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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 lab | Office of director of US intelligence releases statement after Trump reportedly asked officials to investigate whether virus was made in Chinese lab |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Maanvi Singh, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | |
| Another 3.8 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, according to the latest data from the labor department. More than 30 million Americans have submitted unemployment claims in the past six weeks. | |
| The office of the director of national intelligence said the intelligence community does not believe coronavirus was manmade. The new statement comes amid reports that Trump has asked intelligence officials to investigate whether the virus originated from a Chinese government laboratory. | |
| The New York subway will close for nightly cleaning. The transit system will close between 1 am and 5 am ervery night to allow the subway cars to be thoroughly disinfected. | |
| Another protest broke out at Michigan’s state capitol. The demonstrators, some of whom were carrying assault rifles, railed against Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order. | |
| Georgia will lift its statewide shelter-in-place order for most residents starting tomorrow. Republican governor Brian Kemp said the order remained in effect for the elderly and the “medically fragile,” and he urged residents to still stay at home as much as possible. | |
| Maanvi will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | |
| Trump just announced he will sign a proclamation today declaring the month of May to be Older Americans Month. | |
| Speaking at the White House, the 73-year-old president joked about his age, saying, “I don’t know if I’m in that category. I have a feeling I am. But I feel good.” | |
| Trump’s announcement comes as polls indicate that Americans who are 65 or older are increasingly critical of the president’s handling of the pandemic. | |
| Trump will need the support of older Americans to have any chance of winning the presidential election in November, so this proclamation is likely meant to appease some of his elderly supporters. | |
| In his speech announcing the proclamation, the president also took credit for a 2014 bill that was signed into law by Barack Obama. | |
| The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports on the latest from California: | |
| Californians in many parts of the state are breathing a sigh of relief after governor Gavin Newsom announced temporary closures of beaches only in Orange County, south of Los Angeles, instead of closures of beaches statewide, like previous reports had indicated. | |
| San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer welcomed the news on Twitter after chiding the governor for the expected statewide beach-ban. | |
| But the news is sure to provoke residents of Orange County, where more than 200 protestors last weekend took to the streets, in defiance of statewide restrictions, to call for a reopening of the economy. And reports are already emerging of another rally planned for noon tomorrow. | |
| While health experts hold firm on the importance of social distancing and hygiene, the reaction to beach closures has been mixed. This week, public health experts and epidemiologists told the Guardian’s Sam Levin that some of the backlash and concern may be unwarranted. | |
| One public health professor said he was initially shocked by the photos showing densely packed beaches, but said it was possible that those who are grouped together could be from the same household. Other experts pointed out that some of the conditions at beaches — like salt water, sand and sunlight — could make it more difficult for the virus to spread from person to person. Experts say the virus doesn’t survive long in ultraviolet light, although light cannot kill a virus already in the body, as Trump has suggested. | |
| “If allowing people to have access to sunshine and recreation is what’s going to keep them from protesting and violating laws, that may be a trade-off worth making,” said Wendy Parmet, a Northeastern University health policy expert. | |
| Mike Pence said he found the government’s treatment of Michael Flynn to be “deeply troubling,” as the president signals he is considering a possible pardon of his former national security adviser. | Mike Pence said he found the government’s treatment of Michael Flynn to be “deeply troubling,” as the president signals he is considering a possible pardon of his former national security adviser. |
| “I think Gen. Michael Flynn is a patriotic American who served with great distinction in the armed forces,” Pence told reporters while visiting a General Motors plant in Indiana. | “I think Gen. Michael Flynn is a patriotic American who served with great distinction in the armed forces,” Pence told reporters while visiting a General Motors plant in Indiana. |
| “I’m deeply troubled by the revelations of what appears to have been investigative abuse by officials in the Justice Department and we are going to continue to look into that very carefully.” | “I’m deeply troubled by the revelations of what appears to have been investigative abuse by officials in the Justice Department and we are going to continue to look into that very carefully.” |
| Trump renewed speculation about whether he would pardon Flynn earlier today, when he sent a tweet criticizing the government for its handling of the Flynn case. | Trump renewed speculation about whether he would pardon Flynn earlier today, when he sent a tweet criticizing the government for its handling of the Flynn case. |
| It’ s important to note that Flynn himself pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the US and went on to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. | It’ s important to note that Flynn himself pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the US and went on to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. |
| But many of the president’s supporters now claim the prosecution of Flynn’s case was unjust and have urged Trump to pardon the former official, raising concerns about the president using his power to protect his allies. | But many of the president’s supporters now claim the prosecution of Flynn’s case was unjust and have urged Trump to pardon the former official, raising concerns about the president using his power to protect his allies. |
| The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports on the latest from California: | The Guardian’s Mario Koran reports on the latest from California: |
| California governor Gavin Newsom announced today that beaches in Orange County would be closed starting Friday, after pictures showed dense crowds of beach-goers last weekend. | California governor Gavin Newsom announced today that beaches in Orange County would be closed starting Friday, after pictures showed dense crowds of beach-goers last weekend. |
| Unlike earlier reports — which said the governor would close all parks and beaches statewide -- the closure is targeted to Orange County, south of Los Angeles. | Unlike earlier reports — which said the governor would close all parks and beaches statewide -- the closure is targeted to Orange County, south of Los Angeles. |
| “Orange County has been on our list of health concerns,” Newsom said at a news conference, adding that the county is among the top four problem areas of the state. | “Orange County has been on our list of health concerns,” Newsom said at a news conference, adding that the county is among the top four problem areas of the state. |
| Newsom said that the previous, erroneous reports were not generated by his office and that he’s been clear and consistent about his plans. | Newsom said that the previous, erroneous reports were not generated by his office and that he’s been clear and consistent about his plans. |
| Reports of the statewide beach closures sparked outrage in pockets across the state and even drew pushback from mayors. San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer welcomed the apparent turn of events. | Reports of the statewide beach closures sparked outrage in pockets across the state and even drew pushback from mayors. San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer welcomed the apparent turn of events. |
| Joe and Jill Biden joined World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe on Instagram live for a 40-minute conversation that touched on the coronavirus pandemic, equal pay and national unity. | Joe and Jill Biden joined World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe on Instagram live for a 40-minute conversation that touched on the coronavirus pandemic, equal pay and national unity. |
| After a glitchy start, the Bidens beamed into Rapinoe’s Instagram from their home kitchen. Jill Biden excitedly showed off a newly-dyed purple streak in her hair, which she said was in solidarity with pay equity. | After a glitchy start, the Bidens beamed into Rapinoe’s Instagram from their home kitchen. Jill Biden excitedly showed off a newly-dyed purple streak in her hair, which she said was in solidarity with pay equity. |
| Rapinoe reminded Biden that she endorsed Elizabeth Warren during the primary but said she was now proudly Team Biden. She nodded to his embrace of some of Warren’s policies and said she looked forward to him championing the “most progressive” platform in the party’s history. | Rapinoe reminded Biden that she endorsed Elizabeth Warren during the primary but said she was now proudly Team Biden. She nodded to his embrace of some of Warren’s policies and said she looked forward to him championing the “most progressive” platform in the party’s history. |
| Asked about the coronavirus, Biden said: “I don’t want to be constantly criticizing the president because I want to get things done. But I’ve been very disappointed.” He urged Trump to “Take responsibility. This is a national crisis.” | Asked about the coronavirus, Biden said: “I don’t want to be constantly criticizing the president because I want to get things done. But I’ve been very disappointed.” He urged Trump to “Take responsibility. This is a national crisis.” |
| As Biden continued to rail against the president’s response, Jill Biden interjected: “Let’s not talk about him. Let’s talk about us.” | As Biden continued to rail against the president’s response, Jill Biden interjected: “Let’s not talk about him. Let’s talk about us.” |
| A number of the comments on the livstream urged Rapinoe to ask Biden about the sexual assault allegation against him, a charge that his campaign has forcefully denied. The topic did not come up. | A number of the comments on the livstream urged Rapinoe to ask Biden about the sexual assault allegation against him, a charge that his campaign has forcefully denied. The topic did not come up. |
| At the end of the conversation, Rapinoe pitched herself for the No. 2. | At the end of the conversation, Rapinoe pitched herself for the No. 2. |
| “If you need a vice president, I’m just saying, I’m available for an interview,” she said, as Jill Biden lit up with excitement. | “If you need a vice president, I’m just saying, I’m available for an interview,” she said, as Jill Biden lit up with excitement. |
| “I would love that,” she said. | “I would love that,” she said. |
| Democratic congressman Ted Lieu criticized Trump for pushing a nonsensical claim that his administration inherited “broken” coronavirus tests from the Obama era. | Democratic congressman Ted Lieu criticized Trump for pushing a nonsensical claim that his administration inherited “broken” coronavirus tests from the Obama era. |
| The California Democrat noted that the Trump administration had created the first version of the coronavirus test, which was unusable as a result of contamination. | The California Democrat noted that the Trump administration had created the first version of the coronavirus test, which was unusable as a result of contamination. |
| “Stop making up stuff,” Lieu said. “You are the President. Act like it. Accept responsibility for your mistakes.” | “Stop making up stuff,” Lieu said. “You are the President. Act like it. Accept responsibility for your mistakes.” |
| Trump has previously claimed he inherited faulty tests from the Obama administration, which is obviously incorrect because the virus only emerged in the past several months. | Trump has previously claimed he inherited faulty tests from the Obama administration, which is obviously incorrect because the virus only emerged in the past several months. |
| The president has repeatedly tried to deflect widespread criticism of his administration’s early response to the virus by blaming everyone from Obama to China and the World Health Organization for the crisis. | The president has repeatedly tried to deflect widespread criticism of his administration’s early response to the virus by blaming everyone from Obama to China and the World Health Organization for the crisis. |
| Maryland governor Larry Hogan’s decision to keep the state’s coronavirus tests guarded at an undisclosed location comes after reports emerged earlier this month that the federal government was confiscating shipments of medical equipment. | Maryland governor Larry Hogan’s decision to keep the state’s coronavirus tests guarded at an undisclosed location comes after reports emerged earlier this month that the federal government was confiscating shipments of medical equipment. |
| Colorado governor Jared Polis said earlier this month that the state’s order of 500 ventilators had been “swept up” by FEMA. “We’re competing against any other state, every other country,” Polis told CNN. “Now we’re even competing against the federal government.” | Colorado governor Jared Polis said earlier this month that the state’s order of 500 ventilators had been “swept up” by FEMA. “We’re competing against any other state, every other country,” Polis told CNN. “Now we’re even competing against the federal government.” |
| Officials in other states, including Massachusetts and Kentucky, have similarly said the federal government confiscated shipments of personal protective equipment. | Officials in other states, including Massachusetts and Kentucky, have similarly said the federal government confiscated shipments of personal protective equipment. |
| Maryland governor Larry Hogan said he is keeping the 500,000 coronavirus tests he obtained from South Korea guarded at a secure, undisclosed location. | Maryland governor Larry Hogan said he is keeping the 500,000 coronavirus tests he obtained from South Korea guarded at a secure, undisclosed location. |
| While discussing his fears that the tests would be seized before reaching Maryland, the Republican governor said the tests were being guarded by the National Guard and state police at an undisclosed location. | While discussing his fears that the tests would be seized before reaching Maryland, the Republican governor said the tests were being guarded by the National Guard and state police at an undisclosed location. |
| Hogan announced earlier this month that he had successfully negotiated directly with South Korea to acquire 500,000 additional tests for the state, which he praised as an “exponential, game-changing step forward.” | Hogan announced earlier this month that he had successfully negotiated directly with South Korea to acquire 500,000 additional tests for the state, which he praised as an “exponential, game-changing step forward.” |
| The remarkable move raised questions about governors circumventing the federal government to address supply chain issues, even though Trump has repeatedly insisted it’s up to the states to expand testing. | The remarkable move raised questions about governors circumventing the federal government to address supply chain issues, even though Trump has repeatedly insisted it’s up to the states to expand testing. |
| Goergia governor Brian Kemp intends to lift the statewide shelter-in-place order for most of the state’s residents starting on Friday. | Goergia governor Brian Kemp intends to lift the statewide shelter-in-place order for most of the state’s residents starting on Friday. |
| Kemp said Georgians should still try to stay at home as much as possible, and the shelter-in-place order still applies to the elderly and the “medically fragile.” Safety restrictions for businesses will also remain in effect until at least May 13. | Kemp said Georgians should still try to stay at home as much as possible, and the shelter-in-place order still applies to the elderly and the “medically fragile.” Safety restrictions for businesses will also remain in effect until at least May 13. |
| “What we’ve done has worked,” Kemp told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s given us time to build our hospital infrastructure capacity, get ventilators and ramp up testing. That’s what really drove our decision.” | “What we’ve done has worked,” Kemp told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s given us time to build our hospital infrastructure capacity, get ventilators and ramp up testing. That’s what really drove our decision.” |
| Kemp has received some criticism for allowing non-essential businesses like hair salons and barbershops to start reopening, raising concerns about a potential surge in coronavirus cases. | Kemp has received some criticism for allowing non-essential businesses like hair salons and barbershops to start reopening, raising concerns about a potential surge in coronavirus cases. |
| Trump similarly said yesterday that the federal guidelines aimed at limiting the spread of the virus, which are set to expire tonight, would be “fading out.” | Trump similarly said yesterday that the federal guidelines aimed at limiting the spread of the virus, which are set to expire tonight, would be “fading out.” |
| 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. | 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 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 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. | 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 | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | “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. | 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 Michigan | More 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. |