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| Coronavirus US live: Trump delivers White House coronavirus briefing | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| President gives latest updates on virus outbreak as Joe Biden urges faster action: ‘Step up and do your job’ | |
| Trump said that the US production of ventilators will ramp up sufficiently to supply some other countries, including Italy and Spain. The president has repeatedly marveled at why US hospitals would need thousands of ventilators — which healthcare providers need to help coronavirus patients with severe symptoms breathe. | |
| An article in the New England Journal of Medicine published on Wednesday 25 March categorically concluded that the US does not have enough ventilators to treat patients with Covid-19 in the coming months. | |
| The authors, American public health experts, wrote: ‘There is a broad range of estimates of the number of ventilators we will need to care for U.S. patients with Covid-19, from several hundred thousand to as many as a million. The estimates vary depending on the number, speed, and severity of infections, of course, but even the availability of testing affects the number of ventilators needed.... current estimates of the number of ventilators in the United States range from 60,000 to 160,000, depending on whether those that have only partial functionality are included. The national strategic reserve of ventilators is small and far from sufficient for the projected gap. No matter which estimate we use, there are not enough ventilators for patients with Covid-19 in the upcoming months.” | |
| Ford today announced it will work with GE to make ventilators. And GM announced on Friday that it will start manufacturing ventilators in April on behalf of Ventec Life Systems. | |
| Fact check: Hydroxychloroquine cure | |
| Trump said the government is testing hydroxychloroquine, a common anti-malaria drug he has previously touted as a potential cure. | |
| Public health experts including his own top infectious diseases adviser, Dr Anthony Fauci, have previously warned that there was only “anecdotal evidence” that the drugs could be helpful. My colleague Oliver Milman reported that a French study of 40 coronavirus patients found that half experienced clearing of their airways after being given hydroxychloroquine. Experts have warned that the study is small and lacks sufficient rigor to be classed as evidence of a potential treatment. The French health ministry has warned against the use of hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19. | |
| Last week, an Arizona man died and his wife was left in critical condition after the couple took chloroquine phosphate, an additive used to clean fish tanks that is also found in the anti-malaria treatment promoted by Trump. “Trump kept saying it was basically pretty much a cure,” the woman told NBC, before advising: “Don’t take anything. Don’t believe anything. Don’t believe anything that the president says and his people … call your doctor.” | |
| The surge in demand for the unproven hydroxychloroquine also risks shortages of the drug for those who need it most. It is used to help patients manage the chronic autoimmune disease lupus, but some are already complaining the drug is harder to come by. Trump’s pushing of the treatment has reportedly caused stockpiling of hydroxychloroquine. | |
| The president is touting new tests from Abbott Laboratories, which said on Friday it won US marketing approval for a coronavirus diagnostic test within 15 minutes. | |
| Abbott said plans to start distributing the this week and will ramp up manufacturing to 50,000 tests per day. | |
| Fact check: Testing | |
| Trump said more than one million Americans have now been tested for the coronavirus. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar then said this was more than any other country. But the US has conducted far fewer tests per capita given the US population is over six times larger than South Korea’s. | |
| As of Monday afternoon, the United States, with a population of 329 million, had administered at least 944,854, according to the Covid Tracking Project, a group led by Alexis Madrigal, a staff writer for The Atlantic magazine, with more than 100 volunteers that compiles coronavirus testing data from states. | |
| This equates to 287 tests per 100,000 people in the US (with huge variations depending on the county, city and state) compared to 709 per 100,000 in South Korea and 600 per 100,000 in Italy. | |
| About 65,000 coronavirus tests a day are currently being done on Americans — a massive rise from 10 days ago. But there’s huge variation from state to state, and public health experts reckon 150,000 tests are needed every day so that infected patients can be identified quickly, traced and quarantined | |
| To match South Korea’s testing rate, the US would have needed to conduct another 2 million tests. | |
| Trump is addressing reporters outside today. And he’s practicing a bit of social distancing for a chance, standing at the podium alone. | |
| “This is a very vital 30 days. We’re sort of putting it all on the line,” he said in the White House Rose Garden. He said Easter, which he’d had previously marked as the day he wanted to scale back distancing measures, will be when the disease will peak. | |
| Hey! It’s Maanvi Singh, blogging from the West Coast. Donald Trump and the Coronavirus Task Force are about to deliver one of their regular briefings. My colleague Adam Gabbatt and I will be providing you with live fact checks. | Hey! It’s Maanvi Singh, blogging from the West Coast. Donald Trump and the Coronavirus Task Force are about to deliver one of their regular briefings. My colleague Adam Gabbatt and I will be providing you with live fact checks. |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague Maanvi Singh will take over for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague Maanvi Singh will take over for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Joe Biden called on Trump to move “more rapidly” against coronavirus. The Democratic frontrunner has also demanded that Trump use the powers of the Defense Production Act to speed up production of medical equipment. | Joe Biden called on Trump to move “more rapidly” against coronavirus. The Democratic frontrunner has also demanded that Trump use the powers of the Defense Production Act to speed up production of medical equipment. |
| New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned “no American is immune” to this virus. The governor predicted his state’s desperate situation would not be “an anomaly” and said New York could prove to be “the canary in the coalmine” of this pandemic. | New York Governor Andrew Cuomo warned “no American is immune” to this virus. The governor predicted his state’s desperate situation would not be “an anomaly” and said New York could prove to be “the canary in the coalmine” of this pandemic. |
| Nancy Pelosi ruled out the possibility of the House moving toward remote voting, even as several members have reported contracting coronavirus. | Nancy Pelosi ruled out the possibility of the House moving toward remote voting, even as several members have reported contracting coronavirus. |
| Trump called Pelosi a “sick puppy” in an interview, lashing out against the House speaker after she said the president was responsible for coronavirus deaths because of his administration’s slow response to the pandemic. | Trump called Pelosi a “sick puppy” in an interview, lashing out against the House speaker after she said the president was responsible for coronavirus deaths because of his administration’s slow response to the pandemic. |
| The governors of Virginia and Maryland issued “stay at home” orders, as the number of coronavirus cases in the Washington metropolitan area continues to rise. | The governors of Virginia and Maryland issued “stay at home” orders, as the number of coronavirus cases in the Washington metropolitan area continues to rise. |
| Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| The Dow rose nearly 700 points, even as more layoffs were announced in connection to the coronavirus pandemic. | The Dow rose nearly 700 points, even as more layoffs were announced in connection to the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Last week, the Dow saw its best week since 1938, apparently shaking off the report of record-high unemployment claims. | Last week, the Dow saw its best week since 1938, apparently shaking off the report of record-high unemployment claims. |
| Unemployment numbers are expected to climb once again this week, as major employers like Macy’s announce plans to dismiss many workers. | Unemployment numbers are expected to climb once again this week, as major employers like Macy’s announce plans to dismiss many workers. |
| Joe Biden said Donald Trump must move “more rapidly” in the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic quickly spreading across the US.“We know from experience that speed matters,” Biden said in an interview on MSNBC on Monday afternoon. “We know that you can’t go too fast. It’s about going too slow.” | Joe Biden said Donald Trump must move “more rapidly” in the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic quickly spreading across the US.“We know from experience that speed matters,” Biden said in an interview on MSNBC on Monday afternoon. “We know that you can’t go too fast. It’s about going too slow.” |
| Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, implored Trump to use the federal Defense Production Act “more aggressively” and said that if he were president he would “surge” more medical supplies and equipment to the most devastated states, such as New York. | Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, implored Trump to use the federal Defense Production Act “more aggressively” and said that if he were president he would “surge” more medical supplies and equipment to the most devastated states, such as New York. |
| He also endorsed an idea from New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who has asked the federal government to send life-saving ventilators and other equipment to his state – the worst hit in the US – and when it is under control New York can send the equipment to other states as they need it. | He also endorsed an idea from New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who has asked the federal government to send life-saving ventilators and other equipment to his state – the worst hit in the US – and when it is under control New York can send the equipment to other states as they need it. |
| If elected, Biden said his team has already discussed how swiftly they could replace the pandemic office in the White House, which was shut down by the Trump administration in a reorganization in 2018. | If elected, Biden said his team has already discussed how swiftly they could replace the pandemic office in the White House, which was shut down by the Trump administration in a reorganization in 2018. |
| Asked about Trump’s comments about him on Fox & Friends, Biden said it “didn’t warrant a response. It’s bravado. It’s a bunch of malarkey, as they say in my family.” | Asked about Trump’s comments about him on Fox & Friends, Biden said it “didn’t warrant a response. It’s bravado. It’s a bunch of malarkey, as they say in my family.” |
| He called on Trump to stop the attacks and criticism of those who don’t agree with him and instead to “step up and do your job”. | He called on Trump to stop the attacks and criticism of those who don’t agree with him and instead to “step up and do your job”. |
| Biden said: “The president has to stop the belittling of the governors with whom he disagrees. Stop making accusations that somehow some New York hospitals, they all of a sudden need more masks, we ought to investigate them ... That is bizarre – absolutely bizarre.” | Biden said: “The president has to stop the belittling of the governors with whom he disagrees. Stop making accusations that somehow some New York hospitals, they all of a sudden need more masks, we ought to investigate them ... That is bizarre – absolutely bizarre.” |
| Biden said the current crisis, which has exposed severe cracks in the US healthcare system, has not made him reconsider his opposition to a government-run healthcare system like Medicare for All. “Single-payer will not solve that at all,” he said. | Biden said the current crisis, which has exposed severe cracks in the US healthcare system, has not made him reconsider his opposition to a government-run healthcare system like Medicare for All. “Single-payer will not solve that at all,” he said. |
| At the end of the interview, after being asked about his fading presence on the national stage, Biden quipped: “Thanks for giving me the time so they don’t wonder where I am!” | At the end of the interview, after being asked about his fading presence on the national stage, Biden quipped: “Thanks for giving me the time so they don’t wonder where I am!” |
| On Monday, Biden’s campaign also launched a new podcast called “Here’s the deal.” The first episode features Ron Klain, the former White House Ebola Response coordinator who is advising the campaign on the coronavirus outbreak, to discuss Trump’s handling of the pandemic. | On Monday, Biden’s campaign also launched a new podcast called “Here’s the deal.” The first episode features Ron Klain, the former White House Ebola Response coordinator who is advising the campaign on the coronavirus outbreak, to discuss Trump’s handling of the pandemic. |
| House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ruled out the possibility of lawmakers moving toward remote voting amid the coronavirus pandemic. | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ruled out the possibility of lawmakers moving toward remote voting amid the coronavirus pandemic. |
| “There is no way we can engage in remote voting,” Pelosi said on a call with reporters. “Let’s not waste time on something that is not going to happen.” | “There is no way we can engage in remote voting,” Pelosi said on a call with reporters. “Let’s not waste time on something that is not going to happen.” |
| The California Democrat said remote voting may be a possibility “way down the road,” but it won’t be an option in the next couple of months. | The California Democrat said remote voting may be a possibility “way down the road,” but it won’t be an option in the next couple of months. |
| House Democrats added they are already looking at another bill to address fallout from the pandemic, just days after passing the $2 trillion stimulus package. | House Democrats added they are already looking at another bill to address fallout from the pandemic, just days after passing the $2 trillion stimulus package. |
| Pelosi said the next bill could include provisions on clean water improvement, rural broadband and infrastructure, among other things. | Pelosi said the next bill could include provisions on clean water improvement, rural broadband and infrastructure, among other things. |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: | The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: |
| North Carolina is making it easier to register to vote online amid the coronavirus pandemic. | North Carolina is making it easier to register to vote online amid the coronavirus pandemic. |
| The state’s board of elections announced Monday they would make it easier for people to register to vote or update their information online if they are already in the state’s DMV database. | The state’s board of elections announced Monday they would make it easier for people to register to vote or update their information online if they are already in the state’s DMV database. |
| The state did not previously have full-blown online voter registration, but allowed people to register if they were completing a DMV transaction online. The state will now allow people, free of charge, to submit a voter registration or update existing information, even if they aren’t completing a DMV transaction. Only people who have an identification card issued by the state DMV can use the online portal, those without one still have to register using a paper form or in person. | The state did not previously have full-blown online voter registration, but allowed people to register if they were completing a DMV transaction online. The state will now allow people, free of charge, to submit a voter registration or update existing information, even if they aren’t completing a DMV transaction. Only people who have an identification card issued by the state DMV can use the online portal, those without one still have to register using a paper form or in person. |
| The change comes as elections officials around the country are seeking to expand opportunities to register to vote and cast a ballot amid the covid-19 pandemic. Several voter registration efforts around the country have already been severely harmed. | The change comes as elections officials around the country are seeking to expand opportunities to register to vote and cast a ballot amid the covid-19 pandemic. Several voter registration efforts around the country have already been severely harmed. |
| Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia offered online voter registration as of January, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. | Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia offered online voter registration as of January, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. |
| Here’s the latest New Yorker cover. | Here’s the latest New Yorker cover. |
| Enough said. | Enough said. |
| The Guardian’s Mario Koran writes that California, bracing for a surge on the healthcare system, is moving to meet demands on resources, hospital beds, and the health care professionals needed to meet the surge. | The Guardian’s Mario Koran writes that California, bracing for a surge on the healthcare system, is moving to meet demands on resources, hospital beds, and the health care professionals needed to meet the surge. |
| Speaking from an afternoon press conference now underway, California governor Gavin Newsom announced today they’re easing some restrictions on health care facilities that will allow them to temporarily forego things like required professional-to-patient ratios. | Speaking from an afternoon press conference now underway, California governor Gavin Newsom announced today they’re easing some restrictions on health care facilities that will allow them to temporarily forego things like required professional-to-patient ratios. |
| Newsom also said the state is seeking help from medical professionals who have recently retired, and those who are nearing completion of nursing and medical degrees. | Newsom also said the state is seeking help from medical professionals who have recently retired, and those who are nearing completion of nursing and medical degrees. |
| About 170 of the ventilators the federal government sent Los Angeles County were found to be not working, Newsom said over the weekend, and the ventilators were sent to a Silicon Valley company for repairs. | About 170 of the ventilators the federal government sent Los Angeles County were found to be not working, Newsom said over the weekend, and the ventilators were sent to a Silicon Valley company for repairs. |
| Newsom said Monday the company was making fast work of the repairs. | Newsom said Monday the company was making fast work of the repairs. |
| A Florida sheriff today sought an arrest warrant for the pastor of a megachurch after officials said he held two services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus. | A Florida sheriff today sought an arrest warrant for the pastor of a megachurch after officials said he held two services with hundreds of people and violated a safer-at-home order put in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus. |
| The AP writes: | The AP writes: |
| As recently as last year, Howard-Browne’s church hosted an event with Paula White Cain, who was named an advisor leading Donald Trump’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative. She’s also an unofficial spiritual advisor to the president. | As recently as last year, Howard-Browne’s church hosted an event with Paula White Cain, who was named an advisor leading Donald Trump’s Faith and Opportunity Initiative. She’s also an unofficial spiritual advisor to the president. |