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Coronavirus US live: New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC extend stay-at-home orders Coronavirus US live: New York, Los Angeles and Washington DC extend stay-at-home orders
(32 minutes later)
New York’s Andrew Cuomo extends order for another month until 15 May as state flattens the curveNew York’s Andrew Cuomo extends order for another month until 15 May as state flattens the curve
A White House official said Trump’s forthcoming guidelines on reopening the US economy would be “flexible.” Trump’s new guidelines on reopening the ecnoomy reportedly appear to put the onus on governors to determine when to start that process, another sign the president is backing down from his previous claim that he has “total” authority to reopen the economy.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
Trump is expected to formally announce the guidelines in a couple hours during his daily White House press conference.
The Congressional Budget Office has released a report estimating that the stimulus package will add about $1.8tn to the federal deficit over the next decade.
“Although the act provides financial assistance totaling more than $2tn, the projected cost is less than that because some of that assistance is in the form of loan guarantees, which are not estimated to have a net effect on the budget,” the agency wrote in its report.
Lawmakers are currently deliberating over the next coronavirus relief bill, which will likely allocate hundreds of billions of dollars in additional government funding as the US healthcare system and the economy suffer the effects of the pandemic.
Former Wisconsin governor Scott Walker criticized his successor, Tony Evers, for extending the state’s stay-at-home order until 26 May.
Walker, who narrowly lost the 2018 gubernatorial race to Evers, suggested the Democratic governor should wait to see what the next two weeks bring before extending the order through most of May.
Although there are encouraging signs that the curve is flattening in many places, public health experts have warned that relaxing restrictions too quickly could cause a surge in infections.
Scott’s complaint comes as the question of when and how to reopen the economy is becoming an increasingly political one, with a number of Republicans, including the president, pushing for an earlier start date.
Ohio governor Mike DeWine said the state would begin reopening on 1 May, the target date that Trump has set for starting that process.
But DeWine, who has been widely praised for the aggressive early steps he took to limit the spread of the virus, emphasized it would be a “gradual” reopening.
“We want to do this in a thoughtful way that engenders confidence and ensures customers and employees are safe,” the Republican governor said in a tweet, warning that normal life would not resume for some time.
A White House official said Trump’s forthcoming guidelines on reopening the US economy would be “flexible”.
“The president’s new guidelines are in fact that. They are recommendations,” the official told Reuters. “They are flexible. They are data-driven.”“The president’s new guidelines are in fact that. They are recommendations,” the official told Reuters. “They are flexible. They are data-driven.”
The president is expected to announce the guidelines during his daily press conference, which will take place at 6 pm ET at the White House. Trump is expected to announce the guidelines during his daily press conference, which will take place at 6pm ET at the White House.
The official said the health experts on the White House coronavirus task force had signed off on the guidelines, which would serve as a template to governors as they start reopening their states. The official said the health experts on the White House coronavirus taskforce had signed off on the guidelines, which would serve as a template to governors as they start reopening their states.
“This is going to speak to every governor and in every situation and it is their choice as to what to do with these guidelines and recommendations,” the official said. “It will be a set of recommendations that every governor will be able to look to as a guide.”“This is going to speak to every governor and in every situation and it is their choice as to what to do with these guidelines and recommendations,” the official said. “It will be a set of recommendations that every governor will be able to look to as a guide.”
The decision on how and when to relax stay-at-home orders will ultimately lie with governors, several of whom have already announced that social distancing restrictions will remain in effect for at least several more weeks.The decision on how and when to relax stay-at-home orders will ultimately lie with governors, several of whom have already announced that social distancing restrictions will remain in effect for at least several more weeks.
Seven Midwestern states are forming a pact aimed at devising a regional plan to reopen the economy, mirroring similar efforts on the east and west coasts. Seven midwestern states are forming a pact aimed at devising a regional plan to reopen the economy, mirroring similar efforts on the east and west coasts.
Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Tim Walz of Minnesota, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Andy Beshear of Kentucky announced they would work in coordination to determine how and when to relax social distancing guidelines.Governors Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Tim Walz of Minnesota, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Eric Holcomb of Indiana and Andy Beshear of Kentucky announced they would work in coordination to determine how and when to relax social distancing guidelines.
“Our number one priority when analyzing when best to reopen our economy is the health and safety of our citizens. We will make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor, and education,” the governors said in a statement.“Our number one priority when analyzing when best to reopen our economy is the health and safety of our citizens. We will make decisions based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in health care, business, labor, and education,” the governors said in a statement.
The state leaders laid out multiple criteria, including sustained control of the new infection rate and expanded testing capacity, to meet before they would relax the restrictions.The state leaders laid out multiple criteria, including sustained control of the new infection rate and expanded testing capacity, to meet before they would relax the restrictions.
“Phasing in sectors of our economy will be most effective when we work together as a region,” the governors said. “We look forward to working together as one region to tackle this challenge together.”“Phasing in sectors of our economy will be most effective when we work together as a region,” the governors said. “We look forward to working together as one region to tackle this challenge together.”
The news comes hours before Trump is expected to announce federal guidelines on reopening the economy, with an eye toward starting that process by May 1. The news comes hours before Trump is expected to announce federal guidelines on reopening the economy, with an eye toward starting that process by 1 May.
But the governors’ announcement, combined with multiple states’ new extensions of stay-at-home orders, have effectively preempted Trump’s press conference, making it clear that state leaders will not observe any kind of federal deadline to reopen. But the governors’ announcement, combined with multiple states’ new extensions of stay-at-home orders, have effectively pre-empted Trump’s press conference, making it clear that state leaders will not observe any kind of federal deadline to reopen.
Jim McGovern, the Democratic chairman of the House rules committee, has released a recommendation that members be allowed to vote by proxy during the current crisis.Jim McGovern, the Democratic chairman of the House rules committee, has released a recommendation that members be allowed to vote by proxy during the current crisis.
“Under this plan, any Member unable to travel to Washington due to the pandemic could provide specific instructions for each vote to a fellow Member who has been authorized to cast those votes on their behalf,” McGovern said in a statement. “Under this plan, any member unable to travel to Washington due to the pandemic could provide specific instructions for each vote to a fellow member who has been authorized to cast those votes on their behalf,” McGovern said in a statement.
“A Member casting a vote on behalf of another Member would be required to have exact direction from that Member on how to vote and would have to follow that direction. There would be no ability to give a general proxy. Members would have to direct each and every vote.” “A member casting a vote on behalf of another member would be required to have exact direction from that member on how to vote and would have to follow that direction. There would be no ability to give a general proxy. Members would have to direct each and every vote.”
McGovern said such an option would need to be authorized by a House resolution and would only be a temporary measure for the duration of the pandemic.McGovern said such an option would need to be authorized by a House resolution and would only be a temporary measure for the duration of the pandemic.
Congressional leaders, including House speaker Nancy Pelosi, have previously expressed concerns about remote voting. “Let us hope that the blessings of technology will give us more options sooner to review,” Pelosi said last week. “We aren’t there yet.” Congressional leaders, including the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, have previously expressed concerns about remote voting. “Let us hope that the blessings of technology will give us more options sooner to review,” Pelosi said last week. “We aren’t there yet.”
But lawmakers have faced more questions about remote voting in recent weeks, as several members have been diagnosed with coronavirus and the congressional recess has been extended to May 4. But lawmakers have faced more questions about remote voting in recent weeks, as several members have been diagnosed with coronavirus and the congressional recess has been extended to 4 May.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s spokesperson corrected Trump’s claim that she had deleted a tweet containing her comments from late February encouraging people to visit Chinatown.House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s spokesperson corrected Trump’s claim that she had deleted a tweet containing her comments from late February encouraging people to visit Chinatown.
Pelosi’s spokesperson said the clip the president tweeted was from local news coverage and had never been posted on the speaker’s account.Pelosi’s spokesperson said the clip the president tweeted was from local news coverage and had never been posted on the speaker’s account.
He also noted that the clip is from weeks before San Francisco issued its shelter-in-place order.He also noted that the clip is from weeks before San Francisco issued its shelter-in-place order.
Trump lashed out against Nancy Pelosi after the House speaker accused the president of causing unnecessary deaths through his handling of the coronavirus crisis.Trump lashed out against Nancy Pelosi after the House speaker accused the president of causing unnecessary deaths through his handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Trump criticized Pelosi for saying in late February, before there were any confirmed cases of coronavirus in San Francisco, that people should continue to visit the city’s Chinatown neighborhood.Trump criticized Pelosi for saying in late February, before there were any confirmed cases of coronavirus in San Francisco, that people should continue to visit the city’s Chinatown neighborhood.
“She wanted everyone to pack into Chinatown long after I closed the BORDER TO CHINA,” Trump said in a tweet. “Based on her statement, she is responsible for many deaths. She’s an incompetent, third-rate politician!”“She wanted everyone to pack into Chinatown long after I closed the BORDER TO CHINA,” Trump said in a tweet. “Based on her statement, she is responsible for many deaths. She’s an incompetent, third-rate politician!”
Pelosi visited Chinatown in late February to help dispel racially tinged fears about coronavirus that had caused the neighbrohood’s businesses to see a stunning drop in customers.Pelosi visited Chinatown in late February to help dispel racially tinged fears about coronavirus that had caused the neighbrohood’s businesses to see a stunning drop in customers.
“We know that there is concern surrounding tourism, traveling all throughout the world, but we think it’s very safe to be in Chinatown and hope that others will come,” Pelosi said at the time. “It’s lovely here.”“We know that there is concern surrounding tourism, traveling all throughout the world, but we think it’s very safe to be in Chinatown and hope that others will come,” Pelosi said at the time. “It’s lovely here.”
San Francisco Country has recorded only 17 coronavirus deaths, so Trump’s claim that Pelosi has caused “many deaths” is questionable on its face. The president’s connection between his decision to block travel from China and tourists avoiding Chinatown is also problematic. San Francisco county has recorded only 17 coronavirus deaths, so Trump’s claim that Pelosi has caused “many deaths” is questionable on its face. The president’s connection between his decision to block travel from China and tourists avoiding Chinatown is also problematic.
Reports of racist incidents targeting Asian Americans have increased since the start of the outbreak, and Trump was previously criticized for referring to coronavirus as the “Chinese virus.” Reports of racist incidents targeting Asian Americans have increased since the start of the outbreak, and Trump was previously criticized for referring to coronavirus as the “Chinese virus”.
The Guardian’s Vivian Ho wrote this piece about the effect of the outbreak on Chinatown in late February:The Guardian’s Vivian Ho wrote this piece about the effect of the outbreak on Chinatown in late February:
Trump’s approval rating has slightly declined after enjoying a small bump at the onset of the coronavirus crisis, according to a new Gallup poll.Trump’s approval rating has slightly declined after enjoying a small bump at the onset of the coronavirus crisis, according to a new Gallup poll.
The Gallup survey found that Trump’s approval rating has slipped to 43%, down 6 points since last month. The figure represents his lowest approval rating since November.The Gallup survey found that Trump’s approval rating has slipped to 43%, down 6 points since last month. The figure represents his lowest approval rating since November.
However, 43% is still better than the president’s average approval rating since taking office, which Gallup puts at 40%.However, 43% is still better than the president’s average approval rating since taking office, which Gallup puts at 40%.
Other recent polls have similarly indicated the small uptick in popularity that Trump saw as the country first realized the extent of the coronavirus crisis has proven to be short-lived, and the president has retreated to more familiar territory in terms of his approval rating.Other recent polls have similarly indicated the small uptick in popularity that Trump saw as the country first realized the extent of the coronavirus crisis has proven to be short-lived, and the president has retreated to more familiar territory in terms of his approval rating.
Wisconsin’s governor, Tony Evers, has extended the state’s stay-at-home order until 26 May. The order was originally supposed to end next Friday.Wisconsin’s governor, Tony Evers, has extended the state’s stay-at-home order until 26 May. The order was originally supposed to end next Friday.
The extension means the state’s non-essential businesses will remain closed through Memorial Day weekend, and schools will not reopen for the remainder of the academic year.The extension means the state’s non-essential businesses will remain closed through Memorial Day weekend, and schools will not reopen for the remainder of the academic year.
“A few weeks ago, we had a pretty grim outlook for what Covid-19 could mean for our state, but because of the efforts of all of you, Safer at Home is working. That said, we aren’t out of the woods just yet,” the Democratic governor in a press release.“A few weeks ago, we had a pretty grim outlook for what Covid-19 could mean for our state, but because of the efforts of all of you, Safer at Home is working. That said, we aren’t out of the woods just yet,” the Democratic governor in a press release.
“As I’ve said all along, we are going to rely on the science and public health experts to guide us through this challenge. So, as we extend Safer at Home, I need all of you to continue doing the good work you’ve been doing so we can keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and get through this storm together.”“As I’ve said all along, we are going to rely on the science and public health experts to guide us through this challenge. So, as we extend Safer at Home, I need all of you to continue doing the good work you’ve been doing so we can keep our families, our neighbors, and our communities safe, and get through this storm together.”
New Jersey has extended school closures until at least 15 May, as the state grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases.New Jersey has extended school closures until at least 15 May, as the state grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases.
Governor Phil Murphy said students would not be able to return to class on 17 April, the previously set date, but he has not yet decided to cancel the rest of the academic year, as some other states have done.Governor Phil Murphy said students would not be able to return to class on 17 April, the previously set date, but he has not yet decided to cancel the rest of the academic year, as some other states have done.
“We cannot be guided by emotion, we need to be guided by where the facts on the ground, science and public health take us,” Murphy said at his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus.“We cannot be guided by emotion, we need to be guided by where the facts on the ground, science and public health take us,” Murphy said at his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus.
“And that means it will not be safe to reopen our schools or start sports back up for at lest another four weeks.”“And that means it will not be safe to reopen our schools or start sports back up for at lest another four weeks.”
New Jersey has lost more than 3,000 residents to coronavirus, making it the second hardest-hit state in the country, and New York is sending its neighbor 100 ventilators to help with the surge in cases.New Jersey has lost more than 3,000 residents to coronavirus, making it the second hardest-hit state in the country, and New York is sending its neighbor 100 ventilators to help with the surge in cases.
British foreign secretary Dominic Raab announced the country’s lockdown measures would remain in effect “for at least the next three weeks”.British foreign secretary Dominic Raab announced the country’s lockdown measures would remain in effect “for at least the next three weeks”.
Raab, who has temporarily taken over some key duties of Boris Johnson’s as the prime minister continues to recover from coronavirus, urged British citizens to stay home in order to avoid overwhelming the hospital system.Raab, who has temporarily taken over some key duties of Boris Johnson’s as the prime minister continues to recover from coronavirus, urged British citizens to stay home in order to avoid overwhelming the hospital system.
“Now is not the moment to give the coronavirus a second chance,” Raab said at his press conference.“Now is not the moment to give the coronavirus a second chance,” Raab said at his press conference.
For more of the latest updates from London, follow the Guardian’s UK live blog:For more of the latest updates from London, follow the Guardian’s UK live blog:
Cuomo taps McKinsey for ‘Trump-proof’ NY reopening planCuomo taps McKinsey for ‘Trump-proof’ NY reopening plan
New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, has tapped high-powered consultants to develop a science-based plan for the safe economic reopening of the region that can thwart pressure from Donald Trump to move more rapidly, state government sources have told Reuters.New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, has tapped high-powered consultants to develop a science-based plan for the safe economic reopening of the region that can thwart pressure from Donald Trump to move more rapidly, state government sources have told Reuters.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Governor Andrew Cuomo extended New York’s stay-at-home order until 15 May. Cities like Los Angeles and Washington DC have similarly extended their orders for another month in recent days.Governor Andrew Cuomo extended New York’s stay-at-home order until 15 May. Cities like Los Angeles and Washington DC have similarly extended their orders for another month in recent days.
The Small Business Administration said the Paycheck Protection Program had run out of money. The small business loan program created by the stimulus package was originally granted $350bn, and lawmakers remain at a stalemate over a bill to replenish the program’s funds.The Small Business Administration said the Paycheck Protection Program had run out of money. The small business loan program created by the stimulus package was originally granted $350bn, and lawmakers remain at a stalemate over a bill to replenish the program’s funds.
Another 5.24 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, according to the latest report from the labor department. More than 22 million Americans have submitted unemployment claims in the last four weeks.Another 5.24 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, according to the latest report from the labor department. More than 22 million Americans have submitted unemployment claims in the last four weeks.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, has just concluded his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus.New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, has just concluded his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus.
Here’s some of what he covered:Here’s some of what he covered:
New York’s stay-at-home order has been extended until 15 May. Cuomo’s announcement follows similar extensions already announced for Los Angeles and Washington DC, as many public health experts warn against relaxing restrictions too quickly.New York’s stay-at-home order has been extended until 15 May. Cuomo’s announcement follows similar extensions already announced for Los Angeles and Washington DC, as many public health experts warn against relaxing restrictions too quickly.
Cuomo said the state has controlled the spread of the virus through social distancing. The governor applauded New Yorkers for respecting social distancing guidelines over the past several weeks, and he said their success underscored why they needed to keep up their efforts.Cuomo said the state has controlled the spread of the virus through social distancing. The governor applauded New Yorkers for respecting social distancing guidelines over the past several weeks, and he said their success underscored why they needed to keep up their efforts.
Another 606 New Yorkers died of the virus yesterday. The daily death toll remains high, but Wednesday’s figure represents a slight decrease from Tuesday’s death toll of 752.Another 606 New Yorkers died of the virus yesterday. The daily death toll remains high, but Wednesday’s figure represents a slight decrease from Tuesday’s death toll of 752.
Cuomo acknowledged opposition to his newly announced order on wearing masks, but the governor said New Yorkers must cover their faces whenever social distancing cannot be maintained in order to protect themselves and those around them.Cuomo acknowledged opposition to his newly announced order on wearing masks, but the governor said New Yorkers must cover their faces whenever social distancing cannot be maintained in order to protect themselves and those around them.
Cuomo dismissed Trump’s baseless claim that New York City is inflating its coronavirus death toll. Cuomo said Trump’s accusation, which came after the city revised its death toll to include probable coronavirus deaths, was “even more bizarre than usual”.Cuomo dismissed Trump’s baseless claim that New York City is inflating its coronavirus death toll. Cuomo said Trump’s accusation, which came after the city revised its death toll to include probable coronavirus deaths, was “even more bizarre than usual”.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that the state’s stay-at-home order would be extended until 15 May comes after Los Angeles and Washington DC, similarly extended their orders.New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that the state’s stay-at-home order would be extended until 15 May comes after Los Angeles and Washington DC, similarly extended their orders.
Los Angeles county announced on Friday it would extend its stay-at-home order for another month, and Washington’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, said yesterday that non-essential businesses and schools would remain closed until 15 May.Los Angeles county announced on Friday it would extend its stay-at-home order for another month, and Washington’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, said yesterday that non-essential businesses and schools would remain closed until 15 May.
Those announcements conflict with Trump’s target date of 1 May to start reopening the economy, but a number of state and local leaders, including Cuomo, have said they will not relax their orders until it seems safe to do so.Those announcements conflict with Trump’s target date of 1 May to start reopening the economy, but a number of state and local leaders, including Cuomo, have said they will not relax their orders until it seems safe to do so.
Andrew Cuomo acknowledged there is “a lot of opposition” to his new order on wearing masks, which require New Yorkers to cover their faces whenever social distancing cannot be maintained, such as on public transportation or in for-fire vehicles.Andrew Cuomo acknowledged there is “a lot of opposition” to his new order on wearing masks, which require New Yorkers to cover their faces whenever social distancing cannot be maintained, such as on public transportation or in for-fire vehicles.
“I understand that people do not like it,” Cuomo said, noting that many people also considered the stay-at-home order to be an example of government overreach.“I understand that people do not like it,” Cuomo said, noting that many people also considered the stay-at-home order to be an example of government overreach.
However, Cuomo emphasized he considered the mask order necessary to avoid unnecessary deaths. “We want to see fewer people die,” Cuomo said. “I’m asking New Yorkers to wear a mask, not to just to protect other people but also to protect you.”However, Cuomo emphasized he considered the mask order necessary to avoid unnecessary deaths. “We want to see fewer people die,” Cuomo said. “I’m asking New Yorkers to wear a mask, not to just to protect other people but also to protect you.”
Andrew Cuomo dismissed Trump’s claim that New York was inflating its coronavirus death toll after the city revised its figure to include probable coronavirus deaths.Andrew Cuomo dismissed Trump’s claim that New York was inflating its coronavirus death toll after the city revised its figure to include probable coronavirus deaths.
The governor described Trump’s claim as “even more bizarre than usual”, emphasizing that officials obviously do not want to see the death toll rise.The governor described Trump’s claim as “even more bizarre than usual”, emphasizing that officials obviously do not want to see the death toll rise.
A spokesperson for New York’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, similarly said this morning: “These were people with names, hobbies, lives ... They deserve to be recognized, not minimized.”A spokesperson for New York’s mayor, Bill de Blasio, similarly said this morning: “These were people with names, hobbies, lives ... They deserve to be recognized, not minimized.”