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Coronavirus US live: intelligence report concludes Covid-19 was not 'manmade or genetically modified' Coronavirus US live: intelligence report concludes Covid-19 was not 'manmade or genetically modified'
(32 minutes later)
Office of director of US intelligence releases statement after Trump reportedly asked officials to investigate whether virus was made in Chinese labOffice of director of US intelligence releases statement after Trump reportedly asked officials to investigate whether virus was made in Chinese lab
Mike Pence is wearing a mask as he visits a General Motors plant in Indiana, just two days after the vice president was criticized for not covering his face while visiting the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota.
The vice president has generally avoided wearing a mask for public appearances, even though the CDC has recommended face coverings to limit the spread of coronavirus, so this represents a rare reversal from Pence.
The Mayo Clinic said in a since-deleted tweet that Pence was informed of its policy requiring masks before he visited, and the vice president appeared to be the only one not covering his face.
The vice president oddly defended his actions by saying he wanted to look frontline workers in the eye to say thank you. It’s very unclear as to how a mask would prevent Pence from looking frontline workers in the eye.
Pelosi speaks up for Biden over sexual assault allegation
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has given a robust defense of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden - as some within her party urged him to directly address a woman’s sexual assault accusation against him that his campaign already has denied.
Biden is facing growing pressure to publicly address an allegation of sexual assault made by Tara Reade, a former aide to his Senate office.The former vice-president has remained silent about the accusation, a position that is seen as increasingly untenable in the wake of new reporting. Many major Democratic women’s organizations and prominent feminists have also declined to comment publicly on Reade’s claim that Biden, then a senator from Delaware, assaulted her in 1993.
Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Kate Bedingfield, said in a statement this month that “this absolutely did not happen”, but she has not commented further.
Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, formally endorsed Biden for president on Monday. On Thursday, Pelosi said she continued to fully support Biden, Reuters writes.
She noted that staffers who ran Biden’s Senate office have said they had no recollection of a sexual assault complaint. Pelosi also highlighted Biden’s long history of supporting policies to stop the abuse of women.“I have complete respect for the whole #MeToo movement,” Pelosi said at a news conference.
“There is also due process and the fact that Joe Biden is Joe Biden.”“He is the personification of hope and optimism and authenticity for our country - a person of great values,” Pelosi added.
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm Reade’s accusations and also was unable to reach Reade or a representative for her for comment.
More protests in MichiganMore protests in Michigan
People are demonstrating at the Michigan capitol, angry at governor Gretchen Whitmer’s efforts to extend social and business restrictions for May in response to the coronavirus crisis.People are demonstrating at the Michigan capitol, angry at governor Gretchen Whitmer’s efforts to extend social and business restrictions for May in response to the coronavirus crisis.
Earlier today hundreds of people were outside the capitol building in Lansing.Earlier today hundreds of people were outside the capitol building in Lansing.
Some protestors could be seen not wearing masks or social distancing as instructed by the governor’s executive order. Protestors not practicing safety precautions could face fines, local station WXYZ reported.Some protestors could be seen not wearing masks or social distancing as instructed by the governor’s executive order. Protestors not practicing safety precautions could face fines, local station WXYZ reported.
The state of emergency in Michigan was due to end today. It was the place where demonstrations first bubbled up earlier this month, with people demanding they be allowed to go back out and about and open up the paralyzed economy again.The state of emergency in Michigan was due to end today. It was the place where demonstrations first bubbled up earlier this month, with people demanding they be allowed to go back out and about and open up the paralyzed economy again.
But many protesters wore or carried paraphernalia supportive of Donald Trump, and many wore camouflage and carried assault rifles, leading to tense scenes and an obvious lack of social distancing, per federal guidelines and state orders.But many protesters wore or carried paraphernalia supportive of Donald Trump, and many wore camouflage and carried assault rifles, leading to tense scenes and an obvious lack of social distancing, per federal guidelines and state orders.
And it became clear that protests there and in other states were being stoked by right-wing causes and even by the president in an extraordinary advocacy of civil disobedience and contrary to his own government policy.And it became clear that protests there and in other states were being stoked by right-wing causes and even by the president in an extraordinary advocacy of civil disobedience and contrary to his own government policy.
The USNS Comfort treated just 182 people as a surge in cases in the hard-hit city fell short of the worst-case projections.The USNS Comfort treated just 182 people as a surge in cases in the hard-hit city fell short of the worst-case projections.
The last dozen patients on the ship were discharged or transferred to other hospitals over the weekend, The Associated Press reports.Eleven people that were treated on the ship died from coronavirus, the Defense Department said.The last dozen patients on the ship were discharged or transferred to other hospitals over the weekend, The Associated Press reports.Eleven people that were treated on the ship died from coronavirus, the Defense Department said.
Several ship personnel came down with coronavirus while deployed to New York.Several ship personnel came down with coronavirus while deployed to New York.
A Pentagon spokesman called the ship’s departure “a sure sign of modest progress in mitigating the virus in the nation’s hardest hit city and is a welcome sign.”A Pentagon spokesman called the ship’s departure “a sure sign of modest progress in mitigating the virus in the nation’s hardest hit city and is a welcome sign.”
Governor Andrew Cuomo said last week that he and Donald Trump agreed the Comfort was no longer needed in New York City.“I believe Comfort not only brought comfort but also saved lives,” Cuomo said.Governor Andrew Cuomo said last week that he and Donald Trump agreed the Comfort was no longer needed in New York City.“I believe Comfort not only brought comfort but also saved lives,” Cuomo said.
The Comfort and its 620 doctors, nurses and other crew members will return to the homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, where the ship will be restocked and be readied for another possible assignment.The Comfort and its 620 doctors, nurses and other crew members will return to the homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, where the ship will be restocked and be readied for another possible assignment.
More than 18,000 people in the state have died from coronavirus, most of them in New York City. That total doesn’t include more than 5,300 deaths in the city that were attributed to the virus on death certificates but weren’t confirmed by a lab test.More than 18,000 people in the state have died from coronavirus, most of them in New York City. That total doesn’t include more than 5,300 deaths in the city that were attributed to the virus on death certificates but weren’t confirmed by a lab test.
The Defense Department said it did not have information on how much the Comfort’s mission to New York cost.The Comfort has a capacity of up to 1,000 hospital beds, but according to New York City’s Office of Emergency Management, it had 427 set up for the coronavirus crisis.The Defense Department said it did not have information on how much the Comfort’s mission to New York cost.The Comfort has a capacity of up to 1,000 hospital beds, but according to New York City’s Office of Emergency Management, it had 427 set up for the coronavirus crisis.
Republican senator Rick Scott escalated his ongoing feud with New York governor Andrew Cuomo over additional funding for state governments.Republican senator Rick Scott escalated his ongoing feud with New York governor Andrew Cuomo over additional funding for state governments.
The feud started earlier this week, when Scott wrote a Wall street Journal op-ed arguing government funding should not be used “to save liberal politicians from the consequences of their poor choices.”The feud started earlier this week, when Scott wrote a Wall street Journal op-ed arguing government funding should not be used “to save liberal politicians from the consequences of their poor choices.”
That sparked fury from Cuomo, who noted Scott’s homestate of Florida is more reliant on federal funding than New York is. “They’re not bailing us out,” Cuomo said. “We bail them out every year.”That sparked fury from Cuomo, who noted Scott’s homestate of Florida is more reliant on federal funding than New York is. “They’re not bailing us out,” Cuomo said. “We bail them out every year.”
Scott has now come out swinging again, saying in a new statement, “Governor Cuomo used his daily briefing as an opportunity to attack me to distract from the fact that he wants his state bailed out by Florida taxpayers.”Scott has now come out swinging again, saying in a new statement, “Governor Cuomo used his daily briefing as an opportunity to attack me to distract from the fact that he wants his state bailed out by Florida taxpayers.”
Congressional leaders continue to spar over the details of the next coronavirus relief bill, but the National Governors Association has said states need another $500 billion.Congressional leaders continue to spar over the details of the next coronavirus relief bill, but the National Governors Association has said states need another $500 billion.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Another 3.8 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, according to new figures from the labor department. More than 30 million Americans have submitted unemployment claims in the past six weeks as the economy suffers the effects of the pandemic.Another 3.8 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, according to new figures from the labor department. More than 30 million Americans have submitted unemployment claims in the past six weeks as the economy suffers the effects of the pandemic.
Trump claimed he had done a “spectacular” job handling the pandemic, despite widespread criticism of his administration’s early response to the virus. The president’s comments come as the US coronavirus death toll stands at 61,288.Trump claimed he had done a “spectacular” job handling the pandemic, despite widespread criticism of his administration’s early response to the virus. The president’s comments come as the US coronavirus death toll stands at 61,288.
The New York subway will close for nightly cleaning, governor Andrew Cuomo announced at his daily briefing. The transit system will be closed from 1 am to 5 am to thoroughly disinfect all subway cars.The New York subway will close for nightly cleaning, governor Andrew Cuomo announced at his daily briefing. The transit system will be closed from 1 am to 5 am to thoroughly disinfect all subway cars.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
The interim president of the New York City Transit system said the subway closures for nightly cleaning would be in effect for “the duration of the pandemic.”The interim president of the New York City Transit system said the subway closures for nightly cleaning would be in effect for “the duration of the pandemic.”
“The duration of the pandemic” could be interpreted in a number of different ways, but if the plan remains in effect until a coronavirus vaccine is developed, the closures could last for several more months.“The duration of the pandemic” could be interpreted in a number of different ways, but if the plan remains in effect until a coronavirus vaccine is developed, the closures could last for several more months.
The Guardian’s Kenya Evelyn with a recap of New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily press briefing:The Guardian’s Kenya Evelyn with a recap of New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily press briefing:
For the first time in decades, New York City will no longer be “The City that never sleeps.”For the first time in decades, New York City will no longer be “The City that never sleeps.”
The governor, along with New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, who patched in remotely, announced a partnership that the city will halt train service every night from 1 am to 5 am for disinfecting and cleaning.The governor, along with New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, who patched in remotely, announced a partnership that the city will halt train service every night from 1 am to 5 am for disinfecting and cleaning.
“We’re going to find a way to make our subway system cleaner that it has ever been in its history, probably,” de Blasio said. “It’s not going to be easy, no one said it would be easy.”“We’re going to find a way to make our subway system cleaner that it has ever been in its history, probably,” de Blasio said. “It’s not going to be easy, no one said it would be easy.”
Cuomo and de Blasio have not had the warmest relationship, to say the least. The two leaders have not shared a stage together since 2 March, one day after New York reported its first confirmed coronavirus case.Cuomo and de Blasio have not had the warmest relationship, to say the least. The two leaders have not shared a stage together since 2 March, one day after New York reported its first confirmed coronavirus case.
The governor reported that hospitalizations and new cases are down, and while 306 deaths are down from 330 Wednesday, Cuomo still called the number “terrible”.The governor reported that hospitalizations and new cases are down, and while 306 deaths are down from 330 Wednesday, Cuomo still called the number “terrible”.
“Optimist would say that’s a number on the decline, realists would say that’s a tremendous amount of grief for a loved one,” he said.“Optimist would say that’s a number on the decline, realists would say that’s a tremendous amount of grief for a loved one,” he said.
New York State had more than 300,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 18,000 deaths as of midday Thursday.New York State had more than 300,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 18,000 deaths as of midday Thursday.
“Today’s another day to be better and do better,” Cuomo said.“Today’s another day to be better and do better,” Cuomo said.
Before expanding on details of state tracing efforts, Cuomo reiterated that the key to reopening states is keeping the infection rate down and hospital capacity high.Before expanding on details of state tracing efforts, Cuomo reiterated that the key to reopening states is keeping the infection rate down and hospital capacity high.
“If we do this right, this is a science reopening,” he said.“If we do this right, this is a science reopening,” he said.
Cuomo was also joined by former New York City mayor and Democratic presidential candidate, Michael Bloomberg, who’ll lead the state’s case tracing efforts.Cuomo was also joined by former New York City mayor and Democratic presidential candidate, Michael Bloomberg, who’ll lead the state’s case tracing efforts.
With no interaction with Cuomo, however, the mayor’s delivery garnered questions of whether the video was pre-recorded.With no interaction with Cuomo, however, the mayor’s delivery garnered questions of whether the video was pre-recorded.
Cuomo’s interaction with de Blasio, meanwhile, was obviously polite but noticeably cold - with both leaders taking no-so-subtle shots at each other’s infrastructure and management mixed in with heaps of praise.Cuomo’s interaction with de Blasio, meanwhile, was obviously polite but noticeably cold - with both leaders taking no-so-subtle shots at each other’s infrastructure and management mixed in with heaps of praise.
While meeting with New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, Trump also reiterated his nonsensical claim that his administration “inherited” broken coronavirus tests.While meeting with New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, Trump also reiterated his nonsensical claim that his administration “inherited” broken coronavirus tests.
“We have broken tests,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We had tests that were obsolete. We had tests that didn’t take care of people.”“We have broken tests,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “We had tests that were obsolete. We had tests that didn’t take care of people.”
Considering this virus only emerged in the past several months, it is obviously impossible for the Obama administration to have left Trump “broken tests.”Considering this virus only emerged in the past several months, it is obviously impossible for the Obama administration to have left Trump “broken tests.”
The president said he thought the White House had done a “spectacular” responding to coronavirus, despite widespread criticism of the administration’s early response.The president said he thought the White House had done a “spectacular” responding to coronavirus, despite widespread criticism of the administration’s early response.
During an Oval Office meeting with New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, Trump told reporters, “I think our whole group has been spectacular.”During an Oval Office meeting with New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, Trump told reporters, “I think our whole group has been spectacular.”
But the administration has been criticized for fumbling its early response to the virus by failing to make testing more widely available.But the administration has been criticized for fumbling its early response to the virus by failing to make testing more widely available.
Trump noted the US has now conducted more tests than any other country, but the country has still conducted far less tests per capita than Italy.Trump noted the US has now conducted more tests than any other country, but the country has still conducted far less tests per capita than Italy.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering retaliatory actions against China for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak.The Trump administration is reportedly considering retaliatory actions against China for its handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Washington Post reports:The Washington Post reports:
The president has repeatedly tried to deflect criticism of the White House’s early response to coronavirus by blaming China for not being forthcoming about the outbreak.The president has repeatedly tried to deflect criticism of the White House’s early response to coronavirus by blaming China for not being forthcoming about the outbreak.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi was careful not to criticize Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell for calling senators back to Washington starting next week.House speaker Nancy Pelosi was careful not to criticize Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell for calling senators back to Washington starting next week.
Pelosi and majority leader Steny Hoyer originally said the House would also return next week, but they reversed that decision after a consultation with the Capitol’s attending physician.Pelosi and majority leader Steny Hoyer originally said the House would also return next week, but they reversed that decision after a consultation with the Capitol’s attending physician.
“We’re 430 members,” Pelosi said during her weekly briefing call. “The decision was made on the strength of our numbers and people coming together.”“We’re 430 members,” Pelosi said during her weekly briefing call. “The decision was made on the strength of our numbers and people coming together.”
The speaker added, “Now, what they advised the Senate, I don’t know. They are 100, we’re four times that.”The speaker added, “Now, what they advised the Senate, I don’t know. They are 100, we’re four times that.”
The office of the director of national intelligence has released an unusual statement saying officials do not believe coronavirus was manmade, echoing many health experts.The office of the director of national intelligence has released an unusual statement saying officials do not believe coronavirus was manmade, echoing many health experts.
“The Intelligence Community also concurs with the wide scientific consensus that the COVID-19 virus was not manmade or genetically modified,” the statement reads.“The Intelligence Community also concurs with the wide scientific consensus that the COVID-19 virus was not manmade or genetically modified,” the statement reads.
The statement added, “The IC will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan.”The statement added, “The IC will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan.”
Trump has reportedly asked intelligence officials to investigate whether coronavirus was created in a Chinese government laboratory, even though many public health experts have said they think the virus came about naturally.Trump has reportedly asked intelligence officials to investigate whether coronavirus was created in a Chinese government laboratory, even though many public health experts have said they think the virus came about naturally.
The vice president is traveling to Indiana today to visit a General Motors plant that has shifted its production focus to make more ventilators.The vice president is traveling to Indiana today to visit a General Motors plant that has shifted its production focus to make more ventilators.
Pence has made several trips out of Washington in recent weeks, most recently visiting the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota earlier this week, where he was criticized for not wearing a face mask as he met with staffers and patients.Pence has made several trips out of Washington in recent weeks, most recently visiting the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota earlier this week, where he was criticized for not wearing a face mask as he met with staffers and patients.
Trump is reportedly anxious to leave the White House as well, and he has openly mused about when he might be able to once again hold campaign rallies.Trump is reportedly anxious to leave the White House as well, and he has openly mused about when he might be able to once again hold campaign rallies.
Joe Biden’s campaign said he and Bernie Sanders had reached an agreement to ensure Sanders’ supporters and proposals are adequately represented at the party’s convention.Joe Biden’s campaign said he and Bernie Sanders had reached an agreement to ensure Sanders’ supporters and proposals are adequately represented at the party’s convention.
Biden’s team argued the agreement, which involves supporters of Sanders filling some delegate slots to reflect the results of primarie, would help to bring the party together before the convention. The campaign also specified that Sanders’ supporters would be represented in the New York delegation, even though the state canceled its primary.Biden’s team argued the agreement, which involves supporters of Sanders filling some delegate slots to reflect the results of primarie, would help to bring the party together before the convention. The campaign also specified that Sanders’ supporters would be represented in the New York delegation, even though the state canceled its primary.
Biden’s campaign said in a statement, “While Senator Sanders is no longer actively seeking the nomination, the Biden campaign feels strongly that it is in the best interest of the party and the effort to defeat Donald Trump in November to come to an agreement regarding these issues that will ensure representation of Sanders supporters and delegate candidates, both on the floor and in committees.”Biden’s campaign said in a statement, “While Senator Sanders is no longer actively seeking the nomination, the Biden campaign feels strongly that it is in the best interest of the party and the effort to defeat Donald Trump in November to come to an agreement regarding these issues that will ensure representation of Sanders supporters and delegate candidates, both on the floor and in committees.”
Sanders suspended his campaign earlier this month, but he had said he will remain on states’ ballots to continue to win delegates in order to influence the party’s platform at the convention.Sanders suspended his campaign earlier this month, but he had said he will remain on states’ ballots to continue to win delegates in order to influence the party’s platform at the convention.