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Coronavirus US live: federal guidelines on social distancing set to expire tonight Coronavirus US live: federal guidelines on social distancing set to expire tonight
(32 minutes later)
At least two dozen states set to begin reopening with greater social movement and business activity tomorrow or over the weekendAt least two dozen states set to begin reopening with greater social movement and business activity tomorrow or over the weekend
Another 3.8 million people lost their jobs in the US last week as the coronavirus pandemic continued to batter the economy. The pace of layoffs appears to be slowing, but in just six weeks an unprecedented 30 million Americans have now sought unemployment benefits and the numbers are still growing. The latest figures from the labor department released on Thursday showed a fourth consecutive week of declining claims. While the trend is encouraging, the rate of losses means US unemployment is still on course to reach levels unseen since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The figures are also still undercounting the number of people out of work. Some states are still dealing with backlogs of claims after their systems were overwhelmed by the massive volume of applications. Florida has become a notable black spot. As of Tuesday the state had received more than 1.9 million claims and processed just over 664,000, one of the slowest rates in the nation. This is Joan Greve, taking over for Jo Walters.
The latest cover of Time magazine features an altered “open” sign reading “nope,” a nod to the difficult road ahead as the country starts to look toward reopening the economy.
The magazine’s cover story dives into the potential danger of reopening the country too quickly:
The story comes as the federal guidelines aimed at limiting the spread of the virus are set to expire, and some governors are already taking steps to reopen their states, potentially risking another surge in coronavirus cases.
Long-time Republican fixer Roger Stone has just filed notice that he is appealing his conviction last year.
Stone, a longtime confidant and former aide to Donald Trump, was convicted in November of seven felonies in an attempt to interfere with a congressional inquiry. He was sentenced to 40 months in prison.
He was denied his request in January for a new trial.
The president tweeted about Stone this morning.
Another 3.8 million people lost their jobs in the US last week as the coronavirus pandemic continued to batter the economy. The pace of layoffs appears to be slowing, but in just six weeks an unprecedented 30 million Americans have now sought unemployment benefits and the numbers are still growing.
The latest figures from the labor department released on Thursday showed a fourth consecutive week of declining claims. While the trend is encouraging, the rate of losses means US unemployment is still on course to reach levels unseen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
The figures are also still undercounting the number of people out of work. Some states are still dealing with backlogs of claims after their systems were overwhelmed by the massive volume of applications.
Florida has become a notable black spot. As of Tuesday the state had received more than 1.9 million claims and processed just over 664,000, one of the slowest rates in the nation.
Public health official Anthony Fauci this morning confirmed he is a member of a secretive team rushing to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus.Public health official Anthony Fauci this morning confirmed he is a member of a secretive team rushing to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus.
“I’m part of the team,” Fauci told NBC’s Today. The team is called Operation Warp Speed. Subtle.“I’m part of the team,” Fauci told NBC’s Today. The team is called Operation Warp Speed. Subtle.
Background: the Trump administration is planning to speed up development of a coronavirus vaccine with the goal of having 100 million doses ready by the end of 2020, a senior unnamed administration official said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.Background: the Trump administration is planning to speed up development of a coronavirus vaccine with the goal of having 100 million doses ready by the end of 2020, a senior unnamed administration official said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Executives and other experts have previously suggested that clinical trials to guarantee a vaccine is safe and effective could take a minimum of 12 to 18 months.Executives and other experts have previously suggested that clinical trials to guarantee a vaccine is safe and effective could take a minimum of 12 to 18 months.
Several agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services announced plans earlier in April to partner with more than 15 drug companies as well as European regulators in an effort to spur development of vaccines and treatments for the disease.The latest Trump administration efforts to speed vaccine development were originally reported by Bloomberg News, citing people familiar with the matter.Several agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services announced plans earlier in April to partner with more than 15 drug companies as well as European regulators in an effort to spur development of vaccines and treatments for the disease.The latest Trump administration efforts to speed vaccine development were originally reported by Bloomberg News, citing people familiar with the matter.
The project will join private pharmaceutical companies with government agencies and the military in trying to cut the development time for a vaccine by as much as eight months, Bloomberg News said, with some folks comparing it to the Manhattan Project that developed the nuclear bomb.The project will join private pharmaceutical companies with government agencies and the military in trying to cut the development time for a vaccine by as much as eight months, Bloomberg News said, with some folks comparing it to the Manhattan Project that developed the nuclear bomb.
Fauci said the best case scenario was a widely-available vaccine by January 2021.Fauci said the best case scenario was a widely-available vaccine by January 2021.
“We are in the early, phase one, of the trial, the next phase is to find out whether it works and is safe,” he said.“We are in the early, phase one, of the trial, the next phase is to find out whether it works and is safe,” he said.
If it goes to plan, who will be there to welcome it? President Trump or President Biden.If it goes to plan, who will be there to welcome it? President Trump or President Biden.
Donald Trump says China “will do anything they can” to prevent his reelection in November.Donald Trump says China “will do anything they can” to prevent his reelection in November.
The Guardian’s Alison Rourke and Lily Kuo have this report from an exclusive Reuters interview with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.The Guardian’s Alison Rourke and Lily Kuo have this report from an exclusive Reuters interview with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
The US president said he was looking at different options in terms of consequences for Beijing over the virus. “I can do a lot,” he said, without going into detail.The US president said he was looking at different options in terms of consequences for Beijing over the virus. “I can do a lot,” he said, without going into detail.
Trump has increasingly blamed China for the pandemic and on Wednesday again said Beijing should have let the world know about the coronavirus much sooner. He also speculated about retaliation: “There are many things I can do,” he said. “We’re looking for what happened.”Trump has increasingly blamed China for the pandemic and on Wednesday again said Beijing should have let the world know about the coronavirus much sooner. He also speculated about retaliation: “There are many things I can do,” he said. “We’re looking for what happened.”
For the first time, Trump linked Beijing to his re-election chances in November. “China will do anything they can to have me lose this race,” he said, adding that he believed China wants his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, to win the race to ease the pressure on US-China trade relations.For the first time, Trump linked Beijing to his re-election chances in November. “China will do anything they can to have me lose this race,” he said, adding that he believed China wants his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, to win the race to ease the pressure on US-China trade relations.
“They’re constantly using public relations to try to make it like they’re innocent parties,” he said of Chinese officials.“They’re constantly using public relations to try to make it like they’re innocent parties,” he said of Chinese officials.
Trump said the trade deal that he concluded with Chinese president Xi Jinping aimed at reducing chronic US trade deficits with China had been “upset very badly” by the economic fallout from the virus.Trump said the trade deal that he concluded with Chinese president Xi Jinping aimed at reducing chronic US trade deficits with China had been “upset very badly” by the economic fallout from the virus.
California governor Gavin Newsom will order all beaches and state parks closed again from tomorrow.California governor Gavin Newsom will order all beaches and state parks closed again from tomorrow.
A memo by the California Police Chiefs Association outlining the decision said it was initatiated “after the well-publicized media coverage of overcrowded beaches this past weekend.”A memo by the California Police Chiefs Association outlining the decision said it was initatiated “after the well-publicized media coverage of overcrowded beaches this past weekend.”
The governor was reportedly concerned after tens of thousands of people flocked to state shores last weekend during a heat wave, in violation of California’s mandatory stay-at-home order.The governor was reportedly concerned after tens of thousands of people flocked to state shores last weekend during a heat wave, in violation of California’s mandatory stay-at-home order.
Newsom targeted beachgoers in Orange and Ventura counties as setting a poor example if the state wants to continue its progress fighting the coronavirus.”Those images are an example of what not to see, what not to do if we’re going to make the meaningful progress we’ve made the past couple of weeks,” Newsom told local station KABC.Newsom targeted beachgoers in Orange and Ventura counties as setting a poor example if the state wants to continue its progress fighting the coronavirus.”Those images are an example of what not to see, what not to do if we’re going to make the meaningful progress we’ve made the past couple of weeks,” Newsom told local station KABC.
Local leaders shot back at criticism over keeping the beaches open.Local leaders shot back at criticism over keeping the beaches open.
Donald Wagner, member of the Orange County board of supervisors said on Wednesday that closing the beaches was the governor’s right, but added “it is not wise to do so.”Donald Wagner, member of the Orange County board of supervisors said on Wednesday that closing the beaches was the governor’s right, but added “it is not wise to do so.”
“Medical professionals tell us the importance of fresh air and sunlight in fighting infectious diseases, including mental health benefits,” Wagner wrote.“Medical professionals tell us the importance of fresh air and sunlight in fighting infectious diseases, including mental health benefits,” Wagner wrote.
There is no scientific or medical evidence that sunlight or fresh air play any role in combating the coronavirus.There is no scientific or medical evidence that sunlight or fresh air play any role in combating the coronavirus.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the top public health official on the White House coronavirus task force, had more to say this morning about the preliminary results of the most promising trial yet of the drug remdesivir to treat Covid-19.Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the top public health official on the White House coronavirus task force, had more to say this morning about the preliminary results of the most promising trial yet of the drug remdesivir to treat Covid-19.
A relatively large study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed some hopeful results for remdesivir, an experimental antiviral produced by the US pharmaceutical company Gilead, initially as a potential treatment for the Ebola virus.A relatively large study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed some hopeful results for remdesivir, an experimental antiviral produced by the US pharmaceutical company Gilead, initially as a potential treatment for the Ebola virus.
The main finding is that the drug reduced the amount of time that patients with severe coronavirus had to spend in hospital from 16 days (with a placebo) to 11 days.The main finding is that the drug reduced the amount of time that patients with severe coronavirus had to spend in hospital from 16 days (with a placebo) to 11 days.
The clinical trial has not been peer-reviewed and these are strictly preliminary results. It’s early days.The clinical trial has not been peer-reviewed and these are strictly preliminary results. It’s early days.
But Fauci told ABC’s Good Morning America today that the results were “clearly positive” if “modest”.But Fauci told ABC’s Good Morning America today that the results were “clearly positive” if “modest”.
“It’s a first step in what we project will be better and better drugs coming along, alone or in combination. So it’s good news but...this is not the total answer.”“It’s a first step in what we project will be better and better drugs coming along, alone or in combination. So it’s good news but...this is not the total answer.”
It is expected to be approved as an emergency treatment by the US regulator the Food and Drug Administration “relatively soon”, Fauci said.It is expected to be approved as an emergency treatment by the US regulator the Food and Drug Administration “relatively soon”, Fauci said.
Donald Trump is on Twitter this morning once again railing against the conviction of his former national security adviser Michael Flynn.Donald Trump is on Twitter this morning once again railing against the conviction of his former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
There has been talk that Flynn could beat the rap as early as this week with a pardon from the president, which Trump has been hinting at/not denying periodically for ages.There has been talk that Flynn could beat the rap as early as this week with a pardon from the president, which Trump has been hinting at/not denying periodically for ages.
Flynn was, very briefly, Trump’s first national security adviser but he was fired and pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his dealings with the Russian ambassador before Trump took office.Flynn was, very briefly, Trump’s first national security adviser but he was fired and pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about his dealings with the Russian ambassador before Trump took office.
Flynn has been awaiting sentence and in January tried to withdraw his guilty plea.Flynn has been awaiting sentence and in January tried to withdraw his guilty plea.
Trump also just retweeted his son, Don Jr, who yesterday said:Trump also just retweeted his son, Don Jr, who yesterday said:
Flynn originally cut a deal as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian election interference and links between Trump and Moscow.Flynn originally cut a deal as part of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian election interference and links between Trump and Moscow.
He initially cooperated with the investigation, which concluded last year without establishing criminal conspiracy but did lay out extensive evidence of contact between Trump aides and Russia and possible obstruction of justice by the president himself.He initially cooperated with the investigation, which concluded last year without establishing criminal conspiracy but did lay out extensive evidence of contact between Trump aides and Russia and possible obstruction of justice by the president himself.
Flynn hired a new lawyer, earlier this year, Fox News pundit Sidney Powell, a longtime critic of the Mueller inquiry who has peddled numerous false conspiracy theories on the investigation and other Trump policies and issues in prime time interviews.Flynn hired a new lawyer, earlier this year, Fox News pundit Sidney Powell, a longtime critic of the Mueller inquiry who has peddled numerous false conspiracy theories on the investigation and other Trump policies and issues in prime time interviews.
In March Trump tweeted: “So now it is reported that, after destroying his life & the life of his wonderful family (and many others also), the FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has ‘lost’ the records of General Michael Flynn. How convenient.In March Trump tweeted: “So now it is reported that, after destroying his life & the life of his wonderful family (and many others also), the FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has ‘lost’ the records of General Michael Flynn. How convenient.
“I am strongly considering a Full Pardon!”“I am strongly considering a Full Pardon!”
As the president often says, we’ll see.As the president often says, we’ll see.
Good morning, US blog readers. Your primary blogger Joan Greve will be with you shortly but we’ll get the day started with some of the leading news around US politics and the coronavirus.Good morning, US blog readers. Your primary blogger Joan Greve will be with you shortly but we’ll get the day started with some of the leading news around US politics and the coronavirus.
Federal guidelines on social distancing are set to expire at midnight tonight and at least two dozen states are set to begin reopening with greater social movement and business activity tomorrow or over the weekend.Federal guidelines on social distancing are set to expire at midnight tonight and at least two dozen states are set to begin reopening with greater social movement and business activity tomorrow or over the weekend.
While Donald Trump is keen for this to happen, his own public health experts are urging extreme caution about states relaxing their own stay-at-home orders (as opposed to mere guidelines). There were more than 2,600 new deaths in the US from coronavirus yesterday.While Donald Trump is keen for this to happen, his own public health experts are urging extreme caution about states relaxing their own stay-at-home orders (as opposed to mere guidelines). There were more than 2,600 new deaths in the US from coronavirus yesterday.
And last night California announced it was going to close its beaches and state parks just days after allowing them to open, after people crowded there in an unsafe way.And last night California announced it was going to close its beaches and state parks just days after allowing them to open, after people crowded there in an unsafe way.
And:And:
Top public health expert Anthony Fauci this morning said the preliminary results from early trials of the drug remdesivir in treating coronavirus were “clearly positive” though “modest” and were a “first step in what we project will be better and better drugs” to treat Covid-19.Top public health expert Anthony Fauci this morning said the preliminary results from early trials of the drug remdesivir in treating coronavirus were “clearly positive” though “modest” and were a “first step in what we project will be better and better drugs” to treat Covid-19.
Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has formed his “vetting team” to search for his best vice presidential candidate – while calls for him to address directly a recently elevated accusation of sexual assault in the past are growing.Presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has formed his “vetting team” to search for his best vice presidential candidate – while calls for him to address directly a recently elevated accusation of sexual assault in the past are growing.
The latest unemployment figures in the US are due out at 8.30 and our business team will cover that separately. They will not make good reading.The latest unemployment figures in the US are due out at 8.30 and our business team will cover that separately. They will not make good reading.