to work entirely from home and self-isolate”
He noted his wife, Liz, had also developed symptoms.
Moulton added that while the self-quarantine means he’ll likely miss some votes, he vowed to continue “fighting for health care workers who need PPE, for the unemployed who still need to put food on the table, for the sick who need respirators and access to care, and for small businesses who are the lifeblood of our economy”.
From squats to drones via fines and armed forces, The Guardian’s Maheen Sadiq takes a look at how coronavirus lockdowns are being policed around the world:
Learn more by checking out the full video here.
Economic relief may not come easy for America’s poorest
The US working class and poor may be left out of immediate relief from the $2tn economic stimulus package meant to combat the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the NY Times, people who don’t have bank accounts may be especially vulnerable:
Anyone who doesn’t already have direct-deposit information on file with the IRS may not see their emergency funds for up to 4 months.
The US Department of Homeland Security was briefed Wednesday that New York City’s morgues are nearing capacity.
From Politico:
The media outlet confirmed that Hawaii and North Carolina have also asked for mortuary help. According to a spokesperson, the disaster response agency is currently reviewing the requests.