This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/apr/13/coronavirus-us-live-donald-trump-anthony-fauci-new-york-times-report-social-distancing-deaths-latest-news-updates

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 15 Version 16
Coronavirus US live: Trump attacks media in combative briefing with few virus updates Coronavirus US live: Trump attacks media in combative briefing with few virus updates
(32 minutes later)
‘I don’t mind controversy,’ US president says in White House briefing on coronavirus crisis‘I don’t mind controversy,’ US president says in White House briefing on coronavirus crisis
Jill Karofsky, a liberal judge in Wisconsin, won a stunning victory Monday over Daniel Kelly, a conservative justice who had been endorsed by Donald Trump, the Guardian’s Sam Levine reports.
Karofsky, a circuit court judge in liberal Dane County, won even after Wisconsin Republicans refused a last-minute request to delay the election forced Wisconsin voters to go to the polls in the middle of a pandemic. Many saw the decision as a blatant effort to try and keep turnout low, which would have benefitted Kelly. Karofsky’s victory narrows the conservative majority on the Wisconsin supreme court to 4-3. The body is expected to take up a number of high profile cases in the near future, such as a dispute over whether more than 200,000 voters should be removed from the rolls and partisan gerrymandering.
Dr Fauci admitted that the coronavirus “was much worse what I had thought it was going to be”, he said. “Maybe I should have been able to realize that earlier and said ‘Whoah,’ this is really worse than we could have imagined.”
Mike Pence said he and the team are going to now “lean into the effort” to ramp up testing and get hospitals the supplies to treat the sick and keep health workers safe.
“When you have conversations with the president, sometimes they really have to be confidential,” Dr Fauci said when asked if he’s willing to publicly contradict Trump if he advocates for unsafe policies.
“I’ll have to think about that,” Fauci said, adding that he’s confident the president will defer to public health experts’ guidance.
Dr Deborah Birx noted that the US has significantly ramped up testing in recent days. “In three weeks, we went from 300,000 tests to 3m tests,” she said. “We know that we have to further increase that.” A team is mapping the testing capacity is across the country, she added.Dr Deborah Birx noted that the US has significantly ramped up testing in recent days. “In three weeks, we went from 300,000 tests to 3m tests,” she said. “We know that we have to further increase that.” A team is mapping the testing capacity is across the country, she added.
President Trump has left the briefing room, leaving the public health experts to answer questions. We’ll have more on updates from Drs Birx and Fauci. Trump has left the briefing room, leaving the public health experts to answer questions. We’ll have more on updates from Drs Birx and Fauci.
But first, let’s revisit that campaign-ad style video that Trump played earlier today. As ABC’s Will Steakin demonstrates — it’s almost identical to a campaign ad from a few weeks ago. But first, let’s revisit that campaign-ad style video that Trump played earlier today. As ABC’s Will Steakin demonstrates – it’s almost identical to a campaign ad from a few weeks ago.
Fact Check: Even more, yet, on presidential authorityFact Check: Even more, yet, on presidential authority
As we’ve noted several times today, Trump’s claims that he has “total” authority as president are false. And as we’ve already noted, these claims contradict not only constitutional scholars but also Trump himself. The president has repeatedly deferred responsibility to state leaders – directing governors to declare sheltering orders, acquire medical equipment and oversee the safety of their constituents.As we’ve noted several times today, Trump’s claims that he has “total” authority as president are false. And as we’ve already noted, these claims contradict not only constitutional scholars but also Trump himself. The president has repeatedly deferred responsibility to state leaders – directing governors to declare sheltering orders, acquire medical equipment and oversee the safety of their constituents.
“At the president’s direction, the White House Coronavirus task force will continue to take the posture that we will defer to state and local health authorities on any measures that they deem appropriate,” Mike Pence said during the briefing on 1 April.“At the president’s direction, the White House Coronavirus task force will continue to take the posture that we will defer to state and local health authorities on any measures that they deem appropriate,” Mike Pence said during the briefing on 1 April.
During today’s coronavirus briefing, Trump said that making sure sick Americans have hospital beds and ventilators is “not even really our responsibility”, and noted that state can and should purchase their own medical equipment.During today’s coronavirus briefing, Trump said that making sure sick Americans have hospital beds and ventilators is “not even really our responsibility”, and noted that state can and should purchase their own medical equipment.
His claim to “total” authority is at odds with his claim that it’s not totally his job to oversee the coronavirus response.His claim to “total” authority is at odds with his claim that it’s not totally his job to oversee the coronavirus response.
Fact check: Antibody testsFact check: Antibody tests
“It’s a test that’s been going along for many many years, except now we have very modern, very incredible versions of it,” Trump said about antibody test to check if a patient has contracted coronavirus and developed an immunity to it. The president’s comment doesn’t make much sense in this case.“It’s a test that’s been going along for many many years, except now we have very modern, very incredible versions of it,” Trump said about antibody test to check if a patient has contracted coronavirus and developed an immunity to it. The president’s comment doesn’t make much sense in this case.
The US, like many other countries, is developing and rolling out antibody tests.The US, like many other countries, is developing and rolling out antibody tests.
“It’s really important to test for immunity,” Robert Siegel, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University, told the Guardian. People who are immune could return to work without endangering themselves or others. “They could more safely work as frontline healthcare providers,” Siegel said.“It’s really important to test for immunity,” Robert Siegel, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford University, told the Guardian. People who are immune could return to work without endangering themselves or others. “They could more safely work as frontline healthcare providers,” Siegel said.
Although antibody tests for other diseases like malaria already exist, Covid-19 is a new disease that emerged just a few months ago — so the tests that are being developed to detect immunity to the new illness are, well, new. And the many versions of these new tests being developed around the world are still being vetted for their accuracy.Although antibody tests for other diseases like malaria already exist, Covid-19 is a new disease that emerged just a few months ago — so the tests that are being developed to detect immunity to the new illness are, well, new. And the many versions of these new tests being developed around the world are still being vetted for their accuracy.
Fact check: Even more on presidential authoritiesFact check: Even more on presidential authorities
Trump said he was confident that states would follow his administration’s guidance on when to re-open businesses and ease back distancing measures. “They will cooperate perfectly. Watch,” he said.Trump said he was confident that states would follow his administration’s guidance on when to re-open businesses and ease back distancing measures. “They will cooperate perfectly. Watch,” he said.
But states have already made other ideas. Today, the governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware and Connecticut announced they had formed a regional advisory council. New York governor Andrew Cuomo said each state would name a public health official and an economic development official to serve on a working group alongside each governor’s chief of staff to design a “reopening plan” for their states. Shortly afterward, the states of California, Washington and Oregon announced a similar plan.But states have already made other ideas. Today, the governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware and Connecticut announced they had formed a regional advisory council. New York governor Andrew Cuomo said each state would name a public health official and an economic development official to serve on a working group alongside each governor’s chief of staff to design a “reopening plan” for their states. Shortly afterward, the states of California, Washington and Oregon announced a similar plan.
Fact check: HydroxychloroquineFact check: Hydroxychloroquine
Earlier in the briefing, Trump talked about a “friend” who treated himself with hydroxychloroquine and got better. We’ve noted this before, but at this point, hydroxychloroquine is not a proven treatment for Covid-19.Earlier in the briefing, Trump talked about a “friend” who treated himself with hydroxychloroquine and got better. We’ve noted this before, but at this point, hydroxychloroquine is not a proven treatment for Covid-19.
In the week beginning 30 March, 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 30 March, 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 a 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 a 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.
Read more:Read more:
Does Mike Pence agree with Trump’s understanding of federalism and agree that the president has “total” authority?Does Mike Pence agree with Trump’s understanding of federalism and agree that the president has “total” authority?
He evaded the question.He evaded the question.
“I support the president’s leadership under the National Emergency Declaration that he signed,” Pence said. “We’re standing before you today for the first time in American history when all 50 states have issued emergency declarations.”“I support the president’s leadership under the National Emergency Declaration that he signed,” Pence said. “We’re standing before you today for the first time in American history when all 50 states have issued emergency declarations.”
The president said that he’ll decide by the end of the week whether the US will continue to fund the World Health Organization (WHO). The international body has been a frequent scapegoat for Trump, who blames WHO officials for the severity of the pandemic.
Read more here on why WHO’s responsibility far outweighs its power and capacity:
Fact check: Presidential powers, again
A president’s “authority is total”, Trump said. State and local officials “can’t do anything without the approval of the president of the United States”.
This is false. Federal power is divided between three branches of government – the legislative, the judicial and the executive. The president is part of the latter. Moreover, the US is a federal system – where state officials have significant authority.
Read the White House’s own explainer on how the government here. The section on state governments reads:
Fact check: Testing
“We inherited broken testing,” Trump said. It’s unclear from whom Trump is saying the US inherited faulty tests. Covid-19 did not emerge until recently, so there’s no way the previous administration could have overseen the development of a test.
The testing template that the World Health Organization (WHO) provided was sound. And in fact, some of the initial coronavirus tests developed and administered in US were seriously flawed. Part of the problem came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shunned the WHO template and insisted on developing a more complicated version that correctly identified Covid-19, but also flagged other viruses —resulting in false positives.
Donald Trump will decide whether he wants to ease back distancing and reopen businesses by 1 May, “later this week”, Mnuchin said. “Of course there’s economic risks in both directions,” the Treasury secretary noted.
Asked again what authority he has to compel states to reopen businesses and reverse stay-at-home orders, Trump said, “numerous provisions”. Again, constitutional scholars disagree.
Even Trump – from earlier this month – disagrees. He refused to institute a national sheltering order, saying it should be up to the states.
But if local officials attempt to resist his wishes to reopen the economy, Trump said their political careers would suffer. “I’d like to see that person run for election,” the president said.
Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, said that Americans should be receiving their stimulus checks this week. More than 80 million Americans will get their payments by Wednesday, via direct deposit, he noted. “We want to do as much of this electronically as we can.”
Fact check: presidential powers
“I have the ultimate authority” to re-open the country and scale back distancing measures, Trump claimed. He was wrong.
That is not correct. University of Texas law professor Steve Vladeck has countered that: “The president has no formal legal authority to categorically override local or state shelter-in-place orders or to reopen schools and small businesses. No statute delegates to him such power; no constitutional provision invests him with such authority.”
Trump himself has said that state governors are — and should be — ultimately responsible for managing state shelter-in-place orders.
When previously asked about whether he would issue a national stay at home order, the president repeatedly deferred to the governors.
Today, the governors of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware and Connecticut announced they had formed a regional advisory council. New York governor Andrew Cuomo said each state would name a public health official and an economic development official to serve on a working group alongside each governor’s chief of staff to design a “reopening plan” for their states.
Shortly afterward, the states of California, Washington and Oregon announced a similar plan.
Fact check: national stockpile
“We inherited a stockpile where the cupboards were bare,” Trump said, seeking to blame the Obama administration for a lack of adequate resources tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
In fact, it seems that the stockpile was plenty stocked before Trump took office. Although the National Strategic Stockpile is a bit mysterious – it’s unclear where exactly the government has stashed supplies, and the stockpile’s contents aren’t generally public disclosed – an NPR reporter was able to visit one warehouse facility in June 2016, just a few months before Trump was inaugurated. “Shelves packed with stuff stand so tall that looking up makes me dizzy,” NPR’s Nell Greenfieldboyce observed at the time.
“There are rows upon rows of ventilators that could keep sick or injured people breathing...Everything here has to be inventoried once a year, and expiration dates have to be checked. Just tending to this vast stash costs a bundle – the stockpile program’s budget is more than half a billion dollars a year.”
Making sure sick Americans have hospital beds and ventilators is “not even really our responsibility”, Trump said. The federal government has helped out regardless, he added – “even though we’re plateauing” and the US won’t end up needing all the ventilators, beds and other resources the US has stockpiled.
These claims are not true. Stay tuned for more fact checks.
Over and over again, Trump is touting his travel restrictions, which he’s referring to as a “ban on China” as evidence that he acted early, and saved lives. We’ve already fact-checked this claim, below — there’s no evidence that the travel restrictions would have made a difference because they were enacted after the virus was already spreading within the US.
Moreover, the administration’s travel policy did not “ban” travel to and from China. Although non-US citizens were prohibited from entering the country if they had traveled to China within the previous two weeks, American citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members were exempt.
Per a New York Times analysis, “Since Chinese officials disclosed the outbreak of a mysterious pneumonialike illness to international health officials on New Year’s Eve, at least 430,000 people have arrived in the United States on direct flights from China, including nearly 40,000 in the two months after President Trump imposed restrictions on such travel, according to an analysis of data collected in both countries.”