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Coronavirus US live: Trump holds briefing as 400,000 cases confirmed in America Coronavirus US live: Trump holds briefing as 400,000 cases confirmed in America
(32 minutes later)
White House briefing comes as New York reports it’s starting to flatten the curve of coronavirus casesWhite House briefing comes as New York reports it’s starting to flatten the curve of coronavirus cases
Trump was asked whether he’d pardon Joe Exotic, of Tiger King. Fact check: voter fraud
Donald Trump has left the briefing room, but we want to circle back to his earlier comments alleging rampant voter fraud. The president referenced a settlement in California, “where they admitted a million people should not have voted.” In doing so, he grossly misstated what that settlement entailed.
In January, the conservative group Judicial Watch announced that it has settled a 2017 lawsuit against the state of California.The settlement required LA county to remove inactive voters from its voter lists, and required California to direct other counties to do the same. All parties to the settlement agreed there was no admission of liability or wrongdoing by LA or California.
Judicial Watch estimated that as many as 1.5m people would have been removed from voter lists in LA county. But, there’s no evidence than any of those people voted illegally. Judicial Watch said most of that 1.5m would have ben “voters who have moved to another county or state or have passed away.”
At the time of the settlement, Paul Mitchell of the nonpartisan research firm Political Data Inc. told the AP that the case was insignificant because it pertains to inactive voters who “are not getting voting materials, they are not casting ballots, they are not showing up in precincts.”
In other words, the settlement got LA county to update old records.
Fact check: ventilators
“It looks like we’re in great shape from the bed standpoint. It looks like we’re in great shape from the ventilators standpoint,” Trump said.
However, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine published on Wednesday 25 March categorically concluded that the US does not have enough ventilators to treat patients with Covid-19 in the coming months.
The authors, American public health experts, wrote: ‘There is a broad range of estimates of the number of ventilators we will need to care for US patients with Covid-19, from several hundred thousand to as many as a million. The estimates vary depending on the number, speed, and severity of infections, of course, but even the availability of testing affects the number of ventilators needed.... current estimates of the number of ventilators in the United States range from 60,000 to 160,000, depending on whether those that have only partial functionality are included. The national strategic reserve of ventilators is small and far from sufficient for the projected gap. No matter which estimate we use, there are not enough ventilators for patients with Covid-19 in the upcoming months.”
Donald Trump appealed to Sanders voters. “Bernie and I agree on trade,” he said – though he’s better, Trump said.
The Vermont senator’s trade platform does prioritize protecting American jobs, a goal that Trump has also said he has.
“I got a lot of them in the last election,” Trump said of Sanders supporters. “They’re great people.”
Asked what evidence there is of widespread voting fraud, Trump said, “I’ll provide you with some.”
“We’re going to find out about the proof,” he said. “You’re going to see what’s going on.
Fact check: Trump acted quickly
“People were shocked I acted so quickly” on coronavirus, Trump said. “And everybody thought I was wrong because I did act so quickly as you know with respect to closing the borders.”
In fact, it was almost six weeks after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the country that the Trump administration moved to ramp up coronavirus testing, allowing laboratories and hospitals to finally conduct their own Covid-19 tests to speed up the process.”
Donald Trump may not have been expecting this, but a lot of other people in the government were – they just couldn’t get him to do anything about it,” an unnamed government official told the Washington Post. “The system was blinking red.”
Trump once again said he hadn’t seen a memo from economic adviser Peter Navarro, which warned in January of coronavirus’s disastrous impact. “Peter sends a lot of memos,” Trump said.
Here’s more about the memo:
This is the US coronavirus taskforce briefing, but Trump was just asked whether he’d pardon Joe Exotic, the protagonist from the hit Netflix TV documentary Tiger King.
“ What did he do?” Trump asked. “Are you recommending a pardon?”“ What did he do?” Trump asked. “Are you recommending a pardon?”
The president said he’d look into it.
Here’s more on the TV show:
Fact check: testingFact check: testing
Trump once again boasted about testing in the US, claiming that “we’re testing more than anybody”. Other countries that known being good on testing are now “calling us”, he added.Trump once again boasted about testing in the US, claiming that “we’re testing more than anybody”. Other countries that known being good on testing are now “calling us”, he added.
While the US has ramped up testing, it still lags behind other countries, including South Korea and Germany. South Korea has administered 486,003 tests, according to the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With a population of 51.5m, the country has tested about 1 in every 113 people. Germany has done even better, testing every 1 in 90 people. While the US has ramped up testing, it still lags behind other countries, including South Korea and Germany. South Korea has administered 486,003 tests, according to the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With a population of 51.5 million, the country has tested about 1 in every 113 people. Germany has done even better, testing every 1 in 90 people.
Meanwhile, the United States, with a population of 329 million, had administered at least 1,951,044 tests, according to the Atlantic’s Covid Tracking Project — so the US has tested about 1 in every 168 people. Meanwhile, the United States, with a population of 329 million, had administered at least 1,951,044 tests, according to the Atlantic’s Covid Tracking Project – so the US has tested about 1 in every 168 people.
Fact check: WHOFact check: WHO
Trump again went after the World Health Organization, saying the organization was initially “minimizing the threat” of coronavirus and got everything “wrong.” Trump again went after the World Health Organization, saying the organization was initially “minimizing the threat” of coronavirus and got everything “wrong”.
The WHO has been criticized for a January 14 tweet, which Trump just referenced, that noted that a preliminary investigation by Chinese officials found no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The WHO has been criticized for a 14 January tweet, which Trump just referenced, that noted that a preliminary investigation by Chinese officials found no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
But the organization declared coronavirus a “public health emergency” by January 30. The Trump administration and the president himself repeatedly played down the crisis through February and March. But the organization declared coronavirus a “public health emergency” by 30 January. The Trump administration and the president himself repeatedly played down the crisis through February and March.
On March 11, the WHO declared coronavirus a pandemic. On 11 March, the WHO declared coronavirus a pandemic.
The president repeated a story about a Democratic state lawmaker who credits hydroxychloroquine and Trump for her recovery from Covid-19. “She’s in terrific shape, she looks fantastic, and she was very generous with her statements,” Trump said.The president repeated a story about a Democratic state lawmaker who credits hydroxychloroquine and Trump for her recovery from Covid-19. “She’s in terrific shape, she looks fantastic, and she was very generous with her statements,” Trump said.
Here’s more on that state representative, from the Detroit Free Press:Here’s more on that state representative, from the Detroit Free Press:
Fact check: hydroxychlor0quineFact check: hydroxychlor0quine
Trump said the national stockpile is now equipped with 30m hydroxychloroquine pills.Trump said the national stockpile is now equipped with 30m hydroxychloroquine pills.
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.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.
Fauci has repeatedly warned that there is no conclusive evidence to support using the drug. Asked whether it should be considered a treatment for Covid-19, he said on 24 March: “The answer is no.”Fauci has repeatedly warned that there is no conclusive evidence to support using the drug. Asked whether it should be considered a treatment for Covid-19, he said on 24 March: “The answer is no.”
Trump made his first endorsement of hydroxychloroquine on 19 March.Trump made his first endorsement of hydroxychloroquine on 19 March.
As the Guardian’s Julia Carrie Wong has reported, belief in the drug’s potential to cure patients infected with the virus followed an extraordinary trajectory from a small study conducted in France (Trump’s “very good test”) to Silicon Valley social media influencers, Fox News, and then the White House.As the Guardian’s Julia Carrie Wong has reported, belief in the drug’s potential to cure patients infected with the virus followed an extraordinary trajectory from a small study conducted in France (Trump’s “very good test”) to Silicon Valley social media influencers, Fox News, and then the White House.
Twitter has deleted tweets by the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, and the Fox News personality Laura Ingraham that touted the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine.Twitter has deleted tweets by the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, and the Fox News personality Laura Ingraham that touted the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine.
The World Health Organization “hasn’t accomplished what it was intended to deliver” Pompeo said, doubling down the president’s criticisms.The World Health Organization “hasn’t accomplished what it was intended to deliver” Pompeo said, doubling down the president’s criticisms.
The president has repeatedly sought to shift blame for the crisis on the WHO, alleging that it responded too late.The president has repeatedly sought to shift blame for the crisis on the WHO, alleging that it responded too late.
Asked whether he thinks China has withheld information and whether the US will act on the president’s suspicion China has not been accurately reporting coronavirus data, Pompeo said, “This is not the time for retribution, but it is still the time for clarity and transparency.”Asked whether he thinks China has withheld information and whether the US will act on the president’s suspicion China has not been accurately reporting coronavirus data, Pompeo said, “This is not the time for retribution, but it is still the time for clarity and transparency.”
Pompeo avoided calling the coronavirus the “China virus” or “Wuhan virus” as he as in the past.Pompeo avoided calling the coronavirus the “China virus” or “Wuhan virus” as he as in the past.
The state department is working to repatriate Americans abroad, according to the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo.The state department is working to repatriate Americans abroad, according to the secretary of state, Mike Pompeo.
“We still have several thousand” US citizens abroad, in some cases in remote areas. Efforts to bring them home are ongoing, and “we will keep it up” Pompeo said.“We still have several thousand” US citizens abroad, in some cases in remote areas. Efforts to bring them home are ongoing, and “we will keep it up” Pompeo said.
“We send our regards to Boris, his friends, his family,” Trump said. “Hopefully he’s going to be OK.”“We send our regards to Boris, his friends, his family,” Trump said. “Hopefully he’s going to be OK.”
Yesterday, Trump detailed how he plans to help Boris Johnson, by alerting his doctors in London to “some very good potential cures” that US companies are exploring.Yesterday, Trump detailed how he plans to help Boris Johnson, by alerting his doctors in London to “some very good potential cures” that US companies are exploring.
Donald Trump has begun by saying that this is a “holy week” for Jewish and Christian people.
Of the coronavirus victims whose demographic information has been shared by officials, about 42% are black, according to an analysis by the AP.
The AP looked int 4,450 deaths and 52,000 Covid-19 cases from across the country.
My colleague Kenya Evelyn reported earlier:
African Americans face a higher risk of exposure to the virus, mostly on account of concentrating in urban areas and working in essential industries. Only 20% of black workers reported being eligible to work fromhome, compared with about 30% of their white counterparts, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
Experts also point to initial research showing a high prevalence of Covid-19 among those suffering from obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – risk factors more common among black Americans. The virus is known to take a harsher toll on those with underlying health issues, and many hospitals are only testing those admitted for critical care.
Hi there, it’s Maanvi - blogging from the west coast.
We’re awaiting the White House coronavirus task force briefing. During the briefing yesterday, and subsequently on Fox News, Donald Trump repeatedly attacked the World Health Organization, alleging that it was late to act on coronavirus and that it was biased toward China. Trump threatened to stop funding the WHO, as his supporters called for the organization’s head to step down.
Without naming or addressing Trump directly, the WHO director-general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, made a plea for solidarity, warning that politicizing the pandemic would result in “many more body bags”.
“When there are cracks at the national level and global level, that’s when the virus succeeds,” he said. “Please quarantine politicizing Covid. That’s the way if we want to win.”
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:
Bernie Sanders suspended his presidential campaign, making Joe Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee. Sanders pledged to continue working to ensure progressive proposals are included in the party’s campaign platform.
More than 400,000 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the US. The national death toll has surpassed 14,000 and at least 1,939 people died of the virus yesterday, marking the deadliest day in the US since the crisis started.
New York is starting to flatten its curve of coronavirus cases even as the state death toll continues to climb. New York’s “stay at home” order is having an impact on the number of coronavirus cases, governor Andrew Cuomo said, but yesterday’s death toll of 779 was the state’s worst single-day figure yet.
Linda Tripp, who made the tapes of Monica Lewinsky discussing her relationship with Bill Clinton, has reportedly died. Tripp’s recordings of Lewinsky decribing the extramarital affair ultimately led to Clinton’s impeachment. The former Pentagon civil servant had reportedly been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer recently.
Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Linda Tripp, who recorded Monica Lewinsky discussing her sexual relationship with then-president Bill Clinton, has died at 70, according to reports.
Tripp was a civil servant in the Pentagon when she became friends with Lewinsky and learned of her relationship with Clinton.
Tripp recorded Lewinsky discussing the extramarital affair, and the scandal ultimately led to Clinton’s impeachment, although he was later acquitted by the Senate.
Tripp was reportedly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer recently, and her daughter posted on Facebook last night that she was on her deathbed.
Lewinsky reacted to news of Tripp’s diagnosis earlier today, saying she hoped for her recovery.
The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports on the latest from California:
Here are California’s latest numbers on coronavirus cases and deaths, as provided by governor Gavin Newsom:
16,957: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases.
1,154: The number of people in intensive care units, a 4.2% increase from the previous day.
2,714: The number of people who have been hospitalized, a 3.9% increase from the previous day.
442: The number of coronavirus deaths, including 68 in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day death toll yet.
Of the 6,306 cases analyzed by race:
Latinx Californians made up 30% of cases and 29% of deaths.
African Americans made up 6% of cases and 3% of deaths.
Asian Americans made up 14% of cases and 16% of deaths.
While the state isn’t on safe ground, Newsom expressed optimism that the rate of transmissions and hospitalizations from the virus appears to have slowed. Experts expect numbers to peak next week.
Meanwhile, workers across the state are facing dire economic consequences from the pandemic. About 2.4 million Californians have filed for unemployment since March 13, Newsom said.
The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports on the latest from California:
In states across the county, the racial make-up of those felled by the coronavirus has revealed alarming disparities for people of color.
A staggering 70% of deaths linked to coronavirus in Louisiana are African Americans — more than double the percentage of the state’s black population. Disparate numbers are emerging in other states across the south, including Georgia and Alabama.
Health experts worry the coronavirus is exacerbating already existing disparities within health outcomes. Blacks have disportionately high rates of asthma and hypertension and are more likely to work jobs that keep them out in the community.
Incomplete data in California hasn’t yet cut the same picture, but only 37% of the confirmed coronavirus cases have been disaggregated to provide a racial view.
Within those counted, the number of cases tracks roughly with the state’s demographic make up, California governor Gavin Newsom said in a Tuesday presser. But disparities could emerge as more data becomes available.
The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports on the latest from California:
California governor Gavin Newsom is leading a charge to secure the needed protective equipment in the nation’s most populous state, levering the power of a mighty nation-state to help other states obtain what they need.
Speaking at a noon press conference, Newsom re-upped comments he told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow when he announced deals that have been landed with a consortium of nonprofits to provide 200 million medical masks a month for California and other states.
California plans to spend $990m in state funds on protective gear and has to make a down payment of about half that amount in the following days.
“We’ve been competing against other states, against other nations, against our own federal government for PPE — coveralls, masks, shields, N95 masks — and we’re not waiting around any longer,’’ he told Maddow yesterday. “We decided enough is enough: let’s use the power of the purchasing power of the state of California as a nation-state,” he added.
To reach its “audacious goal” of over 500m masks needed in California, the state is turning to community organizations and NGOs to plug into their PPE pipelines. It’s also looking to its contracts with large vendors, which has provided 41 m masks the state has already distributed.
The state is also tapping defense contractor Patel, which has manufactured technology that can clean and sterilize N-95, and make them ready for reuse. The technology, which can clean up to 80,000 maks a day, is expected to be ready next week,
“This is not a silver bullet, there are always challenges in anything we’re attempting of this scale”, said Mark Ghilarducci, director of California’s office of emergency services.
The White House has reportedly signaled opposition to Democratic requests for the next coronavirus relief bill.
Treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin said yesterday that he would ask Congress to pass a bill allocating an additional $250 billion in small business loans. (The original stimulus bill gave $350 billion to small businesses, and those funds appear to be rapidly dwindling.)
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is taking up the request, but Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and House speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement today requesting that the bill also include $250 billion for hospitals and state and local businesses.
Politico reports:
The debate over whether to allocate funds for hospitals and state and local governments could at the very least slow the bill’s passage, a disappointing prospect to the White House considering the administration wants to fast-track approval of the additional money for small businesses.
Congressman Thomas Massie signaled he would once again oppose any effort to pass a coronavirus relief bill by unanimous consent, which could force lawmakers to return to Washingtona as the city and the surrounding region see a surge of coronavirus cases.
The Trump administration is calling on Congress to pass a bill allocating an additional $250 billion in small business loans. The original stimulus package incuded $350 billion for small businesses.
“Once again, they’re recommending just let Nancy Pelosi pass it on her own, that we can all stay home,” Massie told Fox Business. “And I’m saying that’s not going to fly.”
Massie also opposed efforts to approve the stimulus package by unanimous consent, forcing House members to return to Washington to get the bill passed.
Many people, including the president, criticized Massie for the move, especially after several lawmakers who were present for the vote later said they had contracted coronavirus.