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Coronavirus US live: Trump administration reportedly expects daily death toll to double in June Coronavirus US live: Trump administration reportedly expects daily death toll to double in June
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Trump is encouraging states to start reopening, but his administration has privately predicted a major increase in death toll next monthTrump is encouraging states to start reopening, but his administration has privately predicted a major increase in death toll next month
Signs on Capitol Hill are being used to remind senators of social distancing recommendations, as the chamber returns to session this afternoon for the first time in nearly six weeks.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has said members will limit congestion on the floor and use larger hearing rooms to limit the potential spread of coronavirus.
However, the Republican leader chose not to make mask usage mandatory for senators, although members are encouraged to cover their faces.
A prominent public advocacy group is calling on Gilead, the pharmaceutical company behind a potential Covid-19 treatment, to price its drug at $1 per day. Gilead is well known for pricing its Hepatitis C drug, Harvoni, at $1,000 per pill. The initial price helped fuel early criticism of drug company pricing, and strained state budgets.
“If Gilead intends to price remdesivir at more than $1 per day, Gilead must fully disclose its research and development costs and all public contributions associated with remdesivir’s development,” said Peter Maybarduk, director of access to medicines at advocacy group Public Citizen. “Then payers and independent experts can analyze again what constitutes fair pricing in a pandemic.”
Early trials of the Gilead drug remdesivir have found it could help treat severe cases of Covid-19, though conflicting data remains. Data from the trials being conducted by the US National Institutes of Health are still preliminary, though researchers have said they show promise. The US Food and Drug Administration gave emergency use authorization for doctors to use the drug for severely ill patients.
Maybarduk said Gilead has benefitted from $60m in taxpayer-funded trials and research throughout remdesivir’s development. Researchers at the University of Liverpool has suggested a price of $0.93 per dose would cover Gilead’s cost of manufacturing and provide the company with a reasonable profit.
“Gilead should commit its patents and know-how to the public domain so that researchers around the world can help bring manufacturing to scale,” said Maybarduk.
New Jersey schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year, governor Phil Murphy announced at a press conference earlier today.New Jersey schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year, governor Phil Murphy announced at a press conference earlier today.
The Democratic governor said, “As I have noted before, we are working with the principle that public health creates economic health, or in this case, public health creates educational health.”The Democratic governor said, “As I have noted before, we are working with the principle that public health creates economic health, or in this case, public health creates educational health.”
The decision is unsurprising, considering New Jersey has been one of the states hit hardest by coronavirus. New Jersey has confirmed 126,744 cases of coronavirus, and 7,871 people have died in the state.The decision is unsurprising, considering New Jersey has been one of the states hit hardest by coronavirus. New Jersey has confirmed 126,744 cases of coronavirus, and 7,871 people have died in the state.
Murphy’s announcement comes three days after New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced the neighboring state would also cancel in-person instruction for the rest of the academic year.Murphy’s announcement comes three days after New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced the neighboring state would also cancel in-person instruction for the rest of the academic year.
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton said Friday that fear of contracting Covid-19 was an “emotional condition,” and was an insufficient reason to request a mail-in ballot in his state.Texas attorney general Ken Paxton said Friday that fear of contracting Covid-19 was an “emotional condition,” and was an insufficient reason to request a mail-in ballot in his state.
Texas severely restricts the use of mail-in ballots to certain groups of voters, including those who have a sickness or physical condition. Even amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the state is refusing to budge on that requirement -- something Paxton, a Republican, reiterated Friday in a letter to local election officials.Texas severely restricts the use of mail-in ballots to certain groups of voters, including those who have a sickness or physical condition. Even amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the state is refusing to budge on that requirement -- something Paxton, a Republican, reiterated Friday in a letter to local election officials.
“A person ill with COVID-19 would certainly qualify as having a sickness. However, a reasonable fear of contracting the virus is a normal emotional reaction to the current pandemic and does not, by itself, amount to a ‘sickness,’ much less the type of sickness that qualifies a voter to receive a ballot by mail,” he wrote in a letter to the officials.“A person ill with COVID-19 would certainly qualify as having a sickness. However, a reasonable fear of contracting the virus is a normal emotional reaction to the current pandemic and does not, by itself, amount to a ‘sickness,’ much less the type of sickness that qualifies a voter to receive a ballot by mail,” he wrote in a letter to the officials.
Democrats and civil rights groups are suing the Texas to force it to allow anyone to vote with a mail-in ballot. A judge in Travis County ruled last month that voters who risked getting Covid-19 by voting in person could request a mail-in ballot. Texas is appealing that ruling.Democrats and civil rights groups are suing the Texas to force it to allow anyone to vote with a mail-in ballot. A judge in Travis County ruled last month that voters who risked getting Covid-19 by voting in person could request a mail-in ballot. Texas is appealing that ruling.
Paxton reiterated earlier guidance from his office that anyone who advised a voter to apply for a mail-in ballot because they feared contracting Covid-19 could face “criminal sanctions.”Paxton reiterated earlier guidance from his office that anyone who advised a voter to apply for a mail-in ballot because they feared contracting Covid-19 could face “criminal sanctions.”
Democrats are closely focused on Texas, long seen as a solid Republican state, because they believe that an increasingly racially diverse electorate could tip the state in their favor. In addition to placing severe restrictions on mail-in ballots, Texas also has no online voter registration and closely regulates how registration drives are conducted.Democrats are closely focused on Texas, long seen as a solid Republican state, because they believe that an increasingly racially diverse electorate could tip the state in their favor. In addition to placing severe restrictions on mail-in ballots, Texas also has no online voter registration and closely regulates how registration drives are conducted.
The White House has issued a statement pushing back against the New York Times report that an internal document suggests the country’s daily coronavirus death toll will nearly double by June 1.The White House has issued a statement pushing back against the New York Times report that an internal document suggests the country’s daily coronavirus death toll will nearly double by June 1.
“This is not a White House document nor has it been presented to the Coronavirus Task Force or gone through interagency vetting,” White House spokesperson Judd Deere said in the statement.“This is not a White House document nor has it been presented to the Coronavirus Task Force or gone through interagency vetting,” White House spokesperson Judd Deere said in the statement.
“This data is not reflective of any of the modeling done by the task force or data that the task force has analyzed. ... The health of the American people remains President Trump’s top priority and that will continue as we monitor the efforts by states to ease restrictions.”“This data is not reflective of any of the modeling done by the task force or data that the task force has analyzed. ... The health of the American people remains President Trump’s top priority and that will continue as we monitor the efforts by states to ease restrictions.”
According to the Times, the projections were “based on modeling by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and pulled together in chart form by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.”According to the Times, the projections were “based on modeling by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and pulled together in chart form by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.”
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
The White House expects the country’s daily coronavirus death toll to nearly double by June 1, according to an internal document obrained by the New York Times. The CDC projection indicates the country may be losing 3,000 Americans a day by early next month.The White House expects the country’s daily coronavirus death toll to nearly double by June 1, according to an internal document obrained by the New York Times. The CDC projection indicates the country may be losing 3,000 Americans a day by early next month.
The Supreme Court held oral arguments remotely for the first time in its history. The justices posed questions via telephone hookup, and the audio of the arguments was live-streamed by C-SPAN, representing another first for the court.The Supreme Court held oral arguments remotely for the first time in its history. The justices posed questions via telephone hookup, and the audio of the arguments was live-streamed by C-SPAN, representing another first for the court.
The Senate will return to session today, despite lingering concerns about members returning to Washington. The House is not expected to return until next week.The Senate will return to session today, despite lingering concerns about members returning to Washington. The House is not expected to return until next week.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said it is “disrespectful” of people not to wear masks when necessary, and that the measure is “not that hard”. He recommended local communities enforce the order to wear face masks whenever social distancing cannot be maintainedNew York governor Andrew Cuomo said it is “disrespectful” of people not to wear masks when necessary, and that the measure is “not that hard”. He recommended local communities enforce the order to wear face masks whenever social distancing cannot be maintained
“I think it is disrespectful of people not to wear masks,” said Cuomo. He said people who refuse to wear masks are effectively disrespecting the work of nurses and doctors. ”They went to work so all of us could stay safe and go home,” Cuomo said, arguing that wearing a mask was the least New Yotkers could do for frontline workers.“I think it is disrespectful of people not to wear masks,” said Cuomo. He said people who refuse to wear masks are effectively disrespecting the work of nurses and doctors. ”They went to work so all of us could stay safe and go home,” Cuomo said, arguing that wearing a mask was the least New Yotkers could do for frontline workers.
“We owe each other a certain amount of reasonableness and respect in society,” said Cuomo. “Do I think local governments should be enforcing it, and should there be sanctions? Yes, yes. Because it is a public health emergency.”“We owe each other a certain amount of reasonableness and respect in society,” said Cuomo. “Do I think local governments should be enforcing it, and should there be sanctions? Yes, yes. Because it is a public health emergency.”
The governor added, “You could literally kill someone because you didn’t want to wear a mask. How cruel and irresponsible would that be.”The governor added, “You could literally kill someone because you didn’t want to wear a mask. How cruel and irresponsible would that be.”
New York Governor Cuomo said reopening New York’s economy will take place on a region-by-region basis, and in phases.New York Governor Cuomo said reopening New York’s economy will take place on a region-by-region basis, and in phases.
“This can’t be, we want to get out of the house, we’re going: No,” said Cuomo.“This can’t be, we want to get out of the house, we’re going: No,” said Cuomo.
Four factors will dictate when regions can open: availability of tests, contact tracing, hospital capacity and monitoring of virus transmission. Cuomo’s executive order closing the state’s economy expires on May 15.Four factors will dictate when regions can open: availability of tests, contact tracing, hospital capacity and monitoring of virus transmission. Cuomo’s executive order closing the state’s economy expires on May 15.
Businesses will also open in phases, beginning with construction, manufacturing and curbside pick-up for some retail stores. If transmissions do not spike, the phases could continue with some professional services such as retail, following by restaurants in the third-phase with restaurants, and finally large events such as sports.Businesses will also open in phases, beginning with construction, manufacturing and curbside pick-up for some retail stores. If transmissions do not spike, the phases could continue with some professional services such as retail, following by restaurants in the third-phase with restaurants, and finally large events such as sports.
“We need businesses to reimagine how they’re going to do business, and get ready to protect their workforce,” said Cuomo. He later added, “Putting all these systems in place is an incredible task.”“We need businesses to reimagine how they’re going to do business, and get ready to protect their workforce,” said Cuomo. He later added, “Putting all these systems in place is an incredible task.”
Dr Deborah Birx, the coordinator for the White House coronavirus response, addressed the projected US death toll from coronavirus yesterday in a a Fox News interview.Dr Deborah Birx, the coordinator for the White House coronavirus response, addressed the projected US death toll from coronavirus yesterday in a a Fox News interview.
Trump said late last month that the projected death toll had fallen to between 50,000 and 60,000. He revised that in his Fox News town hall last night, saying, “We’re going to lose anywhere from 75, 80 to 100,000 people.”Trump said late last month that the projected death toll had fallen to between 50,000 and 60,000. He revised that in his Fox News town hall last night, saying, “We’re going to lose anywhere from 75, 80 to 100,000 people.”
Birx said yesterday that the original projections “have always been between 100,000 and 240,000 American lives lost, and that’s with full mitigation and us learning from each other of how to social distance.”Birx said yesterday that the original projections “have always been between 100,000 and 240,000 American lives lost, and that’s with full mitigation and us learning from each other of how to social distance.”
Nearly 68,000 Americans have now died of the virus, and an internal document obtained by the New York Times suggests the daily death toll could rise to 3,000 by June 1.Nearly 68,000 Americans have now died of the virus, and an internal document obtained by the New York Times suggests the daily death toll could rise to 3,000 by June 1.
The New York Times has obtained an internal document from the Trump administration that projects the country’s daily death toll from coronavirus will nearly double by June 1.The New York Times has obtained an internal document from the Trump administration that projects the country’s daily death toll from coronavirus will nearly double by June 1.
However, Nate Silver, the editor-in-chief of the analysis and polling website FiveThirtyEight, suggested the numbers should be taken with a grain of salt.However, Nate Silver, the editor-in-chief of the analysis and polling website FiveThirtyEight, suggested the numbers should be taken with a grain of salt.
Even though Trump is encouraging states to start the process of reopening, his administration has privately predicted that the country’s daily coronavirus death toll will double next month, according to a new report.Even though Trump is encouraging states to start the process of reopening, his administration has privately predicted that the country’s daily coronavirus death toll will double next month, according to a new report.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
During his Fox News interview last night, the president doubled his estimate of the expected US death toll from what he said just two weeks ago.During his Fox News interview last night, the president doubled his estimate of the expected US death toll from what he said just two weeks ago.
“We’re going to lose anywhere from 75, 80 to 100,000 people,” Trump said. “That’s a horrible thing. We shouldn’t lose one person over this.”“We’re going to lose anywhere from 75, 80 to 100,000 people,” Trump said. “That’s a horrible thing. We shouldn’t lose one person over this.”
It would be an understatement to say Mitch McConnell’s suggestion that state and local governments should declare bankruptcy rather than seek more federal funding went down like a lead balloon. It was a rare instance of the Senate majority leader overplaying his hand.It would be an understatement to say Mitch McConnell’s suggestion that state and local governments should declare bankruptcy rather than seek more federal funding went down like a lead balloon. It was a rare instance of the Senate majority leader overplaying his hand.
It also showed that Donald Trump is not the only figure embodying liberal nightmares in the time of coronavirus. When historians contemplate a death toll in the tens of thousands and an economy fallen off a cliff, they will pay close attention to the president’s most important ally.It also showed that Donald Trump is not the only figure embodying liberal nightmares in the time of coronavirus. When historians contemplate a death toll in the tens of thousands and an economy fallen off a cliff, they will pay close attention to the president’s most important ally.
“I think Mitch McConnell is the guy to be watching and focusing on in terms of what’s going on,” said Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “His messaging around the coronavirus has been tone deaf.“I think Mitch McConnell is the guy to be watching and focusing on in terms of what’s going on,” said Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “His messaging around the coronavirus has been tone deaf.
“It’s not just the fact that McConnell was remarkably brutal in pairing Americans into red and blue states at a time of national crisis – that is pretty shameless – but I think it was also politically inept because he’s got his colleagues in tough races in blue states.”“It’s not just the fact that McConnell was remarkably brutal in pairing Americans into red and blue states at a time of national crisis – that is pretty shameless – but I think it was also politically inept because he’s got his colleagues in tough races in blue states.”
Although the Senate will return to session today, House Democratic leadership has delayed members’ return to Washington.Although the Senate will return to session today, House Democratic leadership has delayed members’ return to Washington.
House majority leader Steny Hoyer initially said the House would also return today, but he quickly reversed that decision after a consultation with the attending physician of the Capitol.House majority leader Steny Hoyer initially said the House would also return today, but he quickly reversed that decision after a consultation with the attending physician of the Capitol.
But House minority leader Kevin McCarthy has expressed criticism of that decision, saying it is time for lawmakers to get back to work to help address the coronavirus crisis.But House minority leader Kevin McCarthy has expressed criticism of that decision, saying it is time for lawmakers to get back to work to help address the coronavirus crisis.
“I think the American people deserve leaders who work day in and day out for them, who can upstand the test, could be able to do it in a safe, smart, steadfast manner,” McCarthy said last week. “We’re essential.”“I think the American people deserve leaders who work day in and day out for them, who can upstand the test, could be able to do it in a safe, smart, steadfast manner,” McCarthy said last week. “We’re essential.”
This morning, the California Republican released a proposal for how the House could safely return to session, which included a phased return of committees and a modification of House floor procedures.This morning, the California Republican released a proposal for how the House could safely return to session, which included a phased return of committees and a modification of House floor procedures.
But McCarthy, who has voiced opposition to a Democratic proposal to allow voting by proxy for the duration of the pandemic, said the House should be cautious about deploying new technological measures. “In our view, technology should only be deployed in a ‘crawl, walk, run’ progression,” McCarthy said.But McCarthy, who has voiced opposition to a Democratic proposal to allow voting by proxy for the duration of the pandemic, said the House should be cautious about deploying new technological measures. “In our view, technology should only be deployed in a ‘crawl, walk, run’ progression,” McCarthy said.
The Senate will also return to session for the first time in almost six weeks today, despite lingering concerns about reconvening as the Washington metropolitan region sees a rising number of coronavirus cases.The Senate will also return to session for the first time in almost six weeks today, despite lingering concerns about reconvening as the Washington metropolitan region sees a rising number of coronavirus cases.
Roughly half of senators are 65 or older, putting them at increased risk for becoming severely ill if they contract coronavirus.Roughly half of senators are 65 or older, putting them at increased risk for becoming severely ill if they contract coronavirus.
The attending physician of the Capitol has also warned senators that he does not have enough coronavirus tests to proactively test all of them.The attending physician of the Capitol has also warned senators that he does not have enough coronavirus tests to proactively test all of them.
Trump offered to give Congress access to rapid testing, which has been put to use at the White House, but Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and House speaker Nancy Pelosi jointly declined that offer because they did not want it to be appear like Congress was getting special treatment.Trump offered to give Congress access to rapid testing, which has been put to use at the White House, but Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and House speaker Nancy Pelosi jointly declined that offer because they did not want it to be appear like Congress was getting special treatment.
“Congress is grateful for the Administration’s generous offer to deploy rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities to Capitol Hill, but we respectfully decline the offer at this time,” the two leaders said in a joint statement.“Congress is grateful for the Administration’s generous offer to deploy rapid COVID-19 testing capabilities to Capitol Hill, but we respectfully decline the offer at this time,” the two leaders said in a joint statement.
“Our country’s testing capacities are continuing to scale up nationwide and Congress wants to keep directing resources to the front-line facilities where they can do the most good the most quickly.”“Our country’s testing capacities are continuing to scale up nationwide and Congress wants to keep directing resources to the front-line facilities where they can do the most good the most quickly.”
This morning, Trump appeared to question that decision. “Interesting? By Congress not wanting the special 5 minute testing apparatus, they are saying that they are not ‘essential’,” the president wrote in a tweet.This morning, Trump appeared to question that decision. “Interesting? By Congress not wanting the special 5 minute testing apparatus, they are saying that they are not ‘essential’,” the president wrote in a tweet.