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US coronavirus live: Pelosi calls for another stimulus bill amid soaring job losses US coronavirus live: Pelosi calls for another stimulus bill amid soaring job losses
(32 minutes later)
House speaker keen to ‘double down’ on first stimulus bill as Andrew Cuomo says ‘We don’t have enough ventilators – period’House speaker keen to ‘double down’ on first stimulus bill as Andrew Cuomo says ‘We don’t have enough ventilators – period’
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.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.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.”“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.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.Videos shared on social media last night showed hundreds of crew members cheering for Crozier as he departed from the ship.
Early data on coronavirus cases and deaths indicates that in the US, African Americans are being worst affected by the pandemic.Early data on coronavirus cases and deaths indicates that in the US, African Americans are being worst affected by the pandemic.
ProPublica reports:ProPublica reports:
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said there will be “glitches” with distributing funds from the stimulus package.Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said there will be “glitches” with distributing funds from the stimulus package.
“There are bound to be problems,” McConnell told McClatchy. “You can’t pass a bill of this magnitude in a week and have a perfect implementation of $2.2 trillion, so sure there are going to be glitches.”“There are bound to be problems,” McConnell told McClatchy. “You can’t pass a bill of this magnitude in a week and have a perfect implementation of $2.2 trillion, so sure there are going to be glitches.”
McConnell’s comments come as banks report a flood of applicatnts for the small business loan program, which started accepting applications today, and Americans await their direct cash payments.McConnell’s comments come as banks report a flood of applicatnts for the small business loan program, which started accepting applications today, and Americans await their direct cash payments.
According to a memo House Democrats are reportedly ciculating, some Americans may not receive their payments for nearly five months, a disappointing timeline considering nearly 10 million people have filed for unemployment in the past two weeks.According to a memo House Democrats are reportedly ciculating, some Americans may not receive their payments for nearly five months, a disappointing timeline considering nearly 10 million people have filed for unemployment in the past two weeks.
Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin said $875 million in small business loans have already been processed as part of the Paycheck Protection Program created by the $2 trillion stimulus package.Treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin said $875 million in small business loans have already been processed as part of the Paycheck Protection Program created by the $2 trillion stimulus package.
That $875 million represents a small fraction of the $349 billion the program, which began accepting application today, is expected to distribute.That $875 million represents a small fraction of the $349 billion the program, which began accepting application today, is expected to distribute.
Some major banks are already reporting a flood of applications that raised concerns about how small businesses would be able to quickly receive the much-needed funds.Some major banks are already reporting a flood of applications that raised concerns about how small businesses would be able to quickly receive the much-needed funds.
Bank of America said it received 10,000 applications by 10 am ET, and some banks have not even opened their application portals yet.Bank of America said it received 10,000 applications by 10 am ET, and some banks have not even opened their application portals yet.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi has issued a statement calling for another bill to build on the $2 trillion stimulus package to help Americans who are suffering financially during the coronavirus pandemic.House speaker Nancy Pelosi has issued a statement calling for another bill to build on the $2 trillion stimulus package to help Americans who are suffering financially during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The acceleration of the coronavirus demands that we double down on the downpayment we made in CARES by passing a CARES 2 package,” Pelosi said in a statement. “We must extend and expand this bipartisan legislation to meet the needs of the American people.”“The acceleration of the coronavirus demands that we double down on the downpayment we made in CARES by passing a CARES 2 package,” Pelosi said in a statement. “We must extend and expand this bipartisan legislation to meet the needs of the American people.”
The Democratic speaker called for more direct payments to American families, additional funding to process unemployment claims and resources for the overwhelmed healthcare system. The statement comes one day after the labor department announced nearly 10 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in the past two weeks.The Democratic speaker called for more direct payments to American families, additional funding to process unemployment claims and resources for the overwhelmed healthcare system. The statement comes one day after the labor department announced nearly 10 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in the past two weeks.
“The coronavirus is moving swiftly, and our communities cannot afford for us to wait,” Pelosi said.“The coronavirus is moving swiftly, and our communities cannot afford for us to wait,” Pelosi said.
The speaker added that Demorats will also continue working on a potential infrastructure package, which she has referred to as “phase four” of Congress’ coronavirus response.The speaker added that Demorats will also continue working on a potential infrastructure package, which she has referred to as “phase four” of Congress’ coronavirus response.
CNN host Brooke Baldwin said she has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the second CNN host this week to announce a diagnosis.CNN host Brooke Baldwin said she has tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the second CNN host this week to announce a diagnosis.
“I am OKAY,” Baldwin wrote on Instagram, noting she has no underlying conditions to complicate her illness. “It came on suddenly yesterday afternoon. Chills, aches, fever.”“I am OKAY,” Baldwin wrote on Instagram, noting she has no underlying conditions to complicate her illness. “It came on suddenly yesterday afternoon. Chills, aches, fever.”
CNN host Chris Cuomo, the brother of New York governor Andrew Cuomo, announced earlier this week that he had also been diagnosed with the virus.CNN host Chris Cuomo, the brother of New York governor Andrew Cuomo, announced earlier this week that he had also been diagnosed with the virus.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he would sign an executive order to seize ventilators from hospitals with fewer coronavirus cases. The order, which will allow the state to redistribute ventilators to overwhelmed hospitals, comes as New York reported its highest single-day increase yet in the coronavirus death toll.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he would sign an executive order to seize ventilators from hospitals with fewer coronavirus cases. The order, which will allow the state to redistribute ventilators to overwhelmed hospitals, comes as New York reported its highest single-day increase yet in the coronavirus death toll.
Congressman Adam Schiff has drafted a bill to form a commission to probe the coronavirus response. Schiff said the purpose of the commission would to gather lessons for future crises, but Trump dismissed the idea of a commission yesterday as a Democratic “witch-hunt.”Congressman Adam Schiff has drafted a bill to form a commission to probe the coronavirus response. Schiff said the purpose of the commission would to gather lessons for future crises, but Trump dismissed the idea of a commission yesterday as a Democratic “witch-hunt.”
The unemployment rate rose to 4.4% as the US reported 701,000 job losses. The figure is only expected to rise in the coming months, with the Congressional Budget Office predicting unemployment will surpass 10% this financial quarter.The unemployment rate rose to 4.4% as the US reported 701,000 job losses. The figure is only expected to rise in the coming months, with the Congressional Budget Office predicting unemployment will surpass 10% this financial quarter.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
The Guardian’s Stephanie Kirchgaessner reports:The Guardian’s Stephanie Kirchgaessner reports:
The removal of a US naval captain who expressed alarm over sailors on his ship because of the threat of the Covid-19 virus may have violated whistleblower protection laws, according to a lawyer who has studied the issue.The removal of a US naval captain who expressed alarm over sailors on his ship because of the threat of the Covid-19 virus may have violated whistleblower protection laws, according to a lawyer who has studied the issue.
Captain Brett Crozier was relieved of his command of the USS Theodore Roosevelt days after a letter he wrote, which had warned that an outbreak of the virus aboard the aircraft carrier could lead to deaths, was leaked in the press.Captain Brett Crozier was relieved of his command of the USS Theodore Roosevelt days after a letter he wrote, which had warned that an outbreak of the virus aboard the aircraft carrier could lead to deaths, was leaked in the press.
The letter, first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, warned “if we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset - our sailors”.The letter, first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, warned “if we do not act now, we are failing to properly take care of our most trusted asset - our sailors”.
Thomas Modly, the Navy secretary, announced Crozier’s dismissal due to loss of confidence and not using his chain of command.Thomas Modly, the Navy secretary, announced Crozier’s dismissal due to loss of confidence and not using his chain of command.
While Modly accused Crozier of creating a “panic”, online videos showed what the Navy Times dubbed a “hero’s farewell”.While Modly accused Crozier of creating a “panic”, online videos showed what the Navy Times dubbed a “hero’s farewell”.
Stephen Kohn, a Washington DC-based attorney who represents whistleblowers (but is not representing Crozier) said military law permitted Crozier to inform officials of “life-threatening conditions” as well as “gross mismanagement” by the US Navy.Stephen Kohn, a Washington DC-based attorney who represents whistleblowers (but is not representing Crozier) said military law permitted Crozier to inform officials of “life-threatening conditions” as well as “gross mismanagement” by the US Navy.
“Consequently, Captain Crozier’s memorandum to the Navy was a protected disclosure under law,” Kohn said.“Consequently, Captain Crozier’s memorandum to the Navy was a protected disclosure under law,” Kohn said.
CNN has reported that the Navy was concerned that Crozier had used an “unsecure system” to email his memo, increasing chances that it could be leaked.CNN has reported that the Navy was concerned that Crozier had used an “unsecure system” to email his memo, increasing chances that it could be leaked.
Kohn said the justification appeared to raise the spectre of illegal retaliation.Kohn said the justification appeared to raise the spectre of illegal retaliation.
“Under military law, whistleblower disclosures made by Captain Crozier would only lose their protection if they were ‘unlawful.’ The Navy has not alleged that any of Captain Crozier’s communications violated the law,” Kohn said.“Under military law, whistleblower disclosures made by Captain Crozier would only lose their protection if they were ‘unlawful.’ The Navy has not alleged that any of Captain Crozier’s communications violated the law,” Kohn said.
Washington may not see its peak of coronavirus hospitalizations until July, mayor Muriel Bowser announced in a briefing on the capital city’s response to the pandemic.Washington may not see its peak of coronavirus hospitalizations until July, mayor Muriel Bowser announced in a briefing on the capital city’s response to the pandemic.
Bowser said Washington would need more than 2,700 new ICU beds by early July to address the surge in hospitalizations. The city has less than 100 ICU beds available now.Bowser said Washington would need more than 2,700 new ICU beds by early July to address the surge in hospitalizations. The city has less than 100 ICU beds available now.
Officials estimate that Washington will see 93,000 cases of coronavirus over the course of the pandemic and up to 1,000 fatalities. More than 700 cases have already been confirmed in the city, and 15 residents have died.Officials estimate that Washington will see 93,000 cases of coronavirus over the course of the pandemic and up to 1,000 fatalities. More than 700 cases have already been confirmed in the city, and 15 residents have died.
Bowser also unsurprisingly confirmed that the city’s schools will not reopen on April 27, as previously hoped, but a final decision on that matter will be issued later.Bowser also unsurprisingly confirmed that the city’s schools will not reopen on April 27, as previously hoped, but a final decision on that matter will be issued later.
The Guardian’s Andrew Roth reports from Moscow:The Guardian’s Andrew Roth reports from Moscow:
Hundreds of US citizens have been stranded in Moscow after an evacuation flight to New York was grounded at the last moment due to a Russian ban on all international flights.Hundreds of US citizens have been stranded in Moscow after an evacuation flight to New York was grounded at the last moment due to a Russian ban on all international flights.
The Aeroflot flight was meant to carry US citizens seeking to leave Russia, and then repatriate hundreds of Russians stranded in the United States.The Aeroflot flight was meant to carry US citizens seeking to leave Russia, and then repatriate hundreds of Russians stranded in the United States.
Russia has closed its international borders for most travellers, and this afternoon announced that it would impose a ban on all international flights in and out of Russia as of Saturday morning.Russia has closed its international borders for most travellers, and this afternoon announced that it would impose a ban on all international flights in and out of Russia as of Saturday morning.
The flight cancellation came after passengers had already boarded the flight. Some had been trying to leave Russia for weeks. Others had been living in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport for days, waiting for a chance to leave the country.The flight cancellation came after passengers had already boarded the flight. Some had been trying to leave Russia for weeks. Others had been living in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport for days, waiting for a chance to leave the country.
Nicholas Mackay, a ballet photographer who lives in Russia, said that he has been trying to travel to the United States for several weeks to reach his father, who is sick with cancer.Nicholas Mackay, a ballet photographer who lives in Russia, said that he has been trying to travel to the United States for several weeks to reach his father, who is sick with cancer.
“We were already on the flight, and then a flight attendant came on over the intercom and told us that we are not flying out, the flight is cancelled and all flights are cancelled by the Russian government,” he said by telephone.“We were already on the flight, and then a flight attendant came on over the intercom and told us that we are not flying out, the flight is cancelled and all flights are cancelled by the Russian government,” he said by telephone.
“There’s no information. We’re not even able to get any money back from our flight. We’re only able to change for a different day. A different day is no day, because no one knows when international travel will be OK in this whole situation.”“There’s no information. We’re not even able to get any money back from our flight. We’re only able to change for a different day. A different day is no day, because no one knows when international travel will be OK in this whole situation.”
A US embassy spokesperson said: “The US Embassy is aware of the inexplicable cancellation of today’s Aeroflot flight to New York. The flight was full of US citizens anxious to get home. We are awaiting an explanation from the Russian Federation. We continue to work to find ways to help US citizens return home.”A US embassy spokesperson said: “The US Embassy is aware of the inexplicable cancellation of today’s Aeroflot flight to New York. The flight was full of US citizens anxious to get home. We are awaiting an explanation from the Russian Federation. We continue to work to find ways to help US citizens return home.”
During his daily briefing, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the temporary hopsital at the Javits Center would be converted into a coronavirus facility because there are so few non-coronavirus cases right now.During his daily briefing, New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the temporary hopsital at the Javits Center would be converted into a coronavirus facility because there are so few non-coronavirus cases right now.
“We don’t have non-Covid people to any great extent in the hospitals,” Cuomo said. “Hospitals have now turned into effectively ICU hospitals for Covid patients.”“We don’t have non-Covid people to any great extent in the hospitals,” Cuomo said. “Hospitals have now turned into effectively ICU hospitals for Covid patients.”
Cuomo’s comments come as reports indicate the Navy hospital ship Comfort, which is in New York to treat non-coronavirus patients, has only received 20 patients so far.Cuomo’s comments come as reports indicate the Navy hospital ship Comfort, which is in New York to treat non-coronavirus patients, has only received 20 patients so far.
Meanwhile, the city’s emergency rooms are overrun with coronavirus patients, and medical professionals are working long hours to confront the surge in cases.Meanwhile, the city’s emergency rooms are overrun with coronavirus patients, and medical professionals are working long hours to confront the surge in cases.