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Coronavirus US live: Cuomo 'cautiously optimistic' infection rate is slowing in New York Coronavirus US live: Cuomo 'cautiously optimistic' infection rate is slowing in New York
(32 minutes later)
New York’s governor says ICU admissions are ‘a negative number’ for first time since pandemic began, but ‘we continue to lose a tremendous number of lives’New York’s governor says ICU admissions are ‘a negative number’ for first time since pandemic began, but ‘we continue to lose a tremendous number of lives’
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed several new gun restrictions he championed during this year’s legislative session, cementing gains by gun control advocates they hope will serve as a “blueprint” for states around the country.
The Old Dominion has been the center of the nation’s gun debate after Democrats took full control of the General Assembly last year on an aggressive gun control platform, The Associated Press writes.
Tens of thousands of gun owners from around the country rallied against new gun restrictions at the state Capitol in January while lawmakers ultimately approved seven out of eight of Northam’s gun-control package.
The governor announced Friday he’d signed bills that include requiring universal background checks on gun purchases, a red flag bill to allow authorities to temporarily take guns away from people deemed to be dangerous to themselves or others, and limited handgun purchases to one a month.
“This is an exciting day for me,” Northam said on a conference call with gun-control advocates.
Virginia was once a socially conservative state where lawmakers in both parties viewed gun rights as sacrosanct and the National Rifle Association held great sway.
But as the state has grown more urban and suburban, the gun lobby’s influence has waned.
A mass shooting last year in Virginia Beach made gun control a front-burning issue in Virginia and heavy spending by groups backed by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg helped Democrats flip control of the legislature in November.
Gun-control advocates said Friday they’re planning to replicate their success in Virginia in other states.
John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, said his group plans to spend heavily in key battleground states this year like Arizona, North Carolina and Pennsylvania to elect lawmakers who support new gun restrictions.
Feinblatt said polling shows a gun-control agenda is popular in those states and that Virginia is a “bellwether” of what’s to come.
The Coronavirus Task Force press briefing has been moved back to 1:30 p.m. We’ll be blogging it here. Stay tuned.
Trump encourages prayer and healing this Easter even as some churches plan gatherings
The president just spoke in the Oval Office to give an Easter blessing on Good Friday, where he was joined by Maryland Bishop Harry Jackson.
Trump said, according to the pool report: “Our people are making tremendous sacrifices to end this pandemic. Though we will not be able to gather together with one another as we normally would on Easter, we can use this sacred time to focus on prayer, reflection and growing.”
He did not, however, make a point of putting out a message that churches should not be holding in-person services on Sunday.
While many religious leaders plan to hold services remotely, there are plentiful reports of churches coast to coast planning to defy physical distancing orders or guidelines and encouraging congregations to attend, risking the further spread of the coronavirus.
Trump also said: “Our brave doctors, nurses and responders, first responder, responders of all, are fighting to save lives, our workers are racing to deliver critical medical supplies. Our best scientists are working around the clock to develop life-saving therapeutics and I think they’re doing really well in doing so.”
The president would like to see the US open back up sometime next month but economists think things could get worse.The president would like to see the US open back up sometime next month but economists think things could get worse.
The Navajo Nation is increasing its efforts to slow down the coronavirus spread.The Navajo Nation is increasing its efforts to slow down the coronavirus spread.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo argued that the country needs to make an “unprecedented mobilization” of both private industry and the federal government to combat the coronavirus.New York governor Andrew Cuomo argued that the country needs to make an “unprecedented mobilization” of both private industry and the federal government to combat the coronavirus.
A new CBS poll found Americans’ view of how Trump is handling the pandemic continues to dip.A new CBS poll found Americans’ view of how Trump is handling the pandemic continues to dip.
The blog will be back soon. The daily Coronavirus Task Force press briefing is at 1 p.m.The blog will be back soon. The daily Coronavirus Task Force press briefing is at 1 p.m.
In capping off this press conference Cuomo addressed the disparities in coronavirus infections among African Americans and latinos. There have been multiple reports that the pandemic has disproportionally hit the American minority community.In capping off this press conference Cuomo addressed the disparities in coronavirus infections among African Americans and latinos. There have been multiple reports that the pandemic has disproportionally hit the American minority community.
“I don’t think there is a surprise that we have a disparity among the African American and Latino community,” Cuomo said. He noted that systemic racism is an ongoing problem in the country and in New York. Cuomo also noted that the disparity isn’t as bad in New York as other places in the country.“I don’t think there is a surprise that we have a disparity among the African American and Latino community,” Cuomo said. He noted that systemic racism is an ongoing problem in the country and in New York. Cuomo also noted that the disparity isn’t as bad in New York as other places in the country.
“We are going to do more testing in African American and Latino communities.”“We are going to do more testing in African American and Latino communities.”
Asked about the state’s stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators, Cuomo sounded a calming note.Asked about the state’s stockpile of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators, Cuomo sounded a calming note.
“We’re okay right now. We’re okay. We have a stockpile where we are now relatively comfortable,” Cuomo said. “Compared to how we are operating under these circumstances we are relatively comfortable on ventilators and PPE if.” the hospitalization rate remains down.“We’re okay right now. We’re okay. We have a stockpile where we are now relatively comfortable,” Cuomo said. “Compared to how we are operating under these circumstances we are relatively comfortable on ventilators and PPE if.” the hospitalization rate remains down.
Cuomo is punting on Trump’s repeated argument that the World Health Organization deserves some blame for the coronavirus pandemic’s spread.Cuomo is punting on Trump’s repeated argument that the World Health Organization deserves some blame for the coronavirus pandemic’s spread.
“The president’s point is the World Health Organization should’ve been more aggressive,” Cuomo said. “This is not my field. I don’t know.”“The president’s point is the World Health Organization should’ve been more aggressive,” Cuomo said. “This is not my field. I don’t know.”
Trump has repeatedly criticized the WHO saying it is “China-centric.” Trump, during a press conference on Tuesday, said first that he would put on hold funding to the WHO and then later said his administration would consider that.Trump has repeatedly criticized the WHO saying it is “China-centric.” Trump, during a press conference on Tuesday, said first that he would put on hold funding to the WHO and then later said his administration would consider that.
Cuomo: We are flattening the curveCuomo: We are flattening the curve
Throughout this conference Cuomo has stressed caution in moving forward even as New York sees incremental progress.Throughout this conference Cuomo has stressed caution in moving forward even as New York sees incremental progress.
“Is there going to be a second wave? Let’s look at the countries that have gone through this process and what can we learn from them,” Cuomo said. He pointed to Hong Kong:“Is there going to be a second wave? Let’s look at the countries that have gone through this process and what can we learn from them,” Cuomo said. He pointed to Hong Kong:
“Hong Kong recorded the biggest rise of cases and a new wave of infections. Is that true? Could it happen here? Article yesterday: Italy has seen a bump in a number of cases. Before we take this step we need to make sure we are more sure and more aware than we were in the past.”“Hong Kong recorded the biggest rise of cases and a new wave of infections. Is that true? Could it happen here? Article yesterday: Italy has seen a bump in a number of cases. Before we take this step we need to make sure we are more sure and more aware than we were in the past.”
But Cuomo added that New York is making progress.But Cuomo added that New York is making progress.
“So where do we go from here? First keep doing what we’re doing. Stay home because that works. We are flattening the curve. We must continue flattening the curve,” Cuomo said. “We need both diagnostic testing and anti-biotic testing and we need millions and millions of them and we need them in a matter of weeks, not months.”“So where do we go from here? First keep doing what we’re doing. Stay home because that works. We are flattening the curve. We must continue flattening the curve,” Cuomo said. “We need both diagnostic testing and anti-biotic testing and we need millions and millions of them and we need them in a matter of weeks, not months.”
He also said “we need to be more prepared as a nation.”He also said “we need to be more prepared as a nation.”
“I don’t want a second wave, I don’t want a third wave, I want this to be it.”“I don’t want a second wave, I don’t want a third wave, I want this to be it.”
Cuomo in this press conference is offering some of his most direct arguments he’s ever made on testing and whether the private sector can carry most of the burden in providing tests and help to the public on the coronavirus. He thinks it cannot.Cuomo in this press conference is offering some of his most direct arguments he’s ever made on testing and whether the private sector can carry most of the burden in providing tests and help to the public on the coronavirus. He thinks it cannot.
“We need an unprecedented mobilization where government can produce these tests in the millions. New York state is doing several thousand. We need 9 million people to get back to work,” Cuomo said. “Private sector on their own I don’t believe will be able to come to scale.”“We need an unprecedented mobilization where government can produce these tests in the millions. New York state is doing several thousand. We need 9 million people to get back to work,” Cuomo said. “Private sector on their own I don’t believe will be able to come to scale.”
Cuomo added “you’re going to need government intervention to make that happen and the federal government is in the best position to do that.”Cuomo added “you’re going to need government intervention to make that happen and the federal government is in the best position to do that.”
The New York governor also took aim at the stimulus bills Congress has passed to help businesses weather the crisis.The New York governor also took aim at the stimulus bills Congress has passed to help businesses weather the crisis.
“They’ve passed a couple already. Bu you need a fair federal stimulus bill that is not a federal pork barrel bill,” Cuomo said. “I understand the dynamics of the US senate but this is not a time to be passing bills to make sure your home state gets enough funding. That’s not what this is about. This is about helping your state come back.”“They’ve passed a couple already. Bu you need a fair federal stimulus bill that is not a federal pork barrel bill,” Cuomo said. “I understand the dynamics of the US senate but this is not a time to be passing bills to make sure your home state gets enough funding. That’s not what this is about. This is about helping your state come back.”
Cuomo urges Trump administration to set up a “heroes compensation fund”.Cuomo urges Trump administration to set up a “heroes compensation fund”.
Just now Cuomo urged the Trump administration to set up a “heroes compensation fund” to help those working on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis. He added that “saying thanks is nice. Actually providing assistance is even better.”Just now Cuomo urged the Trump administration to set up a “heroes compensation fund” to help those working on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis. He added that “saying thanks is nice. Actually providing assistance is even better.”
Cuomo went on to say that the return to normalcy will be a gradual process. It won’t be an immediate thing. That’s in contrast to the hopes of Trump who has privately signaled to his colleagues that he would like things to start returning to normal by next month.Cuomo went on to say that the return to normalcy will be a gradual process. It won’t be an immediate thing. That’s in contrast to the hopes of Trump who has privately signaled to his colleagues that he would like things to start returning to normal by next month.
“The key to reopening is going to be testing,” Cuomo said. “It’s not going to be a light switch like you flip the economy like a light switch. It’s going to be a gradual phased process and it’s going to be reliant on testing.”“The key to reopening is going to be testing,” Cuomo said. “It’s not going to be a light switch like you flip the economy like a light switch. It’s going to be a gradual phased process and it’s going to be reliant on testing.”
Cuomo stared his Friday presser with some mild optimism. He said that “we are cautiously optimistic that we are slowing the infection rate.”
Cuomo went on to say that “ICU admissions is actually a negative number for the first time since we started this journey.” But he added that the change in intibations “is a little tick higher than it’s been in the past few days. The three day average is also down. The bad news is we continue to lose a tremendous number of lives and endure great pain as a state —775 lives lost.”
He then noted a comparison to September 11th and that the lives lost “should exceed 9/11 is beyond my capacity to understand.”
Without evidence the president has repeatedly charged voting by mail would dilute the election process and open voting up to rampant fraud. The Associated Press reports:
New York governor Andrew Cuomo is holding his daily press conference live at 11:30 ET. I will be liveblogging it. At 1 p.m. today Trump is holding his own daily press conference and I’ll be liveblogging that one as well. Stay tuned.
A growing set of Republicans are urging Trump to cool it on the daily press conferences. They’re arguing that a lighter touch would benefit the president more.
There’s Nikki Haley, the former Trump administration ambassador to the United Nations and a potential 2024 presidential candidate, who said Trump should let “his experts speak.” In an interview on Fox & Friends Haley praised Trump’s ability to “over-communicate.”
“I think he should go and set the tone. I think he should let them put out the data. I think they should answer any questions that the press has. And then they should leave,” Haley said. “I don’t think they need to be too long. I don’t think he needs to feel like he needs to answer everything.”
Trump’s advisers are also beginning to worry about the ripple effect of Trump’s long daily press conferences. It sometimes “drowns out his message,” South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham told the New York Times. He’s urged Trump to cut down to a once-a-week presser.
Trump, it should be noted, enjoys doing the press conferences.
Donald Trump’s reelection campaign included an image of former Obama administration ambassador to China Gary Locke in a new attack ad. Locke, a former two-term governor of Washington, is a third generation Chinese-American who was born in Seattle.
The subject of the attack ad is Joe Biden and China. The use of Locke’s image implies that he is some kind of Chinese official. According to The New York Times (bolds mine):
Steve Guest, the rapid response director for the Republican National Committee tweeted that Locke is not the point of the ad. Guest was responding to a tweet from Biden campaign spokesman T.J. Ducklo:
Similarly, the Trump reelection team’s communications director said the reason the image was included in the ad was the Chinese flag behind Biden and Locke.
In a rare appearance in front of a group of mayors former President Barack Obama urged them to use experts and speak truth when publicly discussing the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s the CNN report (bolds are from me):
And Obama also urged the mayors to pay special attention to the most vulnerable. Here’s his remark according to a press release from Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Here’s a sign of the times:
There’s been an ongoing concern about how Capitol Hill lawmakers can legislate amid the coronavirus. In an interview with Politico, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signaled the chamber is unlikely to return later this month (bolds mine):
Navajo Nation steps-up strict measures to slow down the coronavirus spread
The Navajo Nation is gearing up for a 57-hour curfew which comes into effect at 8pm tonight, and will continue until 5am on Monday. The weekend long curfew, the first of its kind within the United States geographical borders, will be enforced by tribal police, who have been authorized to sanction violators with a fine of up to $1000 and/or 30 days in jail. Essential workers such as medical staff are exempt, but must carry a letter from their employer.
On Thursday, Navajo president Jonathan Nez and vice-president Myron Lizer, announced that they were going into self-quarantine after recently coming into contact with a first responder who later tested positive for the virus. “This is real and no-one is immune from contracting the virus. We will continue to fight for our people as we self-quarantine - this is a precautionary measure,” said Nez during an online town hall meeting.
The Navajo government was quick to implement prevention and mitigation measures after reporting its first case on 17 March, in an effort to minimize spread through its vast territory which stretches over parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. This included issuing a stay at home order just two days after California, followed by an 8pm to 5am curfew. But, the virus is spreading rapidly with 558 confirmed cases including 20 deaths as of Thursday 9 April.
Last month, the US federal government approved $8bn for native communities and tribal services in its third coronavirus rescue package, but tribal leaders fear that they won’t see the money until summer due to red tape and paperwork. Nez told Arizona news outlet ABC15: “To know that those dollars allocated and signed into law are supposed to go to all US citizens, but yet the first citizens of this country are being ignored by Washington.”
A new CBS poll finds Americans’ views on Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic is dipping again.
According to the poll:
Good morning, readers.
Donald Trump wants to reopen the country next month despite concerns from both economists and health experts that the coronavirus pandemic is nowhere near over.
Trump, according to a Washington Post report, wants to restart business by 1 May. He’s worried about how the volatile stock market and unemployment numbers will reflect his chances for reelection.
Publicly, Trump seems to have the backing of some of his top aides. In an interview on CNBC on Thursday, treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin said “I do” when asked if he thought the country could reopen in about a month.
But health experts worry that reopening the government prematurely could dramatically reverse some of the progress the country has made in fighting the virus.
Trump’s concerns about a struggling economy are likely to only get worse. Economists are expecting the United States to “suffer its largest-ever contraction this quarter and the unemployment rate to soar to a post-Depression record, followed by a recovery that will be moderate and drawn out” according to Bloomberg News.