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| Coronavirus US live: Cuomo says 'overall direction is good' in New York | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Political battle continues in Washington as governors look to reopen while Cuomo says NY hospitalizations below 10,000 for first time since mid-March | |
| After noting that New York state has spent more than $2 billion on medical equipment this year alone, Cuomo announces the formation of a regional buying consortium with seven neighboring states to “increase market power and bring down prices” in the pursuit of PPE, ventilators and other medical equipment. | |
| The governor says the mutual-aid agreement “will make us more competitive in the international marketplace and I believe it will save taxpayers money”. | |
| “We will come up with a regional identification of all the equipment we need,” Cuomo says. “Let’s come up with the total amount that we need. Let’s stop doing business with vendors we found to be irresponsible and we found out the hard way – I can’t tell you how many orders we placed with vendors who are acting basically as brokers, who just started businesses in the middle of this pandemic because they saw an opportunity – so let’s compare notes among the states to find out who is good to do business with [and] who was not good to do business with. Let’s see if we can’t do the purchasing in this country and let’s see if we can’t do the purchasing in this region. Why we buying all this material from China? “ | |
| New York governor Andrew Cuomo says the number of current Covid-19 hospitalizations statewide has dropped below 10,000 for the first time since mid-March in his daily coronavirus briefing from Albany. | New York governor Andrew Cuomo says the number of current Covid-19 hospitalizations statewide has dropped below 10,000 for the first time since mid-March in his daily coronavirus briefing from Albany. |
| The number of new hospitalizations over the last 24-hour period has also fallen to 789, though Cuomo warns this could be an anomaly. | The number of new hospitalizations over the last 24-hour period has also fallen to 789, though Cuomo warns this could be an anomaly. |
| Cuomo says 280 people died yesterday, lifting the total death toll to 19,189. | Cuomo says 280 people died yesterday, lifting the total death toll to 19,189. |
| “The overall direction is good even though it’s very painful,” Cuomo says. | “The overall direction is good even though it’s very painful,” Cuomo says. |
| Tara Reade, the woman who accuses Joe Biden of sexually assaulting her in a Capitol Hill corridor in 1993, has disputed an Associated Press report that said she said she did not use the words “sexual harassment” in a complaint she says she filed 27 years ago. | Tara Reade, the woman who accuses Joe Biden of sexually assaulting her in a Capitol Hill corridor in 1993, has disputed an Associated Press report that said she said she did not use the words “sexual harassment” in a complaint she says she filed 27 years ago. |
| The AP report is here. | The AP report is here. |
| Reade’s tweets on the matter are here. | Reade’s tweets on the matter are here. |
| “This is false,” Reade wrote first, adding later: “…The headline was quite misleading. I filed the intake form regarding sexual harassment and retaliation however that was articulated on form in 1993. I filed with Senate Personnel. Perhaps Joe Biden knows where that form is located. Ask him.” | “This is false,” Reade wrote first, adding later: “…The headline was quite misleading. I filed the intake form regarding sexual harassment and retaliation however that was articulated on form in 1993. I filed with Senate Personnel. Perhaps Joe Biden knows where that form is located. Ask him.” |
| Reade also confirmed a report she had cancelled a Fox News Sunday interview after receiving threats, writing: “No survivor be fearful to come forward. And I did file a complaint.” | Reade also confirmed a report she had cancelled a Fox News Sunday interview after receiving threats, writing: “No survivor be fearful to come forward. And I did file a complaint.” |
| In a statement and TV interview on Friday, Biden flatly denied the accusation and asked the National Archives to look for Reade’s complaint. The Archive said it wouldn’t have it, but the Senate might. | In a statement and TV interview on Friday, Biden flatly denied the accusation and asked the National Archives to look for Reade’s complaint. The Archive said it wouldn’t have it, but the Senate might. |
| Donald Trump, who faces and denies numerous accusations of sexual misconduct and assault, commented on the claim against Biden on Friday, as did his new press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. Here’s Lauren Gambino’s excellent look at the story and its political implications for both parties: | Donald Trump, who faces and denies numerous accusations of sexual misconduct and assault, commented on the claim against Biden on Friday, as did his new press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. Here’s Lauren Gambino’s excellent look at the story and its political implications for both parties: |
| Democrats have been accused of brushing aside an allegation of sexual assault against Joe Biden from former Senate staffer Tara Reade. Reade says the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate assaulted her in 1993. On ABC’s This Week, the chair of the DNC, Tom Perez, defended Biden. | Democrats have been accused of brushing aside an allegation of sexual assault against Joe Biden from former Senate staffer Tara Reade. Reade says the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate assaulted her in 1993. On ABC’s This Week, the chair of the DNC, Tom Perez, defended Biden. |
| “Joe Biden has been very clear that this did not happen,” Perez said on Sunday. “He was forceful in that, and he’s been equally clear that when women come forward with complaints of this nature, they should be taken seriously, their complaints should investigate, they should be treated with dignity, and he’s done exactly that. He called for the Senate to release any documents they have, she indicated that she filed a complaint. Joe Biden wants that complaint released. He is an open book. He understands that it’s important for the information to get out.” | “Joe Biden has been very clear that this did not happen,” Perez said on Sunday. “He was forceful in that, and he’s been equally clear that when women come forward with complaints of this nature, they should be taken seriously, their complaints should investigate, they should be treated with dignity, and he’s done exactly that. He called for the Senate to release any documents they have, she indicated that she filed a complaint. Joe Biden wants that complaint released. He is an open book. He understands that it’s important for the information to get out.” |
| Perez also attacked Donald Trump’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. | Perez also attacked Donald Trump’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. |
| “This president has been chronically inept at handling this coronavirus,” said Perez. “We have less than 5% of the world’s population. We have one-third of the world’s coronavirus cases and 25 % of the world’s deaths from coronavirus. His inattention, his ineptitude, he needs to be the commander in chief, not the Tweeter in chief. He needs to understand that the buck stops with him. And that’s what we’re going to talk about in this campaign, accountability, we’re going to talk about leadership.” | “This president has been chronically inept at handling this coronavirus,” said Perez. “We have less than 5% of the world’s population. We have one-third of the world’s coronavirus cases and 25 % of the world’s deaths from coronavirus. His inattention, his ineptitude, he needs to be the commander in chief, not the Tweeter in chief. He needs to understand that the buck stops with him. And that’s what we’re going to talk about in this campaign, accountability, we’re going to talk about leadership.” |
| It’s World Press Freedom Day today and Donald Trump has chosen to mark it by saying he welcomes the important role the media plays in holding the powerful to account. Or maybe he went on Twitter to attack journalists as “the Enemy of the People”. | It’s World Press Freedom Day today and Donald Trump has chosen to mark it by saying he welcomes the important role the media plays in holding the powerful to account. Or maybe he went on Twitter to attack journalists as “the Enemy of the People”. |
| “The Fake News doesn’t show real polls. Lamestream Media is totally CORRUPT, the Enemy of the People!” he wrote on Twitter this morning, as he highlighted a Gallup poll that shows he has the highest approval rating of his presidency so far. | “The Fake News doesn’t show real polls. Lamestream Media is totally CORRUPT, the Enemy of the People!” he wrote on Twitter this morning, as he highlighted a Gallup poll that shows he has the highest approval rating of his presidency so far. |
| CNN’s Brian Stelter contrasted Trump’s tweet with messages of support for the media from the leaders of Greece, Namibia, Lithuania and the Maldives. “The pandemic, breaking with the rules of our everyday life, reaffirms in the most unequivocal manner the vital role of the free press in offering citizens accurate and valid information,” wrote Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the president of Greece on Twitter on Sunday. | CNN’s Brian Stelter contrasted Trump’s tweet with messages of support for the media from the leaders of Greece, Namibia, Lithuania and the Maldives. “The pandemic, breaking with the rules of our everyday life, reaffirms in the most unequivocal manner the vital role of the free press in offering citizens accurate and valid information,” wrote Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the president of Greece on Twitter on Sunday. |
| More on China and North Korea from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been speaking to ABC. | More on China and North Korea from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has been speaking to ABC. |
| “I can tell you that there is a significant amount of evidence that this came from that laboratory in Wuhan,” Pompeo said, when asked about Trump’s claim this week to have seen intelligence confirming the theory that Covid-19 was man-made and did not originate in bats and find its way to humans via a “wet market”, as is generally accepted. He did not, of course, say what the evidence was. | “I can tell you that there is a significant amount of evidence that this came from that laboratory in Wuhan,” Pompeo said, when asked about Trump’s claim this week to have seen intelligence confirming the theory that Covid-19 was man-made and did not originate in bats and find its way to humans via a “wet market”, as is generally accepted. He did not, of course, say what the evidence was. |
| Pompeo added: “The best experts so far seem to think it was man-made. I have no reason to disbelieve that at this point.” | Pompeo added: “The best experts so far seem to think it was man-made. I have no reason to disbelieve that at this point.” |
| Then the exchange with This Week host Martha Raddatz got confusing, as to what Pompeo does or does not think. This is from ABC’s transcript: | Then the exchange with This Week host Martha Raddatz got confusing, as to what Pompeo does or does not think. This is from ABC’s transcript: |
| Um… | Um… |
| Pompeo continued to attack China for its handling of the outbreak and what he said was a delay in transmitting information to the rest of the world. So far, so in line with White House attempts to blame China and thereby shift attention or blame from its own stumbling response as the US situation worsened throughout February and March. | Pompeo continued to attack China for its handling of the outbreak and what he said was a delay in transmitting information to the rest of the world. So far, so in line with White House attempts to blame China and thereby shift attention or blame from its own stumbling response as the US situation worsened throughout February and March. |
| Raddatz asked “Do you think they intentionally released that virus or it was an accident in the lab?” | Raddatz asked “Do you think they intentionally released that virus or it was an accident in the lab?” |
| “You know,” Pompeo said, “I don’t have anything to say about that. I think there’s a lot to know. But I can say this. We’ve done our best to try and answer all of those questions. We tried to get a team in there. The World Health Organization tried to get a team in there. And they have failed. No one’s been allowed to go to this lab or any of the other laboratories – there are many labs inside of China, Martha. This risk remains.” | “You know,” Pompeo said, “I don’t have anything to say about that. I think there’s a lot to know. But I can say this. We’ve done our best to try and answer all of those questions. We tried to get a team in there. The World Health Organization tried to get a team in there. And they have failed. No one’s been allowed to go to this lab or any of the other laboratories – there are many labs inside of China, Martha. This risk remains.” |
| The chair of the Republican National Committee Chair, Ronna McDaniel, appeared on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos where she was asked about allegations from Tara Reade, a former Senate staffer, that she was sexually assaulted by Joe Biden in 1993. McDaniel accused Democrats and the media of hypocrisy over the allegations, saying Biden had been treated lightly, compared to the scrutiny given to Brett Kavanaugh when allegations of sexual assault were levelled against him before his appointment to the supreme court. | The chair of the Republican National Committee Chair, Ronna McDaniel, appeared on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos where she was asked about allegations from Tara Reade, a former Senate staffer, that she was sexually assaulted by Joe Biden in 1993. McDaniel accused Democrats and the media of hypocrisy over the allegations, saying Biden had been treated lightly, compared to the scrutiny given to Brett Kavanaugh when allegations of sexual assault were levelled against him before his appointment to the supreme court. |
| “It has been appalling, the hypocrisy, as to how Brett Kavanaugh was treated versus Joe Biden,” said McDaniel. “Brett Kavanaugh, every accuser was put on TV. It was wall-to-wall coverage. They went into his high school year book. They said he needed an FBI investigation ... And then you go to Joe Biden. Five weeks of silence. Nineteen interviews without a single question. He won’t let people go into his records in the University of Delaware. They’re calling on the DNC to do the investigation. | “It has been appalling, the hypocrisy, as to how Brett Kavanaugh was treated versus Joe Biden,” said McDaniel. “Brett Kavanaugh, every accuser was put on TV. It was wall-to-wall coverage. They went into his high school year book. They said he needed an FBI investigation ... And then you go to Joe Biden. Five weeks of silence. Nineteen interviews without a single question. He won’t let people go into his records in the University of Delaware. They’re calling on the DNC to do the investigation. |
| “It went from MeToo, MeToo, MeToo, to Move on, Move on, Move on in a nanosecond because he’s a Democrat and the hypocrisy is appalling and it’s not just from the Democrats, it’s from the media, and I’ll tell you, I think any outlet that conducted those 19 interviews and didn’t ask a single question should be disqualified from conducting any part of a presidential debate.” | “It went from MeToo, MeToo, MeToo, to Move on, Move on, Move on in a nanosecond because he’s a Democrat and the hypocrisy is appalling and it’s not just from the Democrats, it’s from the media, and I’ll tell you, I think any outlet that conducted those 19 interviews and didn’t ask a single question should be disqualified from conducting any part of a presidential debate.” |
| Biden, has in fact, been asked about the allegations, most recently on Friday on MSNBC. Various publications, including the Guardian, have also discussed the claims. The New York Times editorial board has called on the DNC to conduct an independent review of the matter. | Biden, has in fact, been asked about the allegations, most recently on Friday on MSNBC. Various publications, including the Guardian, have also discussed the claims. The New York Times editorial board has called on the DNC to conduct an independent review of the matter. |
| Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who has also been accused of sexual assault, appeared to be sympathetic to Biden, who he is almost certain to face in this year’s presidential election. In an interview on Friday, Trump said: “I would just say to Joe Biden, just go out and fight [the allegation]”. | Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who has also been accused of sexual assault, appeared to be sympathetic to Biden, who he is almost certain to face in this year’s presidential election. In an interview on Friday, Trump said: “I would just say to Joe Biden, just go out and fight [the allegation]”. |
| McDaniel said the president made his comments because he believes in justice. “Because due process and the presumption of innocence has no longer been the standard in this country when it comes to Republicans and now Democrats are suddenly embracing those legal standards that we made the cornerstone of our country when it comes to Joe Biden, but they threw it out the window when it came to Brett Kavanaugh, and so did the media,” she said. | McDaniel said the president made his comments because he believes in justice. “Because due process and the presumption of innocence has no longer been the standard in this country when it comes to Republicans and now Democrats are suddenly embracing those legal standards that we made the cornerstone of our country when it comes to Joe Biden, but they threw it out the window when it came to Brett Kavanaugh, and so did the media,” she said. |
| McDaniel also said she was not worried about polls showing that Trump trails Biden in several key states. “I think the American people recognize what a strong leader he has been through this unprecedented crisis,” she said. | McDaniel also said she was not worried about polls showing that Trump trails Biden in several key states. “I think the American people recognize what a strong leader he has been through this unprecedented crisis,” she said. |
| Maryland governor Larry Hogan, a Republican not exactly on Donald Trump’s good side, most of the time, also spoke to CNN this morning. He admonished Kudlow’s comments about further economic aid to states possibly being linked to policy priorities such as clamping down on undocumented migrants, blaming Democrats in the House, Republicans in the Senate and the White House for indulging in “divisive politics” when “it’s time to get something done”. | Maryland governor Larry Hogan, a Republican not exactly on Donald Trump’s good side, most of the time, also spoke to CNN this morning. He admonished Kudlow’s comments about further economic aid to states possibly being linked to policy priorities such as clamping down on undocumented migrants, blaming Democrats in the House, Republicans in the Senate and the White House for indulging in “divisive politics” when “it’s time to get something done”. |
| Hogan famously did get something done, flying in 500,000 coronavirus tests from South Korea – Hogan’s wife is Korean, which helped – and then guarding them at a secret location to stop the federal government from swooping and taking the tests for itself. | Hogan famously did get something done, flying in 500,000 coronavirus tests from South Korea – Hogan’s wife is Korean, which helped – and then guarding them at a secret location to stop the federal government from swooping and taking the tests for itself. |
| Remarkably enough, Hogan confirmed to CNN that he had been worried the Trump administration would steal his tests, although he said the worry was not so strong now. | Remarkably enough, Hogan confirmed to CNN that he had been worried the Trump administration would steal his tests, although he said the worry was not so strong now. |
| Hogan was also asked about anti-lockdown protests in his state, including a speech on Saturday from Andy Harris, a Republican congressman who said he “did not wake up in Communist China or North Korea” and demanded his right to attend church if he wished. | Hogan was also asked about anti-lockdown protests in his state, including a speech on Saturday from Andy Harris, a Republican congressman who said he “did not wake up in Communist China or North Korea” and demanded his right to attend church if he wished. |
| “I think everyone has a right to protest,” Hogan said. “A couple dozen did so yesterday and … sadly we had far more people die yesterday in Maryland than we did protesters. Congressman Harris, I’m not sure where he woke up yesterday morning … he’s obviously got the right to say whatever crazy things he wants to say.” | “I think everyone has a right to protest,” Hogan said. “A couple dozen did so yesterday and … sadly we had far more people die yesterday in Maryland than we did protesters. Congressman Harris, I’m not sure where he woke up yesterday morning … he’s obviously got the right to say whatever crazy things he wants to say.” |
| The Johns Hopkins figures for Maryland: 24,473 cases and 1,251 deaths. | The Johns Hopkins figures for Maryland: 24,473 cases and 1,251 deaths. |
| Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer appeared on CNN’s State of the Union, for an interview subject to a particularly glitchy feed from Zoom, Skype or whichever video service was being used, making her look at times a bit like she was wearing first world war “dazzle” camouflage. Our leaders are subject to the same trials of working from home as the rest of us, evidently, if not quite so eager to show off that they did an MA in British modern art. | Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer appeared on CNN’s State of the Union, for an interview subject to a particularly glitchy feed from Zoom, Skype or whichever video service was being used, making her look at times a bit like she was wearing first world war “dazzle” camouflage. Our leaders are subject to the same trials of working from home as the rest of us, evidently, if not quite so eager to show off that they did an MA in British modern art. |
| Whitmer was asked about the protest in her state capital, Lansing, on Thursday in which men armed with “long guns” participated – carrying them legally, it should be noted, in the statehouse. | Whitmer was asked about the protest in her state capital, Lansing, on Thursday in which men armed with “long guns” participated – carrying them legally, it should be noted, in the statehouse. |
| “We know that people are not all happy about having to take the stay home posture,” she said, “and you know what, I’m not either. But we have to listen to the public health experts and displays like the one we saw in our state capital are not representative of who we are in Michigan. | “We know that people are not all happy about having to take the stay home posture,” she said, “and you know what, I’m not either. But we have to listen to the public health experts and displays like the one we saw in our state capital are not representative of who we are in Michigan. |
| “There were swastikas and Confederate flags and nooses and people with assault rifles. That’s a small group of people when you think that this is a state of almost 10m people, the vast majority of whom are doing the right thing.” | “There were swastikas and Confederate flags and nooses and people with assault rifles. That’s a small group of people when you think that this is a state of almost 10m people, the vast majority of whom are doing the right thing.” |
| Donald Trump has regularly expressed support for the Michigan protesters, who on Friday he called “very good people”, inviting comparisons to his infamous comments about the Charlottesville white supremacists and neo-Nazis who marched in the summer of 2017. (They were “very fine people”, for the inglorious record.) | Donald Trump has regularly expressed support for the Michigan protesters, who on Friday he called “very good people”, inviting comparisons to his infamous comments about the Charlottesville white supremacists and neo-Nazis who marched in the summer of 2017. (They were “very fine people”, for the inglorious record.) |
| Asked about the president’s comments, Whitmer said: “Some of the outrageousness of what happened in our capital this week depicted some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country. Now, the Confederate flags and nooses, the swastikas, the behaviour that you’ve seen, is not representative of who we are in Michigan.” | Asked about the president’s comments, Whitmer said: “Some of the outrageousness of what happened in our capital this week depicted some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country. Now, the Confederate flags and nooses, the swastikas, the behaviour that you’ve seen, is not representative of who we are in Michigan.” |
| In other words, she chose not to shout back at the president, or comment on his suggestion she should “make a deal” with such protesters. | In other words, she chose not to shout back at the president, or comment on his suggestion she should “make a deal” with such protesters. |
| Whitmer was also asked about her support for Joe Biden, Trump’s presumptive challenger in November, who is accused of sexual assault and who might also name Whitmer as his running mate. More on that to come. | Whitmer was also asked about her support for Joe Biden, Trump’s presumptive challenger in November, who is accused of sexual assault and who might also name Whitmer as his running mate. More on that to come. |
| Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, appeared on ABC News’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos this morning to talk about his decision to make a phased reopening of businesses in his state. The manufacturing and construction sector will reopen on Monday before retail businesses come back on 12 May. Zoos, amusement parks and sports stadiums will remain closed until further notice. | Ohio’s Republican governor, Mike DeWine, appeared on ABC News’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos this morning to talk about his decision to make a phased reopening of businesses in his state. The manufacturing and construction sector will reopen on Monday before retail businesses come back on 12 May. Zoos, amusement parks and sports stadiums will remain closed until further notice. |
| DeWine said that while he was keenly aware the world is in the middle of a pandemic, he wanted to balance safety measures with personal freedom. | DeWine said that while he was keenly aware the world is in the middle of a pandemic, he wanted to balance safety measures with personal freedom. |
| “I think generally Republicans are less inclined to have the government tell them what to do,” he said. “And that’s generally how I am. I’m a conservative Republican.” | “I think generally Republicans are less inclined to have the government tell them what to do,” he said. “And that’s generally how I am. I’m a conservative Republican.” |
| That philosophy may well have played into DeWine’s decision to reverse an order mandating that customers should wear face masks when shopping. | That philosophy may well have played into DeWine’s decision to reverse an order mandating that customers should wear face masks when shopping. |
| “People were not going to accept the government telling them what to do,” said DeWine, who added that retail workers would still need to wear masks. “We put out dozens and dozens of orders, that was one that it just went too far. But at the same time we pulled that back, I said ... I highly recommend [wearing masks] ... Unless you have a physical reason you can’t wear the mask, and we understand that, but when you go into a retail store, that is the kind thing to do because I worry and we should all worry about the folks who are stocking shelves in grocery stores, the people who are [on] the check-out line who work there all day, and we got to try to protect them.” | “People were not going to accept the government telling them what to do,” said DeWine, who added that retail workers would still need to wear masks. “We put out dozens and dozens of orders, that was one that it just went too far. But at the same time we pulled that back, I said ... I highly recommend [wearing masks] ... Unless you have a physical reason you can’t wear the mask, and we understand that, but when you go into a retail store, that is the kind thing to do because I worry and we should all worry about the folks who are stocking shelves in grocery stores, the people who are [on] the check-out line who work there all day, and we got to try to protect them.” |
| DeWine also stopped short of saying he would issue another stay-at-home order if cases started to rise after the reopening. | DeWine also stopped short of saying he would issue another stay-at-home order if cases started to rise after the reopening. |
| “We’re going to watch numbers every single day,” he said. “And we’re going to communicate those numbers to the people of Ohio. That’s one of the things we’ve done. We do a press conference virtually every day and we try to give them the data that we’re looking at. So if we’re starting to see those numbers, the people of the state are going to see those numbers and we’ll have to take action. But what I hope is as people see those numbers, if they do go up and if they go up dramatically, that the people of the state will react to that. | “We’re going to watch numbers every single day,” he said. “And we’re going to communicate those numbers to the people of Ohio. That’s one of the things we’ve done. We do a press conference virtually every day and we try to give them the data that we’re looking at. So if we’re starting to see those numbers, the people of the state are going to see those numbers and we’ll have to take action. But what I hope is as people see those numbers, if they do go up and if they go up dramatically, that the people of the state will react to that. |
| “We keep saying we’re all in this together and that’s the way I look at it as far as my job as governor and the people of the state. I got to keep them informed of what’s going on. I think they’ll do the right thing once they know the facts.” | “We keep saying we’re all in this together and that’s the way I look at it as far as my job as governor and the people of the state. I got to keep them informed of what’s going on. I think they’ll do the right thing once they know the facts.” |
| More than 1,000 people have died from Covid-19 in Ohio so far. | More than 1,000 people have died from Covid-19 in Ohio so far. |
| From a White House economic adviser to a White House public health adviser: Dr Deborah Birx is talking on Fox News Sunday: | From a White House economic adviser to a White House public health adviser: Dr Deborah Birx is talking on Fox News Sunday: |
| She’s referring to protesters who want state economies and societies reopened, and who have been seen in states across the US. | She’s referring to protesters who want state economies and societies reopened, and who have been seen in states across the US. |
| Here’s an AP intro that sums up rather neatly the tensions between such demands and governors and experts who think reopening too quickly will most likely prove deadly: | Here’s an AP intro that sums up rather neatly the tensions between such demands and governors and experts who think reopening too quickly will most likely prove deadly: |
| Relative to California and Washington state, for two nearby examples, Oregon has not been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus: the Johns Hopkins figures put cases there at 2,635 and deaths at 109. The protests there on Saturday were not as angry as those in Michigan, for example, this week, where armed men entered the statehouse, frightening lawmakers … and earning the support of the president. | Relative to California and Washington state, for two nearby examples, Oregon has not been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus: the Johns Hopkins figures put cases there at 2,635 and deaths at 109. The protests there on Saturday were not as angry as those in Michigan, for example, this week, where armed men entered the statehouse, frightening lawmakers … and earning the support of the president. |
| Nonetheless, the AP continues, “protest organizers [said] they view the social distancing mandates issued by Governor Kate Brown as government overreach. Since mid-March, Brown’s orders have closed many businesses, put some parks and campgrounds off limits, and required public schools to adopt distance learning programs. | Nonetheless, the AP continues, “protest organizers [said] they view the social distancing mandates issued by Governor Kate Brown as government overreach. Since mid-March, Brown’s orders have closed many businesses, put some parks and campgrounds off limits, and required public schools to adopt distance learning programs. |
| “Most of the protesters did not wear face masks, but they waved American flags and Trump campaign signs in the rain. Other signs read ‘Reopen Oregon’ and ‘Let me earn a living.’ | “Most of the protesters did not wear face masks, but they waved American flags and Trump campaign signs in the rain. Other signs read ‘Reopen Oregon’ and ‘Let me earn a living.’ |
| “A group of healthcare workers demonstrated at the top of the Capitol steps, urging a phased plan to ease the state’s social distancing requirements. Most of the other protesters ignored them.“You can’t just place citizens under house arrest and enforce those orders,” event organizer Adam Ellifritt said. | “A group of healthcare workers demonstrated at the top of the Capitol steps, urging a phased plan to ease the state’s social distancing requirements. Most of the other protesters ignored them.“You can’t just place citizens under house arrest and enforce those orders,” event organizer Adam Ellifritt said. |
| Here’s some video of the Michigan protests: | Here’s some video of the Michigan protests: |
| White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow is up on CNN’s State of the Union, discussing the economy and how to get it going again with a pandemic still raging, as more than half of the 50 states are now attempting to do. | White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow is up on CNN’s State of the Union, discussing the economy and how to get it going again with a pandemic still raging, as more than half of the 50 states are now attempting to do. |
| Kudlow mentions that further aid may be coming for struggling Americans, with almost 30m unemployed, and also floats again the idea that the Trump administration may try to tie it to such moves as concessions on sanctuary cities, mostly Democratic-run places which do not co-operate with attempts to remove undocumented migrants. | Kudlow mentions that further aid may be coming for struggling Americans, with almost 30m unemployed, and also floats again the idea that the Trump administration may try to tie it to such moves as concessions on sanctuary cities, mostly Democratic-run places which do not co-operate with attempts to remove undocumented migrants. |
| Many observers have pointed out tying aid to policy priorities like that would be unprecedented and, to some, unconscionable. | Many observers have pointed out tying aid to policy priorities like that would be unprecedented and, to some, unconscionable. |
| Kudlow also predicts a “potentially strong springback” from state economies, and saying 2021 could “be one of the fastest growth rebounds in US history”. The economy is central to Trump’s case for re-election, of course. | Kudlow also predicts a “potentially strong springback” from state economies, and saying 2021 could “be one of the fastest growth rebounds in US history”. The economy is central to Trump’s case for re-election, of course. |
| Here’s Robert Reich again on that: | Here’s Robert Reich again on that: |
| Kudlow is asked about disconnects between public health advisers who counsel caution on reopening and economic advisers, such as him, who say it is time to reopen. He defends his own previous remarks about the coronavirus being contained. Obviously. The virus has “spread exponentially in ways no one could’ve predicted”, he says, which epidemiologists and others would and do contest. Also obviously. | Kudlow is asked about disconnects between public health advisers who counsel caution on reopening and economic advisers, such as him, who say it is time to reopen. He defends his own previous remarks about the coronavirus being contained. Obviously. The virus has “spread exponentially in ways no one could’ve predicted”, he says, which epidemiologists and others would and do contest. Also obviously. |
| Oh, and Maine: | Oh, and Maine: |
| Maine is a state not yet so badly hit – Johns Hopkins figures put it at a little more than 1,150 cases and 56 deaths. But here’s Lauren Aratani with a more, uh, considered take on the problems facing a state dependent on summer tourism… | Maine is a state not yet so badly hit – Johns Hopkins figures put it at a little more than 1,150 cases and 56 deaths. But here’s Lauren Aratani with a more, uh, considered take on the problems facing a state dependent on summer tourism… |
| Trump has also tweeted about how he misses his rallies: | Trump has also tweeted about how he misses his rallies: |
| Many people thought Trump was using his daily White House coronavirus briefings as rally substitutes, pounding out misinformation and attacks on familiar enemies with a captive national audience. Then the president used the podium (or lectern, Twitter pedants, a line I now have on shortcut) to suggest people might inject themselves with disinfectant to beat the coronavirus and that alley was, for now, in the main, closed off too. | Many people thought Trump was using his daily White House coronavirus briefings as rally substitutes, pounding out misinformation and attacks on familiar enemies with a captive national audience. Then the president used the podium (or lectern, Twitter pedants, a line I now have on shortcut) to suggest people might inject themselves with disinfectant to beat the coronavirus and that alley was, for now, in the main, closed off too. |
| It’s also worth remembering that the president has often claimed not to have left the White House during the pandemic other than to visit a hospital ship leaving Virginia for New York, when in fact he staged rallies and visited the CDC in Atlanta. | It’s also worth remembering that the president has often claimed not to have left the White House during the pandemic other than to visit a hospital ship leaving Virginia for New York, when in fact he staged rallies and visited the CDC in Atlanta. |
| Trump is currently at Camp David in Maryland. There is no White House briefing on the schedule but he does have a Fox News town hall at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington tonight, at 9pm ET. | Trump is currently at Camp David in Maryland. There is no White House briefing on the schedule but he does have a Fox News town hall at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington tonight, at 9pm ET. |
| Donald Trump is awake and – in Withnailian terms I can’t resist and initiates of the film will get, Curse of the Superman and all that – he’s stepped back into society and started tossing his orb about. | Donald Trump is awake and – in Withnailian terms I can’t resist and initiates of the film will get, Curse of the Superman and all that – he’s stepped back into society and started tossing his orb about. |
| One target this morning: President George W Bush, who has called for Americans to put partisanship aside during the coronavirus pandemic. Trump says Bush was “nowhere to be found” when his Republican successor was impeached, and thereby failed to “speak up against the greatest Hoax in American history!” | One target this morning: President George W Bush, who has called for Americans to put partisanship aside during the coronavirus pandemic. Trump says Bush was “nowhere to be found” when his Republican successor was impeached, and thereby failed to “speak up against the greatest Hoax in American history!” |
| Also in the firing line, on Saturday night, was MSNBC host Nicole Wallace. It turns out I’m right to think a double dog is a yoga pose, but in Trumpian tweet trash talk terms it’s the following: “She was thrown off The View like a dog, Zero T.V. Personas. Now Wallace is a 3rd rate lapdog for Fake News MSDNC (Concast). Doesn’t have what it takes!” | Also in the firing line, on Saturday night, was MSNBC host Nicole Wallace. It turns out I’m right to think a double dog is a yoga pose, but in Trumpian tweet trash talk terms it’s the following: “She was thrown off The View like a dog, Zero T.V. Personas. Now Wallace is a 3rd rate lapdog for Fake News MSDNC (Concast). Doesn’t have what it takes!” |
| Nice to see he’s using his time constructively. | Nice to see he’s using his time constructively. |
| On Saturday night, Trump also claimed to have done more for African Americans than any president, although Honest Abe” – Lincoln, who ended slavery, remember – “wasn’t bad”. He also said of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well!”, earning predictable rebukes for praising a dictator. | On Saturday night, Trump also claimed to have done more for African Americans than any president, although Honest Abe” – Lincoln, who ended slavery, remember – “wasn’t bad”. He also said of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “I, for one, am glad to see he is back, and well!”, earning predictable rebukes for praising a dictator. |
| To Sunday morning: Trump has already attacked “the Fake News” and “the Lamestream Media” about polls, of course he has, and he has also retweeted a message which ends “Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself.” | To Sunday morning: Trump has already attacked “the Fake News” and “the Lamestream Media” about polls, of course he has, and he has also retweeted a message which ends “Jeffrey Epstein didn’t kill himself.” |
| That one, by the by, is from the same failed congressional candidate who’s “#FireFauci” tweet Trump retweeted last month, causing widespread consternation. | That one, by the by, is from the same failed congressional candidate who’s “#FireFauci” tweet Trump retweeted last month, causing widespread consternation. |
| It’s fun, keeping up with Trump tweets. Really, it is. | It’s fun, keeping up with Trump tweets. Really, it is. |
| …and welcome to another day of coverage of the coronavirus – and politics – in the US. First, as ever, the figures from Johns Hopkins University: | …and welcome to another day of coverage of the coronavirus – and politics – in the US. First, as ever, the figures from Johns Hopkins University: |
| US cases: 1,132,903 | US cases: 1,132,903 |
| US deaths: 66,380 | US deaths: 66,380 |
| New York cases: 312,977 | New York cases: 312,977 |
| New York deaths: 24,198 | New York deaths: 24,198 |
| Other states are badly hit: New Jersey is approaching 8,000 deaths, Michigan’s toll has passed 4,000. And states with governors looking to reopen their economies faster than might be wise are affected too: there have been more than 35,000 cases and more than 1,300 deaths in Florida, for example, where the Grim Reaper himself, sort of, is patrolling the beaches in protest. | Other states are badly hit: New Jersey is approaching 8,000 deaths, Michigan’s toll has passed 4,000. And states with governors looking to reopen their economies faster than might be wise are affected too: there have been more than 35,000 cases and more than 1,300 deaths in Florida, for example, where the Grim Reaper himself, sort of, is patrolling the beaches in protest. |
| In Washington, or near it at Camp David, Donald Trump continues to stir the pot. The Senate is due back in session on Monday – Mitch McConnell has judges to confirm, among other business – despite the dangers to its distinctly aging population. Trump has been busy slamming Nancy Pelosi, 80, for not reopening the House. It’s worth noting that Pelosi and McConnell together, a rare sight, turned down Trump’s offer of accelerated testing for members of Congress. | In Washington, or near it at Camp David, Donald Trump continues to stir the pot. The Senate is due back in session on Monday – Mitch McConnell has judges to confirm, among other business – despite the dangers to its distinctly aging population. Trump has been busy slamming Nancy Pelosi, 80, for not reopening the House. It’s worth noting that Pelosi and McConnell together, a rare sight, turned down Trump’s offer of accelerated testing for members of Congress. |
| Also, the White House has blocked Dr Anthony Fauci from testifying before a House committee about the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis. This is one that’s going to rumble on. In a tweet on Saturday night, Trump said: “The Democrats are just, as always, looking for trouble. They do nothing constructive, even in times of crisis. They don’t want to blame their cash cow, China, for the plague. China is blaming Europe. Dr Fauci will be testifying before the Senate very soon!” | Also, the White House has blocked Dr Anthony Fauci from testifying before a House committee about the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus crisis. This is one that’s going to rumble on. In a tweet on Saturday night, Trump said: “The Democrats are just, as always, looking for trouble. They do nothing constructive, even in times of crisis. They don’t want to blame their cash cow, China, for the plague. China is blaming Europe. Dr Fauci will be testifying before the Senate very soon!” |
| Republicans control the Senate, although Fauci has a history of contradicting Trump or reportedly angering him by sticking to inconvenient facts whatever the venue for doing so. We’ll be watching this one as the morning shows roll on. | Republicans control the Senate, although Fauci has a history of contradicting Trump or reportedly angering him by sticking to inconvenient facts whatever the venue for doing so. We’ll be watching this one as the morning shows roll on. |
| There’s also mounting Democratic anger about Trump’s moves to neuter oversight of his administration, most recently by removing a health watchdog who wrote a report critical of the first responses to and preparations for the arrival of Covid-19. Elizabeth Warren: “When it comes to his handling of this pandemic, Donald Trump has a view on oversight: He doesn’t want any. Make no mistake: We will keep doing our jobs and holding him accountable for his botched response to a national crisis.” | There’s also mounting Democratic anger about Trump’s moves to neuter oversight of his administration, most recently by removing a health watchdog who wrote a report critical of the first responses to and preparations for the arrival of Covid-19. Elizabeth Warren: “When it comes to his handling of this pandemic, Donald Trump has a view on oversight: He doesn’t want any. Make no mistake: We will keep doing our jobs and holding him accountable for his botched response to a national crisis.” |
| All that and more to come, you lucky, lucky readers. Before it does, here’s our columnist Robert Reich with an elegant evisceration of the Trump administration’s moves to reopen the US economy… | All that and more to come, you lucky, lucky readers. Before it does, here’s our columnist Robert Reich with an elegant evisceration of the Trump administration’s moves to reopen the US economy… |