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| Coronavirus US live: widespread concern amid growing protests against stay home orders | Coronavirus US live: widespread concern amid growing protests against stay home orders |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Protests, which flared up earlier in the week, appear to have a partisan bent, with a preponderance of Trump 2020 flags | Protests, which flared up earlier in the week, appear to have a partisan bent, with a preponderance of Trump 2020 flags |
| The United States is struggling to test enough people to track and control the spread of the novel coronavirus. | |
| This is a crucial first step to reopening parts of the economy, which Donald Trump is pushing to do by May 1, the AP writes. | |
| Trump on Thursday released a plan to ease business restrictions that hinges on a downward trajectory of positive tests. | |
| But more than a month after he declared, “Anybody who wants a test, can get a test,” the reality has been much different. | |
| People report being unable to get tested. Labs and public officials say critical supply shortages are making it impossible to increase testing to the levels experts say is necessary to keep the virus in check. | |
| “There are places that have enough test swabs, but not enough workers to administer them. There are places that are limiting tests because of the CDC criteria on who should get tested,” said Dr. Megan Ranney, an emergency physician and associate professor at Brown University. | |
| “There’s just so many inefficiencies and problems with the way that testing currently happens across this country.” | |
| Trump’s plan envisions setting up “sentinel surveillance sites” that would screen people without symptoms in locations that serve older people or minority populations | |
| Experts say testing would have to increase as much as threefold to be effective. | |
| Fired aircraft carrier’s captain could learn fate soon | Fired aircraft carrier’s captain could learn fate soon |
| The Navy’s top admiral will soon decide the fate of the ship captain who was fired after pleading for commanders to move faster to safeguard his coronavirus-infected crew on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. | The Navy’s top admiral will soon decide the fate of the ship captain who was fired after pleading for commanders to move faster to safeguard his coronavirus-infected crew on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. |
| In the glare of a public spotlight, Admiral Mike Gilday will decide whether Navy Captain Brett Crozier stepped out of line when he went around his chain of command and sent an email pushing for action to stem the outbreak, The AP writes. | In the glare of a public spotlight, Admiral Mike Gilday will decide whether Navy Captain Brett Crozier stepped out of line when he went around his chain of command and sent an email pushing for action to stem the outbreak, The AP writes. |
| As of Friday, 660 sailors on the aircraft carrier, now docked at the US Pacific territory of Guam, had tested positive for the virus and seven were hospitalized. | As of Friday, 660 sailors on the aircraft carrier, now docked at the US Pacific territory of Guam, had tested positive for the virus and seven were hospitalized. |
| One sailor has died, and more than 4,000 of the ship’s 5,000 crew members have been moved onto the island for quarantine. | One sailor has died, and more than 4,000 of the ship’s 5,000 crew members have been moved onto the island for quarantine. |
| Gilday’s review won’t be limited to Crozier. It will also look at the command climate on the ship and higher up within the Pacific-based fleet, to determine if there are broader leadership problems in a region critical to America’s national security interests. | Gilday’s review won’t be limited to Crozier. It will also look at the command climate on the ship and higher up within the Pacific-based fleet, to determine if there are broader leadership problems in a region critical to America’s national security interests. |
| Gilday has many options as he reviews what was an extraordinarily rapid investigation by Admiral Robert Burke, the vice chief of naval operations. | Gilday has many options as he reviews what was an extraordinarily rapid investigation by Admiral Robert Burke, the vice chief of naval operations. |
| Burke and his staff finished the review in about a week, conducting interviews almost entirely online and by phone between Washington and Guam. | Burke and his staff finished the review in about a week, conducting interviews almost entirely online and by phone between Washington and Guam. |
| Racial toll of coronavirus grows even starker as more data emerges | Racial toll of coronavirus grows even starker as more data emerges |
| As a clearer picture emerges of Covid-19’s decidedly deadly toll on black Americans, leaders are demanding a reckoning of the systemic policies they say have made many African Americans far more vulnerable to the virus, including inequity in access to health care and economic opportunity, The Associated Press writes. | As a clearer picture emerges of Covid-19’s decidedly deadly toll on black Americans, leaders are demanding a reckoning of the systemic policies they say have made many African Americans far more vulnerable to the virus, including inequity in access to health care and economic opportunity, The Associated Press writes. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| “Better to be six feet apart than six feet under” | “Better to be six feet apart than six feet under” |
| Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer is under assault by right-wing driven protests for her tough restrictions on Michiganders during the coronavirus pandemic. | Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer is under assault by right-wing driven protests for her tough restrictions on Michiganders during the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Protesters, some heavily armed, swarmed the state capitol earlier in the week, briefly chanting: “Lock her up” - a strong echo of one of Donald Trump’s most regular prompts about Hillary Clinton at rallies during and since the 2016 election. | Protesters, some heavily armed, swarmed the state capitol earlier in the week, briefly chanting: “Lock her up” - a strong echo of one of Donald Trump’s most regular prompts about Hillary Clinton at rallies during and since the 2016 election. |
| Last night Trump called such demonstrators “responsible people” in an ominous echo of the language he used when he said there were “fine people on both sides” after the deadly clashes between white nationalist and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. | Last night Trump called such demonstrators “responsible people” in an ominous echo of the language he used when he said there were “fine people on both sides” after the deadly clashes between white nationalist and counter-protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. |
| Yesterday Whitmer, a Democrat, declared, unequivocally, in an interview on ABC: ““You know, I can take it [the protests]. If it makes people feel better to take their frustrations out on me, that’s fine. All I ask is let’s not get overly political here. Let’s focus on the public health.” | Yesterday Whitmer, a Democrat, declared, unequivocally, in an interview on ABC: ““You know, I can take it [the protests]. If it makes people feel better to take their frustrations out on me, that’s fine. All I ask is let’s not get overly political here. Let’s focus on the public health.” |
| The governor said she recognized that her stay-at-home order comes with a price as people get laid off and children are prevented from going to school, but also that the order was necessary to protect Michiganders from the Covid-19 outbreak. | The governor said she recognized that her stay-at-home order comes with a price as people get laid off and children are prevented from going to school, but also that the order was necessary to protect Michiganders from the Covid-19 outbreak. |
| “It’s better to be six feet apart right now than six feet under,” she said. | “It’s better to be six feet apart right now than six feet under,” she said. |
| On CNN this morning, former Michigan Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm said of right restrictions: “She doesn’t want to do them but she wants to protect the people of the state - Democrat and Republican. She is not going to [relax] while people’s lives are at stake.” | On CNN this morning, former Michigan Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm said of right restrictions: “She doesn’t want to do them but she wants to protect the people of the state - Democrat and Republican. She is not going to [relax] while people’s lives are at stake.” |
| Granholm criticized protesters for not keeping physical distance, handing out candy to children, without wearing face masks or gloves, and by clogging traffic “blocking amblances from getting to the hospital,” she said. | Granholm criticized protesters for not keeping physical distance, handing out candy to children, without wearing face masks or gloves, and by clogging traffic “blocking amblances from getting to the hospital,” she said. |
| Queen Elizabeth II, monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth (ie she’s literally on the money in Canada, Australia and some other members of the Commonwealth) has announced she is canceling the traditional royal gun salute for her birthday on Tuesday, when she turns 94. | Queen Elizabeth II, monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth (ie she’s literally on the money in Canada, Australia and some other members of the Commonwealth) has announced she is canceling the traditional royal gun salute for her birthday on Tuesday, when she turns 94. |
| She will spend the day privately at Windsor Castle, on the outskirts of London, with Prince Philip, 98. Family members are expected to video call her on the day, the Guardian reports. | She will spend the day privately at Windsor Castle, on the outskirts of London, with Prince Philip, 98. Family members are expected to video call her on the day, the Guardian reports. |
| You can follow British developments relating to the coronavirus on our UK live blog. | You can follow British developments relating to the coronavirus on our UK live blog. |
| And you can follow global developments on the coronavirus pandemic via our global live blog. | And you can follow global developments on the coronavirus pandemic via our global live blog. |
| Interestingly, the global live blog has a headline relating to the anger US Senator Angus King, of Maine, displayed yesterday, after a call between vice president Mike Pence and some Democratic leaders in the US Senate did not go well. | Interestingly, the global live blog has a headline relating to the anger US Senator Angus King, of Maine, displayed yesterday, after a call between vice president Mike Pence and some Democratic leaders in the US Senate did not go well. |
| The Dems were frustrated that the federal government is not responding sufficiently to complaints from state officials for more resources for testing and tracking their residents, so they can get a handle on shutting the virus down and opening up their economies. | The Dems were frustrated that the federal government is not responding sufficiently to complaints from state officials for more resources for testing and tracking their residents, so they can get a handle on shutting the virus down and opening up their economies. |
| Angus referred to “a dereliction of duty” by the federal government. | Angus referred to “a dereliction of duty” by the federal government. |
| Latest statistics | Latest statistics |
| The number of confirmed US coronavirus cases hit 706,779 this morning -- and nationwide deaths now total 37,079, the latest data indicate. As of the most recent count, 3,574,392 US residents have been tested. | The number of confirmed US coronavirus cases hit 706,779 this morning -- and nationwide deaths now total 37,079, the latest data indicate. As of the most recent count, 3,574,392 US residents have been tested. |
| To give some perspective: Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the outbreak, noted that there are a total of 2,261,631 confirmed cases and 154,789 deaths worldwide. | To give some perspective: Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the outbreak, noted that there are a total of 2,261,631 confirmed cases and 154,789 deaths worldwide. |
| Johns Hopkins also noted that New York City presently has 131,661 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 13,202 fatalities. | Johns Hopkins also noted that New York City presently has 131,661 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 13,202 fatalities. |
| Researchers at Johns Hopkins also provided updated numbers for New York City, which leads the country with 131,661 confirmed cases and 13,202 deaths. | Researchers at Johns Hopkins also provided updated numbers for New York City, which leads the country with 131,661 confirmed cases and 13,202 deaths. |
| The statistics are sure to change throughout the day. We’ll keep you posted with updates. | The statistics are sure to change throughout the day. We’ll keep you posted with updates. |
| Here’s Robin McKie, the science and environment editor of the Observer, the Guardian’s sister newspaper (and the oldest surviving Sunday newspaper in the world, FYI). | Here’s Robin McKie, the science and environment editor of the Observer, the Guardian’s sister newspaper (and the oldest surviving Sunday newspaper in the world, FYI). |
| Minnesota Senator and recent 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar just lit into the Trump administration, in a live interview on CNN. | Minnesota Senator and recent 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar just lit into the Trump administration, in a live interview on CNN. |
| Klobuchar’s husband, John Bessler, was desperately sickened by coronavirus, but eventually pulled through after being hospitalized. | Klobuchar’s husband, John Bessler, was desperately sickened by coronavirus, but eventually pulled through after being hospitalized. |
| “You cannot hold their hand. You cannot hug the healthcare workers” who are caring for your loved one. “It’s a horrific disease,” Klobuchar said. | “You cannot hold their hand. You cannot hug the healthcare workers” who are caring for your loved one. “It’s a horrific disease,” Klobuchar said. |
| With governors and the federal government at battle stations, Klobuchar pointed to remarks by New York governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday about those disliking the quarantine orders: “If you’re mad, call me.” | With governors and the federal government at battle stations, Klobuchar pointed to remarks by New York governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday about those disliking the quarantine orders: “If you’re mad, call me.” |
| Klobuchar said moments ago: “Does the president of the United States say that? No. At the Republican convention [in 2016 when he snagged the party nomination for the White House] he said ‘I alone can fix it’, then it was back to the governors [to take responsibility for fighting coronavirus], then he was in charge, then it’s [again] up to the governors. | Klobuchar said moments ago: “Does the president of the United States say that? No. At the Republican convention [in 2016 when he snagged the party nomination for the White House] he said ‘I alone can fix it’, then it was back to the governors [to take responsibility for fighting coronavirus], then he was in charge, then it’s [again] up to the governors. |
| “There was never a national strategy for testing and a national strategy to prepare our country. If we had not lost those precious months and could have been in better shape right now.” | “There was never a national strategy for testing and a national strategy to prepare our country. If we had not lost those precious months and could have been in better shape right now.” |
| Good morning, US live blog readers, the coronavirus doesn’t rest on weekends and neither do we. Stay tuned for up-to-the-minute news on US politics and the pandemic. | Good morning, US live blog readers, the coronavirus doesn’t rest on weekends and neither do we. Stay tuned for up-to-the-minute news on US politics and the pandemic. |
| There are widespread concerns about the growing occurrence of sporadic protests around the nation. These flared up earlier in the week in several states, most notably Michigan and Minnesota, against the continuance of stay-at-home orders by governors (which follow federal guidelines) as they try to contain the disease. Most US public helath experts believe the number of coronavirus cases has not yet peaked in the US, though the may peak soon. | There are widespread concerns about the growing occurrence of sporadic protests around the nation. These flared up earlier in the week in several states, most notably Michigan and Minnesota, against the continuance of stay-at-home orders by governors (which follow federal guidelines) as they try to contain the disease. Most US public helath experts believe the number of coronavirus cases has not yet peaked in the US, though the may peak soon. |
| The protests appear to have had a partisan bent, with a preponderance of “Trump 2020” flags, Trump baseball hats and signs criticizing Democratic party state governors, and some demonstrators toting assault rifles. | The protests appear to have had a partisan bent, with a preponderance of “Trump 2020” flags, Trump baseball hats and signs criticizing Democratic party state governors, and some demonstrators toting assault rifles. |
| Now Texas, with a Republican governor, Greg Abbott, is expecting protesters to gather today at the state capitol in Austin to call for the reopening of the state’s economy – and the country’s – and an end to social distancing orders and business closures. | Now Texas, with a Republican governor, Greg Abbott, is expecting protesters to gather today at the state capitol in Austin to call for the reopening of the state’s economy – and the country’s – and an end to social distancing orders and business closures. |
| The rally is being called “You Can’t Close America”. | The rally is being called “You Can’t Close America”. |
| Last night at the White House coronavirus task force briefing, Donald Trump and his vice-president, Mike Pence, both delivered messages saying that there are enough tests available across the nation to track and control the spread of coronavirus and move to “phase one” reopening of the economy, which non-essential businesses starting up again. | Last night at the White House coronavirus task force briefing, Donald Trump and his vice-president, Mike Pence, both delivered messages saying that there are enough tests available across the nation to track and control the spread of coronavirus and move to “phase one” reopening of the economy, which non-essential businesses starting up again. |
| This goes against what many governors are saying, some Republicans as well as Democrats, that they do not have enough resources yet to begin safely opening up towards normal life again. | This goes against what many governors are saying, some Republicans as well as Democrats, that they do not have enough resources yet to begin safely opening up towards normal life again. |
| And the Guardian is reporting today on some of the right-wing forces, both political and financial, that appear to be driving protesters, whom Trump on Friday called “responsible people”. | And the Guardian is reporting today on some of the right-wing forces, both political and financial, that appear to be driving protesters, whom Trump on Friday called “responsible people”. |