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Coronavirus US live: Cuomo says New York can 'control spread of virus' Coronavirus US live: Cuomo says New York can 'control spread' and extends stay-at-home order
(32 minutes later)
Announcement comes as glimmer of hope emerges as states like New York are flattening the curve New York governor extends order for another month until 15 May as state flattens the curve
New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that the state’s stay-at-home order would be extended until May 15 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 DC mayor Muriel Bowser said yesterday that non-essential businesses and schools would remain closed until May 15.
Those announcements conflict with Trump’s target date of May 1 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.
Governor 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.
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.”
Governor 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.
Cuomo 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 mayor Bill de Blasio similarly said this morning, “These were people with names, hobbies, lives. ... They deserve to be recognized, not minimized.”
New York governor Andrew Cuomo criticized the federal government for “starving state and local governments” of funds amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Cuomo said he has pressed New York’s own Democratic congressional members, including senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, on getting more funding for states.
Democratic lawmakers are pushing for more money for hospitals and state and local governments in the next coronavirus relief bill, while Republicans are trying to pass a unanimous consent bill to get additional funds for the small business loan program created by the stimulus package.
Governor Andrew Cuomo applauded New Yorkers for flattening the curve of coronavirus cases through their social distancing actions.
“It’s about the behavior of our people,” Cuomo said. “It’s that simple.”
Cuomo described the stay-at-home orders issued by many state and local leaders as “some of the most life-changing policies government has ever issued,” and he expressed gratitude that “people are choosing to do the right thing.”
“I trust in New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “And what they have done has worked.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state’s stay-at-home order, known as New York Pause, would be extended for another month until May 15.
Cuomo said New Yorkers’ actions had brought the infection spread rate, meaning the number of people each infected person goes on to infect, to 0.9. But China’s Wuhan region managed to bring that rate down to 0.3 before the economy was reopened.
“New York Pause has worked,” Cuomo said, arguing the success was indicative of why the order needed to be extended.
He added that wearing masks is “one of the best things we can do” to limit the spread of the virus and move toward reopening.
Governor Andrew Cuomo emphasized that New York had avoided the worst-case scenario predicted by experts weeks ago through social distancing.Governor Andrew Cuomo emphasized that New York had avoided the worst-case scenario predicted by experts weeks ago through social distancing.
“We slowed the infection rate by our actions, and theat’s why we’re in a better place today,” Cuomo said.“We slowed the infection rate by our actions, and theat’s why we’re in a better place today,” Cuomo said.
But the governor added that the state needed to closely monitor new cases as the economy starts to reopen to avoid a surge in coronavirus infections.But the governor added that the state needed to closely monitor new cases as the economy starts to reopen to avoid a surge in coronavirus infections.
In another sign of New York flattening the curve, governor Andrew Cuomo said the state would send 100 ventilators to New Jersey.In another sign of New York flattening the curve, governor Andrew Cuomo said the state would send 100 ventilators to New Jersey.
Cuomo similarly announced yesterday that New York would send ventilators to Maryland and Michigan as those states address a surge in coronavirus cases.Cuomo similarly announced yesterday that New York would send ventilators to Maryland and Michigan as those states address a surge in coronavirus cases.
A few weeks ago, Cuomo was begging for more medical equipment and staff to come to New York, and he promised the state would “return the favor” once its curve was flattened. He now appears to be following through on that pledge.A few weeks ago, Cuomo was begging for more medical equipment and staff to come to New York, and he promised the state would “return the favor” once its curve was flattened. He now appears to be following through on that pledge.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo reiterated that the state would need to significantly expand its testing capacity to start reopening the economy.New York governor Andrew Cuomo reiterated that the state would need to significantly expand its testing capacity to start reopening the economy.
Cuomo said the state would need to develop a system to quickly identify new coronavirus cases and trace how those cases could spread.Cuomo said the state would need to develop a system to quickly identify new coronavirus cases and trace how those cases could spread.
The governor once again said the federal government would need to get involved to sufficiently improve testing. Cuomo acknowledged the federal government is “not eager to get involved in testing,” but he described it as an absolute necessity to move toward reopening.The governor once again said the federal government would need to get involved to sufficiently improve testing. Cuomo acknowledged the federal government is “not eager to get involved in testing,” but he described it as an absolute necessity to move toward reopening.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said businesses would need to “reimagine” how they can operate as the state looks to reopen the economy.New York governor Andrew Cuomo said businesses would need to “reimagine” how they can operate as the state looks to reopen the economy.
A number of businesses have switched to telework amid the pandemic, and Cuomo suggested some businesses might continue that practice even as the economy starts to reopen.A number of businesses have switched to telework amid the pandemic, and Cuomo suggested some businesses might continue that practice even as the economy starts to reopen.
Cuomo said these conversations were an opportunity for the state to determine the best possible path forward. “How do we learn the lessons so that this ‘new normal’ is a better New York?” Cuomo said.Cuomo said these conversations were an opportunity for the state to determine the best possible path forward. “How do we learn the lessons so that this ‘new normal’ is a better New York?” Cuomo said.
New York is seeing evidence that it has effectively controlled the spread of coronavirus, governor Andrew Cuomo said at his daily briefing on the state’s response to the pandemic.New York is seeing evidence that it has effectively controlled the spread of coronavirus, governor Andrew Cuomo said at his daily briefing on the state’s response to the pandemic.
Cuomo announced that coronavirus hospitalizations have slightly dropped from 18,000 to 17,000, and the three-day average of intubations is also down.Cuomo announced that coronavirus hospitalizations have slightly dropped from 18,000 to 17,000, and the three-day average of intubations is also down.
The governor emphasized that 2,000 new people were still hospitalized with coronavirus yesterday, but more people are simultaneously being discharged.The governor emphasized that 2,000 new people were still hospitalized with coronavirus yesterday, but more people are simultaneously being discharged.
“We can control the spread,” Cuomo said. “We did not know for sure we could do that.”“We can control the spread,” Cuomo said. “We did not know for sure we could do that.”
However, the state still recorded 606 deaths from coronavirus yesterday, although that represents a slight decline from Tuesday’s death toll of 752.However, the state still recorded 606 deaths from coronavirus yesterday, although that represents a slight decline from Tuesday’s death toll of 752.
Defense secretary Mark Esper said evidence suggests coronavirus came about naturally and was not made in a Chinese lab, echoing similar comments from the chairman of the joint chiefs, General Mark Milley.Defense secretary Mark Esper said evidence suggests coronavirus came about naturally and was not made in a Chinese lab, echoing similar comments from the chairman of the joint chiefs, General Mark Milley.
“A majority of the views right now is that it was natural, that it was organic,” Esper told the “Today” show in an interview this morning.“A majority of the views right now is that it was natural, that it was organic,” Esper told the “Today” show in an interview this morning.
But the defense secretary also criticized China for their initial handling of the outbreak, saying Chinese officials had not been transparent about the virus and casting doubt upon Beijing’s latest comments.But the defense secretary also criticized China for their initial handling of the outbreak, saying Chinese officials had not been transparent about the virus and casting doubt upon Beijing’s latest comments.
“They’ve been misleading us, they’ve been opaque if you will from the early days of this virus,” Esper said. “So I don’t have much faith that they’re even being truthful with us now.”“They’ve been misleading us, they’ve been opaque if you will from the early days of this virus,” Esper said. “So I don’t have much faith that they’re even being truthful with us now.”
Trump has similarly pivoted to trying to blame China, as well as the World Health Organization, for the outbreak of the virus as the number of cases continues to climb in the US.Trump has similarly pivoted to trying to blame China, as well as the World Health Organization, for the outbreak of the virus as the number of cases continues to climb in the US.
However, the president initially praised Beijing’s response to the virus. Trump said in February, “I think China is very, you know, professionally run in the sense that they have everything under control. ... I really believe they are going to have it under control fairly soon.”However, the president initially praised Beijing’s response to the virus. Trump said in February, “I think China is very, you know, professionally run in the sense that they have everything under control. ... I really believe they are going to have it under control fairly soon.”
Defying social distancing guidelines, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner traveled with their children to New Jersey earlier this month to celebrate Passover.Defying social distancing guidelines, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner traveled with their children to New Jersey earlier this month to celebrate Passover.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
As the Times notes, Trump even posted a video to Twitter late last month asking everyone who can practice social distancing to “please do your part” to limit the spread of coronavirus.As the Times notes, Trump even posted a video to Twitter late last month asking everyone who can practice social distancing to “please do your part” to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The White House confirmed in a statement this morning that Trump had traveled to New Jersey, defending her actions by saying she was practicing social distancing and staying at a “a closed down facility considered to be a family home.”The White House confirmed in a statement this morning that Trump had traveled to New Jersey, defending her actions by saying she was practicing social distancing and staying at a “a closed down facility considered to be a family home.”
The small business loan program has run out of money, and Congress is not expected to return to session until May 4.
The majority leaders of both the House and the Senate, Steny Hoyer and Mitch McConnell, announced earlier this week that they were extending the chambers’ recesses.
Lawmakers were originally expected to return on April 20, but that was delayed in light of social distancing guidelines.
With lawmakers not expected to return for another few weeks, the only way funding for the Paycheck Protection Program will be extended will be if a unanimous consent bill can be approved.
Democrats are pushing for the next coronavirus relief bill to include money for hospitals and state and local businesses, as well as the small business loan program.
But Democratic senator Kyrsten Sinema said she supported giving the small business loan program, known as the Paycheck Protection Program, more funding by unanimous consent, as Republicans have pushed for.
If Democrats start to split on the question of whether to hold up the bill to push for more funding, it could allow Republicans to exploit the divisions and get their proposal passed.
However, it only takes one member objecting to a unanimous consent bill to prevent its approval, and many Democratic lawmakers have signaled they still want more money for hospitals and state and local governments.
The Small Business Administration said this morning that it has run out of its $350 billion funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, the small business loan program created by the stimulus package.
A message on the SBA website said, “The SBA is currently unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding. Similarly, we are unable to enroll new PPP lenders at this time.”
House minority leader Kevin McCarthy was quick to blame Democrats for the issue after Democratic senators objected to Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell’s bill that would have granted additional funding to PPP by unanimous consent.
However, Democratic leaders, including speaker Nancy Pelosi, argued Republicans are refusing to negotiate on their request for the bill to also include more money for hospitals and state and local governments.
Congressman Max Rose has returned from his deployment with the National Guard, where he helped establish a temporary hospital on Staten Island, which has seen an alarming number of coronavirus cases.
“It was a privilege to get this essential COVID-19 hospital up and running,” the freshman Democrat said in a statement announcing his return.
“This operation was a testament to what we can accomplish as a city, state, and country when we put aside differences and focus on getting the job done. We need that same focus on securing even more PPE, testing, staffing, and economic aid for New York. I am going to continue doing everything in my power to make that happen.”
Staten Island has confirmed more than 8,000 cases of coronavirus and has recorded at least 349 deaths from the virus.
Joe Biden said Trump is presenting a “false choice” between reopening the economy and protecting public health.
“I say we should not send you back to work until it’s safe to send you back to work. This is a false choice,” the presumptive Democratic nominee told MSNBC in a remote interview this morning. “The way you revive the economy is you defeat the disease.”
Trump is expected to unveil federal guidelines on reopening the economy later today, but the decision on when to do so ultimately lies with governors, many of whom have expressed caution on relaxing stay-at-home orders.
LIke many public health experts, Biden emphasized the economy will not be able to restart until the country develops an effective and widespread testing system in order to identify and isolate new coronavirus cases.
“We have to ensure that hospitals are ready for a flare-up,” Biden said. “The idea this isn’t going to flare up is just preposterous — it’s going to come back in some form or another.”
A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi responded to Trump’s mocking tweet by suggesting the president was projecting when he called the House speaker “totally incompetent.”
“Every knock from him is a boost,” said Pelosi’s spokesperson, Drew Hamill.
Trump mocked Nancy Pelosi as a “weak and pathetic puppet” after the House speaker criticized the president’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Come back to Washington and do your job!” Trump wrote in a tweet directed at Pelosi, even though the Washington metropolitan area is currently seeing a surge in coronavirus cases and officials are warning against discretionary travel.
On Tuesday night, Pelosi released a “Dear Colleague” letter arguing Trump’s mishandling of the current crisis 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.
CNN anchor Chris Cuomo announced last night that his wife, Cristina, has now also been diagnosed with coronavirus.
“Cristina now has Covid-19. She is now positive. And it just breaks my heart,” Cuomo said during an interview last night with his brother, New York governor Andrew Cuomo. “It is the one thing I was hoping wouldn’t happen, and now it has.”
Cuomo announced late last month that he had contracted the virus, and he has continued to host his CNN show from his New York home as he quarantines himself.
Cuomo made a virtual appearance at one of his brother’s daily briefings on the coronavirus response earlier this month and expressed gratitude for the health of his children and Cristina, who has been providing his meals as he quarantines.
“I don’t know how I would do without it,” Cuomo said. “I mean, I’ve always been emotionally dependent on my wife, but now, I don’t eat without Cristina.”
The Guardian’s Dominic Rushe and Amanda Holpuch report:
More than 22 million American have lost their jobs in the last four weeks as the coronavirus pandemic has swept across the US, according to government figures.
The US labor department announced on Thursday that another 5.24 million people filed for unemployment benefits last week, making a total of 22.2 million since 14 March when nationwide stay at home orders led to an unprecedented wave of layoffs across the country.
The largest number of people to ask for unemployment benefits in a four week period before the Covid-19 crisis came in 1992 when 2.7 million sought support.
The torrent of layoffs has swept across the country, and every sector of the economy, leading to backlogs and anger at state unemployment offices as people have struggled to make claims. The delays are likely to trigger further spikes in the figures in coming weeks.
“It’s akin to the entire country being hit by a hurricane,” said Jason Reed, assistant chair of finance at the University of Notre Dame. “And we don’t know when the hurricane is leaving.”
Good morning, live blog readers.
Donald Trump announced at his press conference yesterday that he would unveil new federal guidelines aimed at starting to reopen the country’s economy today.
That annoucement came as some glimmers of hope emerged that states like New York, which has been particularly hard hit by the virus, are flattening the curve of coronavirus cases.
“These encouraging developments have put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country, which we’ll be announcing. We’re going to be talking about that tomorrow,” Trump said at his press conference. “It’s very exciting.”
The president is scheduled to have phone calls today with members of Congress and governors, who will ultimately have the final say on when their states reopen, about the forthcoming guidelines.
But even as the president sets criteria for how and when to reopen the country, public health experts and state and local leaders are warning Americans may have to endure several more weeks of social distancing.
A number of states and cities -- including Virginia, Connecticut and San Francisco -- have already extended their stay-at-home orders past May 1, when the president hopes the country can start reopening.
Asked about the May 1 target date earlier this week, Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease specialist, said, “We have to have something in place that is efficient and that we can rely on, and we’re not there yet.”