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| Coronavirus US live: Trump moves to ban immigration as Massachusetts becomes hotspot | Coronavirus US live: Trump moves to ban immigration as Massachusetts becomes hotspot |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Donald Trump said he would fight Covid-19 by temporarily banning immigration, while Massachusetts reported 1,809 deaths | Donald Trump said he would fight Covid-19 by temporarily banning immigration, while Massachusetts reported 1,809 deaths |
| Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams criticized the state’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp, for allowing a number of businesses to reopen starting Friday. | |
| “There’s nothing about this that makes sense,” Abrams told MSNBC this morning. “The mayors of Atlanta, Albany and Savannah have all questioned the wisdom of doing this. And the fact is the governor didn’t consult with mayors before making this decision.” | |
| The former Democratic legislator warned the move could endanger the employees of businesses looking to reopen later this week. | |
| “The responsibility of a business owner is to first protect your workers,” Abrams said. “That cannot happen when you have a nail salon, when there’s no possible way for that technician to be distant from their customer, when you are running a restaurant that requires face-to-face service.” | |
| Abrams similarly criticized Kemp’s decision in a tweet yesterday after he announced his plan, calling the move “dangerously incompetent.” | |
| Abrams also addressed the rampant speculation about whether presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden might select her as his running mate for the November election. | |
| “All I can say is that if asked to serve, I’d be honored,” Abrams said. | |
| The White House released a statement on Trump’s tweet about plans to ban all immigration amid the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| “President Trump is committed to protecting the health and economic well-being of American citizens as we face unprecedented times,” said newly installed White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. | |
| “As President Trump has said, ‘Decades of record immigration have produced lower wages and higher unemployment for our citizens, especially for African-American and Latino workers.’ At a time when Americans are looking to get back to work, action is necessary.” | |
| Economists disagree on whether immigration actually depresses wages, with some saying it affects certain groups of workers and others saying it has a very minor (if any) effect. | |
| And as the Wall Street Journal has noted, Trump’s proposal to ban all immigration amid the pandemic would have very little impact considering most visa processing has already been halted as a result of the crisis. | |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: | The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports: |
| At least 7 Milwaukee residents so far have contracted Covid-19 as a result of “election-related” activities, the city’s health commissioner said Monday. Six of the people were voters and one was a poll worker, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. | At least 7 Milwaukee residents so far have contracted Covid-19 as a result of “election-related” activities, the city’s health commissioner said Monday. Six of the people were voters and one was a poll worker, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. |
| Jeanette Kowalik, the Milwaukee health commissioner, said in an email the city only had 30% of the data from April 7, the date of the election, onward, and hoped to have more information by the end of the week. State health officials said Monday they have not seen evidence linking Covid-19 cases related to the election, according to the Journal Sentinel. | Jeanette Kowalik, the Milwaukee health commissioner, said in an email the city only had 30% of the data from April 7, the date of the election, onward, and hoped to have more information by the end of the week. State health officials said Monday they have not seen evidence linking Covid-19 cases related to the election, according to the Journal Sentinel. |
| Wisconsin Republicans faced heavy criticism for refusing to call off in-person voting for the state’s April 7 election. Many saw that effort as a political calculation -- fewer people would turn out because of the virus, which would benefit a Republican-backed candidate for the state supreme court. That calculation ultimately proved to be incorrect. Daniel Kelly, the Republican-backed candidate, wound up losing his seat on the supreme court to Jill Karofsky, a liberal challenger. | Wisconsin Republicans faced heavy criticism for refusing to call off in-person voting for the state’s April 7 election. Many saw that effort as a political calculation -- fewer people would turn out because of the virus, which would benefit a Republican-backed candidate for the state supreme court. That calculation ultimately proved to be incorrect. Daniel Kelly, the Republican-backed candidate, wound up losing his seat on the supreme court to Jill Karofsky, a liberal challenger. |
| Wisconsin officials say 4,499 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the state so far, and 230 have died because of the virus. Nearly 60% of those deaths have been in Milwaukee, which has accounted for nearly half of the cases in the state. | Wisconsin officials say 4,499 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the state so far, and 230 have died because of the virus. Nearly 60% of those deaths have been in Milwaukee, which has accounted for nearly half of the cases in the state. |
| As is often the case, the president provided few details on his latest idea, a potential bailout of the oil and gas industry as oil prices continue to drop. | As is often the case, the president provided few details on his latest idea, a potential bailout of the oil and gas industry as oil prices continue to drop. |
| But Trump’s proposal would almost certainly need congressional approval, which would be difficult to secure considering the House is controlled by Democrats. | But Trump’s proposal would almost certainly need congressional approval, which would be difficult to secure considering the House is controlled by Democrats. |
| The administration could try to get funding for oil and gas companies included in a follow-up coronavirus relief bill, but that would almost certainly be a deal-breaker for the many congressional Democrats who have called for stricter regulation of the fossil fuel industry to help address climate change. | The administration could try to get funding for oil and gas companies included in a follow-up coronavirus relief bill, but that would almost certainly be a deal-breaker for the many congressional Democrats who have called for stricter regulation of the fossil fuel industry to help address climate change. |
| Trump indicated he may push for a bailout of the oil and gas indusrry as oil prices continued their record-breaking slide for a second day. | Trump indicated he may push for a bailout of the oil and gas indusrry as oil prices continued their record-breaking slide for a second day. |
| “We will never let the great U.S. Oil & Gas Industry down,” the president wrote in a tweet. “I have instructed the Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Treasury to formulate a plan which will make funds available so that these very important companies and jobs will be secured long into the future!” | “We will never let the great U.S. Oil & Gas Industry down,” the president wrote in a tweet. “I have instructed the Secretary of Energy and Secretary of the Treasury to formulate a plan which will make funds available so that these very important companies and jobs will be secured long into the future!” |
| The benchmark price for US oil fell into negative territory for the first time on record yesterday, as demand for oil has plummeted amid the coronavirus pandemic. | The benchmark price for US oil fell into negative territory for the first time on record yesterday, as demand for oil has plummeted amid the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said he believed the chamber would be able to approve the next coronavirus relief bill later today. | Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said he believed the chamber would be able to approve the next coronavirus relief bill later today. |
| “I think we will be able to pass this today,” Schumer told CNN. “There are still a few more i’s to dot and t’s to cross, but we have a deal.” | “I think we will be able to pass this today,” Schumer told CNN. “There are still a few more i’s to dot and t’s to cross, but we have a deal.” |
| The bill is expected to include $350 billion for the small business loan program known as the Paycheck Protection Program, which ran out of money last week, as well as $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing. | The bill is expected to include $350 billion for the small business loan program known as the Paycheck Protection Program, which ran out of money last week, as well as $75 billion for hospitals and $25 billion for testing. |
| Schumer said he, House speaker Nancy Pelosi, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows had addressed all their outstanding questions about the legislation. | Schumer said he, House speaker Nancy Pelosi, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows had addressed all their outstanding questions about the legislation. |
| “Eevery major issue was resolved by the four of us last night, and I know that Mnuchin and Meadows were in good touch with Leader McConnell and the president,” Schumer said. “I believe we will pass it this afternoon at 4 pm.” | “Eevery major issue was resolved by the four of us last night, and I know that Mnuchin and Meadows were in good touch with Leader McConnell and the president,” Schumer said. “I believe we will pass it this afternoon at 4 pm.” |
| At least 75 publicly traded companies received loans from the small business loan program established by the stimulus package, known as the Paycheck Protection Program, according to an AP investigation. | At least 75 publicly traded companies received loans from the small business loan program established by the stimulus package, known as the Paycheck Protection Program, according to an AP investigation. |
| The AP reports: | The AP reports: |
| The burger chain Shake Shack announced yesterday that it would return the $10 million loan it received from the program, amid criticism about larger businesses taking government funding as PPP has run out of money. | The burger chain Shake Shack announced yesterday that it would return the $10 million loan it received from the program, amid criticism about larger businesses taking government funding as PPP has run out of money. |
| Congressional Democratic leadership and the White House are currently trying to strike a deal on providing PPP and hospitals with more funds through another coronavirus relief bill, but it’s unclear whether an agreement has been reached. | Congressional Democratic leadership and the White House are currently trying to strike a deal on providing PPP and hospitals with more funds through another coronavirus relief bill, but it’s unclear whether an agreement has been reached. |
| This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Pengelly. | This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Pengelly. |
| A new poll shows a majority of Americans give Trump a negative review when it comes to his handling of the current crisis, and an even larger portion of the country does not expect the country to reopen until the summer. | A new poll shows a majority of Americans give Trump a negative review when it comes to his handling of the current crisis, and an even larger portion of the country does not expect the country to reopen until the summer. |
| The Washington Post/University of Maryland poll found that 54% of Americans have a negative opinion on Trump’s handling of the crisis, while 72% say the nation’s governments have managed their states well amid the pandemic. | The Washington Post/University of Maryland poll found that 54% of Americans have a negative opinion on Trump’s handling of the crisis, while 72% say the nation’s governments have managed their states well amid the pandemic. |
| In another example of how everything is now political, the question of when Americans expect social distancing guidelines to be relaxed splits along partisan lines. Overall, 65% of Americans say they do not expect gatherings of 10 people or more to be safe until June or later. That number includes 77% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans. | In another example of how everything is now political, the question of when Americans expect social distancing guidelines to be relaxed splits along partisan lines. Overall, 65% of Americans say they do not expect gatherings of 10 people or more to be safe until June or later. That number includes 77% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans. |
| Just 10% of Americans say they expect the guidelines to be relaxed by the end of April or earlier, despite recent protests against stay-at-home orders in states like Michigan and Minnesota. | Just 10% of Americans say they expect the guidelines to be relaxed by the end of April or earlier, despite recent protests against stay-at-home orders in states like Michigan and Minnesota. |
| However, the most alarming divide in the poll may not be political but racial. About one in three Americans are concerned about paying their bills and affording basic necessities over next month, but that number includes 48% of Hispanics and 39% of blacks, in comparison to 23% of whites. | However, the most alarming divide in the poll may not be political but racial. About one in three Americans are concerned about paying their bills and affording basic necessities over next month, but that number includes 48% of Hispanics and 39% of blacks, in comparison to 23% of whites. |
| A Georgia mayor has criticized the governor’s decision to re-open the state this week as “reckless, premature and dangerous”. | A Georgia mayor has criticized the governor’s decision to re-open the state this week as “reckless, premature and dangerous”. |
| Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican, said businesses including bowling alleys, tattoo studios and hair salons would reopen this week. | Governor Brian Kemp, a Republican, said businesses including bowling alleys, tattoo studios and hair salons would reopen this week. |
| The Democratic mayor of Savannah, Van Johnson, said Kemp’s decision was “not based in any type of science or best practices”. | The Democratic mayor of Savannah, Van Johnson, said Kemp’s decision was “not based in any type of science or best practices”. |
| “People can see it for themselves. We want them to keep the faith, but we want them to follow the science,” Johnson told CNN. “This is still a dangerous time. This is not the time for people to take their feet off the gas.” | “People can see it for themselves. We want them to keep the faith, but we want them to follow the science,” Johnson told CNN. “This is still a dangerous time. This is not the time for people to take their feet off the gas.” |
| There were more than 5,700 Covid-19 cases detected in Georgia last week, a 6% decrease from the week before, but still more than the number of cases in early April. Mayors across the state have said the governor did not consult them before announcing the staggered reopening on Monday. | There were more than 5,700 Covid-19 cases detected in Georgia last week, a 6% decrease from the week before, but still more than the number of cases in early April. Mayors across the state have said the governor did not consult them before announcing the staggered reopening on Monday. |
| Johnson said Covid-19 cases in Savannah were still increasing and testing had not expanded enough to justify an end to stay-at-home orders. | Johnson said Covid-19 cases in Savannah were still increasing and testing had not expanded enough to justify an end to stay-at-home orders. |
| “So this just blows our minds that here in Georgia that we would have these types of rules being lifted in a time when people are still suffering,” Johnson said. | “So this just blows our minds that here in Georgia that we would have these types of rules being lifted in a time when people are still suffering,” Johnson said. |
| The mayor of the state’s biggest city, Atlanta, said she was also concerned. “We see our numbers are continuing to tick up in this state, we see that our deaths are rising,” said Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, also a Democrat. “We have some of the highest asthma rates in the country right here in Atlanta.” | The mayor of the state’s biggest city, Atlanta, said she was also concerned. “We see our numbers are continuing to tick up in this state, we see that our deaths are rising,” said Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, also a Democrat. “We have some of the highest asthma rates in the country right here in Atlanta.” |
| I can’t really justify making this a key event, so I’ll write a headline here: | I can’t really justify making this a key event, so I’ll write a headline here: |
| Brady in a bunch of trouble with Parks and Recreation | Brady in a bunch of trouble with Parks and Recreation |
| Bizarre if somehow amusing news from Tampa, where perhaps the greatest NFL quarterback of all time has been ejected from a public park which is closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Associated Press reports: | Bizarre if somehow amusing news from Tampa, where perhaps the greatest NFL quarterback of all time has been ejected from a public park which is closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Associated Press reports: |
| Apropos of not very much, Donald Trump is a huge fan of Tom Brady. Here’s Politico’s report of a White House meeting with recovered Covid-19 patients last week, at which the quarterback’s name came up a lot. | Apropos of not very much, Donald Trump is a huge fan of Tom Brady. Here’s Politico’s report of a White House meeting with recovered Covid-19 patients last week, at which the quarterback’s name came up a lot. |
| The Wall Street Journal has some interesting context on Trump’s tweeted promise to suspend all immigration to the US: | The Wall Street Journal has some interesting context on Trump’s tweeted promise to suspend all immigration to the US: |
| The promised executive order isn’t expected to substantially alter US policy, the paper writes, as “the administration has already all but ceased nearly every form of immigration. Most visa processing has been halted, meaning almost no one can apply for a visa to visit or move to the US. Visa interviews and citizenship ceremonies have been postponed and the refugee program paused.” | The promised executive order isn’t expected to substantially alter US policy, the paper writes, as “the administration has already all but ceased nearly every form of immigration. Most visa processing has been halted, meaning almost no one can apply for a visa to visit or move to the US. Visa interviews and citizenship ceremonies have been postponed and the refugee program paused.” |
| Furthermore, the Journal reports that the order “is expected to include exceptions for migrant farmworkers, who make up about a 10th of the workforce on US farms, and healthcare workers, particularly those helping treat coronavirus patients … It is not expected to address the removal of immigrants already in the US or the visa renewal process.” | Furthermore, the Journal reports that the order “is expected to include exceptions for migrant farmworkers, who make up about a 10th of the workforce on US farms, and healthcare workers, particularly those helping treat coronavirus patients … It is not expected to address the removal of immigrants already in the US or the visa renewal process.” |
| And another note: “As with past efforts by the president to curb immigration, the executive order will likely face legal challenges.” | And another note: “As with past efforts by the president to curb immigration, the executive order will likely face legal challenges.” |
| So you might say a Trump executive order “banning all immigration”, if signed, might in an election year be a mostly political exercise… | So you might say a Trump executive order “banning all immigration”, if signed, might in an election year be a mostly political exercise… |
| Here’s David Smith’s report: | Here’s David Smith’s report: |
| The president is talking to the television again, and the television is talking back to him. Just another day in Donald Trump’s America, in the middle of a pandemic which has killed more than 42,000 Americans. | The president is talking to the television again, and the television is talking back to him. Just another day in Donald Trump’s America, in the middle of a pandemic which has killed more than 42,000 Americans. |
| In the form of a not-quite Socratic dialogue, then: | In the form of a not-quite Socratic dialogue, then: |
| (*Trump calls MSNBC “MSDNC” as a joke on the initials of the Democratic National Committee.) | (*Trump calls MSNBC “MSDNC” as a joke on the initials of the Democratic National Committee.) |
| (*Trump and Morning Joe’s hosts have a long and … not particularly dignified … history.) | (*Trump and Morning Joe’s hosts have a long and … not particularly dignified … history.) |
| … and there, pausing to notice that Trump’s claim to not care about ratings seems a bit, uh, dubious based on the contents of the sentence in which me made it, you have it. A few other anchors have started addressing Trump personally, hoping to reach the president directly and somehow appeal to his better nature. Doesn’t seem to work. | … and there, pausing to notice that Trump’s claim to not care about ratings seems a bit, uh, dubious based on the contents of the sentence in which me made it, you have it. A few other anchors have started addressing Trump personally, hoping to reach the president directly and somehow appeal to his better nature. Doesn’t seem to work. |
| This, by the by, is the New York Times piece about “ratings” for Trump’s daily briefings which Trump likes to quote so often. | This, by the by, is the New York Times piece about “ratings” for Trump’s daily briefings which Trump likes to quote so often. |
| “On Monday,” Michael Grynbaum wrote on 25 March, “nearly 12.2 million people watched Mr Trump’s briefing on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, according to Nielsen – ‘Monday Night Football’ numbers.” | “On Monday,” Michael Grynbaum wrote on 25 March, “nearly 12.2 million people watched Mr Trump’s briefing on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, according to Nielsen – ‘Monday Night Football’ numbers.” |
| But Grynbaum also wrote: “…the audience is expanding even as Mr Trump has repeatedly delivered information that doctors and public health officials have called ill informed, misleading or downright wrong.” | But Grynbaum also wrote: “…the audience is expanding even as Mr Trump has repeatedly delivered information that doctors and public health officials have called ill informed, misleading or downright wrong.” |
| …and welcome to another day of coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in the US. As always, first the figures: | …and welcome to another day of coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in the US. As always, first the figures: |
| US cases: 787,794 | US cases: 787,794 |
| US deaths: 42,362 | US deaths: 42,362 |
| New York cases: 253,311 | New York cases: 253,311 |
| New York deaths: 18,653 | New York deaths: 18,653 |
| That’s according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. | That’s according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. |
| New York is by far the state worst hit, other states are hit badly too: there have been 4,520 deaths in New Jersey, over the Hudson river from New York, there have been 2,468 in Michigan and there have been 1,809 in Massachusetts, now considered a hotspot. | New York is by far the state worst hit, other states are hit badly too: there have been 4,520 deaths in New Jersey, over the Hudson river from New York, there have been 2,468 in Michigan and there have been 1,809 in Massachusetts, now considered a hotspot. |
| Early on Monday, New York governor Andrew Cuomo reported that his state seems to have passed the apex in terms of deaths, though he still said nearly 500 died on Sunday. Throughout Monday, the warnings of Dr Fauci ringing in their ears, or not, governors continued to ponder when to order the reopening of their shuttered economies. In Georgia, Brian Kemp took steps. In Maryland, Larry Hogan bought 500,000 tests from South Korea. | Early on Monday, New York governor Andrew Cuomo reported that his state seems to have passed the apex in terms of deaths, though he still said nearly 500 died on Sunday. Throughout Monday, the warnings of Dr Fauci ringing in their ears, or not, governors continued to ponder when to order the reopening of their shuttered economies. In Georgia, Brian Kemp took steps. In Maryland, Larry Hogan bought 500,000 tests from South Korea. |
| And from the White House on Monday evening, after an ordinarily controversial daily briefing, Donald Trump said he would fight Covid-19 by temporarily banning immigration. | And from the White House on Monday evening, after an ordinarily controversial daily briefing, Donald Trump said he would fight Covid-19 by temporarily banning immigration. |
| Of course he did – and despite saying repeatedly the country is ready to reopen. This is from David Smith’s report: | Of course he did – and despite saying repeatedly the country is ready to reopen. This is from David Smith’s report: |
| Trump back-tracked from that claim, of course. | Trump back-tracked from that claim, of course. |
| And on Monday, all the while, even though Mitch McConnell wore a mask, the Senate failed to agree on an extension of the coronavirus economic stimulus package. | And on Monday, all the while, even though Mitch McConnell wore a mask, the Senate failed to agree on an extension of the coronavirus economic stimulus package. |
| More to come. Before it does, some further reading: | More to come. Before it does, some further reading: |