This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/apr/05/coronavirus-us-deaths-trump-latest-news-updates

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
US coronavirus live: Trump warns of 'one of toughest weeks' as deaths pass 8,000 US coronavirus live: next week 'our Pearl Harbour moment, our 9/11', surgeon general says
(32 minutes later)
312,085 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in US; New York is hardest hit state Trump warns of ‘one of toughest weeks’ as deaths pass 8,000 as 312,085 cases are confirmed in US
J. B. Pritzker, the Illinois governor, is challenging Mike Pence’s calculations that his state needs only 1,400 ventilators.
“I pray that the vice-president was right, but let me tell you where I think he got his numbers. He looked at a University of Washington model that’s out there that people are accessing to look at every state,” Pritzker said on CNN’s State of the Union.
“The problem is they didn’t put that model out there for resource allocation reasons. If you look at the model there’s a central point that shows Illinois needs only 1,400 or fewer… but there’s also a worst-case scenario that shows we would need five, or six, or seven thousand more.
“We’re looking at all of the numbers, and everybody is taking an educated guess because we really don’t know.”
He added: “This virus is unpredictable. Our guess is we need a few thousand more than we have now, up to 4,000. That’s what we’ve asked the federal government for, and over time they’ve given us 450 total.
“We’re looking everywhere and anywhere across the world to get ventilators. Here’s the problem, the president didn’t enact or use the defense production act until just recently.”
Pritzker said he was worried it would lead to a shortage of ventilators nationwide, because he thought New York would still be at its peak at a time the need became greatest elsewhere and unable to share its supply.
Surgeon General Jerome Adams has warned the country of a devastating week ahead in the fight against coronavirus.
“The next week is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment. It’s going to be our 9/11 moment. It’s going to be the hardest moment for many Americans in their entire lives,” Adams told host Chuck Todd of NBC News’ Meet the Press.
Todd asked Adams what his advice would be for the nine governors who have not yet issued statewide stay-at-home orders.
“The next week is going to be our Pearl Harbor moment. It’s going to be our 9/11 moment,” Adams responded, continuing:
Washington governor Jay Inslee, whose state was hit with the first confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, blasted the Trump administration on Sunday for not helping states get the emergency equipment they need and fueling a bidding war among the states for that equipment.Washington governor Jay Inslee, whose state was hit with the first confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, blasted the Trump administration on Sunday for not helping states get the emergency equipment they need and fueling a bidding war among the states for that equipment.
“This is ludicrous that we do not have a national effort in this. To say we are a backup ... Can you imagine if Franklin Roosevelt said ‘I’ll be right behind you Connecticut, good luck building those battleships’?” Inslee said on NBC New’s Meet the Press.“This is ludicrous that we do not have a national effort in this. To say we are a backup ... Can you imagine if Franklin Roosevelt said ‘I’ll be right behind you Connecticut, good luck building those battleships’?” Inslee said on NBC New’s Meet the Press.
“Look, we need a national mobilization of the manufacturing base of the United States.”“Look, we need a national mobilization of the manufacturing base of the United States.”
In a snide letter to senator Chuck Schumer of New York last week, Trump said the federal government is just a “back-up,” writing:In a snide letter to senator Chuck Schumer of New York last week, Trump said the federal government is just a “back-up,” writing:
Inslee said the coronavirus crisis was a national crisis demanding a national response, and he called on Trump to lead:Inslee said the coronavirus crisis was a national crisis demanding a national response, and he called on Trump to lead:
In his wide-ranging interview this morning with George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC News’ This Week, Biden described preparations the Obama administration took to handle a pandemic which he said Donald Trump had dismantled.In his wide-ranging interview this morning with George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC News’ This Week, Biden described preparations the Obama administration took to handle a pandemic which he said Donald Trump had dismantled.
“We did a lot to prepare, as you know George. We set up a pandemic office within the White House, we expanded CDC in other countries so we could be in fact, observe, see when things were coming, how things were moving,” Biden said.“We did a lot to prepare, as you know George. We set up a pandemic office within the White House, we expanded CDC in other countries so we could be in fact, observe, see when things were coming, how things were moving,” Biden said.
“We put people in China. I mean we did a whole lot of things, and they got a very detailed breakdown on this by a briefing, the Trump administration, when we transitioned out of office, but the president dismantled almost all of that, and he drastically cut the budget for the CDC, he drastically cut the budge for the ... anyway, so he didn’t follow through on any of what we suggested was going to be a real problem.“We put people in China. I mean we did a whole lot of things, and they got a very detailed breakdown on this by a briefing, the Trump administration, when we transitioned out of office, but the president dismantled almost all of that, and he drastically cut the budget for the CDC, he drastically cut the budge for the ... anyway, so he didn’t follow through on any of what we suggested was going to be a real problem.
“We can do much better than being done now.”“We can do much better than being done now.”
In his interview on ABC Biden also weighed in on the controversial dismissal of Navy Captain Brett Crozier, calling it “close to criminal”.In his interview on ABC Biden also weighed in on the controversial dismissal of Navy Captain Brett Crozier, calling it “close to criminal”.
Crozier was removed from his command after he wrote a memo about concerns for his crew on an aircraft carrier with coronavirus cases aboard. Donald Trump on Saturday slammed Crozier for writing the letter.Crozier was removed from his command after he wrote a memo about concerns for his crew on an aircraft carrier with coronavirus cases aboard. Donald Trump on Saturday slammed Crozier for writing the letter.
“It’s close to criminal the way they’re dealing with this guy,” Biden said Sunday. “The idea that this man stood up and said what had to be said, got it out that his troops, his Navy personnel were in danger. ... Look how many have the virus. I think...he should have a commendation rather than be fired.”“It’s close to criminal the way they’re dealing with this guy,” Biden said Sunday. “The idea that this man stood up and said what had to be said, got it out that his troops, his Navy personnel were in danger. ... Look how many have the virus. I think...he should have a commendation rather than be fired.”
Biden, 77, will wear a mask if he goes out in public, he tells ABC News.Biden, 77, will wear a mask if he goes out in public, he tells ABC News.
Donald Trump said on Friday that he would not wear a mask, in spite of new guidelines issued by the White House that day for people to wear face coverings in public places.Donald Trump said on Friday that he would not wear a mask, in spite of new guidelines issued by the White House that day for people to wear face coverings in public places.
ABC host George Stephanopoulos asked Biden, who is sequestered at home in Wilmington, Delaware, whether he would wear a mask.ABC host George Stephanopoulos asked Biden, who is sequestered at home in Wilmington, Delaware, whether he would wear a mask.
“Yes,” Biden said. “Look, I think it’s important to follow the science, listen to the experts do what they tell you,” Biden said. “He may not like how he looks in a mask but the truth of the matter is that -- follow the science. That’s what they’re telling us. So if I go out in public, and I have not gone to commercial places of late I haven’t gone to my local church ... but my generic point is that you should follow the science.”“Yes,” Biden said. “Look, I think it’s important to follow the science, listen to the experts do what they tell you,” Biden said. “He may not like how he looks in a mask but the truth of the matter is that -- follow the science. That’s what they’re telling us. So if I go out in public, and I have not gone to commercial places of late I haven’t gone to my local church ... but my generic point is that you should follow the science.”
Defense secretary Mark Esper is up on CNN’s State of the Union, as military personnel head for New York to help a city and state under the hammer from Covid-19.Defense secretary Mark Esper is up on CNN’s State of the Union, as military personnel head for New York to help a city and state under the hammer from Covid-19.
The Pentagon has “been all in going back to the beginning of this” and has been “ahead of the curve” regarding the coronavirus, he claims, in an opening mission statement. There will be more than 1,100 military medical personnel in New York, Esper says, at the temporary hospital in the Javits conference center and at other New York facilities.The Pentagon has “been all in going back to the beginning of this” and has been “ahead of the curve” regarding the coronavirus, he claims, in an opening mission statement. There will be more than 1,100 military medical personnel in New York, Esper says, at the temporary hospital in the Javits conference center and at other New York facilities.
He also says many Pentagon ventilators have been deployed this week, contrary to a CNN report which said they had not been sent to where they are needed.He also says many Pentagon ventilators have been deployed this week, contrary to a CNN report which said they had not been sent to where they are needed.
“We’re probably sitting on a few hundred,” he says.“We’re probably sitting on a few hundred,” he says.
Now Esper is asked about Capt Brett Crozier of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, who was removed this week after writing a memo about his concerns for crew members, which was then leaked. Capt Crozier was cheered off the ship by his crew, as Julian Borger reported:Now Esper is asked about Capt Brett Crozier of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, who was removed this week after writing a memo about his concerns for crew members, which was then leaked. Capt Crozier was cheered off the ship by his crew, as Julian Borger reported:
“We need to take care of the sailors on the ship,” Esper says, saying there have been 155 positive coronavirus tests on the Roosevelt.“We need to take care of the sailors on the ship,” Esper says, saying there have been 155 positive coronavirus tests on the Roosevelt.
Esper says he supports the decision to relieve Crozier which was made by navy leadership, which holds leaders accountable for their actions.Esper says he supports the decision to relieve Crozier which was made by navy leadership, which holds leaders accountable for their actions.
Should there have been an investigation, host Jake Tapper asks.Should there have been an investigation, host Jake Tapper asks.
“There is an investigation ongoing,” Esper says, but repeats the navy secretary had lost confidence in Crozier.“There is an investigation ongoing,” Esper says, but repeats the navy secretary had lost confidence in Crozier.
On Saturday, Trump said he did not think Crozier should have written the letter, which he said was a “terrible” thing to do. Esper dodges again when asked if Trump ordered Crozier’s firing, and says “when all those facts come to bear we’ll have a chance to understand” why the decision was taken.On Saturday, Trump said he did not think Crozier should have written the letter, which he said was a “terrible” thing to do. Esper dodges again when asked if Trump ordered Crozier’s firing, and says “when all those facts come to bear we’ll have a chance to understand” why the decision was taken.
This was the navy secretary’s decision, Esper insists, not the president’s – contrary to reports that, as the Washington Post put it, navy secretary Thomas Modly “told one colleague Wednesday, the day before he announced the move: ‘Breaking news: Trump wants him fired.’”This was the navy secretary’s decision, Esper insists, not the president’s – contrary to reports that, as the Washington Post put it, navy secretary Thomas Modly “told one colleague Wednesday, the day before he announced the move: ‘Breaking news: Trump wants him fired.’”
The navy has been on top of this situation from the start, Esper insists.The navy has been on top of this situation from the start, Esper insists.
He is also asked about why US Navy medical ships in Los Angeles and New York are not taking coronavirus patients. The Mercy and the Comfort are “ahead of need”, Esper says. The plan was for the ships to take trauma cases and relieve regular hospitals, he says, but trauma cases are down while the virus rages. Hence, in New York, opening the Javits hospital for coronavirus cases.He is also asked about why US Navy medical ships in Los Angeles and New York are not taking coronavirus patients. The Mercy and the Comfort are “ahead of need”, Esper says. The plan was for the ships to take trauma cases and relieve regular hospitals, he says, but trauma cases are down while the virus rages. Hence, in New York, opening the Javits hospital for coronavirus cases.
Prospective presidential nominee Joe Biden has floated a proposal for a ‘virtual’ national Democratic party convention this summer.Prospective presidential nominee Joe Biden has floated a proposal for a ‘virtual’ national Democratic party convention this summer.
“We’re going to have to do a convention,” Biden tells ABC News. “We may have to do a virtual convention. I think we should be thinking about that right now. The idea of holding a convention is going to be necessary but you may not be able to put 10, 20, 30,000 people in one place, and that’s very possible. Again, let’s see where it is.”“We’re going to have to do a convention,” Biden tells ABC News. “We may have to do a virtual convention. I think we should be thinking about that right now. The idea of holding a convention is going to be necessary but you may not be able to put 10, 20, 30,000 people in one place, and that’s very possible. Again, let’s see where it is.”
The Democrats had previously postponed their convention from July to August. The national conventions bring party officials from across the country together to nominate a presidential candidate. Delays in state primary contests owing to the coronavirus crisis have muddied the process this year. In the nominating race, Biden is currently leading senator Bernie Sanders by a seemingly insurmountable 500 delegates and holds a prohibitive advantage in polls of states that have yet to vote.The Democrats had previously postponed their convention from July to August. The national conventions bring party officials from across the country together to nominate a presidential candidate. Delays in state primary contests owing to the coronavirus crisis have muddied the process this year. In the nominating race, Biden is currently leading senator Bernie Sanders by a seemingly insurmountable 500 delegates and holds a prohibitive advantage in polls of states that have yet to vote.
While we wait for the Sunday shows to begin – a breathless wait each week if you’re a weekend editor, I assure you – here in the form of a succession of embeds is a selection of informative further reading about the coronavirus, the crisis it has caused and what you might need to know:While we wait for the Sunday shows to begin – a breathless wait each week if you’re a weekend editor, I assure you – here in the form of a succession of embeds is a selection of informative further reading about the coronavirus, the crisis it has caused and what you might need to know:
…and finally our map of the outbreak in the US, which uses figures from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and which updates throughout the day:…and finally our map of the outbreak in the US, which uses figures from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and which updates throughout the day:
… to another day of coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in the US.… to another day of coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in the US.
Confirmed US cases of Covid-19: 312,085Confirmed US cases of Covid-19: 312,085
US deaths: 8,499US deaths: 8,499
New York cases: 114,174New York cases: 114,174
New York deaths: 3,565New York deaths: 3,565
Those figures, from Johns Hopkins University, will of course grow during the day, one key point being the usual briefing by New York governor Andrew Cuomo, whose state is by far the hardest hit though the numbers in New Jersey, Michigan and Louisiana, and elsewhere, are rising worryingly swiftly.Those figures, from Johns Hopkins University, will of course grow during the day, one key point being the usual briefing by New York governor Andrew Cuomo, whose state is by far the hardest hit though the numbers in New Jersey, Michigan and Louisiana, and elsewhere, are rising worryingly swiftly.
At the time of writing, there is no White House coronavirus task force briefing on the president’s public schedule. Let that sink in… then think of what happened at Saturday’s briefing, an angry, rambling and averagely incoherent affair.At the time of writing, there is no White House coronavirus task force briefing on the president’s public schedule. Let that sink in… then think of what happened at Saturday’s briefing, an angry, rambling and averagely incoherent affair.
Trump warned of “one of the toughest weeks” to come, and said: “There’s going to be a lot of death, unfortunately. There will be a lot of deaths.”Trump warned of “one of the toughest weeks” to come, and said: “There’s going to be a lot of death, unfortunately. There will be a lot of deaths.”
But he also repeatedly recommended Americans concerned about Covid-19 take hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug which some (including many Fox News hosts) say works in relation to this coronavirus but which has not been clinically tested, a fact to which Trump’s own public health experts, standing next to him at the podium, repeatedly point.But he also repeatedly recommended Americans concerned about Covid-19 take hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug which some (including many Fox News hosts) say works in relation to this coronavirus but which has not been clinically tested, a fact to which Trump’s own public health experts, standing next to him at the podium, repeatedly point.
One of those experts, Dr Deborah Birx, told the briefing the next two weeks would be key to slowing the virus by following federal social distancing guidelines and keeping most of the country shut down. “This is the moment to do everything you can to keep your families and friends safe,” she said.One of those experts, Dr Deborah Birx, told the briefing the next two weeks would be key to slowing the virus by following federal social distancing guidelines and keeping most of the country shut down. “This is the moment to do everything you can to keep your families and friends safe,” she said.
Trump did not seem to be listening. As well as insisting the economy would have to reopen soon, after attacking governors including Cuomo and of course the media, and after saying Republican-led states which have not implemented shutdowns did not need to because “big land, few people”, the president returned again and again to the supposed need for hydroxychloroquine.Trump did not seem to be listening. As well as insisting the economy would have to reopen soon, after attacking governors including Cuomo and of course the media, and after saying Republican-led states which have not implemented shutdowns did not need to because “big land, few people”, the president returned again and again to the supposed need for hydroxychloroquine.
“Take it,” he said. “I really think they should take it.” Trump also said he “may” take hydroxychloroquine himself … “but I’ll have to ask my doctor about that.”“Take it,” he said. “I really think they should take it.” Trump also said he “may” take hydroxychloroquine himself … “but I’ll have to ask my doctor about that.”
The president’s message? “Trust me, I’m not a doctor. And also, I’ll ask my doctor before I do what I think you should do. But trust me.”The president’s message? “Trust me, I’m not a doctor. And also, I’ll ask my doctor before I do what I think you should do. But trust me.”
Here is what the Food and Drug Administration says about using hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19. And here’s Oliver Milman’s look at why you shouldn’t listen to Trump.Here is what the Food and Drug Administration says about using hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19. And here’s Oliver Milman’s look at why you shouldn’t listen to Trump.
The first order of the day here in the US will be the political talk shows, of course. Governors of hard-hit states will appear: John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Jay Inslee of Washington. All Democrats. A governor of one of Trump’s “big land, few people” Republican states, Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, is due on NBC.The first order of the day here in the US will be the political talk shows, of course. Governors of hard-hit states will appear: John Bel Edwards of Louisiana, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Jay Inslee of Washington. All Democrats. A governor of one of Trump’s “big land, few people” Republican states, Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, is due on NBC.
On CBS, Dr Anthony Fauci may face questions about Trump’s fondness for hydroxychloroquine. And on ABC, Joe Biden appears as reports circulate of Bernie Sanders’ imminent exit from the Democratic presidential race.On CBS, Dr Anthony Fauci may face questions about Trump’s fondness for hydroxychloroquine. And on ABC, Joe Biden appears as reports circulate of Bernie Sanders’ imminent exit from the Democratic presidential race.
While we wait for that, and any presidential tweets of course, here’s some further reading:While we wait for that, and any presidential tweets of course, here’s some further reading:
Tom McCarthy on Jared Kushner and his shadow coronavirus task force. What is the president’s son-in-law up to?Tom McCarthy on Jared Kushner and his shadow coronavirus task force. What is the president’s son-in-law up to?
Columnist Robert Reich on Trump’s coronavirus power grab.Columnist Robert Reich on Trump’s coronavirus power grab.
…and Lloyd Green reviewing a new book by ABC News chief White House correspondent Jon Karl which was written before the pandemic, of course, but which makes fascinating reading from an author who has known Trump for 25 years. Also, Lloyd quotes Gladiator. Book reviews that quote Gladiator are the best book reviews*.…and Lloyd Green reviewing a new book by ABC News chief White House correspondent Jon Karl which was written before the pandemic, of course, but which makes fascinating reading from an author who has known Trump for 25 years. Also, Lloyd quotes Gladiator. Book reviews that quote Gladiator are the best book reviews*.
*Editor’s own opinion, not legally binding.*Editor’s own opinion, not legally binding.