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Coronavirus US live: Trump gives briefing as worldwide death toll passes 100,000 Coronavirus US live: Trump gives briefing as worldwide death toll passes 100,000
(32 minutes later)
Daily press conference begins, with Trump claiming ‘tremendous progress has been made’ while confirmed US cases approach 500,000Daily press conference begins, with Trump claiming ‘tremendous progress has been made’ while confirmed US cases approach 500,000
Fact check: Testing
Trump bragged about the quality of tests in the US, boasting that “we’ve made the best tests in the world.”
In fact, some of the initial coronavirus tests sent out to states were seriously flawed. Part of the problem came from the CDC shunned the WHO template for tests, and insisted on developing a more complicated version that correctly identified Covid-19, but also flagged other viruses - resulting in false positives.
Other countries – after their first coronavirus case – swiftly asked private companies to develop their own tests. South Korea, which recorded its first case on the same day as the US, did so within a week. The US only allowed laboratories and hospitals to conduct their own tests on February 29, almost six weeks after the first case was confirmed.
Trump on warnings about reopening by May 1: I will certainly listen
Trump was pressed on whether he would heed the warnings of health officials, including some who advise him, as to whether the country could reopen by early May. Trump has reportedly been hoping to see that. At first he digressed.
“I listen to them about everything,” Trump said. “I have great respect for these people. All of them.
Trump joked “In fact I told Tony Fauci, why don’t you move to New York, run against AOC, you will win easily. I kid you know that.”
Asked again he didn’t budge.
“I can only say this: I have tremendous respect for these doctors and we’ve done very well,” Trump said. “I have great respect for these people. I’m never sayign bad about these people.”
And then pressed a third time Trump said. “I will certainly listen. I will certainly listen. There are two sides. Remember, I understand both sides of an argument very well.”
Fact check: oil reserves
Trump said the US probably has the biggest oil reserves in the world.
According to the World Population Review, Venezuela has the biggest crude oil reserves, followed by Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran and Iraq. The US is 11th - sandwiched in between Nigeria and Kazakhstan.
Vice president Mike Pence just now just urged churches and other religious “to heed the guidelines” and avoid gatherings of more than 10.
“We’re grateful that so many churches, synagogues, and places of worship have continued to do that,” Pence said.
Some churches and religious locations have held gatherings larger than the recommended guidelines in recent days.
Factcheck: rate of spread
More on Trump’s claim that the rate of the virus spread is slowing down across the country, “without exception”. While the number of confirmed cases and hospital admissions have leveled off or dropped in some states including Louisiana, New York and New Jersey, the number of cases continues to increase in many states including Nebraska, Alabama,, Kentucky, Texas and Arizona.
Dr. Jerome Adams, the U.S. Surgeon General, took the podium. He said that he helped lead a conference call with more than 400 hundred leaders in the African American community to discuss the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on the American minority community.
He ticked off stats of where there is a larger number of African Americans or Hispanics who have the virus.
“You’ve heard the stats in New York City, hispanics represent the majority of deaths, Adams said, going on to say “So what’s going on? Well it’s alarming but it’s not surprising that people of color have a higher burden of chronic health conditions.”
Adams explained that “the chronic burden of medical ills is likely to make people of color” more vulnerable “to the ravages.”
“We tell people to wash their hands, but as studies show, 30 percent of the homes in Navajao Nation don’t have running water,” Adams said. Adams added “But let me be crystal clear, we do not think people of color are biologically or socially prone to” [getting the disease].
Fact check: hospital admissions and death rateFact check: hospital admissions and death rate
Trump claimed that the rate of the virus spread is slowing down across the country, “without exception” and that the death rate in the US was lower than anywhere else in the world.According to one source, the global death is 13 per million people. The US death rate is currently 54 per million, much higher than Germany at 31 per million, Portugal at 43 per million and 14 per million in Canada, but lower than Spain, France, Italy and the UK.A few minutes later Dr Deborah Birx said “we have not reached the peak.”Trump claimed that the rate of the virus spread is slowing down across the country, “without exception” and that the death rate in the US was lower than anywhere else in the world.According to one source, the global death is 13 per million people. The US death rate is currently 54 per million, much higher than Germany at 31 per million, Portugal at 43 per million and 14 per million in Canada, but lower than Spain, France, Italy and the UK.A few minutes later Dr Deborah Birx said “we have not reached the peak.”
Trump: The stock market thinks we’ve done wellTrump: The stock market thinks we’ve done well
Trump said that the stock market’s recent swings show that his administration is doing well in responding to the pandemic.Trump said that the stock market’s recent swings show that his administration is doing well in responding to the pandemic.
I”n four days, we had the biggest stock market increase that we had in 50 years. That tells you that there’s a pent up demand. They want to get back,” Trump said. “So think of it, in this horrible, dark period where this monster came and worked its horrible horrible spell over the world. “In four days, we had the biggest stock market increase that we had in 50 years. That tells you that there’s a pent up demand. They want to get back,” Trump said. “So think of it, in this horrible, dark period where this monster came and worked its horrible horrible spell over the world.
Trump added “We’ve done well and I guess the market thinks we’ve done well because had the biggest stock market increase” recently.Trump added “We’ve done well and I guess the market thinks we’ve done well because had the biggest stock market increase” recently.
Trump once again touted hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus cure.Trump once again touted hydroxychloroquine as a coronavirus cure.
In the week beginning March 30, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug that is also used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, with an “emergency use authorization” to use on coronavirus patients in some circumstances.In the week beginning March 30, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug that is also used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, with an “emergency use authorization” to use on coronavirus patients in some circumstances.
Clinical trials to test the drug’s effectiveness in treating coronavirus have begun across the world, and in the US. However, experts, including US public health officials, have warned that it is too early to know if hydroxychloroquine works.Clinical trials to test the drug’s effectiveness in treating coronavirus have begun across the world, and in the US. However, experts, including US public health officials, have warned that it is too early to know if hydroxychloroquine works.
So far, the evidence that it’s an effective cure for coronavirus is anecdotal and mixed. An initial French study that appeared to have launched the Trump administration’s obsession with the drug has since been discredited.So far, the evidence that it’s an effective cure for coronavirus is anecdotal and mixed. An initial French study that appeared to have launched the Trump administration’s obsession with the drug has since been discredited.
The drug is considered relatively safe for people without an underlying illness, but it’s unclear if it is safe for severely sick Covid-19 patients, who may have incurred organ damage due to the virus.The drug is considered relatively safe for people without an underlying illness, but it’s unclear if it is safe for severely sick Covid-19 patients, who may have incurred organ damage due to the virus.
The surge in demand for the unproven hydroxychloroquine also risks shortages of the drug for those who need it most. It is used to help patients manage the chronic autoimmune disease lupus, but some are already complaining the drug is harder to come by.The surge in demand for the unproven hydroxychloroquine also risks shortages of the drug for those who need it most. It is used to help patients manage the chronic autoimmune disease lupus, but some are already complaining the drug is harder to come by.
Fact check: death toll will be under 100,000 in the USFact check: death toll will be under 100,000 in the US
Trump said his government’s aggressive strategy had saved “countless lives and that great progress is being made. He claimed that the final death toll would be substantially under 100,000.Trump said his government’s aggressive strategy had saved “countless lives and that great progress is being made. He claimed that the final death toll would be substantially under 100,000.
Last week, the Whitehouse task force experts estimated the final death toll would likely be between 100,000 and 220,000 based on modelling.Last week, the Whitehouse task force experts estimated the final death toll would likely be between 100,000 and 220,000 based on modelling.
This week, the main model used lowered the estimated expected deaths toll by August to 60,400. But, Dr Fauci and others have warned that this depends on strict social distancing being implemented for months.This week, the main model used lowered the estimated expected deaths toll by August to 60,400. But, Dr Fauci and others have warned that this depends on strict social distancing being implemented for months.
The current death toll stands at 17,831.The current death toll stands at 17,831.
Trump ticked off a number of areas around the country that have seen welcome declines on the coronavirus pandemic. He said “Detroit has really started to go up and now it is stabilizing.” He said he spoke with Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards and that New Orleans and the state is less in need of hospital beds.Trump ticked off a number of areas around the country that have seen welcome declines on the coronavirus pandemic. He said “Detroit has really started to go up and now it is stabilizing.” He said he spoke with Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards and that New Orleans and the state is less in need of hospital beds.
And in Washington state Trump said “we’re making enough progress that the governor is able to return an army field hospital so we’re going to take that hospital.”And in Washington state Trump said “we’re making enough progress that the governor is able to return an army field hospital so we’re going to take that hospital.”
Fact check: Mexican troops at the border wallFact check: Mexican troops at the border wall
Trump thanked president of Mexico, Andre Manuel Lopez Obredor for sending 27,000 troops to the Mexico-US border.Trump thanked president of Mexico, Andre Manuel Lopez Obredor for sending 27,000 troops to the Mexico-US border.
Fact: in January Amlo announced that 15,000 military and national guard would be deployed to the northern border. Around 6,500 others are deployed to Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala.Fact: in January Amlo announced that 15,000 military and national guard would be deployed to the northern border. Around 6,500 others are deployed to Mexico’s southern border with Guatemala.
The Coronavirus Task Force press conference has begun. President Trump is here again. He began his remarks recounting his conversation with Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador on oil.The Coronavirus Task Force press conference has begun. President Trump is here again. He began his remarks recounting his conversation with Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador on oil.
Then he pivoted to coronavirus.Then he pivoted to coronavirus.
“Tremedous progress is being made. I just spoke with Governor Cuomo, we had a good talk,” Trump said. He said the numbers of death are “horrible.” “Now on the other side we have the number of beds being used, we were just saying are being substantially reduced.”“Tremedous progress is being made. I just spoke with Governor Cuomo, we had a good talk,” Trump said. He said the numbers of death are “horrible.” “Now on the other side we have the number of beds being used, we were just saying are being substantially reduced.”
Trump added: “We’re saving hundreds of lives compared to what it could have been.”Trump added: “We’re saving hundreds of lives compared to what it could have been.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, urged caution even as some parts of New York hit hardest by coronavirus begin to recover.Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, urged caution even as some parts of New York hit hardest by coronavirus begin to recover.
Via Reuters:Via Reuters:
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 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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
Cuomo: We are flattening the curve
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:
“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.
“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.”
“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.
“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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”