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Coronavirus US live: Trump gives White House briefing on Covid-19 response Coronavirus US live: CDC recommends non-medical face masks in White House briefing
(32 minutes later)
Nancy Pelosi keen to ‘double down’ on first stimulus bill as Andrew Cuomo says ‘We don’t have enough ventilators – period’ Trump repeatedly undermined CDC’s recommendation, saying: ‘I’m choosing not to do it’
“I don’t know,” said Trump in response to a question asking where Dr. Anthony Fauci is today. Fauci, Trump’s leading public health adviser, has jot joined in the briefing today.
“Whenever he’s not here,” Trump complained, “the fake news” will ask about him.
The masks are more for the protection of other people than oneself, the surgeon general clarified Jerome Adams. Wearing a cloth face covering will help contain your coughs and sneezes, reducing chances that you’ll spray infectious droplets into the air, and risk transmitting the disease the others, noted Dr. Adams.
Still “maintaining 6 feet of social distancing remains key,” he said. Masks are “not a replacement for social distancing.”
Also important: don’t put a mask on with dirty hands.
“If you choose to wear a face covering, wash your hands first,” Adams said.
“I won’t be doing it, personally,” Trump said about masks - it wouldn’t suit his position.
He doesn’t want to greet world leaders, “presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings queens,” he continued, while wearing a face covering. “I don’t know, somehow, I don’t see it for myself.”
Here’s more from the CDC:
“CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission”
People should continue to maintain a 6-ft distance between themselves and others, and remain diligent about washing and sanitizing hands.
All Americans, including those without health insurance, will be able to receive treatment without worrying about the cost, according to Vice President Mike Pence. The administration has repeatedly ignored calls from Democratic lawmakers to reopen the Obamacare exchanges to allow the uninsured to purchase insurance.
Instead, Pence said that hospitals that treat uninsured would get paid for at Medicare rates.
Fact check: hydroxychloroquine
Trump once again touted hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus cure, “I don’t know it’s looking like good results,” he said. But public health experts including Trump’s top infectious diseases adviser, Dr 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.
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.
White House aide Judd Deere provided more clarification:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends masks for the public, Trump said, though Trump repeatedly undermined the recommendation.
“I’m choosing not to do it,” he said, repeatedly noting that wearing non-medical grade masks is a “voluntary” option.
Donald Trump has taken the podium.Donald Trump has taken the podium.
New York City residents all received a push alert, calling on all licensed healthcare workers to support facilities in need.New York City residents all received a push alert, calling on all licensed healthcare workers to support facilities in need.
My colleague Alexandra Villarreal reported, earlier:My colleague Alexandra Villarreal reported, earlier:
Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh, blogging from the West Coast.Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh, blogging from the West Coast.
Soon, we’re expecting Donald Trump to speak at the daily coronavirus briefing at 5:30.Soon, we’re expecting Donald Trump to speak at the daily coronavirus briefing at 5:30.
Alabama has just issued a stay at home order for the entire state, starting at 5pm Saturday. Governor Kay Ivey issued the order after initially resisting calls. The state has reported more than 1,400 cases of coronavirus.Alabama has just issued a stay at home order for the entire state, starting at 5pm Saturday. Governor Kay Ivey issued the order after initially resisting calls. The state has reported more than 1,400 cases of coronavirus.
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:
Nancy Pelosi said Congress should pass another economic relief bill. The House speaker said Congress should build upon the $2 trillion stimulus package passed last month to help Americans who are struggling financially because of coronavirus.Nancy Pelosi said Congress should pass another economic relief bill. The House speaker said Congress should build upon the $2 trillion stimulus package passed last month to help Americans who are struggling financially because of coronavirus.
The unemployment rate rose to 4.4% last month, according to the US jobs report released this morning. Economists expect that figure to rise steeply as more companies lay off workers amid the pandemic.The unemployment rate rose to 4.4% last month, according to the US jobs report released this morning. Economists expect that figure to rise steeply as more companies lay off workers amid the pandemic.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo is signing an executive order to redistribute respirators to hospitals in need. New York reported the largest single-day increase in its coronavirus death toll, with nearly 3,000 residents having already lost their lives.New York governor Andrew Cuomo is signing an executive order to redistribute respirators to hospitals in need. New York reported the largest single-day increase in its coronavirus death toll, with nearly 3,000 residents having already lost their lives.
The Supreme Court announced it will postpone oral arguments scheduled for this month. The court had already delayed cases that were scheduled to be argued in March.The Supreme Court announced it will postpone oral arguments scheduled for this month. The court had already delayed cases that were scheduled to be argued in March.
Congressman Adam Schiff drafted a bill to establish a commission to probe the coronavirus response. The Democratic lawmaker said the commission would seek to gather lessons for future crises, but Trump dismissed the idea of a commission yesterday as a “witch-hunt.”Congressman Adam Schiff drafted a bill to establish a commission to probe the coronavirus response. The Democratic lawmaker said the commission would seek to gather lessons for future crises, but Trump dismissed the idea of a commission yesterday as a “witch-hunt.”
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Wisconsin governor Tony Evers is calling on lawmakers to cancel in-person voting for the state’s presidential primary on Tuesday.Wisconsin governor Tony Evers is calling on lawmakers to cancel in-person voting for the state’s presidential primary on Tuesday.
Evers expressed fear that primary voters could spread coronavirus at polling places if they are asked to cast ballots in person.Evers expressed fear that primary voters could spread coronavirus at polling places if they are asked to cast ballots in person.
The Democratic governor called on legislators to hold a special session tomorrow to make the primary an entirely mail-in election.The Democratic governor called on legislators to hold a special session tomorrow to make the primary an entirely mail-in election.
“This is a significant concern and a very unnecessary public health risk,” Evers told reporters. “I can’t move this election or change it on my own. My hands are tied.”“This is a significant concern and a very unnecessary public health risk,” Evers told reporters. “I can’t move this election or change it on my own. My hands are tied.”
Wisconsin has already seen a surge in requests for mail-in ballots. Wisconsin Democrats and civil rights have also sued the state to get officials to loosen requirements for absentee voting.Wisconsin has already seen a surge in requests for mail-in ballots. Wisconsin Democrats and civil rights have also sued the state to get officials to loosen requirements for absentee voting.
The Supreme Court has said it will postpone oral arguments scheduled for this month because of the pandemic.
Reuters reports:
The governor of Pennsylvania is asking all state residents to wear face masks if they go outside.
The recommendation from governor Tom Wolf comes amid some conflicting messages about whether all Americans should be wearing face coverings.
Health officials originally said widespread mask usage would not help mitigate the spread of the virus, but that thinking appears to be changing as early evidence indicates coronavirus can be spread even through talking.
The White House is expected to soon issue federal guidance on all Americans wearing face coverings.
Lawmakers from both parties criticized the reported barriers that small businessowners are experiencing as they try to receive funds from the stimulus package.
Applications opened today for the $350 billion small business loan program that was estblished in the $2 trillion stimulus package, but some businessowners said they were being blocked from applying to certain banks.
Republican senator Marco Rubio specifically criticized Bank of America for its requirements of loan applicants.
Democratic senator Ben Cardin similarly accused banks of “creating artificial barriers” that block much-needed funds from reaching struggling businesses.
“The small business provisions in the CARES Act were written to get funds into the hands of American small business owners as quickly as possible so they can keep employees on payroll and avoid financial ruin while we work to combat COVID-19,” Cardin said in a statement. “Creating artificial barriers that block businesses from much-needed capital is redlining by another name.”
Meanwhile, the Small Business Administration said that more than $2 trillion in loans have already been processed through the program.
The Guardian’s Sam Levin reports on the latest from California:
California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, has announced that the state has now secured 7,000 hotel rooms for homeless people during the pandemic, with the goal of procuring 15,000 total.
At a briefing in Sacramento, he also said the state now has 10,710 total positive Covid-19 cases, 2,188 people hospitalized, and 901 in the ICU (a 10.4% hike from yesterday).
Newsom said the federal government would cover 75% of the costs of hotels through Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) reimbursement. He said 869 people total have been housed through the state program so far, and that the rooms are for people who have tested positive, been exposed or are high risk.
“We want to relieve the stress in our shelter system so we can separate individuals and relieve the impact on our medical delivery system,” the governor said, standing outside a facility where 30 homeless people have now been housed.
There are questions about whether the state’s efforts to prevent major outbreaks in homeless communities will be fast enough and at a large enough scale.
More than 150,000 people are homeless in the state, with an estimated 40,000 in crowded shelters on a given night where there are major concerns about potential spread. Some previous reporting on the subject:
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell celebrated House speaker Nancy Pelosi shifting her focus away from a massive infrastructure bill.
The Kentucky Republican said Pelosi had been trying “to use this crisis to push unrelated left-wing priorities,” even though Trump himseld voiced support for an infrastructure bill.
Pelosi released a statement earlier today saying the next coronavirus bill should focus on economic relief, expanding upon the $2 trillion stimulus package signed into law last month, as the country confronts mass job losses.
“While I’m very much in favor of doing some things we need to do to meet the needs — clean water, more broadband, the rest of that — that may have to be for a bill beyond this,” Pelosi told CNBC earlier today.
The description of the Strategic National Stockpile on a government website was changed after Jared Kushner mischaracterized the program.
Kushner, the president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, said yesterday, “And the notion of the federal stockpile was it’s supposed to be our stockpile. It’s not supposed to be states’ stockpiles that they then use.”
Reporters quickly noted the stockpile is indeed meant as a resource for the states, as noted on the department of health and human services’ website.
“When state, local, tribal, and territorial responders request federal assistance to support their response efforts, the stockpile ensures that the right medicines and supplies get to those who need them most during an emergency,” the website read.
But this morning, that language had been removed from the HHS website. “The Strategic National Stockpile’s role is to supplement state and local supplies during public health emergencies,” the website now says. “Many states have products stockpiled, as well.”
News outlets were quick to note the change, but the agency said the language revision was in the works for weeks, a claim that was met with much skepticism on Twitter.
The actual coronavirus death toll in Wuhan, China, may have exceeded 40,000, according to estimates based on the activity of the region’s funeral homes.
The official death toll in Wuhan, the first region to experience an outbreak of coronavirus, is 2,563.
The Washington Post reports:
The US intelligence community has reportedly concluded that China under-reported coronavirus cases and deaths.
Health experts have similarly said the death tolls in Italy and Spain suggest China may not have reported all of its data on the virus.
The White House is stepping up its precautions to ensure the president and vice president don’t get coronavirus.
The AP reports:
Trump and Pence were both tested for coronavirus themselves last month, after they both came into contact with individuals who later tested positive.
New Jersey governor Phil Murphy raised the possibility of delaying the state’s presidential primary, which is currently set for early June.
“I’ll be stunned if we stay at June 2,” Murphy said.
Eleven primaries are currently set to be held on June 2, after several states delayed their April and May primaries in order to avoid spreading coronavirus at polling places.
But if New Jersey pushes its primary past June 2, it will likely put pressure on those other states to follow suit.
The Democratic National Committee similarly announced yesterday that its convention, originally scheduled to start July 13, would be delayed a month because ofthe pandemic.
Joe Biden applauded a Navy captain who was dismissed from his post after raising concerns about the spread of coronavirus on his ship.
Brett Crozier was relieved from his post as captain of the the USS Theodore Roosevelt yesterday after a letter he wrote to senior officials, which demanded crew members be allowed to quarantine, was made public.
“We are not at war,” Crozier wrote in the letter. “Sailors do not need to die. If we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset — our Sailors.”
The acting Navy secretary said Crozier had shown “poor judgment” by sending the letter outside his chain of command, but Biden applauded the captain’s courage and loyalty.
Videos shared on social media last night showed hundreds of crew members cheering for Crozier as he departed from the ship.