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| Coronavirus US live: majority of Americans support stay-home orders, poll shows | Coronavirus US live: majority of Americans support stay-home orders, poll shows |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Despite protests, new poll shows 61% of Americans overwhelmingly support measures to limit the spread of coronavirus | Despite protests, new poll shows 61% of Americans overwhelmingly support measures to limit the spread of coronavirus |
| The Republican governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, has just announced that the state’s personal care businesses, including hair salons and barbershops, may start reopening on Friday. | |
| Stitt said restaurants, churches and gyms could start reopening on May 1 as long as the establishments took proper precautions to limit the spread of coronavirus. Bars will not yet be allowed to reopen. | |
| The governor said the state would follow the White House’s guidelines on reopening and would reevaluate after 14 days whether they can continue the reopening by allowing non-essential travel and gatherings of more than 10 people. | |
| Georgia governor Brian Kemp announced plans to reopen his state on Monday, sparking backlash from some of the state’s mayors, who have warned the reopening could cause a surge in coronavirus cases. | |
| The Republican mayor of Oklahoma City, David Holt, quickly said that the city’s shelter-in-place order would remain in effect until April 30, at which point local officials may consider “entering a new phase” of restrictions. | |
| Carolyn Goodman, the independent mayor of Las Vegas, said she believed the city’s casinos, hotels and stadiums should quickly reopen in an interview that is already attracting widespread criticism. | |
| “I want our restaurants open. I want our small businesses open. I want people back in employment,” Goodman told a clearly flabbergasted Anderson Cooper. | |
| “I’d love everything open because I think we’ve had viruses for years that have been here,” the mayor added. “I want us open in the city of Las Vegas so our people can go back to work.” | |
| Cooper pressed Goodman on how she would ensure coronavirus was not spread at the city’s hotels and casinos, describing the tourist attractions as a “Petri dish” for possible infection. | |
| “You’re being an alarmist,” Goodman told Cooper. As to how to protect the staff and visitors at casinos and hotels, she said, “That’s up to them to figure out.” | |
| Goodman quickly attracted criticism for the interview, with one veteran Nevada journalist calling it “the single most embarrassing thing” he has seen from a state politician in 35 years. | |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he would support letting states declare bankruptcy over the costs of the coronavirus response, as the Kentucky Republican expresses opposition to Congress allocating more funding to the states. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he would support letting states declare bankruptcy over the costs of the coronavirus response, as the Kentucky Republican expresses opposition to Congress allocating more funding to the states. |
| “I would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route. It saves some cities. And there’s no good reason for it not to be available,” McConnell told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. | “I would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route. It saves some cities. And there’s no good reason for it not to be available,” McConnell told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. |
| “My guess is their first choice would be for the federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don’t have to do that. That’s not something I’m going to be in favor of.” | “My guess is their first choice would be for the federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don’t have to do that. That’s not something I’m going to be in favor of.” |
| Democrats lobbied to include more funding for states in the latest coronavirus relief bill, but Republicans pushed back against that proposal, and the final $484 billion bill includes no money for local or state governments. | Democrats lobbied to include more funding for states in the latest coronavirus relief bill, but Republicans pushed back against that proposal, and the final $484 billion bill includes no money for local or state governments. |
| The National Governors Association has said states need an additional $500 billion to cover the costs associated with responding to the crisis, and Trump has indicated he would support including state funding in the next relief bill. | The National Governors Association has said states need an additional $500 billion to cover the costs associated with responding to the crisis, and Trump has indicated he would support including state funding in the next relief bill. |
| A new poll shows Americans still overwhelmingly support stay-at-home orders to limit the spread of coronavirus, despite recent protests against the orders. | A new poll shows Americans still overwhelmingly support stay-at-home orders to limit the spread of coronavirus, despite recent protests against the orders. |
| A new AP/NORC poll found that the majority of Americans (61%) said the steps taken by government officials to limit the spread of the virus in their area are about right, and another 26% said the measures adopted do not go far enough. Only 12% said the restrictions go too far. | A new AP/NORC poll found that the majority of Americans (61%) said the steps taken by government officials to limit the spread of the virus in their area are about right, and another 26% said the measures adopted do not go far enough. Only 12% said the restrictions go too far. |
| However, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say the restrictions go too far. While 22% of Republicans say the measures go too far, only 5% of Democrats say the same. | However, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say the restrictions go too far. While 22% of Republicans say the measures go too far, only 5% of Democrats say the same. |
| The poll comes as protests against stay-at-home orders have broken out in multiple states, and Trump said last week that states needed to be liberated from the orders. | The poll comes as protests against stay-at-home orders have broken out in multiple states, and Trump said last week that states needed to be liberated from the orders. |
| But public health experts have warned states could risk a surge in coronavirus cases if they reopen their economies too quickly. | But public health experts have warned states could risk a surge in coronavirus cases if they reopen their economies too quickly. |
| Change of plans: the House will not vote tomorrow on a measure that would temporarily allow members to vote by proxy. | Change of plans: the House will not vote tomorrow on a measure that would temporarily allow members to vote by proxy. |
| House speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly told her leadership team in a phone call this morning that the chamber would not vote on the measure tomorrow, and she would instead form a bipartisan task force to further examine remote voting. | House speaker Nancy Pelosi reportedly told her leadership team in a phone call this morning that the chamber would not vote on the measure tomorrow, and she would instead form a bipartisan task force to further examine remote voting. |
| House Republicans have voiced ardent opposition to the measure, but Democrats, who control the chamber, would likely have the votes to get the proposal approved regardless. | House Republicans have voiced ardent opposition to the measure, but Democrats, who control the chamber, would likely have the votes to get the proposal approved regardless. |
| However, Pelosi reportedly decided not to force the measure through after a long conversation today with House minority leader Kevin McCarthy. | However, Pelosi reportedly decided not to force the measure through after a long conversation today with House minority leader Kevin McCarthy. |
| Former vice president Al Gore has endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and will appear alongside the presumptive Democratic nominee for a virtual Earth Day event in about 30 minutes. | Former vice president Al Gore has endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and will appear alongside the presumptive Democratic nominee for a virtual Earth Day event in about 30 minutes. |
| “This is the clearest most definitive choice in a national election that the United States of American has ever faced, especially for people who care about the climate,” Gore told the AP. | “This is the clearest most definitive choice in a national election that the United States of American has ever faced, especially for people who care about the climate,” Gore told the AP. |
| The climate activist argued that Biden was the obvious general election choice for anyone who wanted the US to take concrete steps to address climate change. | The climate activist argued that Biden was the obvious general election choice for anyone who wanted the US to take concrete steps to address climate change. |
| “If there is any person in America who cares about the climate crisis and has any doubt whatsoever about the importance of voting for Joe Biden this November, I want to emphasize to that person in as strong a way as I possibly can: This is not complicated,” Gore said. “This is not rocket science. This is not a close call.” | “If there is any person in America who cares about the climate crisis and has any doubt whatsoever about the importance of voting for Joe Biden this November, I want to emphasize to that person in as strong a way as I possibly can: This is not complicated,” Gore said. “This is not rocket science. This is not a close call.” |
| Someone should warn the animals. Donald Trump and Melania Trump were planting a tree outside the Oval Office and the president happened to drop in the remark that national parks will reopen soon. | Someone should warn the animals. Donald Trump and Melania Trump were planting a tree outside the Oval Office and the president happened to drop in the remark that national parks will reopen soon. |
| He gave no details. Most parks and park facilities are closed, including all the big names such as Grand Canyon, Acadia, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, Arches, etc. | He gave no details. Most parks and park facilities are closed, including all the big names such as Grand Canyon, Acadia, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, Arches, etc. |
| “Thanks to our significant progress against the invisible enemy [coronavirus], I am pleased to announce that in line with my administration’s guidelines for opening up America again we will begin to reopen our national parks and public lands for the American people to enjoy,” Trump said. | “Thanks to our significant progress against the invisible enemy [coronavirus], I am pleased to announce that in line with my administration’s guidelines for opening up America again we will begin to reopen our national parks and public lands for the American people to enjoy,” Trump said. |
| He gave no details and it should be noted that he has a tendency to throw out remarks that are more aspirational than realistic (or safe), such as the time he forecast that the US economy could open back up by Easter (April 12). | He gave no details and it should be noted that he has a tendency to throw out remarks that are more aspirational than realistic (or safe), such as the time he forecast that the US economy could open back up by Easter (April 12). |
| As the coronavirus outbreak gathered its deadly pace and geographical spread across the US, people were not observing social distancing and parks had to close. | As the coronavirus outbreak gathered its deadly pace and geographical spread across the US, people were not observing social distancing and parks had to close. |
| Now the bears, bison, moose and birds need to know: the wretched humans with our selfie sticks and trash might be back sooner than they think, loving the parks just a bit too much. | Now the bears, bison, moose and birds need to know: the wretched humans with our selfie sticks and trash might be back sooner than they think, loving the parks just a bit too much. |
| Ocean views. | Ocean views. |
| The Trump administration has also been rather keen on shrinking national monuments and opening up public lands for mineral exploration and exploitation. | The Trump administration has also been rather keen on shrinking national monuments and opening up public lands for mineral exploration and exploitation. |
| The White House is dubiously claiming the CDC director was misquoted when he warned that the second wave of coronavirus could be worse than the first. | The White House is dubiously claiming the CDC director was misquoted when he warned that the second wave of coronavirus could be worse than the first. |
| The newly installed White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, claimed CDC director Robert Redfield was referring to the seasonal flu when he warned about the danger of a second wave this winter. | The newly installed White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, claimed CDC director Robert Redfield was referring to the seasonal flu when he warned about the danger of a second wave this winter. |
| But Redfield’s quote to the Washington Post clearly shows otherwise. “There’s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through,” Redfield told the Post yesterday. | But Redfield’s quote to the Washington Post clearly shows otherwise. “There’s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through,” Redfield told the Post yesterday. |
| “And when I’ve said this to others, they kind of put their head back, they don’t understand what I mean.” He added, “We’re going to have the flu epidemic and the coronavirus epidemic at the same time.” | “And when I’ve said this to others, they kind of put their head back, they don’t understand what I mean.” He added, “We’re going to have the flu epidemic and the coronavirus epidemic at the same time.” |
| Trump similarly claimed earlier today that Redfield had been “totally misquoted” and said the CDC director would put out a statement clarifying his claim, but Redfield does not appear to have done so. | Trump similarly claimed earlier today that Redfield had been “totally misquoted” and said the CDC director would put out a statement clarifying his claim, but Redfield does not appear to have done so. |
| One of the main themes at today’s World Health Organisation press conference is the major role that US experts and officials play inside the WHO. | One of the main themes at today’s World Health Organisation press conference is the major role that US experts and officials play inside the WHO. |
| This follows multiple accusations from Donald Trump and his officials that the WHO was privy to information about Covid-19 which it hid from the US. | This follows multiple accusations from Donald Trump and his officials that the WHO was privy to information about Covid-19 which it hid from the US. |
| The Guardian reported on Saturday that there were more than a dozen officials from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) embedded in WHO in January and February. | The Guardian reported on Saturday that there were more than a dozen officials from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) embedded in WHO in January and February. |
| Today, the head of the WHO health emergencies programme, Michael Ryan, said there were 31 US nationals on his team and pointed to Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead on Covid-19 also sitting on the podium, who is an American epidemiologist. | Today, the head of the WHO health emergencies programme, Michael Ryan, said there were 31 US nationals on his team and pointed to Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead on Covid-19 also sitting on the podium, who is an American epidemiologist. |
| The WHO director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the close association with CDC and having CDC staff at WHO headquarters in Geneva “means there is nothing hidden from the US, from day one, because these are Americans who are working with us, and it just comes naturally. | The WHO director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the close association with CDC and having CDC staff at WHO headquarters in Geneva “means there is nothing hidden from the US, from day one, because these are Americans who are working with us, and it just comes naturally. |
| “Since our CDC colleagues also know that we give information immediately to anyone, they also can pass information to their institution. No problem. There is no secret in the WHO, because keeping things confidential or secret is dangerous.” | “Since our CDC colleagues also know that we give information immediately to anyone, they also can pass information to their institution. No problem. There is no secret in the WHO, because keeping things confidential or secret is dangerous.” |
| Trump announced earlier this month that the US would suspend payments to the WHO. | Trump announced earlier this month that the US would suspend payments to the WHO. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Andrew Cuomo said he would not let political pressure dictate when New York reopens. At his daily briefing, Cuomo said local officials who are anxious to relax social distancing guidelines should blame him for the stay-at-home order, but he emphasized he would not jeopardize New Yorkers’ lives by reopening too quickly. | Andrew Cuomo said he would not let political pressure dictate when New York reopens. At his daily briefing, Cuomo said local officials who are anxious to relax social distancing guidelines should blame him for the stay-at-home order, but he emphasized he would not jeopardize New Yorkers’ lives by reopening too quickly. |
| The House is expected to vote tomorrow on the next coronavirus relief package. The Senate passed the nearly $500 billion bill by voice vote yesterday, and Trump has already signaled he will sign the legislation. | The House is expected to vote tomorrow on the next coronavirus relief package. The Senate passed the nearly $500 billion bill by voice vote yesterday, and Trump has already signaled he will sign the legislation. |
| The first coronavirus deaths in the US appear to have occurred weeks earlier than previously thought. Health officials now say two people in California died of the virus in the three weeks before the first official death was announced in Washington state. | The first coronavirus deaths in the US appear to have occurred weeks earlier than previously thought. Health officials now say two people in California died of the virus in the three weeks before the first official death was announced in Washington state. |
| The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo has just wrapped up his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo has just wrapped up his daily briefing on the state’s response to coronavirus. |
| Here’s some of what he covered: | Here’s some of what he covered: |
| Cuomo said he would not let political pressure dictate the timetable for reopening the state. The governor acknowledged some local officials are anxious to start relaxing social distancing guidelines, but he said a hasty reopening could jeopardize New Yorkers’ lives. “I have no problem with them blaming me,” Cuomo said of local New York officials. “Blame the governor. It’s the truth.” | Cuomo said he would not let political pressure dictate the timetable for reopening the state. The governor acknowledged some local officials are anxious to start relaxing social distancing guidelines, but he said a hasty reopening could jeopardize New Yorkers’ lives. “I have no problem with them blaming me,” Cuomo said of local New York officials. “Blame the governor. It’s the truth.” |
| Cuomo described his meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday as “very productive.” Cuomo said the pair were able to put their political differences aside to focus on issues like expanding testing and securing more state funding. “We both have a job to do,” Cuomo said. “Let’s do the job. And that was the spirit of the meeting yesterday.” | Cuomo described his meeting with Trump at the White House yesterday as “very productive.” Cuomo said the pair were able to put their political differences aside to focus on issues like expanding testing and securing more state funding. “We both have a job to do,” Cuomo said. “Let’s do the job. And that was the spirit of the meeting yesterday.” |
| Another 474 New Yorkers died of coroanvirus yesterday, bringing the state’s total death toll to 15,302. The daily death toll has dropped somewhat from last week, but it remains alarmingly high. | Another 474 New Yorkers died of coroanvirus yesterday, bringing the state’s total death toll to 15,302. The daily death toll has dropped somewhat from last week, but it remains alarmingly high. |
| Cuomo will issue an announcement on nursing homes tomorrow. The governor did not hint at what the announcement would be, but he has received some criticism for allowing people who have tested positive for Covid-19 to be readmitted to nursing homes. More than 3,000 New Yorkers in nursing homes and adult care facilities have died of the virus. | Cuomo will issue an announcement on nursing homes tomorrow. The governor did not hint at what the announcement would be, but he has received some criticism for allowing people who have tested positive for Covid-19 to be readmitted to nursing homes. More than 3,000 New Yorkers in nursing homes and adult care facilities have died of the virus. |
| Billionaire Mike Bloomberg is helping the state develop a testing and tracing program. New York officials said Bloomberg would donate about $10 million to the effort, which would be focused on identifying and isolating new coronavirus cases to mitigate the spread of the virus. | Billionaire Mike Bloomberg is helping the state develop a testing and tracing program. New York officials said Bloomberg would donate about $10 million to the effort, which would be focused on identifying and isolating new coronavirus cases to mitigate the spread of the virus. |