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| US coronavirus live: Florida governor issues stay-home order after weeks of resistance | US coronavirus live: Florida governor issues stay-home order after weeks of resistance |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Ron DeSantis says Floridians must stay at home for 30 days, while Pence says ‘Italy may be most comparable to the US at this point’ – follow it live | Ron DeSantis says Floridians must stay at home for 30 days, while Pence says ‘Italy may be most comparable to the US at this point’ – follow it live |
| The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports: | |
| California’s early and stringent shelter-in-place orders have flattened the curve, but the state is still on track to run out of hospital beds in May, state officials said Wednesday. | |
| State projections predict that even if Californians continue to follow the governor’s strict social distancing and stay-at-home protocols, the state will have about 60,000 covid-related hospitalizations by mid-May -- more than the 50,000 beds that Gavin Newsom, California’s governor, is seeking to add to the state’s capacity. | |
| “Even in this scenario, which is not the best case scenario, if we do what we’re doing today, we do cross this line,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s health and human services secretary. “Our effort is to move it as far to the right as possible so we can ensure that we have the capacity in our health care delivery system, not just in hospital beds, but in ICU beds and ventilators.” | |
| As of Wednesday, 774 Californians were in intensive care beds, a number of that Newsom acknowledged may seem modest when compared to numbers in other parts of the country. But the number was “roughly a quadrupling of where we were six days ago,” he said. Total hospitalizations -- 1,855 -- was “roughly a tripling of where we were just six days ago.” | |
| “That gives you a sense of the nature of the spread and the nature of the attack of this virus and the nature of our focus as it relates to preparing for this surge,” Newsom said. “We’re preparing for a two-thirds increase in our hospital bed capacity in this state. We are preparing to meet that not just in the physical needs in the system, but making sure we have the appropriate protective gear, the ventilators, and personnel.” | |
| There have been 8,769 positive cases in California and 186 deaths total, according to Sonoma County officials tracking the data. | |
| The Dow closed down 973 points, or 4.4%, as the economy continues to suffer from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq also closed down 4.4%, marking a generally dismal day for the US markets. | |
| Unemployment claims are also expected to jump in tomorrow’s report, as many major employers have announced layoffs last week. | |
| Last week’s report showed a record 3.3 million Americans filing for unemployment, and Goldman Sachs estimates that number will climb to 5.5 million tomorrow. | |
| Connecticut reported its first pediatric fatality linked to coronavirus, governor Ned Lamont announced in a tweet. | |
| Lamont said an unresponsive six-week-old newborn was taken to a Hartford area hospital late last week and could not be revived. Later testing showed the child was positive for coronavirus. | |
| Children have generally been shown to be at low risk of developing serious illness from coronavirus, but Lamont said this tragedy proved the need for everyone to respect health officials’ guidelines on mitigating the spread of the virus. | |
| “This is a virus that attacks our most fragile without mercy,” Lamont wrote. “This also stresses the importance of staying home and limiting exposure to other people. Your life and the lives of others could literally depend on it.” | |
| Trump is “sympathetic” to the idea of asking all Americans to wear face masks, according to Republican senator Pat Toomey, who has pushed for the idea. | Trump is “sympathetic” to the idea of asking all Americans to wear face masks, according to Republican senator Pat Toomey, who has pushed for the idea. |
| The president is “is sympathetic to the idea and exploring whether or not they should include this recommendation as a part of their guidelines,” Toomey told reporters in a conference call today. Toomey was joined by Democratic senator Michael Bennet, who has also supported the idea. | The president is “is sympathetic to the idea and exploring whether or not they should include this recommendation as a part of their guidelines,” Toomey told reporters in a conference call today. Toomey was joined by Democratic senator Michael Bennet, who has also supported the idea. |
| “He is very open to this,” Toomey said of Trump. “I think he does want to wait until his team gives him a more formal recommendation.” | “He is very open to this,” Toomey said of Trump. “I think he does want to wait until his team gives him a more formal recommendation.” |
| Several senior White House officials, including the vice president, have said the administration is taking a look at updating the guidance on face masks. | Several senior White House officials, including the vice president, have said the administration is taking a look at updating the guidance on face masks. |
| The CDC previously told Americans that face masks should be reserved for medical professionals who are treating coronavirus patients. | The CDC previously told Americans that face masks should be reserved for medical professionals who are treating coronavirus patients. |
| Dr Anthony Fauci declined to commit to a timeline for when Americans will be able to return to work. | Dr Anthony Fauci declined to commit to a timeline for when Americans will be able to return to work. |
| Earlier today, Vice President Mike Pence raised the possibility that Americans would be able to go back to work in early June if they closely adhere to social distancing guidelines. | Earlier today, Vice President Mike Pence raised the possibility that Americans would be able to go back to work in early June if they closely adhere to social distancing guidelines. |
| “The virus determines what the timetable is, not us,” Fauci told CBS News, emphaszing that the restrictions should not be eased until officials can be assured they won’t see another surge in cases if they do revise the guidelines. | “The virus determines what the timetable is, not us,” Fauci told CBS News, emphaszing that the restrictions should not be eased until officials can be assured they won’t see another surge in cases if they do revise the guidelines. |
| Today, the second coronavirus stimulus package’s provisions for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave went into effect. | Today, the second coronavirus stimulus package’s provisions for paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave went into effect. |
| The US is the only wealthy country in the world which does not require employers to give workers paid sick days. | The US is the only wealthy country in the world which does not require employers to give workers paid sick days. |
| The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires eligible employers to provide employees with two weeks of paid sick leave at full pay, up to a specified cap, because of coronavirus. It also provides up to two weeks of paid sick leave at partial pay when an employee needs to care for someone with coronavirus. | The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires eligible employers to provide employees with two weeks of paid sick leave at full pay, up to a specified cap, because of coronavirus. It also provides up to two weeks of paid sick leave at partial pay when an employee needs to care for someone with coronavirus. |
| The provisions also reimburse employers with fewer than 500 employees with tax credits for providing the paid leave. | The provisions also reimburse employers with fewer than 500 employees with tax credits for providing the paid leave. |
| The details for employees are linked here and the details for employers are here. | The details for employees are linked here and the details for employers are here. |
| Joe Biden said he was “ready to debate President Trump on Zoom or Skype anytime he wants,” underscoring how the coronavirus pandemic has upended campaigning during a presidential election year. | Joe Biden said he was “ready to debate President Trump on Zoom or Skype anytime he wants,” underscoring how the coronavirus pandemic has upended campaigning during a presidential election year. |
| Biden’s comments come after Trump suggested Monday that New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who has been widely praised for his response to the pandemic, would be a “better candidate than Sleepy Joe.” | Biden’s comments come after Trump suggested Monday that New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who has been widely praised for his response to the pandemic, would be a “better candidate than Sleepy Joe.” |
| Biden said Trump’s mockery showed he is nervous about facing off against the Democratic frontrunner in November. “Mr. President, here I come,” Biden said. | Biden said Trump’s mockery showed he is nervous about facing off against the Democratic frontrunner in November. “Mr. President, here I come,” Biden said. |
| The nation’s strategic stockpile of personal protective equipment is nearly depleted, a Department of Homeland Security official has told the Washington Post. | The nation’s strategic stockpile of personal protective equipment is nearly depleted, a Department of Homeland Security official has told the Washington Post. |
| An official anonymously told the Post, “The stockpile was designed to respond to handful of cities. It was never built or designed to fight a 50-state pandemic.” | An official anonymously told the Post, “The stockpile was designed to respond to handful of cities. It was never built or designed to fight a 50-state pandemic.” |
| The White House has repeatedly assured state government’s there is personal protective equipment for workers during the pandemic, but many have said they have not received the supplies they need and have turned to the private market. | The White House has repeatedly assured state government’s there is personal protective equipment for workers during the pandemic, but many have said they have not received the supplies they need and have turned to the private market. |
| Nurses and doctors have protested in front of hospitals, begged on social media, and turned to charities and GoFundMe campaigns for equipment. N95 masks have been particularly hard to find, but workers are also short on gowns, gloves and face shields. | Nurses and doctors have protested in front of hospitals, begged on social media, and turned to charities and GoFundMe campaigns for equipment. N95 masks have been particularly hard to find, but workers are also short on gowns, gloves and face shields. |
| “This is not only a US government problem. The supply chain for PPE worldwide has broken down, and there is a lot of price gouging happening,” the official said. | “This is not only a US government problem. The supply chain for PPE worldwide has broken down, and there is a lot of price gouging happening,” the official said. |
| In turn, many states and local governments have been outbid by international competitors, as US suppliers ship equipment abroad. | In turn, many states and local governments have been outbid by international competitors, as US suppliers ship equipment abroad. |
| Nancy Pelosi criticized Trump and Mitch McConnell for suggesting impeachment distracted the government from responding earlier to coronavirus. | Nancy Pelosi criticized Trump and Mitch McConnell for suggesting impeachment distracted the government from responding earlier to coronavirus. |
| “I think that’s an admission that perhaps the president and the majority leader cannot handle the job,” Pelosi told CNN. | “I think that’s an admission that perhaps the president and the majority leader cannot handle the job,” Pelosi told CNN. |
| “We have a life and death situation in our country and they should not try to hide behind an excuse for why they did not take action, but it does admit that they did not take action.” | “We have a life and death situation in our country and they should not try to hide behind an excuse for why they did not take action, but it does admit that they did not take action.” |
| McConnell told a conservative radio host yesterday that the impeachment inquiry and trial “diverted the attention of the government, because everything, every day was all about impeachment.” | McConnell told a conservative radio host yesterday that the impeachment inquiry and trial “diverted the attention of the government, because everything, every day was all about impeachment.” |
| Trump later agreed, saying his impeachment “probably did” distract him from responding to the virus, but he still gave himself high marks for his handling of the crisis. | Trump later agreed, saying his impeachment “probably did” distract him from responding to the virus, but he still gave himself high marks for his handling of the crisis. |
| “Did it divert my attention? I think I’m getting A+’s for the way I handled myself during a phony impeachment, OK?” Trump said. | “Did it divert my attention? I think I’m getting A+’s for the way I handled myself during a phony impeachment, OK?” Trump said. |
| The president has been widely criticized for previously downplaying the threat of the virus, suggesting it would miraculously “disappear” without having much effect on the country. | The president has been widely criticized for previously downplaying the threat of the virus, suggesting it would miraculously “disappear” without having much effect on the country. |
| Less than half of Americans approve of how Trump has responded to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll. | Less than half of Americans approve of how Trump has responded to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new poll. |
| The AP/NORC poll found that 44% of Americans support Trump’s handling of the pandemic, which mirrors his 43% approval rating. | The AP/NORC poll found that 44% of Americans support Trump’s handling of the pandemic, which mirrors his 43% approval rating. |
| Trump’s approval rating has actually inched upward since the pandemic started, but his numbers still trail those of local and state leaders. | Trump’s approval rating has actually inched upward since the pandemic started, but his numbers still trail those of local and state leaders. |
| More than half of Americans say they support how their individual states have responded to the pandemic. | More than half of Americans say they support how their individual states have responded to the pandemic. |
| The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from California: | The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports from California: |
| California schools will be unable to reopen for the rest of the school year because of coronavirus, the state superintendent said Tuesday. | California schools will be unable to reopen for the rest of the school year because of coronavirus, the state superintendent said Tuesday. |
| In a letter to local county school officials, California superintendent Tony Thurmond confirmed what officials have been warning parents and students across the state to prepare for since 98.8% of the state’s schools shut down two weeks prior in an effort to curb the spread of the virus, putting 6.1 million students out of school. | In a letter to local county school officials, California superintendent Tony Thurmond confirmed what officials have been warning parents and students across the state to prepare for since 98.8% of the state’s schools shut down two weeks prior in an effort to curb the spread of the virus, putting 6.1 million students out of school. |
| “The need for safety through social distancing warrants that we continue to keep our school campuses closed to students during this pandemic,” California superintendent Tony Thurmond wrote. | “The need for safety through social distancing warrants that we continue to keep our school campuses closed to students during this pandemic,” California superintendent Tony Thurmond wrote. |
| The school year in California typically runs from the end of August to the beginning of June. | The school year in California typically runs from the end of August to the beginning of June. |
| The school closures have put a significant strain on families now tasked with ensuring their children follow along with distance learning, or online learning. Thurmond noted that the schools remaining closed should “in no way suggest that school is over for the year” and that local school districts should focus on delivering education through distance learning. | The school closures have put a significant strain on families now tasked with ensuring their children follow along with distance learning, or online learning. Thurmond noted that the schools remaining closed should “in no way suggest that school is over for the year” and that local school districts should focus on delivering education through distance learning. |
| California also has the highest population of homeless students in the nation, with the National Center for Homeless Education tallying 263,000 students in its latest study. For many of these students, school is the only stability they have in their lives. | California also has the highest population of homeless students in the nation, with the National Center for Homeless Education tallying 263,000 students in its latest study. For many of these students, school is the only stability they have in their lives. |
| For many more, school is the only place where they can access nutritious meals. A number of school districts across the state continued to provide grab-and-go meals for students that needed them during the shut downs. | For many more, school is the only place where they can access nutritious meals. A number of school districts across the state continued to provide grab-and-go meals for students that needed them during the shut downs. |
| California currently has 8,520 positive cases and 180 deaths, according to Covid Tracking. | California currently has 8,520 positive cases and 180 deaths, according to Covid Tracking. |
| Trump said he believes Iran is “planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops and/or assets in Iraq.” | Trump said he believes Iran is “planning a sneak attack on U.S. troops and/or assets in Iraq.” |
| The warning came about an hour after Trump received his intelligence briefing, according to his public schedule. | The warning came about an hour after Trump received his intelligence briefing, according to his public schedule. |
| The president provided little clarity on why he suspected a potential strike, but he said Iran would “pay a very heavy price” if such an attack were carried out. | The president provided little clarity on why he suspected a potential strike, but he said Iran would “pay a very heavy price” if such an attack were carried out. |
| The state of Florida has bent to widespread pressure from Washington and beyond to order all residents to stay at home, as cases of coronavirus have soared there. | The state of Florida has bent to widespread pressure from Washington and beyond to order all residents to stay at home, as cases of coronavirus have soared there. |
| It had been a rough week for Republican Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and fervent Donald Trump ally who shares the president’s reluctance to use widespread lockdowns as a tool to help contain coronavirus. | It had been a rough week for Republican Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and fervent Donald Trump ally who shares the president’s reluctance to use widespread lockdowns as a tool to help contain coronavirus. |
| Despite growing pressure from scientists, health officials and political opponents to follow other governors’ leads in shutting down their states entirely, except for essential movements, DeSantis had opted for a piecemeal balance: partial closure in some areas, controversially allowing beaches to remain open and letting cities and counties set their own rules. | Despite growing pressure from scientists, health officials and political opponents to follow other governors’ leads in shutting down their states entirely, except for essential movements, DeSantis had opted for a piecemeal balance: partial closure in some areas, controversially allowing beaches to remain open and letting cities and counties set their own rules. |
| But moments ago the state abandoned its piecemeal efforts and ordered a statewide stay home order. | But moments ago the state abandoned its piecemeal efforts and ordered a statewide stay home order. |
| With 6,741 cases and 85 deaths reported statewide by Wednesday morning, some were concerned that DeSantis’s patchwork of policies would lead to far deadlier consequences than elsewhere - especially with more than 20 percent of the state’s population aged 65 or older. | With 6,741 cases and 85 deaths reported statewide by Wednesday morning, some were concerned that DeSantis’s patchwork of policies would lead to far deadlier consequences than elsewhere - especially with more than 20 percent of the state’s population aged 65 or older. |
| “I’ve called upon the governor to shut down the state. We all stay home, we all do this together,” said Nikki Fried, Florida’s agricultural commissioner and state’s highest elected Democratic official. | “I’ve called upon the governor to shut down the state. We all stay home, we all do this together,” said Nikki Fried, Florida’s agricultural commissioner and state’s highest elected Democratic official. |
| “I’d rather take our approach and save lives because, if he is wrong, the devastation on our state will be felt for a generation. His approach, if it fails, is going to cost lives. I hope I’m wrong, but hope isn’t a policy.” | “I’d rather take our approach and save lives because, if he is wrong, the devastation on our state will be felt for a generation. His approach, if it fails, is going to cost lives. I hope I’m wrong, but hope isn’t a policy.” |
| Opposition to DeSantis’s handling of the coronavirus emergency in Florida had become increasingly vocal in a faltering week that began with the governor banning a reporter from an important press briefing then saw him having to correct himself over a stay-at-home order issued for four of the state’s 67 counties. | Opposition to DeSantis’s handling of the coronavirus emergency in Florida had become increasingly vocal in a faltering week that began with the governor banning a reporter from an important press briefing then saw him having to correct himself over a stay-at-home order issued for four of the state’s 67 counties. |
| On Wednesday morning, US surgeon general Jerome Adams said the federal government’s guidelines for a 30-day social distancing should be taken as an effective stay-home order for the nation. | On Wednesday morning, US surgeon general Jerome Adams said the federal government’s guidelines for a 30-day social distancing should be taken as an effective stay-home order for the nation. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo has just wrapped up his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo has just wrapped up his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus. |
| Here’s where the day stands: | Here’s where the day stands: |
| Vice President Mike Pence compared the coronavirus situation in the US to Italy. The comparison sparked concerns, considering Italy has reported more coronavirus deaths than any other country. | Vice President Mike Pence compared the coronavirus situation in the US to Italy. The comparison sparked concerns, considering Italy has reported more coronavirus deaths than any other country. |
| New York has reported more than 83,000 coronavirus cases and 1,941 deaths. Cuomo also announced at his briefing that New York City would close all playgrounds after residents failed to observe social distancing guidelines. | New York has reported more than 83,000 coronavirus cases and 1,941 deaths. Cuomo also announced at his briefing that New York City would close all playgrounds after residents failed to observe social distancing guidelines. |
| The US intelligence community has concluded China under-reported coronavirus cases and deaths, according to a Bloomberg News report. China has reported about 3,300 coronavirus deaths, in comparison to more than 12,000 in Italy. | The US intelligence community has concluded China under-reported coronavirus cases and deaths, according to a Bloomberg News report. China has reported about 3,300 coronavirus deaths, in comparison to more than 12,000 in Italy. |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |