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Coronavirus: US reaches one million confirmed cases – live updates Coronavirus: US reaches one million confirmed cases – live updates
(32 minutes later)
US reaches milestone according to Johns Hopkins figures, with death toll now over 57,000US reaches milestone according to Johns Hopkins figures, with death toll now over 57,000
Is $1,200 Enough? Trump administration considering another payment Fauci: I’m being “told” everyone can get a test by the end of May
How soon will every American who needs a coronavirus test be able to get one?
Speaking to CNN’s Jake Tapper, Dr. Anthony Fauci said this afternoon that he’s being told that testing will ramp up very soon, but that “I’m always the skeptic in the group,” referring to the White House’s coronavirus task force.
Fauci said he is being “told” that tests will “hopefully” be widely available “as we get to the end of May and the beginning of June.”
Is $1,200 enough? Trump administration considering another payment
Lois Beckett here in San Francisco picking up this evening’s live political news coverage. For Americans worried about paying their bills, an update from the White House, which is “studying very carefully” the possibility of more direct cash support from the government.Lois Beckett here in San Francisco picking up this evening’s live political news coverage. For Americans worried about paying their bills, an update from the White House, which is “studying very carefully” the possibility of more direct cash support from the government.
Speaking to reporters at the White House today, one of Trump’s economic advisers was asked if Americans need to receive something more than the one-time $1,200 individual stimulus checks to make it through the pandemic.Speaking to reporters at the White House today, one of Trump’s economic advisers was asked if Americans need to receive something more than the one-time $1,200 individual stimulus checks to make it through the pandemic.
“That’s something we’re studying very carefully,” Hassett said.“That’s something we’re studying very carefully,” Hassett said.
That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Lois Beckett, will take over the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Lois Beckett, will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
The US has confirmed more than 1 million cases of coronavirus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins. The US now accounts for about a third of all coronavirus cases reported from around the world.The US has confirmed more than 1 million cases of coronavirus, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins. The US now accounts for about a third of all coronavirus cases reported from around the world.
Trump is expected to sign an executive order aimed at keeping meat plants open. The planned order comes as some plants have closed after workers tested positive for coronavirus, raising concerns about a meat shortage in the country. But experts expressed concern that the order could jeopardize the health of plant workers.Trump is expected to sign an executive order aimed at keeping meat plants open. The planned order comes as some plants have closed after workers tested positive for coronavirus, raising concerns about a meat shortage in the country. But experts expressed concern that the order could jeopardize the health of plant workers.
Trump dodged a question about whether he received repeated warnings on the threat of coronavirus in his Presidential Daily Briefing. The Washington Post reported the PDB included warnings about the virus in January and February, even as the president publicly downplayed the seriousness of the health threat.Trump dodged a question about whether he received repeated warnings on the threat of coronavirus in his Presidential Daily Briefing. The Washington Post reported the PDB included warnings about the virus in January and February, even as the president publicly downplayed the seriousness of the health threat.
Hillary Clinton officially endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. The endorsement is unsurprising, considering Biden has won the backing of nearly every other prominent Democrat, but it is still noteworthy after Biden considered challenging Clinton for the presidential nomination in 2016.Hillary Clinton officially endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. The endorsement is unsurprising, considering Biden has won the backing of nearly every other prominent Democrat, but it is still noteworthy after Biden considered challenging Clinton for the presidential nomination in 2016.
The vice president was criticized for not wearing a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota, even though the clinic requires all visitors to cover their faces. Pence claimed he didn’t have to wear a mask because he’s regularly tested for the virus, but health experts have questioned that argument, noting the vice president could get a false negative result or contract the virus in between tests.The vice president was criticized for not wearing a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota, even though the clinic requires all visitors to cover their faces. Pence claimed he didn’t have to wear a mask because he’s regularly tested for the virus, but health experts have questioned that argument, noting the vice president could get a false negative result or contract the virus in between tests.
Lois will have more coming up, so stay tuned.Lois will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Vice President Mike Pence defended his decision not to wear a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota, even though the clinic requires all visitors to cover their faces.Vice President Mike Pence defended his decision not to wear a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota, even though the clinic requires all visitors to cover their faces.
“As vice president of the United States, I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” Pence told reporters, according to a pool report.“As vice president of the United States, I’m tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus,” Pence told reporters, according to a pool report.
“And since I don’t have the coronavirus, I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible healthcare personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you.”“And since I don’t have the coronavirus, I thought it’d be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible healthcare personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you.”
As the blog has previously noted, Pence could have contracted the virus in between tests, so the guidance on face coverings would almost certainly still apply to him. The coronavirus test is also not infallible, so it’s still possible he could be an asymptomatic carrier.As the blog has previously noted, Pence could have contracted the virus in between tests, so the guidance on face coverings would almost certainly still apply to him. The coronavirus test is also not infallible, so it’s still possible he could be an asymptomatic carrier.
And to reiterate, the Mayo Clinic requires all visitors to wear masks, so at a minimum, Pence was ignoring the requests of his hosts while visiting clinic employees and patients. Reporters who were traveling with Pence said he appeared to be the only one at the clinic not covering his face.And to reiterate, the Mayo Clinic requires all visitors to wear masks, so at a minimum, Pence was ignoring the requests of his hosts while visiting clinic employees and patients. Reporters who were traveling with Pence said he appeared to be the only one at the clinic not covering his face.
Restrictions on access to the Capitol have been extended through May 16, according to a new statement from the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms.Restrictions on access to the Capitol have been extended through May 16, according to a new statement from the House and Senate sergeants-at-arms.
The statement said Capitol tours would be canceled until at least May 16, and access to the House and Senate office buildings will be limited to members, staffers, credentialed press and official business vistors.The statement said Capitol tours would be canceled until at least May 16, and access to the House and Senate office buildings will be limited to members, staffers, credentialed press and official business vistors.
“We are taking this temporary action out of concern for the health and safety of congressional employees as well as the public,” the statement said.“We are taking this temporary action out of concern for the health and safety of congressional employees as well as the public,” the statement said.
Access to the Capitol was first limited in early March, and it seems likely the restrictions will need to be extended again, considering the rising number of coronavirus cases in the Washington metropolitan area.Access to the Capitol was first limited in early March, and it seems likely the restrictions will need to be extended again, considering the rising number of coronavirus cases in the Washington metropolitan area.
Trump said he felt optimistic about the development of a coronavirus vaccine, but he then dubiously argued the virus would “go away” regardless.Trump said he felt optimistic about the development of a coronavirus vaccine, but he then dubiously argued the virus would “go away” regardless.
“But I think what happens is, it’s going to go away. This is going to go away,” Trump said during a White House event with small business owners. “And whether it comes back in a modified form in the fall, we’ll be able to handle it. We’ll be able to put out spurts. And we’re very prepared to handle it.”“But I think what happens is, it’s going to go away. This is going to go away,” Trump said during a White House event with small business owners. “And whether it comes back in a modified form in the fall, we’ll be able to handle it. We’ll be able to put out spurts. And we’re very prepared to handle it.”
The comments sounded eerily similar to Trump’s confident claims about coronavirus earlier this year, as the virus wreaked havoc in China’s Wuhan region. “It’s going to disappear,” Trump said in late February. “One day, it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.”The comments sounded eerily similar to Trump’s confident claims about coronavirus earlier this year, as the virus wreaked havoc in China’s Wuhan region. “It’s going to disappear,” Trump said in late February. “One day, it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.”
Of course, even countries that have been able to limit the spread of coronavirus have still needed to keep many restrictions in place to prevent a resurgence of the virus, so it is not at all accurate to say the virus went away.Of course, even countries that have been able to limit the spread of coronavirus have still needed to keep many restrictions in place to prevent a resurgence of the virus, so it is not at all accurate to say the virus went away.
Public health experts have warned the country could see a second wave of infections starting in the fall, which could coincide with flu season, potentially creating a dangerous burden on the US healthcare system.Public health experts have warned the country could see a second wave of infections starting in the fall, which could coincide with flu season, potentially creating a dangerous burden on the US healthcare system.
Trump is expected to sign an executive order today aimed at keeping meat processing plants open, even though workers at a number of plants have tested positive for coronavirus.Trump is expected to sign an executive order today aimed at keeping meat processing plants open, even though workers at a number of plants have tested positive for coronavirus.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
But some experts warned the order could jeopardize the health of meat plant workers and potentially cause a surge in coronavirus infections in towns with major plants.But some experts warned the order could jeopardize the health of meat plant workers and potentially cause a surge in coronavirus infections in towns with major plants.
A former deputy labor secretary under Barack Obama expressed concern about the order and noted it comes on Workers’ Memorial Day, which is meant to honor workers who have been injured or killed on the job:A former deputy labor secretary under Barack Obama expressed concern about the order and noted it comes on Workers’ Memorial Day, which is meant to honor workers who have been injured or killed on the job:
Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, on Tuesday endorsed Joe Biden.Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, on Tuesday endorsed Joe Biden.
“I want to add my voice to the many who have endorsed you to be our president,” Clinton said, joining him at a virtual town hall on the impact of the coronavirus on women. “Just think of the difference it would make it right now if we had a president who not only listened to the science, put facts over fiction, but brought us together.”“I want to add my voice to the many who have endorsed you to be our president,” Clinton said, joining him at a virtual town hall on the impact of the coronavirus on women. “Just think of the difference it would make it right now if we had a president who not only listened to the science, put facts over fiction, but brought us together.”
Her support was the latest in a string of high-wattage endorsements from major Democratic leaders as the party’s former vice president makes his case for the White House. Earlier this month, he earned endorsements from his former rivals senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, as well as from former president Barack Obama. On Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her support in a video.Her support was the latest in a string of high-wattage endorsements from major Democratic leaders as the party’s former vice president makes his case for the White House. Earlier this month, he earned endorsements from his former rivals senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, as well as from former president Barack Obama. On Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced her support in a video.
Biden, the presumptive Deomcratic nominee, introduced Clinton as “the woman who should be president of the United states right now.”Biden, the presumptive Deomcratic nominee, introduced Clinton as “the woman who should be president of the United states right now.”
More than anyone, Clinton knows the importance of Democratic unity when facing Donald Trump. Her narrow loss to Trump has served as a stark reminder to Democrats of the perils of heading into November with a divided party.More than anyone, Clinton knows the importance of Democratic unity when facing Donald Trump. Her narrow loss to Trump has served as a stark reminder to Democrats of the perils of heading into November with a divided party.
Clinton and Biden have known each other for decades, and she pointed to their long friendship – which was at times tested by their competing ambitions – to endorse his character. They were colleagues in the Senate for several years before running against each other in 2008 for the Democratic nomination. They both ended up serving in the Obama’s administration, where they began weekly breakfasts. Tensions percolated again in 2016, when Biden considered running for president.Clinton and Biden have known each other for decades, and she pointed to their long friendship – which was at times tested by their competing ambitions – to endorse his character. They were colleagues in the Senate for several years before running against each other in 2008 for the Democratic nomination. They both ended up serving in the Obama’s administration, where they began weekly breakfasts. Tensions percolated again in 2016, when Biden considered running for president.
But on Tuesday, Clinton offered an unconditional and personal endorsement of Biden.But on Tuesday, Clinton offered an unconditional and personal endorsement of Biden.
“I’ve been in the lobby of the Senate. I’ve been in the cloakroom and I’ve watched Joe bing people together,” Clinton said. “So for me, this is a moment that we need a leader, a president, like Joe Biden.”“I’ve been in the lobby of the Senate. I’ve been in the cloakroom and I’ve watched Joe bing people together,” Clinton said. “So for me, this is a moment that we need a leader, a president, like Joe Biden.”
During his event with small business owners, Trump once again falsely claimed that his daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump, has created 15 million American jobs.During his event with small business owners, Trump once again falsely claimed that his daughter and senior adviser, Ivanka Trump, has created 15 million American jobs.
Trump first made the false claim earlier this month during a call with business leaders, and it immediately attracted the scrutiny of fact-checkers.Trump first made the false claim earlier this month during a call with business leaders, and it immediately attracted the scrutiny of fact-checkers.
For perspective, there were about 152 million Americans employed as of January, before the coronavirus crisis struck, so the president is falsely claiming his daughter created about 10% of all US jobs.For perspective, there were about 152 million Americans employed as of January, before the coronavirus crisis struck, so the president is falsely claiming his daughter created about 10% of all US jobs.
The president appears to be referring to his daughter’s work co-chairing a workforce advisory board, but the Washington Post previously gave Trump three Pinocchios for crediting Ivanka with creating millions of jobs.The president appears to be referring to his daughter’s work co-chairing a workforce advisory board, but the Washington Post previously gave Trump three Pinocchios for crediting Ivanka with creating millions of jobs.
Trump is hosting an event for small business owners at the White House, with the handful of guests and reporters spread at least six feet apart in the East Room.Trump is hosting an event for small business owners at the White House, with the handful of guests and reporters spread at least six feet apart in the East Room.
The president is speaking about the Paycheck Protection Program, the small business loan program created by last month’s stimulus package.The president is speaking about the Paycheck Protection Program, the small business loan program created by last month’s stimulus package.
The most recent coronavirus relief bill provided additional funding for the program, but some small business owners are already complaining once again about problems trying to apply to the program.The most recent coronavirus relief bill provided additional funding for the program, but some small business owners are already complaining once again about problems trying to apply to the program.
Democratic senator Brian Schatz criticized vice prsident Mike Pence for not wearing a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic’s facilities in Minnesota.Democratic senator Brian Schatz criticized vice prsident Mike Pence for not wearing a mask during a visit to the Mayo Clinic’s facilities in Minnesota.
The Hawaii Democrat said the vice president was “setting a dangerous example” by not covering his face, even though the clinic requires all visitors to do so.The Hawaii Democrat said the vice president was “setting a dangerous example” by not covering his face, even though the clinic requires all visitors to do so.
The Mayo Clinic has now deleted this tweet it sent about how it had informed Mike Pence’s office about the mask requirement before the vice president’s visit to the clinic’s Minnesota facilities.The Mayo Clinic has now deleted this tweet it sent about how it had informed Mike Pence’s office about the mask requirement before the vice president’s visit to the clinic’s Minnesota facilities.
Judging from footage of the visit, Pence appeared to be the only person not wearing a mask as he interacted with the clinic’s employees and at least one patient.Judging from footage of the visit, Pence appeared to be the only person not wearing a mask as he interacted with the clinic’s employees and at least one patient.
Mike Pence’s office has dubiously argued the vice president does not need to wear a mask because he is regularly tested for coronavirus.Mike Pence’s office has dubiously argued the vice president does not need to wear a mask because he is regularly tested for coronavirus.
The vice president faced questions about his lack of mask usage earlier this month after a photo circulated of a mask-less Pence greeting Colorado governor Jared Polis, who was wearing a mask in the picture.The vice president faced questions about his lack of mask usage earlier this month after a photo circulated of a mask-less Pence greeting Colorado governor Jared Polis, who was wearing a mask in the picture.
“When the face-covering guidelines were developed, it was with the intention to not only protect yourself, but primarily to protect others from asymptomatic spread,” Pence’s spokesperson previously said in respnose to questions about him not covering his face. “Vice President Pence is negative for Covid-19 and is therefore not asymptomatic.”“When the face-covering guidelines were developed, it was with the intention to not only protect yourself, but primarily to protect others from asymptomatic spread,” Pence’s spokesperson previously said in respnose to questions about him not covering his face. “Vice President Pence is negative for Covid-19 and is therefore not asymptomatic.”
However, coronavirus tests are not foolproof, and the vice president could potentially contract the virus in between tests, so the mask guidance should still apply to him.However, coronavirus tests are not foolproof, and the vice president could potentially contract the virus in between tests, so the mask guidance should still apply to him.
Vice President Mike Pence was criticized for ignoring mask guidelines when visiting the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota today.Vice President Mike Pence was criticized for ignoring mask guidelines when visiting the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota today.
Footage of Pence’s visit showed the vice president not covering his face as he met with the clinic’s employees and at least one patient.Footage of Pence’s visit showed the vice president not covering his face as he met with the clinic’s employees and at least one patient.
The clinic requires all visitors to wear a mask, sparking questions about why the vice president, who has avoided covering his face for photo opportunities, was allowed to flout the rule.The clinic requires all visitors to wear a mask, sparking questions about why the vice president, who has avoided covering his face for photo opportunities, was allowed to flout the rule.
In a statement, the Mayo Clinic said the vice president’s team was informed of the mask rule before visiting and referred all other questions to Pence’s office.In a statement, the Mayo Clinic said the vice president’s team was informed of the mask rule before visiting and referred all other questions to Pence’s office.
The United States accounts for about a third of all coronavirus cases that have been confirmed around the world.The United States accounts for about a third of all coronavirus cases that have been confirmed around the world.
The global total of confirmed coronavirus cases stands at 3,083,467, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The US has confirmed 1,002,498 cases.The global total of confirmed coronavirus cases stands at 3,083,467, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The US has confirmed 1,002,498 cases.
The US has confirmed far more cases than any other country in the world. Spain has confirmed 232,128 cases, and Italy has confirmed 201,505 cases. No other country has confirmed more than 200,000 cases.The US has confirmed far more cases than any other country in the world. Spain has confirmed 232,128 cases, and Italy has confirmed 201,505 cases. No other country has confirmed more than 200,000 cases.