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Coronavirus US live: Trump says he's 'not determined' to open the country in May Coronavirus US live: Trump says he's 'not determined' to open the country in May
(32 minutes later)
Trump says in daily press conference ‘tremendous progress has been made’ while confirmed US cases approach 500,000Trump says in daily press conference ‘tremendous progress has been made’ while confirmed US cases approach 500,000
More than 5,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths as of 5 pm tonight in New York City alone.
Socially distant car protest for prisoner safety in Richmond, Virginia
Another way to organize a protest under a stay-at-home order? Protest in your car.
Dozens of people rallied from their cars in Virginia’s state capital Friday afternoon to address the state’s failure to keep incarcerated inmates safe during the coronavirus pandemic, ABC 8News Richmond reported.
“I don’t want my son to die alone…free my son,” Shontrese Otey, who has a 19-year-old son in Richmond City Jail, told 8News. She was holding a sign that read, “My son is essential to me.”
What does protest look like under a stay-at-home order?
This evening, activists are lighting a candle in solidarity with more than 90,000 people typically incarcerated in state prisons and jails in New York state, as coronavirus threatens to turn crowded, unsanitary prisons into death traps.
The protest is being organized by New York prison abolition activists, under the hashtag #FreeThemAll4PublicHealth. The protesters are calling on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and other local and state leaders to use their power to release everyone incarcerated in the state.
Advocates have been pleading for weeks that San Francisco move people out of homeless shelters and into hotel rooms, given that the conditions inside these facilities are often unsanitary and crowded, making it easy for a virus to quickly spread.Advocates have been pleading for weeks that San Francisco move people out of homeless shelters and into hotel rooms, given that the conditions inside these facilities are often unsanitary and crowded, making it easy for a virus to quickly spread.
Now, there has been a major coronavirus outbreak inside a homeless shelter in San Francisco: nearly 70 residents at MSC South have tested positive, which is roughly half of all the people who were tested.Now, there has been a major coronavirus outbreak inside a homeless shelter in San Francisco: nearly 70 residents at MSC South have tested positive, which is roughly half of all the people who were tested.
San Francisco’s mayor, London Breed, said the city is now moving the rest of the MSC South residents who have not tested positive into hotel rooms and quarantining those with Covid-19 inside the shelter.San Francisco’s mayor, London Breed, said the city is now moving the rest of the MSC South residents who have not tested positive into hotel rooms and quarantining those with Covid-19 inside the shelter.
Jennifer Friedenbach, the director for the Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco, said these kinds of outbreaks will happen at every shelter if the city doesn’t immediately move all residents to hotels. Some have suggested the coronavirus fatality rate for unhoused people could be significantly higher than the general population, with a 10-20% dying and 30% hospitalized, she noted.Jennifer Friedenbach, the director for the Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco, said these kinds of outbreaks will happen at every shelter if the city doesn’t immediately move all residents to hotels. Some have suggested the coronavirus fatality rate for unhoused people could be significantly higher than the general population, with a 10-20% dying and 30% hospitalized, she noted.
“This was preventable and predictable. You can’t leave people in congregate settings, you just can’t,” said Friedenbach, adding that the city needs to test residents of all shelters given their potential exposure at this point. “They’ve waited so long.”“This was preventable and predictable. You can’t leave people in congregate settings, you just can’t,” said Friedenbach, adding that the city needs to test residents of all shelters given their potential exposure at this point. “They’ve waited so long.”
Those who remain in other shelters are now also facing strict lockdowns, where they are even more at risk of contracting the virus, said Leah Simon-Weisberg, an attorney with the Eviction Defense Collaborative.Those who remain in other shelters are now also facing strict lockdowns, where they are even more at risk of contracting the virus, said Leah Simon-Weisberg, an attorney with the Eviction Defense Collaborative.
“Locking them in a congregate shelter and packing hundreds of people into one place is only endangering their lives,” she said.“Locking them in a congregate shelter and packing hundreds of people into one place is only endangering their lives,” she said.
Drone footage: pandemic San FranciscoDrone footage: pandemic San Francisco
The effect of the three-week-long lockdown on daily life in San Francisco is revealed in drone footage showing empty streets and deserted landmarks. San Francisco and the counties around it was the frist region in the US to announce a ‘stay-at-home’ order on 16 March, restricting all but essential activities.The effect of the three-week-long lockdown on daily life in San Francisco is revealed in drone footage showing empty streets and deserted landmarks. San Francisco and the counties around it was the frist region in the US to announce a ‘stay-at-home’ order on 16 March, restricting all but essential activities.
Black doctor says he was handcuffed outside his own home in MiamiBlack doctor says he was handcuffed outside his own home in Miami
A black doctor who has been testing homeless people for coronavirus in Miami was handcuffed by a police officer outside his own home, and only released after his wife emerged from the house with identification, he told the Miami Herald.A black doctor who has been testing homeless people for coronavirus in Miami was handcuffed by a police officer outside his own home, and only released after his wife emerged from the house with identification, he told the Miami Herald.
The doctor said he was putting old cardboard outside of his home for pickup.The doctor said he was putting old cardboard outside of his home for pickup.
“Miami police, informed of the doctor’s claims, said Henderson had not called the department to complain but that they were sending an investigator to the house to look into what happened,” the newspaper reported. Read the full story.“Miami police, informed of the doctor’s claims, said Henderson had not called the department to complain but that they were sending an investigator to the house to look into what happened,” the newspaper reported. Read the full story.
The Wisconsin state health department is tracking new cases of the coronavirus to determine whether it was spread among voters during Tuesday’s spring election, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in this report spotted by my Guardian colleague Kenya Evelyn.The Wisconsin state health department is tracking new cases of the coronavirus to determine whether it was spread among voters during Tuesday’s spring election, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in this report spotted by my Guardian colleague Kenya Evelyn.
“The state Department of Health Services and local public health officials are “monitoring” the relationship between new cases in the coming weeks and voting in person, agency officials said.“The state Department of Health Services and local public health officials are “monitoring” the relationship between new cases in the coming weeks and voting in person, agency officials said.
“We will continue this important work to ensure that every case is followed up on, contacted, and anyone who may have been exposed notified,” Department of Human Services secretary Andrea Palm said in a statement. “We hope the extraordinary efforts taken by local clerks, public health, voters, and poll workers helped minimize any transmission but we stand prepared to respond if that isn’t the case.”“We will continue this important work to ensure that every case is followed up on, contacted, and anyone who may have been exposed notified,” Department of Human Services secretary Andrea Palm said in a statement. “We hope the extraordinary efforts taken by local clerks, public health, voters, and poll workers helped minimize any transmission but we stand prepared to respond if that isn’t the case.”
Palm said if voters were exposed to the virus, DHS and local public health officials will see new cases beginning next week.Palm said if voters were exposed to the virus, DHS and local public health officials will see new cases beginning next week.
“This information will allow our surveillance epidemiologists the opportunity to identify if the election had any impact on the spread of Covid-19 in Wisconsin,” she said. But a full picture of whether in-person voting led to more cases won’t be known for several weeks, Palm said.“This information will allow our surveillance epidemiologists the opportunity to identify if the election had any impact on the spread of Covid-19 in Wisconsin,” she said. But a full picture of whether in-person voting led to more cases won’t be known for several weeks, Palm said.
Thousands of voters came to the polls Tuesday after a failed last-minute attempt by [Democratic] governor Tony Evers to postpone the election.Thousands of voters came to the polls Tuesday after a failed last-minute attempt by [Democratic] governor Tony Evers to postpone the election.
Public health experts warned before and after the election took place that allowing people to vote in person could reverse progress the state has made to contain the spread of the virus.Public health experts warned before and after the election took place that allowing people to vote in person could reverse progress the state has made to contain the spread of the virus.
From earlier today, a bigger picture look at Wisconsin from Sam Levine:From earlier today, a bigger picture look at Wisconsin from Sam Levine:
Coronavirus in a major homeless shelter; stay-at-home extended in LACoronavirus in a major homeless shelter; stay-at-home extended in LA
Lois Beckett here picking up our live US politics coverage from the West Coast.Lois Beckett here picking up our live US politics coverage from the West Coast.
Here in California, Los Angeles county has announced an extension of its stay-at-home order until 15 May.Here in California, Los Angeles county has announced an extension of its stay-at-home order until 15 May.
And in San Francisco, one of northern California’s largest homeless shelters is experiencing a serious coronavirus outbreak, the city’s mayor said.And in San Francisco, one of northern California’s largest homeless shelters is experiencing a serious coronavirus outbreak, the city’s mayor said.
Read more background on how San Francisco has failed its homeless population from my colleague Vivian Ho.Read more background on how San Francisco has failed its homeless population from my colleague Vivian Ho.
That’s it for me. The blog is now in the capable hands of my west coast colleague Lois Beckett.That’s it for me. The blog is now in the capable hands of my west coast colleague Lois Beckett.
To recap:To recap:
Trump said whether to ease physical distancing guidelines is the biggest decision he’ll ever make.Trump said whether to ease physical distancing guidelines is the biggest decision he’ll ever make.
New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, is cautiously optimistic the infection rate is slowing in his state.New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, is cautiously optimistic the infection rate is slowing in his state.
State officials are moving forward with vote-by-mail steps despite Trump’s unsubstantiated warnings.State officials are moving forward with vote-by-mail steps despite Trump’s unsubstantiated warnings.
Trump said his appearances at the coronavirus taskforce briefings are the “saddest” ones he’s had to do.Trump said his appearances at the coronavirus taskforce briefings are the “saddest” ones he’s had to do.
A fascinating report from CNN, about Trump trade adviser, China hawk and coronavirus tsar Peter Navarro…A fascinating report from CNN, about Trump trade adviser, China hawk and coronavirus tsar Peter Navarro…
In short, Navarro …In short, Navarro …
Axios and the New York Times reported the Navarro memos earlier in the week. So, CNN went and looked at Navarro’s comments to the media around the time he wrote those memos. Em Steck and Andrew Kaczynski report, in part:Axios and the New York Times reported the Navarro memos earlier in the week. So, CNN went and looked at Navarro’s comments to the media around the time he wrote those memos. Em Steck and Andrew Kaczynski report, in part:
Our own Julian Borger has a lot more on the kind of hands you’re in with the Trump administration in the following profile of Navarro, including:Our own Julian Borger has a lot more on the kind of hands you’re in with the Trump administration in the following profile of Navarro, including:
Five of Navarro’s books cited a China hand with a particularly pithy turn of phrase called Ron Vara, who turned out not to exist. The name is an anagram of Navarro and the imaginary expert operated as an alter ego, confirming the author’s views.Five of Navarro’s books cited a China hand with a particularly pithy turn of phrase called Ron Vara, who turned out not to exist. The name is an anagram of Navarro and the imaginary expert operated as an alter ego, confirming the author’s views.
A former campaign adviser, Larry Remer, says: “I wouldn’t trust him to go out to get lunch and come back with everybody’s sandwich and drink order correctly. I don’t know how he could be put in charge of logistics.A former campaign adviser, Larry Remer, says: “I wouldn’t trust him to go out to get lunch and come back with everybody’s sandwich and drink order correctly. I don’t know how he could be put in charge of logistics.
Former spokeswoman Lisa Ross says: “Peter can be a real bully and maybe that’s why Trump picked him. He wanted a bully to do the job.”Former spokeswoman Lisa Ross says: “Peter can be a real bully and maybe that’s why Trump picked him. He wanted a bully to do the job.”
Here’s the piece in full. It’s a hell of a read, under a hell of a headline:Here’s the piece in full. It’s a hell of a read, under a hell of a headline:
A coalition of companies, consumer advocacy groups, and research organizations submitted a letter to Mike Pence and other executive branch leaders on Thursday arguing that more should be done to thwart online fraud surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Spearheaded by the National Consumers League and the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, the letter encouraged new guidelines around online domain registrars and other fraud prevention techniques. It was signed by more than 30 entities.
Guidelines suggested include requiring domain name registrars to validate names and registration information, and to make that data accessible to federal agencies and law enforcement.
This could more easily prevent scams like one case brought by the Department of Justice against coronavirusmedicalkit.com last month. The website was targeting scared consumers with misinformation, offering them fake “vaccine kits” for coronavirus for $4.95 when in fact there is no vaccine.
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate criminal exploitation of this national emergency for personal gain,” the assistant attorney general Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s civil division said regarding the case.
The letter also suggested Congress require all US-based domain name registrars to “immediately lock and suspend any domain name used to facilitate coronavirus and other public health scams”.
In addition to monitoring domain activity, the groups suggested the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission crack down on phishing campaigns – enticing consumers to click on malicious links – that exploit economic fears. From the letter:
About 74 miles of city streets will be blocked off for joggers and bikers to enjoy for Easter weekend after Libby Schaaf, the mayor of Oakland, California, announced a “slow streets initiative”.
The move will give residents a way to get outdoors at a time when the record number of visitors who flocked to beaches and parks prompted officials to close popular recreational spots.
“Because of the reduction in car traffic, we will be closing off a number of streets so that bicyclists and pedestrians can spread out and take in fresh air safely on Oakland streets, free of cars,” Schaaf said Thursday. Officials at the moment have no plans to enforce the street closures through citations.
Aboout 11% of the city’s land is made up of 6,000 acres of parks. Streets and sidewalks make up another 20-30%, said a city official, adding that the city wanted to take advantage of its space for the sunny, holiday weekend that’s expected.
The initiative comes as data shows promising trends for the efforts to slow the spread of the virus in California. Across the state, the amount of travel has dropped precipitously, perhaps most dramatically in Los Angeles, where residents have witnessed the rare sight of traffic-free interstates and sunsets without smog.
The data on residents’ movement is part of what suggests to officials the state’s coronavirus peak – expected in May – may not be as high as health experts initially feared. The rate of hospitalizations and admissions to the ICU has appeared to slow since last week, according to numbers the governor provided Friday.
Trump just departed the briefing room. Friday’s coronavirus taskforce press conference has ended.
Fact Check: medical supplies
Trump claimed the US has enough beds, ventilators, and personal protective equipment (PPE) including masks. “We’re in great shape,” he said.
Reports of PPE shortages continue to be reported by healthcare staff and other essential workers in many parts of the country, who are reusing and recycling masks and gowns. This is taken from the CDC website:
Trump: these are the saddest news conferences that I’ve ever had
Pressed on whether the United States has enough medical equipment and whether Trump offers too rosy a picture at these coronavirus taskforce briefings, Trump said he believed he the country has enough equipment and that he did not enjoy speaking at these pressers.
The comments from the president came in response to a question from CNN’s Jim Acosta.
“These are the saddest conferences I’ve ever had,” Trump said. I don’t like doing them. Why? Because I’m talking about death ... there’s no happy talk, Jim. This is the real deal. And I’ve got to make the biggest decision of my life and I’ve only started thinking about that. This is by far the biggest decision of my life.”
Trump went on to say the country has enough equipment.
“It’s not ‘no, no, no’, it’s ‘yes, yes, yes’,” Trump said.
Fact check: what is coronavirus?
Trump once again seemed to confuse bacteria with viruses when answering a question about a spike in coronavirus cases at a food processing plant in Denver.
“Antibiotics used to solve everything, but the germ has gotten so brilliant that antibiotics can’t keep up,” said Trump.
Fact: coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus called Sars-CoV-2. Nothing to do with bacteria.
Trump on easing social distancing: I would say without question it’s the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make
The president said that deciding whether to ease recommendations on social distancing might be one of the biggest decisions, if not the biggest one, he’ll have to make.
Trump stressed he has “absolute” authority to issue a national stay at home order but so far he’s chosen not to use it. He said he preferred to let governors make that call and currently 95% of the country is under a stay at home order.
“Ninety-five per cent of the country is stay at home,” Trump said, pointing first to Texas, where the governor, Greg Abbott, has issued one. “He had a very strong stay at home. Ninety-five to 96% has it. South Carolina has it ... 95% of the country is covered.”
Trump added: “Constitutionally, from a federal standpoint – if I thought there was a problem I would handle it.”
Trump continued: “I have great authority to use it ... I have absolute authority to use it but so far our relationship with governors, I haven’t had to do it.
Trump to attend Robert Jeffres service
Trump said he will attend the online service of Pastor Robert Jeffres. He said he would attend Easter service digitally on a laptop.
“I’m going to be with him on Easter meaning I’m going to be with him watching on a laptop,” Trump said.
Fact check: Boeing hasn’t asked for aid
Trump was asked if Boeing should be penalised for mass layoffs despite receiving federal aid. Trump claimed that Boeing, which he described as “probably the greatest company in the world”, was yet to ask for aid, though he anticipated that the company would.
Fact: On 17 March, Boeing requested $60bn in government aid for the aerospace industry hit by coronavirus. The company has not yet applied for a slice of the $2tn rescue package after the chief executive apparently balked at the possibility of government equity stakes in exchange for the relief.