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/14/coronavirus-us-live-donald-trump-briefing-deaths-rise-cuomo-fauci-latest-news-updates
The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 19 | Version 20 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus US live: Trump halts funding to World Health Organization | Coronavirus US live: Trump halts funding to World Health Organization |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Funding will be cut off while the US conducts a ‘review’ investigation, US president says | |
| Fact check: Economy | |
| The US has “the greatest economy anywhere in the world,” Trump boasted. “The greatest economy in the history of the world.” | |
| This is false. While the economy was doing well before the pandemic struck, there have been periods when it was doing even better. And economist say that the threat of a trade war with China, tension in the middle east and the Federal Reserve’s slashing of interest rates were early signs that trouble was brewing even before the coronavirus crisis. | |
| In 2019, the GDP has an average growth rate for 2.3%. Under the Obama administration, the growth rate was at a peak of 5.5% during the second quarter of 2014. During the 50s and 60s, the growth rate was even better. | |
| Fact check: ICU beds | |
| “The United States has far more ICU beds per capita than any other nation,” Trump said. This is true based on a 2012 study. But more data on intensive care unit (ICU) capacity is not readily available. | |
| Adam Boehler, a friend of Jared Kushner and administration official spoke briefly at the podium. “There are over 60,000 ventilators at hospitals that are not in use,” he said – so the government has launched a program to move ventilators where they’re needed. “There has been no American who has needed a ventilator that hasn’t recieved one,” Boehler said. | |
| We’re working on fact-checking Boehler’s absolute claim – it’s nearly impossible to verify (though if you, reader, have heard of anyone being denied – please reach out on Twitter @maanvisings). In the meantime, here’s what we know about ventilator shortages in the US: | |
| It is true that some states, so far, have ended up with more ventilators than they originally projected they would need. California has loaned 500 ventilators to states like New York. California hospitals managed to increase their stock from 7,500 machines to more than 11,000, according to the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom. “That has put less strain and pressure on the state’s effort to procure additional ventilators,” Newsom said. | |
| However, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a national shortage. The US has roughly 173,000 ventilators, according to the Center for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University. Experts from Harvard Medical School predict that the US could end up needing 31 times that number to treat coronavirus patients. | |
| 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 U.S. 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.” | |
| Trump also based the WHO for praising China’s “transparency”. | |
| But the president himself praised China’s transparency — on January 24. | |
| “China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency,” he tweeted. “It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!” | |
| Trump said that the WHO at some point implied that the coronavirus was “not communicable” — there is no evidence that the organization did that. | |
| He also said “there was credible” information in December to suspect human-to-human transmission and the WHO did not respond appropriately. “So much death has been caused by their mistakes,” he said. | |
| But Trump himself ignored and undermined the severity of the crisis well into March. | |
| The president was warned at the end of January by one of his top White House advisers that coronavirus had the potential to kill hundreds of thousands of Americans and derail the US economy, unless tough action were taken immediately, new memos have revealed. | |
| The memos were written by Trump’s economic adviser, Peter Navarro, and circulated via the National Security Council widely around the White House and federal agencies. They show that even within the Trump administration alarm bells were ringing by late January, at a time when the president was consistently downplaying the threat of Covid-19. | |
| Moreover, the US intelligence community, public health experts and officials in Trump’s own administration had warned for years that the country was at risk from a pandemic, including specific warnings about a coronavirus outbreak. | |
| An October 2019 draft report by the Department of Health and Human Services, obtained by the New York Times: “drove home just how underfunded, underprepared and uncoordinated the federal government would be for a life-or-death battle with a virus for which no treatment existed,” the Times reported. | |
| Read more: | |
| The missing six weeks: | |
| Fact check: WHO | |
| Trump has accused the WHO of “severely mismanaging and covering up” the coronavirus crisis. | |
| The WHO has been criticized for a 14 January tweet, which Trump has referenced, that noted that a preliminary investigation by Chinese officials found no evidence of human-to-human transmission. However, by 30 January, the organization declared coronavirus a “public health emergency”, and went on to declare a pandemic on 11 March after numerous countries - including the US and UK - failed to follow its advice. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke of “alarming levels of inaction” from many countries. | |
| The WHO “has been drained of power and resources”, said Richard Horton, editor of the influential medical journal the Lancet. “Its coordinating authority and capacity are weak. Its ability to direct an international response to a life-threatening epidemic is non-existent.” | |
| The Trump administration and the president himself repeatedly played down the crisis - specifically downplaying the threat to the US, inaccurately compared it to the flu and told his supporters that growing worries about the coronavirus was a “hoax”. | |
| By the time Trump announced travel restrictions from China on 31 January, most major airlines had already suspended flights, following the lead of several major international carriers that had stopped due to the outbreak. In late February, the president said the spread of Covid-19 in the US was not inevitable and the danger to Americans “remains very low”. He predicted that the number of cases diagnosed in the country, just 15 that time, could fall to zero in “a few days”. | |
| Read more here on why WHO’s responsibility far outweighs its power and capacity: | |
| Funding will be cut off to the World Health Organization while the US conducts a “review” investigation, Trump said. | |
| “Today I’m instructing my administration to stop funding of the WHO while a review is conducted to assess the WHO’s role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the Coronavirus,” the president said. | |
| The WHO has become a frequent scapegoat recently. Today he said the organization has “problems the likes of which no one can believe.” | |
| The president and vice president have arrived at the White House Rose Garden. | The president and vice president have arrived at the White House Rose Garden. |
| Warren urges safe voting in November | Warren urges safe voting in November |
| Massachusetts Senator and former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren is concerned about voters being able to make their choice safely this November. Meanwhile, some Americans think the 2020 election should already be postponed. | Massachusetts Senator and former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren is concerned about voters being able to make their choice safely this November. Meanwhile, some Americans think the 2020 election should already be postponed. |
| Still waiting... | Still waiting... |
| Between 10 and 20 percent of coronavirus cases are health workers, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But doctors, nurses and other medical professionals infected with the virus tended to be hospitalized at lower rates than other patients. | Between 10 and 20 percent of coronavirus cases are health workers, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But doctors, nurses and other medical professionals infected with the virus tended to be hospitalized at lower rates than other patients. |
| Here’s more from the AP: | Here’s more from the AP: |
| White House coronavirus briefing shortly | White House coronavirus briefing shortly |
| We’re awaiting Donald Trump and his coronavirus task force’s regular press/public briefing, which was due to begin at 5pm ET but, as is becoming very typical, running late. | We’re awaiting Donald Trump and his coronavirus task force’s regular press/public briefing, which was due to begin at 5pm ET but, as is becoming very typical, running late. |
| Yesterday it kicked off at around 5.50pm and lasted almost two and a half hours, probably a record. It was also extraordinary. | Yesterday it kicked off at around 5.50pm and lasted almost two and a half hours, probably a record. It was also extraordinary. |
| Tonight it’s planned to take place in the rose garden at the White House. Reporters are already in place on spaced-out chairs on the lawn. | Tonight it’s planned to take place in the rose garden at the White House. Reporters are already in place on spaced-out chairs on the lawn. |
| Sometimes it starts at 5.15, sometimes 5.25....so do stick around. We’ll have a live feed, live-blogging and some contemporaneous fact-checking, and other coverage. | Sometimes it starts at 5.15, sometimes 5.25....so do stick around. We’ll have a live feed, live-blogging and some contemporaneous fact-checking, and other coverage. |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | 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: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| The US coronavirus death toll has surpassed 25,000. The US has confirmed nearly 600,000 cases of coronavirus across the country, and 25,239 Americans have died of the virus. | The US coronavirus death toll has surpassed 25,000. The US has confirmed nearly 600,000 cases of coronavirus across the country, and 25,239 Americans have died of the virus. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo said Trump was “clearly spoiling for a fight” on reopening the economy. Cuomo said Trump’s claim that he has “total” authority to reopen the economy is “factually wrong,” and the governor emphasized he would not be pressured into reopening the economy before it was safe to do so. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo said Trump was “clearly spoiling for a fight” on reopening the economy. Cuomo said Trump’s claim that he has “total” authority to reopen the economy is “factually wrong,” and the governor emphasized he would not be pressured into reopening the economy before it was safe to do so. |
| California governor Gavin Newsom established criteria for reopening the economy. Newsom declined to set a date for relaxing California’s stay-at-home order, but he said the state needs to expand testing and develop a system for contact tracing before restrictions can be eased. | California governor Gavin Newsom established criteria for reopening the economy. Newsom declined to set a date for relaxing California’s stay-at-home order, but he said the state needs to expand testing and develop a system for contact tracing before restrictions can be eased. |
| Barack Obama officially endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential bid. Obama said Biden “has all the qualities we need in a president right now,” and he indicated he would soon stump for his former vice president on the campaign trail. | Barack Obama officially endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential bid. Obama said Biden “has all the qualities we need in a president right now,” and he indicated he would soon stump for his former vice president on the campaign trail. |
| Dr Anthony Fauci said the country would likely not be ready to start reopening the economy in the next couple of weeks. The infectious disease expert emphasized that the nation needed to develop a robust system to test and track coronavirus patients before easing social distancing guidelines. “We have to have something in place that is efficient and that we can rely on, and we’re not there yet,” Fauci said. | Dr Anthony Fauci said the country would likely not be ready to start reopening the economy in the next couple of weeks. The infectious disease expert emphasized that the nation needed to develop a robust system to test and track coronavirus patients before easing social distancing guidelines. “We have to have something in place that is efficient and that we can rely on, and we’re not there yet,” Fauci said. |
| Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| The 2017 sale of Republican senator Richard Burr’s Washington town home to a lobbyist and longtime donor is attracting scutiny. | The 2017 sale of Republican senator Richard Burr’s Washington town home to a lobbyist and longtime donor is attracting scutiny. |
| ProPublica reports: | ProPublica reports: |
| If Green purchased the home at an above market price, it could be considered a gift to Burr, which could run afoul of Senate ethics rules. | If Green purchased the home at an above market price, it could be considered a gift to Burr, which could run afoul of Senate ethics rules. |
| Burr recently attracted ethical scrutiny for his stock activity in February, when he was receiving briefings on the coronavirus outbreak, which raised concerns that he had attempted to profit off a public health emergency. | Burr recently attracted ethical scrutiny for his stock activity in February, when he was receiving briefings on the coronavirus outbreak, which raised concerns that he had attempted to profit off a public health emergency. |
| Moreover, there’s this! | Moreover, there’s this! |
| If you need to know who Carole Baskin, of Tiger King fame/infamy is, cast your eye over this: | If you need to know who Carole Baskin, of Tiger King fame/infamy is, cast your eye over this: |
| New York City’s coronavirus death toll surged past 10,000 after officials added in people who were suspected to have died of the virus but were never tested. | New York City’s coronavirus death toll surged past 10,000 after officials added in people who were suspected to have died of the virus but were never tested. |
| The New York Times reports: | The New York Times reports: |
| New York state already accounted for about 40% of all coronavirus deaths in the country, with governor Andrew Cuomo saying today that the state’s death toll has reached 10,834. | New York state already accounted for about 40% of all coronavirus deaths in the country, with governor Andrew Cuomo saying today that the state’s death toll has reached 10,834. |
| The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest from California: | The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest from California: |
| California governor Gavin Newsom unveiled the plan to reopen the economy as the state experienced a record number of covid-related deaths: 758. | California governor Gavin Newsom unveiled the plan to reopen the economy as the state experienced a record number of covid-related deaths: 758. |
| State models still predict that California will experience its peak in hospitalizations mid-May. “We are sober about the fact that we’re still seeing in increase, modest though it may be, in hospitalizations,” Newsom said. “We are not out of the woods yet. We are not spiking the ball yet. But we are also acknowledging that this is not going to be a permanent state.” | State models still predict that California will experience its peak in hospitalizations mid-May. “We are sober about the fact that we’re still seeing in increase, modest though it may be, in hospitalizations,” Newsom said. “We are not out of the woods yet. We are not spiking the ball yet. But we are also acknowledging that this is not going to be a permanent state.” |
| Newsom warned that even when he modifies the order and the state is allowed to return to “normal,” the new normal may still be different. Waiters at restaurants may wear masks and gloves. Gatherings of more than 100 will still be unlikely without a vaccine. | Newsom warned that even when he modifies the order and the state is allowed to return to “normal,” the new normal may still be different. Waiters at restaurants may wear masks and gloves. Gatherings of more than 100 will still be unlikely without a vaccine. |
| “There’s no light switch here,” he said. “I would argue it’s more like a dimmer.” He predicted in two weeks, should the state see a continual decline in hospitalizations, he may have a better idea of when he may begin modifying the order. | “There’s no light switch here,” he said. “I would argue it’s more like a dimmer.” He predicted in two weeks, should the state see a continual decline in hospitalizations, he may have a better idea of when he may begin modifying the order. |
| “We can’t get ahead of ourselves,” Newsom said. “Let’s not make a mistake of pulling the plug too early, as much as we all want to. I don’t want to make a political decision that puts people’s lives at risk, puts the economy at risk.” | “We can’t get ahead of ourselves,” Newsom said. “Let’s not make a mistake of pulling the plug too early, as much as we all want to. I don’t want to make a political decision that puts people’s lives at risk, puts the economy at risk.” |
| The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest from California: | The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest from California: |
| California governor Gavin Newsom provided a pragmatic glimpse into the future of the state on Tuesday, admitting that though there was no specific timeline for when he will lift the stay-at-home order, “there is a ray of optimism that this too shall pass.” | California governor Gavin Newsom provided a pragmatic glimpse into the future of the state on Tuesday, admitting that though there was no specific timeline for when he will lift the stay-at-home order, “there is a ray of optimism that this too shall pass.” |
| California is preparing to enter a new “optimistic” phase of the coronavirus crisis, one where “we begin to transition into suppression, ultimately on our way to herd immunity and ultimately to a vaccine,” Newsom said. It’s in this phase that conversations about reopening the state and returning to normal operations will begin, he said. | California is preparing to enter a new “optimistic” phase of the coronavirus crisis, one where “we begin to transition into suppression, ultimately on our way to herd immunity and ultimately to a vaccine,” Newsom said. It’s in this phase that conversations about reopening the state and returning to normal operations will begin, he said. |
| “This phase is one where science, where public health, not politics, must be the guide,” Newsom said. | “This phase is one where science, where public health, not politics, must be the guide,” Newsom said. |
| He outlined the six indicators that the state must consider before modifying the stay-at-home order: | He outlined the six indicators that the state must consider before modifying the stay-at-home order: |
| The ability to expand testing and address contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed. | The ability to expand testing and address contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed. |
| The ability to protect the most vulnerable populations - seniors, the homeless, and those with underlying medical conditions - from infection and spread. | The ability to protect the most vulnerable populations - seniors, the homeless, and those with underlying medical conditions - from infection and spread. |
| The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges. | The ability of the hospital and health systems to handle surges. |
| The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand. | The ability to develop therapeutics to meet the demand. |
| The ability for businesses, schools, parks, playgrounds, child care facilities and coastlines to support physical distancing. | The ability for businesses, schools, parks, playgrounds, child care facilities and coastlines to support physical distancing. |
| The ability to determine when to reinstitute “more vigorous controls”, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary. | The ability to determine when to reinstitute “more vigorous controls”, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary. |
| At a Pentagon briefing today, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen Mark Milley, was asked about reports and rumours that the coronavirus could have originated in a Chinese laboratory. | At a Pentagon briefing today, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen Mark Milley, was asked about reports and rumours that the coronavirus could have originated in a Chinese laboratory. |
| Republican senator Tom Cotton has raised the possibility that the outbreak could have come from a safety lapse at a microbiology lab, or might even be engineered as a bioweapon. The Washington Post foreign affairs columnist Josh Rogin reported today about state department cables from 2018 in which US diplomats expressed concern about safety at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which was conducting studies on bat-borne coronavirus strains. | Republican senator Tom Cotton has raised the possibility that the outbreak could have come from a safety lapse at a microbiology lab, or might even be engineered as a bioweapon. The Washington Post foreign affairs columnist Josh Rogin reported today about state department cables from 2018 in which US diplomats expressed concern about safety at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which was conducting studies on bat-borne coronavirus strains. |
| “There’s a lot of rumour and speculation in a wide variety of media, blog sites, etc,” Milley told reporters. “It should be no surprise to you that we’ve taken a keen interest in that, and we’ve had a lot of intelligence look at that. And I would just say at this point, it’s inconclusive, although the weight of evidence seems to indicate natural. But we don’t know for certain.” | “There’s a lot of rumour and speculation in a wide variety of media, blog sites, etc,” Milley told reporters. “It should be no surprise to you that we’ve taken a keen interest in that, and we’ve had a lot of intelligence look at that. And I would just say at this point, it’s inconclusive, although the weight of evidence seems to indicate natural. But we don’t know for certain.” |
| A Pew Research Center poll released yesterday showed that about a third of Americans believe coronavirus was most likely created by humans in a laboratory, while 43% say it most likely came about naturally. | A Pew Research Center poll released yesterday showed that about a third of Americans believe coronavirus was most likely created by humans in a laboratory, while 43% say it most likely came about naturally. |