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Coronavirus US live: Cuomo says New York is controlling spread but 'we're still in the woods' Coronavirus US live: Cuomo says New York is controlling spread but 'we're still in the woods'
(32 minutes later)
New York governor says state will have a ‘phased re-opening’ with a priority on public health in steps to re-open economy New York governor says state will have a ‘phased re-opening’ with a priority on public health, and issues executive order on wearing masks
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said his executive order would require residents to wear masks whenever six feet of distance cannot be maintained.
Cuomo named public transportation as one example of a place where masks must now be worn. The governor said a face covering is not required if a New Yorker is going for a walk in an isolated area, but it would be required if the person was going to be walking on a street with other people nearby.
This would effectively require residents of New York City to wear masks at all times when they are outdoors, considering the city has a population of 8 million people.
Cuomo said there would be no civil penalty for violating the order, but it is possible that could change.
In another sign of New York flattening the curve, governor Andrew Cuomo said the state would give 150 ventilators to other states.
Cuomo announced New York would send 100 ventilators to Michigan and 50 to Maryland, as the two states see a surge in coronavirus cases.
Cuomo previously asked states to send medical equipment and staff to New York as it experienced its surge, promising to return the favor once the curve flattened, and it now appears he is.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said he would issue an executive order on wearing masks in places where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Cuomo said all New Yorkers must have a face covering, and it must be worn when six feet of distance cannot be maintained, such as on subways.
A number of state and local leaders have now issued orders on wearing face coverings, particularly at essential businesses like grocery stores.
As New York looks toward a “phased reopening” of the economy, governor Andrew Cuomo established criteria for determining when businesses could reopen.
Cuomo said decisions about reopening would be made based on how essential the business is and whether the business poses a high risk of infection spread.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said medical professionals and other essential employers serving on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis would receive priority once a system for antibody testing is developed.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo emphasized that the federal government needs to play a pivotal role in expanding testing capacity.
“The states cannot develop national testing,” Cuomo said. “We need the federal government to be part of this.”
After spending weeks emphasizing the need to obtain more ventilators, the governor said the focus now must turn to expanding testing capacity to move toward reopening state economies.
“The answer on testing isn’t what happened on ventilators,” Cuomo said, once again criticizing the lack of national coordination on getting ventilators to the hardest hit states.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the state would have a “phased reopening” as it looks toward relaxing social distancing.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the state would have a “phased reopening” as it looks toward relaxing social distancing.
But the governor emphasized the priority would be public health as the state takes steps to start reopening the economy.But the governor emphasized the priority would be public health as the state takes steps to start reopening the economy.
Cuomo said New York could see a surge of new coronavirus cases once social distancing is relaxed, so the state needs to be prepared for that by scaling up its testing capacities.Cuomo said New York could see a surge of new coronavirus cases once social distancing is relaxed, so the state needs to be prepared for that by scaling up its testing capacities.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said that the state will continue grappling with its coronavirus crisis until a vaccine is developed.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said that the state will continue grappling with its coronavirus crisis until a vaccine is developed.
“It’s over when we have a vaccine,” Cuomo said, noting that a vaccine will likely not be developed for another 12 to 18 months.“It’s over when we have a vaccine,” Cuomo said, noting that a vaccine will likely not be developed for another 12 to 18 months.
Cuomo acknowledged he has received many questions about when social distancing will come to an end, but he has said he is hesitant to relax restrictions until the virus is more under control.Cuomo acknowledged he has received many questions about when social distancing will come to an end, but he has said he is hesitant to relax restrictions until the virus is more under control.
Coronavirus hospitaizations are slightly down in New York, governor Andrew Cuomo announced at his daily briefing on the state’s response to the pandemic.Coronavirus hospitaizations are slightly down in New York, governor Andrew Cuomo announced at his daily briefing on the state’s response to the pandemic.
But Cuomo emphasized 2,000 new people were still hospitalized with the virus yesterday, showing the state is not yet out of the woods. “We’re still in the woods,” Cuomo said. “We can control the spread. That is great news.”But Cuomo emphasized 2,000 new people were still hospitalized with the virus yesterday, showing the state is not yet out of the woods. “We’re still in the woods,” Cuomo said. “We can control the spread. That is great news.”
New York’s coronavirus death toll continues to climb, and the state’s daily death toll has remained flat over the past week. Cuomo announced 752 New Yorkers died of the virus yesterday, similar to Tuesday’s figure of 778.New York’s coronavirus death toll continues to climb, and the state’s daily death toll has remained flat over the past week. Cuomo announced 752 New Yorkers died of the virus yesterday, similar to Tuesday’s figure of 778.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the city’s stay-at-home order through at least May 15, ordering schools and non-essential businesses to remain closed for another month.DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the city’s stay-at-home order through at least May 15, ordering schools and non-essential businesses to remain closed for another month.
“I don’t know that that means we are going to be open on May the 16th,” Bowser said at her daily briefing. “But it will be a point for us to check in and if we need to extend it beyond that, we certainly will.”“I don’t know that that means we are going to be open on May the 16th,” Bowser said at her daily briefing. “But it will be a point for us to check in and if we need to extend it beyond that, we certainly will.”
Bowser also announced she was expanding the city’s order on wearing face coverings to include hotels and taxi and ride-share trips. They mayor previously announced DC residents would be required to wear face coverings at grocery stores.Bowser also announced she was expanding the city’s order on wearing face coverings to include hotels and taxi and ride-share trips. They mayor previously announced DC residents would be required to wear face coverings at grocery stores.
DC has confirmed 2,201 cases of coronavirus and has recorded 73 deaths from the virus, while neighboring Maryland and Virginia have collectively confirmed more than 16,000 cases. Health experts have warned the Washington metropolitan area is an emerging hot spot of coronavirus cases.DC has confirmed 2,201 cases of coronavirus and has recorded 73 deaths from the virus, while neighboring Maryland and Virginia have collectively confirmed more than 16,000 cases. Health experts have warned the Washington metropolitan area is an emerging hot spot of coronavirus cases.
After scoring back-t0-back endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Barack Obama and Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden is riding high as the presumptive Democratic nominee. But there’s one prominent Democratic voice still missing: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.After scoring back-t0-back endorsements from Bernie Sanders, Barack Obama and Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden is riding high as the presumptive Democratic nominee. But there’s one prominent Democratic voice still missing: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Earlier this week the New York congresswoman told the New York Times that Biden’s team had not yet reached out and that she found some of his early overtures to progressives - such as lowering the age of Medicare from 65 to 60 – “almost insulting.”Earlier this week the New York congresswoman told the New York Times that Biden’s team had not yet reached out and that she found some of his early overtures to progressives - such as lowering the age of Medicare from 65 to 60 – “almost insulting.”
Days later, a source on the Biden campaign confirms that his team has been in touch with her office to discuss her policy demands. According to Bloomberg, she is seeking concessions on climate, immigration, Puerto Rico and healthcare.Days later, a source on the Biden campaign confirms that his team has been in touch with her office to discuss her policy demands. According to Bloomberg, she is seeking concessions on climate, immigration, Puerto Rico and healthcare.
Ocasio-Cortez’s support could be critical to Biden as he seeks to persuade young, liberal voters, and Latinx voters in particular, to join his campaign.Ocasio-Cortez’s support could be critical to Biden as he seeks to persuade young, liberal voters, and Latinx voters in particular, to join his campaign.
Asked if she would endorse Biden, Ocasio-Cortez said, “I think it’s really important that we rally behind our Democratic nominee in November.”Asked if she would endorse Biden, Ocasio-Cortez said, “I think it’s really important that we rally behind our Democratic nominee in November.”
“Right now just the stakes are too high when it comes to four more years of Trump,” Ocasio-Cortez said on “The View” on Wednesday. “For a lot of communities this is an issue of life and death.”“Right now just the stakes are too high when it comes to four more years of Trump,” Ocasio-Cortez said on “The View” on Wednesday. “For a lot of communities this is an issue of life and death.”
In a “Dear Colleague” letter relased last night, House speaker Nancy Pelosi lambasted Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, arguing his actions had cost some Americans their lives.In a “Dear Colleague” letter relased last night, House speaker Nancy Pelosi lambasted Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, arguing his actions had cost some Americans their lives.
“The truth is that Donald Trump dismantled the infrastructure handed to him which was meant to plan for and overcome a pandemic, resulting in unnecessary deaths and economic disaster,” Pelosi wrote in the letter.“The truth is that Donald Trump dismantled the infrastructure handed to him which was meant to plan for and overcome a pandemic, resulting in unnecessary deaths and economic disaster,” Pelosi wrote in the letter.
“The truth is, from this moment on, Americans must ignore lies and start to listen to scientists and other respected professionals in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”“The truth is, from this moment on, Americans must ignore lies and start to listen to scientists and other respected professionals in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Pelosi also warned that the country still does not have the necessary testing capacity or medical equipment stockpile to weather this crisis, even though it has been a month since Trump declared a national emergency.Pelosi also warned that the country still does not have the necessary testing capacity or medical equipment stockpile to weather this crisis, even though it has been a month since Trump declared a national emergency.
“Once we all share the truth of what took place and what is currently happening, including in our minority communities, we can work together to solve these problems,” Pelosi wrote.“Once we all share the truth of what took place and what is currently happening, including in our minority communities, we can work together to solve these problems,” Pelosi wrote.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi has released a statement condemning Trump’s decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization.House speaker Nancy Pelosi has released a statement condemning Trump’s decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization.
“The President’s halting of funding to the WHO as it leads the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic is senseless,” the Democratic speaker said in a new statement.“The President’s halting of funding to the WHO as it leads the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic is senseless,” the Democratic speaker said in a new statement.
“We can only be successful in defeating this global pandemic through a coordinated international response with respect for science and data,” she added.“We can only be successful in defeating this global pandemic through a coordinated international response with respect for science and data,” she added.
Pelosi indicated congressional Democrats would seek to challenge the decision as a number of world leaders similarly criticize the move. “This decision is dangerous, illegal and will be swiftly challenged,” Pelosi said.Pelosi indicated congressional Democrats would seek to challenge the decision as a number of world leaders similarly criticize the move. “This decision is dangerous, illegal and will be swiftly challenged,” Pelosi said.
The US Chamber of Commerce released a statement criticizing Trump’s decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization.The US Chamber of Commerce released a statement criticizing Trump’s decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization.
“The Chamber supports a reformed but functional World Health Organization, and U.S. leadership and involvement are essential to ensuring its transparency and accountability going forward,” the executive vice president of the lobbying group, Myron Brilliant, said in a statement.“The Chamber supports a reformed but functional World Health Organization, and U.S. leadership and involvement are essential to ensuring its transparency and accountability going forward,” the executive vice president of the lobbying group, Myron Brilliant, said in a statement.
“However, cutting the WHO’s funding during the COVID-19 pandemic is not in U.S. interests given the organization’s critical role assisting other countries — particularly in the developing world — in their response.”“However, cutting the WHO’s funding during the COVID-19 pandemic is not in U.S. interests given the organization’s critical role assisting other countries — particularly in the developing world — in their response.”
A number of world leaders have similarly criticized Trump’s decision, arguing that cutting off funds to the WHO will only make all countries more vulnerable in the middle of a pandemic.A number of world leaders have similarly criticized Trump’s decision, arguing that cutting off funds to the WHO will only make all countries more vulnerable in the middle of a pandemic.
Joe Biden released a statement thanking Elizabeth Warren for her endorsement and suggesting her campaign proposals would be a prominent part of his platform.Joe Biden released a statement thanking Elizabeth Warren for her endorsement and suggesting her campaign proposals would be a prominent part of his platform.
“By centering her campaign in the importance of ideas and comprehensive policy plans, she helped set a high-water mark for what our politics can be at their best — authentic and service-oriented, focused on how we can deliver the most help to the most people,” Biden said in a statement.“By centering her campaign in the importance of ideas and comprehensive policy plans, she helped set a high-water mark for what our politics can be at their best — authentic and service-oriented, focused on how we can deliver the most help to the most people,” Biden said in a statement.
“And I’ve been proud to work with her over the past few weeks to identify and adopt important policy proposals that will strengthen us as a people.”“And I’ve been proud to work with her over the past few weeks to identify and adopt important policy proposals that will strengthen us as a people.”
Biden has already adopted Warren’s bankruptcy plan, which would largely undo a 2005 bill that Biden championed and Warren fought stridently against.Biden has already adopted Warren’s bankruptcy plan, which would largely undo a 2005 bill that Biden championed and Warren fought stridently against.
“At a moment of crisis for our nation, Senator Warren’s ideas will be more important than ever as we chart a path forward,” Biden said.“At a moment of crisis for our nation, Senator Warren’s ideas will be more important than ever as we chart a path forward,” Biden said.
Joe Biden continues to pick up endorsements from prominent Democrats, including House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff.Joe Biden continues to pick up endorsements from prominent Democrats, including House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff.
“As we face a global pandemic with increasingly severe economic and public health implications, it is more important than ever that we have a President who places the interests of the American people first and knows how to lead,” Schiff said in a statement released by Biden’s campaign.“As we face a global pandemic with increasingly severe economic and public health implications, it is more important than ever that we have a President who places the interests of the American people first and knows how to lead,” Schiff said in a statement released by Biden’s campaign.
“At this moment in time, when so much depends upon the vision and judgment of our nation’s leadership, Joe Biden is uniquely qualified to step into the Presidency and lead us out of this crisis and to a promising future. We need Joe in the White House and I will be doing all I can to make sure he is successful.”“At this moment in time, when so much depends upon the vision and judgment of our nation’s leadership, Joe Biden is uniquely qualified to step into the Presidency and lead us out of this crisis and to a promising future. We need Joe in the White House and I will be doing all I can to make sure he is successful.”
The endorsement could potentially spark a reaction from Trump, considering the president repeatedly lashed out against Schiff when the congressman served as the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s Senate trial.The endorsement could potentially spark a reaction from Trump, considering the president repeatedly lashed out against Schiff when the congressman served as the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s Senate trial.
Independent congressman Justin Amash said he has stopped actively campaigning for his House seat and is considering launching a presidential campaign as a libertarian.Independent congressman Justin Amash said he has stopped actively campaigning for his House seat and is considering launching a presidential campaign as a libertarian.
“He has been discussing the potential campaign with his family, his friends, his team, and others, and a decision can be expected soon,” Amash’s team said in a statement to CNN.“He has been discussing the potential campaign with his family, his friends, his team, and others, and a decision can be expected soon,” Amash’s team said in a statement to CNN.
Amash left the Republican party last year, citing his frustration with Trump’s presidency. When Trump falsely claimed on Monday that he has “total” authority to reopen the economy, Amash said the American people deserved “another option.”Amash left the Republican party last year, citing his frustration with Trump’s presidency. When Trump falsely claimed on Monday that he has “total” authority to reopen the economy, Amash said the American people deserved “another option.”
After Bernie Sanders dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary last week, making Joe Biden the presumptive nominee, Amash tweeted, “Trump versus Biden is not the contest America deserves or the one it needs right now.”After Bernie Sanders dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary last week, making Joe Biden the presumptive nominee, Amash tweeted, “Trump versus Biden is not the contest America deserves or the one it needs right now.”
Although Amash would have virtually no chance of winning the presidency if he launched a third-party campaign, his bid could draw votes away from the two main candidates.Although Amash would have virtually no chance of winning the presidency if he launched a third-party campaign, his bid could draw votes away from the two main candidates.
However, it’s difficult to predict whether Amash would draw more votes away from Biden or Trump, so his candidacy could ultimately help the president win reelection.However, it’s difficult to predict whether Amash would draw more votes away from Biden or Trump, so his candidacy could ultimately help the president win reelection.