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US coronavirus live: Pence says 'Italy may be most comparable to the US at this point' US coronavirus live: Pence says 'Italy may be most comparable to the US at this point'
(32 minutes later)
Vice-president makes comparison between US and Italy and says Americans must be vigilant in observing social distancing – follow the latest Vice-president makes comparison between US and Italy as New York governor Cuomo says: ‘I don’t think we get back to normal’ – follow the latest
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the New York Police Department will have to “get more aggressive” about enforcing social distancing guidelines.
The governor has already announced New York City playgrounds will be closed because residents have failed to observe social distancing guidelines there.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said his brother, CNN host Chris Cuomo, is doing well after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
Cuomo said his brother’s diagnosis showed that anyone can get the virus, even those who are young and generally healthy.
The governor acknowledged he was “frightened” when he learned of his brother’s diagnosis, even though he is at a much lower risk of developing serious illness.
“When he told me he had the coronavirus, it scared me,” Cuomo said. “Even if there is a 1%, 2% chance, it’s frightening. ... Because we are talking about my little brother. This is my best friend.”
Cuomo said he had the same fears as many of his constituents. “This situation is the same situation for everyone,” Cuomo said. “So yes, I’m frightened for my brother. I’m worried about my brother, as everyone is worried about everyone in their family and everyone they love.”
The governor also applauded his brother for hosting his CNN show last night, anchoring from his basement while he is in quarantine.
“What a gutsy, courageous thing to do,” the governor said of his brother. “My pop would be proud of him.”
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he thought Americans would be living with the consequences of the pandemic for a long time to come.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he thought Americans would be living with the consequences of the pandemic for a long time to come.
“I don’t think we get back to normal,” Cuomo said. “I think we get to a new normal.”“I don’t think we get back to normal,” Cuomo said. “I think we get to a new normal.”
Cuomo said Americans’ responsibility is to ensure the change brought about by the pandemic will be positive rather than negative.Cuomo said Americans’ responsibility is to ensure the change brought about by the pandemic will be positive rather than negative.
The governor also emphasized that states need to be better prepared for such crises because “something like this will happen again.”The governor also emphasized that states need to be better prepared for such crises because “something like this will happen again.”
New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced New York City playgrounds would be closed due to lack of compliance to social distancing guidelines.New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced New York City playgrounds would be closed due to lack of compliance to social distancing guidelines.
“Compliance is still not where it should be,” Cuomo said. Officials had hoped to keep the playgrounds open, but it became untenable, the governor said.“Compliance is still not where it should be,” Cuomo said. Officials had hoped to keep the playgrounds open, but it became untenable, the governor said.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the closure of 10 playgrounds yesterday, but this appears to be an extension of that policy.New York Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the closure of 10 playgrounds yesterday, but this appears to be an extension of that policy.
Cuomo again told young New Yorkers that they must respect social distancing guidelines in order to mitigate the spread of the virus.Cuomo again told young New Yorkers that they must respect social distancing guidelines in order to mitigate the spread of the virus.
If America sees 100,000 deaths in the coronavirus pandemic, projections show New York could lose 16,000 of its residents, governor Andrew Cuomo said.If America sees 100,000 deaths in the coronavirus pandemic, projections show New York could lose 16,000 of its residents, governor Andrew Cuomo said.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said yesterday that Americans should prepare for 100,000 fatalities across the country.Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said yesterday that Americans should prepare for 100,000 fatalities across the country.
Cuomo emphasized New York is suffering the most from the virus right now, but he predicted other states would soon be in similarly dire situations.Cuomo emphasized New York is suffering the most from the virus right now, but he predicted other states would soon be in similarly dire situations.
“Look at us today, see yourself tomorrow,” Cuomo said of Americans living in other states.“Look at us today, see yourself tomorrow,” Cuomo said of Americans living in other states.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo noted there are several different projections on when the state will hit the peak of this crisis.New York governor Andrew Cuomo noted there are several different projections on when the state will hit the peak of this crisis.
Some projections say the apex of the crisis will come in seven days, and others say it will come in six weeks.Some projections say the apex of the crisis will come in seven days, and others say it will come in six weeks.
The model Cuomo has cited is a moderate projection, predicting the apex will come in late April.The model Cuomo has cited is a moderate projection, predicting the apex will come in late April.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the coronavirus crisis is expected to hit its peak in the state at the end of April.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the coronavirus crisis is expected to hit its peak in the state at the end of April.
That would mean at least another month of rising coronavirus cases and deaths, but the governor noted the projection model shifts as more data is received.That would mean at least another month of rising coronavirus cases and deaths, but the governor noted the projection model shifts as more data is received.
Cuomo said the timing of the apex of the crisis would depend upon how well New Yorkers respected social distancing guidelines.Cuomo said the timing of the apex of the crisis would depend upon how well New Yorkers respected social distancing guidelines.
New York has confirmed 83,712 cases of coronavirus, marking an increase of 7,917 since yesterday, New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced.New York has confirmed 83,712 cases of coronavirus, marking an increase of 7,917 since yesterday, New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced.
The virus has now claimed 1,941 lives in New York state, up from 1,550 yesterday.The virus has now claimed 1,941 lives in New York state, up from 1,550 yesterday.
Cuomo noted many people are looking for answers about when this crisis will end, but he said it’s currently impossible to say. “Nobody knows what’s going to happen,” Cuomo said.Cuomo noted many people are looking for answers about when this crisis will end, but he said it’s currently impossible to say. “Nobody knows what’s going to happen,” Cuomo said.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders called on Wisconsin to delay its presidential primary, scheduled for next week, because of the coronavirus pandemic.Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders called on Wisconsin to delay its presidential primary, scheduled for next week, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“People should not be forced to put their lives on the line to vote, which is why 15 states are now following the advice of public health experts and delaying their elections,” Sanders said in a statement. “We urge Wisconsin to join them.”“People should not be forced to put their lives on the line to vote, which is why 15 states are now following the advice of public health experts and delaying their elections,” Sanders said in a statement. “We urge Wisconsin to join them.”
Sanders suggested Wisconsin officials should expand remote voting options for primary voters. “The state should delay Tuesday’s vote, extend early voting and work to move entirely to vote-by-mail,” Sanders said. “While we wait for a decision, we urge our supporters to vote-by-mail.”Sanders suggested Wisconsin officials should expand remote voting options for primary voters. “The state should delay Tuesday’s vote, extend early voting and work to move entirely to vote-by-mail,” Sanders said. “While we wait for a decision, we urge our supporters to vote-by-mail.”
Wisconsin Democrats and civil rights groups have already sued the state, demanding that officials ease requirements to obtain an absentee ballot.Wisconsin Democrats and civil rights groups have already sued the state, demanding that officials ease requirements to obtain an absentee ballot.
Vice President Mike Pence closed his CNN interview by emphasizing that Americans’ daily actions can make a real difference in the pandemic.Vice President Mike Pence closed his CNN interview by emphasizing that Americans’ daily actions can make a real difference in the pandemic.
“There are challenging days ahead, but your future is in your hands,” Pence said.“There are challenging days ahead, but your future is in your hands,” Pence said.
The vice president pointed to early evidence that social distancing measures and stay at home orders in places like Washington state and California are already helping to curb the number of coronavirus cases.The vice president pointed to early evidence that social distancing measures and stay at home orders in places like Washington state and California are already helping to curb the number of coronavirus cases.
“We will get through this,” Pence said, ending on an optimistic note.“We will get through this,” Pence said, ending on an optimistic note.
Vice President Mike Pence said the White House is looking at recommending more widespread use of face masks.
Health officials had previously said face masks should be reserved for medical professionals, but that stance is now being reconsidered.
Several European countries are now requiring residents to wear face masks in public to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
Vice President Mike Pence emphasized Americans should remember that coronavirus cases represent individual human lives.
“I want everybody to know that we are taking this one American at a time,” Pence said.
The vice president argued that respecting social distancing guidelines would save lives and “hasten the day when we can put this behind us.”
Pence expressed hope that the country will be able to put coronavirus “largely behind us” by early June if those guidelines are observed.
Vice President Mike Pence dubiously argued that Trump has consistently emphasized the seriousness of coronavirus.
“I don’t believe the president has ever belittled the threat of the coronavirus,” Pence told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.
In reality, Trump repeatedly insisted the virus would miraculously “disappear” and have little effect on Americans.
Vice President Mike Pence blamed the delayed US response to coronavirus on China’s reporting about the outbreak.
“We could’ve been better off if China had been more forthcoming,” Pence said in a CNN interview.
Bloomberg News reported today that the US intelligence community has concluded China under-reported coronavirus cases and deaths.
Vice President Mike Pence compared the United States to Italy in terms of the effects of coronavirus on the two countries.
“We think Italy may be the most comparable area to the United States at this point,” Pence told CNN in response to a question about death toll projections. Italy has seen the highest number of coronavirus deaths, already losing more than 12,000 residents to the pandemic.
White House officials said yesterday that up to 240,000 Americans could die of coronavirus even if social distancing measures are maintained.
Pence said those projections underscored the need to be vigilant in social distancing efforts over the next 30 days.
The US intelligence community has reportedly concluded that China underreported its numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths.
Bloomberg News reports:
China has reported about 3,300 coronavirus deaths, a number that has already been surpassed by several other countries, including the United States. Italy has reported more than 12,000 deaths linked to the virus.
Dr Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, said yesterday that more recent developments from Europe indicated China may have reported incomplete data.
“The medical community made -- interpreted the Chinese data as: This was serious, but smaller than anyone expected,” Birx said. “Because I think probably we were missing a significant amount of the data, now that what we see happened to Italy and see what happened to Spain.”
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
Wisconsin will use the Army National Guard to work the polls next week for the state’s presidential primary.
The state faces a severe shortage of poll workers for its April 7 election amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Wisconsin Elections Commission said Tuesday that its own survey showed 111 municipalities throughout the state do not have enough workers to staff even one polling place.
The National Guard won’t be able to provide enough personnel to make up for the shortage, lawyers representing the governor wrote in a court filing Tuesday.
The state has strongly encouraged people to use mail-in ballots and has seen more than 1 million requests so far. Democrats and civil rights groups are suing the state seeking to loosen the restrictions around mail-in ballots.
Vice President Mike Pence toured a Walmart distribution center in Gordonsville, Virginia, and thanked the workers there for helping in the coronavirus response.
“Thank you for doing a great job and keeping food on the table for the American people,” the vice president said over an intercom, according to the pool report. “We’re grateful for our farmers. We’re grateful for our grocery store operators. We’re grateful for Walmart.”
Pence said he looked forward to when the country had moved past the coronavirus crisis. “Here’s to that day in the future when we put the coronavirus in the past and come back stronger than ever before,” he told the employees.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo will hold his daily briefing on the state’s coronavirus response at 12 pm ET.
During yesterday’s briefing, the governor talked about how his brother, CNN host Chris Cuomo, had just been diagnosed with coronavirus.
The governor said his brother “will be fine” because of his age and overall health, but he emphasized the diagnosis underscored the need to be vigilant about respecting social distancing guidelines.
Congressman Adam Schiff is calling for the creation of a commission to later review the government’s response to coronavirus.
The California Democrat, who was the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s Senate trial, said such a commission could help the country prepare for future pandemics.
“We will need to delay the work of the commission until the crisis has abated to ensure that it does not interfere with the agencies that are leading the response,” Schiff told the Washington Post.
“But that should not prevent us from beginning to identify where we got it wrong and how we can be prepared for the next pandemic.”