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US coronavirus live: Pence says 'Italy may be most comparable to the US at this point' US coronavirus live: Cuomo says he doesn't think America will 'get back to normal'
(31 minutes later)
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 Cuomo says projections show 16,000 New Yorkers could die while Pence says ‘Italy may be most comparable to the US at this point’ – follow it live
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.
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.
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’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.
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.
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.
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 blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the New York Police Department will have to “get more aggressive” about enforcing social distancing guidelines.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.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.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.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.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.”“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.”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.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.”“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.