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| Coronavirus US live: New York suffers highest single-day death toll | Coronavirus US live: New York suffers highest single-day death toll |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Governor Andrew Cuomo holds daily press conference, warning as deaths continue to rise that a return to normal life would depend on testing | Governor Andrew Cuomo holds daily press conference, warning as deaths continue to rise that a return to normal life would depend on testing |
| Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said he would ask Congress to allocate an additional $250 billion to the small business loan program, which was created under the $2 trillion stimulus bill that Trump signed last month. | |
| The stimulus bill originally allocated $350 billion in funds for loans to small businesses, many of which have been closed in recent weeks due to social distancing restrictions. | |
| When the program opened Friday, banks received a flood of applications, as business owners feared the funding would soon run out. The additional money will likely help to alleviate some of those concerns. | |
| Some rather harsh reactions to the news that Trump campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany will be Donald Trump’s fourth White House press secretary. | |
| Norm Eisen, a Brookings fellow who was White House ethics czar under Barack Obama, kicked off one string with a tweet in which he said: “I have debated her a couple times on TV. I am struggling for a diplomatic way to put this but … when the producer told me she was a graduate of Harvard Law I thought I was being pranked.” | |
| Some answers from some prominent people who perhaps ought to have thought twice before tweeting, given the potential for adding fuel to anti-media and anti-liberal fires forever burning among Trump supporters: | |
| Jared Huffman, a California Democratic congressman, referring to Legally Blonde: “I saw that movie! Except Reese Witherspoon was actually smart.” | |
| Asha Rangappa, CNN analyst: “All I have to say is that law schools don’t have to report LSATs of transfer students which means that can take big risks... sometimes they just don’t pan out.” | |
| Norman Ornstein, fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, author and journalist: “Just like I thought I was being pranked when I was told that Jared Kushner had graduated from Harvard. Or when I was told that Donald Trump graduated from Wharton. I’m beginning to question the accreditation of each of these entities.” | |
| Here’s David Smith’s report from Washington, which includes this telling remark about the press secretary role from ABC News Chief White House correspondent Jon Karl: | |
| And here’s the whole of David’s interview with Karl: | |
| The Guardian’s Nina Lakhani reports: | |
| Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, a Democrat from Michigan, has released a letter signed by 80 members of congress from 33 states urging political leaders to prioritize $47.5 billion in water funding as part of Phase 4 of the Covid-19 stimulus package. | |
| The lawmakers want $12.5 billion in emergency funds to cover the immediate cost of bills for low-income households, service restorations, and debt forgiveness. The money would be conditional on states, localities, and utilities suspending all water shutoffs, and agreeing to reconnect service to households previously been disconnected for unpaid bills. One in 20 households were disconnected in 2016. | |
| The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the shocking fact that access to running water is not guaranteed in the US - the most powerful economy in the world. In fact, the Guardian has been reporting on how millions of Americans risk having their water shut off if they can’t keep up with bill payments during the economic calamity triggered by the health crisis. | |
| Good hygiene, specifically regular hand washing, is recommended by the CDC and WHO as crucial to preventing the spread of the highly contagious virus. | |
| Today’s letter, addressed to House and Senate leaders Nancy Pelosi, Mitchell McConnell, Chuck Schumer and Kevin McCarthy, says: “Handwashing is our first line of defense against the spread of disease, and every person in our country needs access to running water to protect themselves, their families and their communities.” | |
| The lawmakers - alongside 233 environmental, social justice and religious groups representing millions of Americans who’ve written a separate letter - are also asking for $35bn in annual federal funding to improve water infrastructure across the country, which would tackle water contamination, leaks and create a million jobs. | |
| This is the second attempt to get federal money for water: the House version of the third rescue package included $1.5bn to assist low income households with water bills during the crisis, but the clause was left out of the final legislation approved by the senate. | |
| According to a report from NBC News, members of a key White House coronavirus task force team which organises the purchase and distribution of equipment have been ordered to vacate their Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) “war room” and, like most of the rest of the nation, work at home, after a “partner” tested positive for Covid-19. | |
| NBC’s report goes on to say it is not immediately clear what effect WFH will have on the team, “which has been highly visible thanks to Polowczyk’s appearances at daily White House briefings”. | |
| The team “has also been highly controversial,” NBC News says. | |
| Here’s our national affairs correspondent, Tom McCarthy, with a look at what it is Kushner is up to: | |
| And here, for good measure, is columnist Lloyd Green: | |
| Voting continues in Wisconsin today, a bizarre and alarming situation you can read more about here, in a report from our voting rights reporter Sam Levine: | Voting continues in Wisconsin today, a bizarre and alarming situation you can read more about here, in a report from our voting rights reporter Sam Levine: |
| Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel files a very telling picture and accompanying reportage. It’s live blog is here… | Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel files a very telling picture and accompanying reportage. It’s live blog is here… |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| New York saw the biggest single-day increase in its coronavirus death toll. The state has recorded 5,489 deaths linked to the virus, up from 4,758 a day earlier. New York accounts for about half of all coronavirus deaths in the US. | New York saw the biggest single-day increase in its coronavirus death toll. The state has recorded 5,489 deaths linked to the virus, up from 4,758 a day earlier. New York accounts for about half of all coronavirus deaths in the US. |
| The White House communications team has been overhauled. Press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who never held a single White House briefing, is being replaced by Trump campaign spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany. | The White House communications team has been overhauled. Press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who never held a single White House briefing, is being replaced by Trump campaign spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany. |
| Trump has reportedly removed a Pentagon official tapped to oversee the coronavirus relief effort from his post. Acting Pentagon inspector general Glenn Fine was supposed to oversee implementation of the $2 trillion coronavirus bill, but a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed he is no longer on the accountability committee. | Trump has reportedly removed a Pentagon official tapped to oversee the coronavirus relief effort from his post. Acting Pentagon inspector general Glenn Fine was supposed to oversee implementation of the $2 trillion coronavirus bill, but a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed he is no longer on the accountability committee. |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| Trump has reportedly removed a Pentagon offical who was supposed to oversee implementation of the $2 trillion coronavirus bill from his post. | Trump has reportedly removed a Pentagon offical who was supposed to oversee implementation of the $2 trillion coronavirus bill from his post. |
| Politico reports: | Politico reports: |
| The move comes just four days after Trump ousted Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the intelligence community who designated the whistleblower complaint that kicked off the impeachment inquiry to be an “urgent concern.” | The move comes just four days after Trump ousted Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the intelligence community who designated the whistleblower complaint that kicked off the impeachment inquiry to be an “urgent concern.” |
| A billboard urging Iowa governor Kim Reynolds to implement a stay-at-home order will be circling the state capitol on a loop today, courtesy of a nationwide group of doctors. | A billboard urging Iowa governor Kim Reynolds to implement a stay-at-home order will be circling the state capitol on a loop today, courtesy of a nationwide group of doctors. |
| Iowa is one of eight states which has not instituted a statewide order, despite pleas from mayors across the state. The Committee to Protect Medicare, an organization of doctors which advocates for health care for all, has dispatched a billboard to Des Moines to pressure Reynolds into action. | Iowa is one of eight states which has not instituted a statewide order, despite pleas from mayors across the state. The Committee to Protect Medicare, an organization of doctors which advocates for health care for all, has dispatched a billboard to Des Moines to pressure Reynolds into action. |
| “We know that physical distancing is the number one thing we can do to limit the spread of the virus, limit the impact it has on individuals, but really limit the impact it has on hospitals in general so they don’t get overwhelmed beyond their capacity,” said Rob Davidson, a Michigan-based ER doctor and executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicare. | “We know that physical distancing is the number one thing we can do to limit the spread of the virus, limit the impact it has on individuals, but really limit the impact it has on hospitals in general so they don’t get overwhelmed beyond their capacity,” said Rob Davidson, a Michigan-based ER doctor and executive director of the Committee to Protect Medicare. |
| “It’s imperative that from the top of leadership statewide and nationally citizens understand the imperative to not be gathering in groups,” Davidson said. | “It’s imperative that from the top of leadership statewide and nationally citizens understand the imperative to not be gathering in groups,” Davidson said. |
| The group is also calling for Donald Trump to instigate a nationwide shelter-in-place, something Trump has so far resisted. On Friday the Iowa Board of Medicine voted to recommend a stay-at-home order, while the Iowa Medical Society has made the same request. | The group is also calling for Donald Trump to instigate a nationwide shelter-in-place, something Trump has so far resisted. On Friday the Iowa Board of Medicine voted to recommend a stay-at-home order, while the Iowa Medical Society has made the same request. |
| Reynolds has defended the lack of a ban, saying she had ordered schools and some businesses to close and asked people not to gather in groups of ten or more. On Tuesday she expanded the list of businesses which will be forced to close, adding malls, museums and outdoor and indoor playgrounds, but other businesses including golf courses are allowed to remain open. | Reynolds has defended the lack of a ban, saying she had ordered schools and some businesses to close and asked people not to gather in groups of ten or more. On Tuesday she expanded the list of businesses which will be forced to close, adding malls, museums and outdoor and indoor playgrounds, but other businesses including golf courses are allowed to remain open. |
| Iowa had 946 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Monday night, with 25 deaths. | Iowa had 946 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Monday night, with 25 deaths. |
| Republican senator Rand Paul is volunteering at a local hospital after recovering from coronavirus. | Republican senator Rand Paul is volunteering at a local hospital after recovering from coronavirus. |
| The Kentucky senator, who has a medical degree from Duke University, was criticized for continuing to visit the Capitol as he awaited the results of a coronavirus test. | The Kentucky senator, who has a medical degree from Duke University, was criticized for continuing to visit the Capitol as he awaited the results of a coronavirus test. |
| Critics accused Paul of putting the health of lawmakers, staffers and other Capitol Hill employees at risk by not quarantining after he took the test. | Critics accused Paul of putting the health of lawmakers, staffers and other Capitol Hill employees at risk by not quarantining after he took the test. |
| Paul defended his actions, saying it was his “extra precaution” of seeking a test even though he showed no symptoms that alerted colleagues to his diagnosis. | Paul defended his actions, saying it was his “extra precaution” of seeking a test even though he showed no symptoms that alerted colleagues to his diagnosis. |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he would work to expand the $350 billion small business loan program created by the stimulus package. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he would work to expand the $350 billion small business loan program created by the stimulus package. |
| “I will work with Secretary Mnuchin and Leader Schumer and hope to approve further funding for the Paycheck Protection Program by unanimous consent or voice vote during the next scheduled Senate session on Thursday,” McConnell said in a statement. | “I will work with Secretary Mnuchin and Leader Schumer and hope to approve further funding for the Paycheck Protection Program by unanimous consent or voice vote during the next scheduled Senate session on Thursday,” McConnell said in a statement. |
| Senior White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said this morning that $50 billion in loans have already been processed since the Paycheck Protection Program started accepting applications on Friday. | Senior White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said this morning that $50 billion in loans have already been processed since the Paycheck Protection Program started accepting applications on Friday. |
| But banks have reported a deluge of applications for the program, as small business owners fear the funding could run out if they do not get their application approved quickly. | But banks have reported a deluge of applications for the program, as small business owners fear the funding could run out if they do not get their application approved quickly. |
| The proposed additional funds for the program, which could be as much as $200 billion, could help to stem some of that anxiety as the coronavirus pandemic leaves many businesses closed. | The proposed additional funds for the program, which could be as much as $200 billion, could help to stem some of that anxiety as the coronavirus pandemic leaves many businesses closed. |
| Trump campaign spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany will become the new White House press secretary, according to the New York Times. | Trump campaign spokesperson Kayleigh McEnany will become the new White House press secretary, according to the New York Times. |
| The Times reports: | The Times reports: |
| McEnany regularly defended Trump on television during the 2016 race and later joined his reelection campaign as national press secretary. | McEnany regularly defended Trump on television during the 2016 race and later joined his reelection campaign as national press secretary. |
| Last month, McEnany incorrectly predicted that coronavirus would not affect Americans because of the president’s steady leadership: | Last month, McEnany incorrectly predicted that coronavirus would not affect Americans because of the president’s steady leadership: |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo just wrapped up his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo just wrapped up his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus. |
| Here’s some of what he said: | Here’s some of what he said: |
| New York saw the biggest single-day increase in its coronavirus death toll yesterday. New York has now lost 5,489 residents to coronavirus, up from 4,758 a day earlier. That figure represents about half of all coronavirus deaths across the United States. | New York saw the biggest single-day increase in its coronavirus death toll yesterday. New York has now lost 5,489 residents to coronavirus, up from 4,758 a day earlier. That figure represents about half of all coronavirus deaths across the United States. |
| Cuomo said restarting the state’s economy would depend on testing. The governor emphasized the state needs to scale up testing to help determine which residents have coronavirus antibodies and are unlikely to contract the virus again before the economy can restart. | Cuomo said restarting the state’s economy would depend on testing. The governor emphasized the state needs to scale up testing to help determine which residents have coronavirus antibodies and are unlikely to contract the virus again before the economy can restart. |
| Cuomo asked all residents to continue respecting social distancing restrictions, as some residents start asking when normal life might be able to resume. “I get it, but it’s only been 37 days,” Cuomo said. “Our behavior affects the number of cases.” | Cuomo asked all residents to continue respecting social distancing restrictions, as some residents start asking when normal life might be able to resume. “I get it, but it’s only been 37 days,” Cuomo said. “Our behavior affects the number of cases.” |
| The Navy hospital ship Comfort will have 500 beds available for coronavirus patients. Cuomo called the president yesterday to ask him to allow the ship to start accepting coronavirus patients, a request that Trump granted. However, the shift to treating coronavirus patients means the ship will have to cut its number of hospital beds in half, from 1,000 to 500. | The Navy hospital ship Comfort will have 500 beds available for coronavirus patients. Cuomo called the president yesterday to ask him to allow the ship to start accepting coronavirus patients, a request that Trump granted. However, the shift to treating coronavirus patients means the ship will have to cut its number of hospital beds in half, from 1,000 to 500. |