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| Coronavirus US live: Donald Trump gives briefing on Covid-19 response | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| New York governor laments how states and Fema are bidding against each other to obtain ventilators: ‘What sense does that make?’ | New York governor laments how states and Fema are bidding against each other to obtain ventilators: ‘What sense does that make?’ |
| Fact check: US unemployment pre-pandemic | |
| Trump praised the sacrifice made by the American public and businesses before stating that the US has the “greatest economy in the history of our country.” He added that “we had the best unemployment numbers and best employment number we’ve had, by far.” | |
| While the US unemployment rate has dropped to low levels during Trump’s presidency, it’s not at an all-time record. In April last year, the unemployment rate fell to 3.6% - the lowest since 1969. This rate was at or below 4% for the preceding year. | |
| Fact check: 10,000 ventilators | |
| Trump once again touted US stockpile of 10,000 ventilators, which he said the government is “holding back” strategically. | |
| But experts say that the government’s secretive stockpile of medicines, vaccines, protective clothing and equipment, stashed in a dozen warehouses across the country, isn’t enough to meet the demand for medical equipment needed to treat coronavirus patients. State governors, including Andrew Cuomo of New York, have asked for tens of thousands of ventilators. | |
| In an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, public health experts wrote: “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.” | |
| Because Europe “took a much different route than we did, a much different route,” in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, “they’re having tremendous problems,” Trump said. As he did during yesterday’s briefing, the president is attempting to paint the US’ delayed and chaotic response to the pandemic as superior to Europe. | |
| Yesterday, Trump implied that the US would soon have such a surplus of scarce and necessary medical equipment that he’d be able to send the excess to Italy, France and Spain. | |
| “There’s a great pride going on right now,” the president said. | |
| He signaled that the Treasury and Small Business Administration have announced further details on the paycheck protection program, which provides $350bn for small businesses to continue making payroll for two months. | |
| Donald Trump has appeared in the briefing room alongside the task force. | |
| Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh — blogging from the West Coast. | |
| We’re awaiting the daily coronavirus briefing from Trump and other members of the White House task force responding to the pandemic. | |
| Florida governor Ron DeSantis says the task force hasn’t advised him to issue a statewide closure. “The task force is not recommending this,” he told reporters. “If they do, that’s something that would carry a lot of weight with me.” | |
| But according to the Miami Herald, one of the epidemiologists behind a coronavirus model cited by the White House said he told Florida’s top health official Monday night that a blanket stay-at-home order was urgently necessary. | |
| Though DeSantis, a Republican, has ordered people visiting from New York to self-quarantine and has issued “safer-at-home” mandates for South Florida, he has so far resisted more sweeping actions. The state has reported more 5,000 positive coronavirus cases, with 523 new positive cases on Sunday. | |
| The last day of the month in an election year is usually a major fundraising deadline, with campaigns rushing to run up their numbers before the Federal Elections Commission reporting deadline at midnight. | The last day of the month in an election year is usually a major fundraising deadline, with campaigns rushing to run up their numbers before the Federal Elections Commission reporting deadline at midnight. |
| But how do you fundraise in the middle of a pandemic, when the FEC deadline coincides with the first day that millions of newly unemployed Americans will have to pay rent? | But how do you fundraise in the middle of a pandemic, when the FEC deadline coincides with the first day that millions of newly unemployed Americans will have to pay rent? |
| The US presidential campaigns have all suspended in-person events, which makes digital fundraising an imperative. | The US presidential campaigns have all suspended in-person events, which makes digital fundraising an imperative. |
| Former vice president Joe Biden has sent out a number of fundraising requests via SMS, and is also running Facebook ads asking for donations. His ads do not directly name the coronavirus pandemic, but they do make reference to “these uncertain times”. The imagery is generally positive and reassuring. | Former vice president Joe Biden has sent out a number of fundraising requests via SMS, and is also running Facebook ads asking for donations. His ads do not directly name the coronavirus pandemic, but they do make reference to “these uncertain times”. The imagery is generally positive and reassuring. |
| Donald Trump’s reelection campaign is running hundreds of Facebook ads referencing the FEC deadline at midnight, some of which use the language and imagery of a billing “notice”. | Donald Trump’s reelection campaign is running hundreds of Facebook ads referencing the FEC deadline at midnight, some of which use the language and imagery of a billing “notice”. |
| Bernie Sanders’ campaign is not running any Facebook ads. The campaign did send an SMS message to supporters on Monday asking for donations – but the money was earmarked for six groups providing support to different groups during the coronavirus pandemic, including mutual aid funds for Amazon workers, gig workers, artists, and restaurant workers. | Bernie Sanders’ campaign is not running any Facebook ads. The campaign did send an SMS message to supporters on Monday asking for donations – but the money was earmarked for six groups providing support to different groups during the coronavirus pandemic, including mutual aid funds for Amazon workers, gig workers, artists, and restaurant workers. |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague Maanvi Singh will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague Maanvi Singh 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 governor Andrew Cuomo lamented the bidding wars over ventilators. Cuomo said having numerous states and FEMA simultaneously trying to obtain the crucial breathing machines was “like being on eBay.” | New York governor Andrew Cuomo lamented the bidding wars over ventilators. Cuomo said having numerous states and FEMA simultaneously trying to obtain the crucial breathing machines was “like being on eBay.” |
| Cuomo’s brother, Chris Cuomo, was diagnosed with coronavirus. The governor said his brother “will be fine” considering his age and overall health, but he added that the diagnosis underscored the need to maintain social distancing practices. | Cuomo’s brother, Chris Cuomo, was diagnosed with coronavirus. The governor said his brother “will be fine” considering his age and overall health, but he added that the diagnosis underscored the need to maintain social distancing practices. |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said Trump’s impeachment distracted lawmakers from responding to coronavirus, a claim that was quickly criticized by Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, who called for the virus to be declared a public health emergency in late January. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said Trump’s impeachment distracted lawmakers from responding to coronavirus, a claim that was quickly criticized by Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, who called for the virus to be declared a public health emergency in late January. |
| Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden emphasized the need for more testing to combat the virus. Both of the prominent Democrats also demanded that Trump immediately use the full powers of the Defense Production Act to speed up the production of medical equipment. | Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden emphasized the need for more testing to combat the virus. Both of the prominent Democrats also demanded that Trump immediately use the full powers of the Defense Production Act to speed up the production of medical equipment. |
| Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| Trump’s daily press conference on the US response to coronavirus was even more of a spectacle yesterday than usual. | Trump’s daily press conference on the US response to coronavirus was even more of a spectacle yesterday than usual. |
| The president was accused of using the briefing to promote specific companies, including MyPillow, whose chief executive Mike Lindell has become a regular at Trump rallies. | The president was accused of using the briefing to promote specific companies, including MyPillow, whose chief executive Mike Lindell has become a regular at Trump rallies. |
| The Guardian’s David Smith reported yesterday: | The Guardian’s David Smith reported yesterday: |
| Trump’s daily press conference on the coronavirus response will be slightly delayed. | Trump’s daily press conference on the coronavirus response will be slightly delayed. |
| The event, which was scheduled to start in about 25 minutes at 5 pm ET, will now start at 5:15. | The event, which was scheduled to start in about 25 minutes at 5 pm ET, will now start at 5:15. |
| Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer criticized majority leader Mitch McConnell for suggesting impeachment distracted lawmakers from the coronavirus response. | Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer criticized majority leader Mitch McConnell for suggesting impeachment distracted lawmakers from the coronavirus response. |
| The New York Democrat noted he said in late January, as Trump’s impeachment trial was going on, that coronavirus should be declared a public health emergency. | The New York Democrat noted he said in late January, as Trump’s impeachment trial was going on, that coronavirus should be declared a public health emergency. |
| McConnell said in a radio interview earlier today that the impeachment trial “diverted the attention of the government” from responding earlier to the outbreak of the virus. | McConnell said in a radio interview earlier today that the impeachment trial “diverted the attention of the government” from responding earlier to the outbreak of the virus. |
| But even after the impeachment trial ended in early February, Trump spent weeks downplaying the virus, incorrectly predicting that it would miraculously “disappear” before causing major effects in the US. | But even after the impeachment trial ended in early February, Trump spent weeks downplaying the virus, incorrectly predicting that it would miraculously “disappear” before causing major effects in the US. |
| The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports: | The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports: |
| A separate program California launched this week, which calls to duty recently retired health care professionals and those on the verge of completing degrees, is off to a roaring start. About 25,000 people met the call and filled out applications, governor Gavin Newsom said. | A separate program California launched this week, which calls to duty recently retired health care professionals and those on the verge of completing degrees, is off to a roaring start. About 25,000 people met the call and filled out applications, governor Gavin Newsom said. |
| Also new: Health officials in seven Bay Area jurisdictions have extended a previous stay-at-home order, set to expire 7 April, to 3 May. | Also new: Health officials in seven Bay Area jurisdictions have extended a previous stay-at-home order, set to expire 7 April, to 3 May. |
| The new order says that most construction is to cease — both on residential and commercial projects. Previous guidance had a grey area as it related to construction in that residential projects were allowed to continue work but not commercial projects. | The new order says that most construction is to cease — both on residential and commercial projects. Previous guidance had a grey area as it related to construction in that residential projects were allowed to continue work but not commercial projects. |
| Some updates the governor provided, by the numbers: | Some updates the governor provided, by the numbers: |
| 10,000: The number of ventilators needed in California. | 10,000: The number of ventilators needed in California. |
| 4,252: The number of ventilators the state has on hand. | 4,252: The number of ventilators the state has on hand. |
| 1.6 million: The number of people who have filed for unemployment in California since March 13. | 1.6 million: The number of people who have filed for unemployment in California since March 13. |
| 100 million-plus: The number of masks needed for healthcare workers and others. | 100 million-plus: The number of masks needed for healthcare workers and others. |
| 6,932: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in California, a 17% increase from yesterday. | 6,932: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in California, a 17% increase from yesterday. |
| 150: The number of deaths from coronavirus across the state. | 150: The number of deaths from coronavirus across the state. |
| 1,617: The number of people hospitalized, a 13% increase from yesterday. | 1,617: The number of people hospitalized, a 13% increase from yesterday. |
| 657: Patients admitted to ICUs, a 10% increase from yesterday. | 657: Patients admitted to ICUs, a 10% increase from yesterday. |
| The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports: | The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports: |
| California has created a hotline for seniors who are isolated in their homes and may need help with daily needs as well as a live person to speak with. | California has created a hotline for seniors who are isolated in their homes and may need help with daily needs as well as a live person to speak with. |
| California governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the state is partnering with groups like AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association and American Lung Association to set up the hotline. California will also join 2-1-1, which connects people to local resources. | California governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the state is partnering with groups like AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association and American Lung Association to set up the hotline. California will also join 2-1-1, which connects people to local resources. |
| The hotline number is: (833) 544-2374. | The hotline number is: (833) 544-2374. |
| “We’re now reconstituting all of those programs and building capacity and partnership to significantly increase our connectivity to our seniors to check not just for wellness checks related to food and medicine but the deep anxiety people are feeling being isolated at home and the loneliness people are feeling at home not connected to the outside world, anxious about their life and their loved ones’ lives,” Newsom said. | “We’re now reconstituting all of those programs and building capacity and partnership to significantly increase our connectivity to our seniors to check not just for wellness checks related to food and medicine but the deep anxiety people are feeling being isolated at home and the loneliness people are feeling at home not connected to the outside world, anxious about their life and their loved ones’ lives,” Newsom said. |
| Roughly 5.3 million Californians are over 65 and an estimated one million live alone. “Check in on your neighbors, make those phone calls,” Newsom said. “We’re all bound together by a big web of mutuality.” | Roughly 5.3 million Californians are over 65 and an estimated one million live alone. “Check in on your neighbors, make those phone calls,” Newsom said. “We’re all bound together by a big web of mutuality.” |
| Trump has appeared reluctant to use the powers of the Defense Production Act even though his administration has invoked it many times before. | Trump has appeared reluctant to use the powers of the Defense Production Act even though his administration has invoked it many times before. |
| The New York Times reports: | The New York Times reports: |
| Trump said Friday he would use the law to press General Motors to produce ventilators, although the company has said it is already moving quickly to make the breathing machines. | Trump said Friday he would use the law to press General Motors to produce ventilators, although the company has said it is already moving quickly to make the breathing machines. |
| But a number of Democrats, including Joe Biden and House speaker Nancy Pelosi, have demanded that Trump use the full force of the law to speed up the production of medical equipment. | But a number of Democrats, including Joe Biden and House speaker Nancy Pelosi, have demanded that Trump use the full force of the law to speed up the production of medical equipment. |
| Joe Biden also dodged a question about whether Trump’s delayed response to coronavirus has cost American lives, as House speaker Nancy Pelosi has claimed. | Joe Biden also dodged a question about whether Trump’s delayed response to coronavirus has cost American lives, as House speaker Nancy Pelosi has claimed. |
| “President Trump is not responsible for the coronavirus,” Biden said in response to a question from CNN host Brooke Baldwin. “But he is responsible for not using all of the power at his disposal to deal with this virus.” | “President Trump is not responsible for the coronavirus,” Biden said in response to a question from CNN host Brooke Baldwin. “But he is responsible for not using all of the power at his disposal to deal with this virus.” |
| Biden has specifically called on Trump to use the powers of the Defense Production Act to speed up production of medical equipment. | Biden has specifically called on Trump to use the powers of the Defense Production Act to speed up production of medical equipment. |
| Joe Biden emphasized the need for more tests to combat coronavirus, echoing House speaker Nancy Pelosi and a number of governors from both parties. | Joe Biden emphasized the need for more tests to combat coronavirus, echoing House speaker Nancy Pelosi and a number of governors from both parties. |
| Biden told CNN it was important to identify and track coronavirus patients to mitigate the spread of the virus, but states have complained about inadequate testing. | Biden told CNN it was important to identify and track coronavirus patients to mitigate the spread of the virus, but states have complained about inadequate testing. |
| The Democratic frontrunner also complained that many of the claims Trump has made about the pandemic are “simply not accurate.” | The Democratic frontrunner also complained that many of the claims Trump has made about the pandemic are “simply not accurate.” |
| Biden pointed to the president’s claim yesterday that he had not peviously heard about the need for more tests. “I don’t know where he’s been,” Biden said. | Biden pointed to the president’s claim yesterday that he had not peviously heard about the need for more tests. “I don’t know where he’s been,” Biden said. |
| The former vice president added Trump has been “very slow to act” against the virus, echoing other Democrats’ criticism of the president. | The former vice president added Trump has been “very slow to act” against the virus, echoing other Democrats’ criticism of the president. |