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| Coronavirus US live: growing stay-at-home protests hit Maryland and Texas | Coronavirus US live: growing stay-at-home protests hit Maryland and Texas |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Demonstrations, which flared up earlier in the week, appear to have a partisan bent, with a preponderance of Trump 2020 flags | Demonstrations, which flared up earlier in the week, appear to have a partisan bent, with a preponderance of Trump 2020 flags |
| Florida governor Ron DeSantis is set to make a “major announcement” regarding Covid-19 at a news conference at 4:30pm, according to a release from his office. | |
| The announcement will come as the governor has made the push for the re-opening of beaches along the state’s 1,350 miles of shoreline if it can be done safely, a decision that has been in the hands of local governments. | |
| DeSantis, whose victory in a hard-fought 2018 election that drew national attention was tipped largely by Trump’s endorsement and cash from the president’s allies, issued a “safer at home” order on 1 April, but he was explicit in classifying walking, running and swimming as essential activities. | |
| A Michigan prisoner who declined to be paroled in May after decades behind bars has died from Covid-19 complications, the Detroit Free Press reports. | A Michigan prisoner who declined to be paroled in May after decades behind bars has died from Covid-19 complications, the Detroit Free Press reports. |
| Paul O’Neill, a former Treasury secretary who broke with George W. Bush over tax policy and then produced a book critical of the administration, died Saturday. He was 84.O’Neill’s son, Paul O’Neill Jr. confirmed that his father died at his home in Pittsburgh after battling lung cancer for the last couple of years, The Associated Press writes. | Paul O’Neill, a former Treasury secretary who broke with George W. Bush over tax policy and then produced a book critical of the administration, died Saturday. He was 84.O’Neill’s son, Paul O’Neill Jr. confirmed that his father died at his home in Pittsburgh after battling lung cancer for the last couple of years, The Associated Press writes. |
| A former head of aluminum giant Alcoa, O’Neill served as treasury secretary from 2001 to late 2002. He was forced to resign after he objected to a second round of tax cuts because of their impact on deficits. | A former head of aluminum giant Alcoa, O’Neill served as treasury secretary from 2001 to late 2002. He was forced to resign after he objected to a second round of tax cuts because of their impact on deficits. |
| O’Neill’s blunt speaking style more than once got him in trouble as Treasury secretary. | O’Neill’s blunt speaking style more than once got him in trouble as Treasury secretary. |
| He sent the dollar into a tailspin briefly in his early days at Treasury when his comments about foreign exchange rates surprised markets. | He sent the dollar into a tailspin briefly in his early days at Treasury when his comments about foreign exchange rates surprised markets. |
| In the spring of 2001, O’Neill jolted markets again when during Wall Street’s worst week in 11 years, he blandly declared “markets go up and markets go down.” | In the spring of 2001, O’Neill jolted markets again when during Wall Street’s worst week in 11 years, he blandly declared “markets go up and markets go down.” |
| Donald Trump’s treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said Saturday on Twitter: “Saddened to hear of the passing of the former 72nd Treasury Secretary, Paul O’Neill. He served (at)USTreasury and America with distinction during challenging times. My condolences to his family.”After leaving the administration, O’Neill worked with author Ron Suskind on an explosive book covering his two years in the administration. O’Neill contended that the administration began planning the overthrow of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein right after Bush took office, eight months before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.O’Neill depicted Bush as a disengaged president who didn’t encourage debate either at Cabinet meetings or in one-on-one discussions with Cabinet members. He said the lack of discussion in Cabinet meetings gave him the feeling that Bush “was like a blind man in a roomful of deaf people.”He said major decisions were often made by Bush’s political team and Vice President Dick Cheney. | Donald Trump’s treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, said Saturday on Twitter: “Saddened to hear of the passing of the former 72nd Treasury Secretary, Paul O’Neill. He served (at)USTreasury and America with distinction during challenging times. My condolences to his family.”After leaving the administration, O’Neill worked with author Ron Suskind on an explosive book covering his two years in the administration. O’Neill contended that the administration began planning the overthrow of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein right after Bush took office, eight months before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.O’Neill depicted Bush as a disengaged president who didn’t encourage debate either at Cabinet meetings or in one-on-one discussions with Cabinet members. He said the lack of discussion in Cabinet meetings gave him the feeling that Bush “was like a blind man in a roomful of deaf people.”He said major decisions were often made by Bush’s political team and Vice President Dick Cheney. |
| New Jersey governor battles misinformation | New Jersey governor battles misinformation |
| New Jersey, which has the second-most confirmed coronavirus cases of any US state, now has 81,420 persons with Covid-19, and has suffered 4,070 deaths, according to governor Phil Murphy. | New Jersey, which has the second-most confirmed coronavirus cases of any US state, now has 81,420 persons with Covid-19, and has suffered 4,070 deaths, according to governor Phil Murphy. |
| The state’s leader also worked to combat misinformation surrounding this outbreak, emphasizing that it’s far worse than seasonal flu. | The state’s leader also worked to combat misinformation surrounding this outbreak, emphasizing that it’s far worse than seasonal flu. |
| Donald Trump, in the early phases of the outbreak in the US, was dismissive of coronavirus and compared it to the flu, although it is many times more deadly and spreads extremely quickly, public health experts continue to warn. | Donald Trump, in the early phases of the outbreak in the US, was dismissive of coronavirus and compared it to the flu, although it is many times more deadly and spreads extremely quickly, public health experts continue to warn. |
| Further: | Further: |
| Hundreds of people have packed together, shoulder to shoulder today, at a protest organized by conspiracy theorists in Austin, Texas. They chanted: “Fire Fauci! Fire Fauci!” Few of the protesters were wearing masks. | Hundreds of people have packed together, shoulder to shoulder today, at a protest organized by conspiracy theorists in Austin, Texas. They chanted: “Fire Fauci! Fire Fauci!” Few of the protesters were wearing masks. |
| Footage of a crowd of people calling for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading public health expert advising the Trump administration, to be fired was captured by the New York Times. | Footage of a crowd of people calling for Dr. Anthony Fauci, the leading public health expert advising the Trump administration, to be fired was captured by the New York Times. |
| The protest at Texas’ capitol was organized by a contributor to the conspiracy theory website InfoWars. Alex Jones, the site’s founder, showed up and bellowed into a bullhorn at the center of the packed crowd. | The protest at Texas’ capitol was organized by a contributor to the conspiracy theory website InfoWars. Alex Jones, the site’s founder, showed up and bellowed into a bullhorn at the center of the packed crowd. |
| “I see a bunch of healthy Americans out here who don’t seem to be afraid of a virus,” Owen Shroyer, the InfoWars personality who organized the “You Can’t Close America” protest, told the crowd, according to footage of the protest live streamed on Periscope by an InfoWars supporter. | “I see a bunch of healthy Americans out here who don’t seem to be afraid of a virus,” Owen Shroyer, the InfoWars personality who organized the “You Can’t Close America” protest, told the crowd, according to footage of the protest live streamed on Periscope by an InfoWars supporter. |
| “What are they going to do if we have events like this all over the country, with thousands of people showing up, and the virus doesn’t spread like they told us?” Shroyer asked. | “What are they going to do if we have events like this all over the country, with thousands of people showing up, and the virus doesn’t spread like they told us?” Shroyer asked. |
| “If I want to go out to the gym or the club, or a restaurant, I’m not going to wear a mask,” Shroyer said. | “If I want to go out to the gym or the club, or a restaurant, I’m not going to wear a mask,” Shroyer said. |
| “Neither am I!” a woman shouted back at him. | “Neither am I!” a woman shouted back at him. |
| Shroyer referred to “the coronavirus hoax” on the livestream, then added that while there was a real virus, “the hysteria, the shutdown,” was the hoax. | Shroyer referred to “the coronavirus hoax” on the livestream, then added that while there was a real virus, “the hysteria, the shutdown,” was the hoax. |
| We keep an eye on the president’s tweets every day, of course, but don’t report on all of them. This one, however, needs to be disseminated. | We keep an eye on the president’s tweets every day, of course, but don’t report on all of them. This one, however, needs to be disseminated. |
| Fact check: there are no accurate facts in this tweet of Donald Trump’s. | Fact check: there are no accurate facts in this tweet of Donald Trump’s. |
| It’s been a busy morning and there is more to come. The White House coronavirus task force briefing is due to take place at 5pm ET this evening. | It’s been a busy morning and there is more to come. The White House coronavirus task force briefing is due to take place at 5pm ET this evening. |
| Here are the main events so far today: | Here are the main events so far today: |
| Protests against stay-at-home orders continue, with demonstrators gathering in Annapolis, Maryland, today and also expected in Austin, Texas. | Protests against stay-at-home orders continue, with demonstrators gathering in Annapolis, Maryland, today and also expected in Austin, Texas. |
| New York state, the center of the US outbreak of the coronavirus, has announced that it appears to be past its peak for the disease, although more than 500 people died just yesterday and the state is not out of the woods, and has no timeline for reopening businesses or relaxing social distancing. | New York state, the center of the US outbreak of the coronavirus, has announced that it appears to be past its peak for the disease, although more than 500 people died just yesterday and the state is not out of the woods, and has no timeline for reopening businesses or relaxing social distancing. |
| Queen Elizabeth II has announced low key birthday celebrations this year, because of quarantining during the coronavirus outbreak. | Queen Elizabeth II has announced low key birthday celebrations this year, because of quarantining during the coronavirus outbreak. |
| Former presidential candidate and sitting Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, whose husband caught coronavirus, accused the Trump administration of losing time by not having a national strategy to combat the coronavirus. | Former presidential candidate and sitting Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, whose husband caught coronavirus, accused the Trump administration of losing time by not having a national strategy to combat the coronavirus. |
| Worries continue nationwide in the US over a lack of resources or strategies for mass testing and contact tracing as a way out of lockdown, and at rising protests about restrictions in place to limit the spread of the illness. | Worries continue nationwide in the US over a lack of resources or strategies for mass testing and contact tracing as a way out of lockdown, and at rising protests about restrictions in place to limit the spread of the illness. |
| There’s an update to US coronavirus figures: Johns Hopkins University is now reporting 711,197 confirmed cases and 37,309 deaths. | There’s an update to US coronavirus figures: Johns Hopkins University is now reporting 711,197 confirmed cases and 37,309 deaths. |
| Globally, the confirmed Covid-19 cases now number 2,284,018, with 156,901 fatalities. | Globally, the confirmed Covid-19 cases now number 2,284,018, with 156,901 fatalities. |
| People in a small Indianapolis suburb have had some welcome financial relief during the pandemic - from anonymous donors. | People in a small Indianapolis suburb have had some welcome financial relief during the pandemic - from anonymous donors. |
| Fortville’s nearly 4,000 residents had their water and sewer bills paid for by anonymous businesses. | Fortville’s nearly 4,000 residents had their water and sewer bills paid for by anonymous businesses. |
| Residents were informed Friday through a Facebook post, generating a string of grateful comments. | Residents were informed Friday through a Facebook post, generating a string of grateful comments. |
| “The town has received a gracious donation with the stipulation that it be used to pay for April water/sewer bills. If you have already paid your April bill, you will see a credit on the May billing,” the post read, according to the AP. | “The town has received a gracious donation with the stipulation that it be used to pay for April water/sewer bills. If you have already paid your April bill, you will see a credit on the May billing,” the post read, according to the AP. |
| Fortville town manager Joe Renner says the total donation was more than $210,000. Renner told The Indianapolis Star newspaper it was pretty great the town had such caring people. | Fortville town manager Joe Renner says the total donation was more than $210,000. Renner told The Indianapolis Star newspaper it was pretty great the town had such caring people. |
| Following a rally in Michigan that drew thousands of people, protesters asking the governor to “Reopen Maryland” converged on the state’s capital at noon on Saturday. | Following a rally in Michigan that drew thousands of people, protesters asking the governor to “Reopen Maryland” converged on the state’s capital at noon on Saturday. |
| The protesters, who argue that the public health shutdowns to prevent the spread of coronavirus are doing more harm than good, have been encouraged to rally by President Donald Trump. | The protesters, who argue that the public health shutdowns to prevent the spread of coronavirus are doing more harm than good, have been encouraged to rally by President Donald Trump. |
| The organizers of the “Reopen Maryland” event wrote on Facebook that they were asking participants not to leave their cars except in an emergency, but that they aimed to fill Annapolis with as many vehicles as possible, and to make some noise. Early footage from local news outlets in Annapolis showed some streets filled with cars, and though the number of people showing up to attend the protest was not immediately clear. | The organizers of the “Reopen Maryland” event wrote on Facebook that they were asking participants not to leave their cars except in an emergency, but that they aimed to fill Annapolis with as many vehicles as possible, and to make some noise. Early footage from local news outlets in Annapolis showed some streets filled with cars, and though the number of people showing up to attend the protest was not immediately clear. |
| Early images shared on Twitter by people who said they were participating in the “Reopen Maryland” protest today showed cars assembling in a mall parking lot. Some of the cars were flying American flags, others Maryland flags, and they were covered in written slogans: “Bring Back Small Business!” and “We the People!” | Early images shared on Twitter by people who said they were participating in the “Reopen Maryland” protest today showed cars assembling in a mall parking lot. Some of the cars were flying American flags, others Maryland flags, and they were covered in written slogans: “Bring Back Small Business!” and “We the People!” |
| Other people who said they were joining the protest shared photographs of what they had written on their own vehicles. | Other people who said they were joining the protest shared photographs of what they had written on their own vehicles. |
| The “Reopen Maryland” group is asking Maryland’s Republican governor, Larry Hogan, “to immediately reopen our state’s business, educational and religious institutions”. | The “Reopen Maryland” group is asking Maryland’s Republican governor, Larry Hogan, “to immediately reopen our state’s business, educational and religious institutions”. |
| “The economic, social and educational disruption caused by shutdowns is guaranteed to cause significant, even greater, harm, leading to increased deaths, economic disruption, loss of livelihood, and educational challenges for Marylanders and their families,” they argued in an online petition. And photojournalist Jim Giordano captured the soundtrack at the protest (beyond the car honking). | “The economic, social and educational disruption caused by shutdowns is guaranteed to cause significant, even greater, harm, leading to increased deaths, economic disruption, loss of livelihood, and educational challenges for Marylanders and their families,” they argued in an online petition. And photojournalist Jim Giordano captured the soundtrack at the protest (beyond the car honking). |
| Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said the United States and Canada have agreed to keep the border closed to non-essential travel for another 30 days in his daily update on the nation’s coronavirus response. | Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said the United States and Canada have agreed to keep the border closed to non-essential travel for another 30 days in his daily update on the nation’s coronavirus response. |
| “Canada and the United States have agreed to extend by another 30 days the border measures that are currently in place,” Trudeau said. “This is an important decision and one that will keep people on both sides of the border safe.” | “Canada and the United States have agreed to extend by another 30 days the border measures that are currently in place,” Trudeau said. “This is an important decision and one that will keep people on both sides of the border safe.” |
| Trudeau’s remarks came three days after Trump said the US-Canada border, which is normally crossed by nearly 200,000 people daily, would be among the first to open. The agreement had been set to expire on Tuesday. | Trudeau’s remarks came three days after Trump said the US-Canada border, which is normally crossed by nearly 200,000 people daily, would be among the first to open. The agreement had been set to expire on Tuesday. |
| The prime minister also announced the designation of $306m to support Indigenous businesses across Canada. | The prime minister also announced the designation of $306m to support Indigenous businesses across Canada. |
| “These businesses employ people right across the country, in small communities and big cities alike,” he said. | “These businesses employ people right across the country, in small communities and big cities alike,” he said. |
| “We are today signing an executive order allowing people to get their marriage licenses remotely and also allowing clerks to perform ceremonies over video,” the secretary to the New York governor says. “So if that’s an avenue people want to go down, it will be available to them.” | “We are today signing an executive order allowing people to get their marriage licenses remotely and also allowing clerks to perform ceremonies over video,” the secretary to the New York governor says. “So if that’s an avenue people want to go down, it will be available to them.” |
| “Video marriage ceremonies,” Cuomo says with a smile. “There is now no excuse when the question comes up for marriage. No excuse. You can do it by Zoom. Yes or no.” | “Video marriage ceremonies,” Cuomo says with a smile. “There is now no excuse when the question comes up for marriage. No excuse. You can do it by Zoom. Yes or no.” |
| “The emotion in this country is as high as I can recall,” Cuomo says, “People are frustrated. We’re anxious, we’re scared, we’re angry. We’ve never been through this before. And on every level, this is a terrible experience. It’s disorienting, it threatens you to your core. It makes you reflect on your whole life and it really has ... it’s mentally very difficult, it’s emotionally difficult, economically it’s disastrous. The market goes down, your retirement funds go down, you’re not getting a paycheck. It is as tumultuous a time as we have ever seen. But in the midst of this, there is no time for politics. How does the situation get worse and get worse quickly? If you politicize all that emotion. We cannot go there.” | “The emotion in this country is as high as I can recall,” Cuomo says, “People are frustrated. We’re anxious, we’re scared, we’re angry. We’ve never been through this before. And on every level, this is a terrible experience. It’s disorienting, it threatens you to your core. It makes you reflect on your whole life and it really has ... it’s mentally very difficult, it’s emotionally difficult, economically it’s disastrous. The market goes down, your retirement funds go down, you’re not getting a paycheck. It is as tumultuous a time as we have ever seen. But in the midst of this, there is no time for politics. How does the situation get worse and get worse quickly? If you politicize all that emotion. We cannot go there.” |
| Cuomo invokes Abraham Lincoln’s famous 1858 remark – “A house divided against itself cannot stand” – noting that it itself was borrowed from Mark 3:25. | Cuomo invokes Abraham Lincoln’s famous 1858 remark – “A house divided against itself cannot stand” – noting that it itself was borrowed from Mark 3:25. |
| “This is accepted wisdom,” he says. “A house cannot rise up from the greatest challenge it has seen since World War II. This is no time and no place for division. We have our hands full as it is. Let’s just stay together and let’s work it through. And that’s why we’re called the United States, right? And the unity was key, going back to Abraham Lincoln. It was always about the unity. Going back to the framers of the Constitution, it was always balance of power to ensure unity. And we need that unity now more than every before.” | “This is accepted wisdom,” he says. “A house cannot rise up from the greatest challenge it has seen since World War II. This is no time and no place for division. We have our hands full as it is. Let’s just stay together and let’s work it through. And that’s why we’re called the United States, right? And the unity was key, going back to Abraham Lincoln. It was always about the unity. Going back to the framers of the Constitution, it was always balance of power to ensure unity. And we need that unity now more than every before.” |