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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 |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Trump is encouraging states to start reopening, but his administration has privately predicted a major increase in death toll next month | Trump is encouraging states to start reopening, but his administration has privately predicted a major increase in death toll next month |
| French president Emmanuel Macron said he is confident that the United States will join a global pledge for research to find a vaccine against the new coronavirus. | |
| World leaders, organizations and banks on Monday pledged to give 7.4 billion euros ($8 billion) during a videoconference summit hosted by the European Union. The US, along with Russia, were notably absent from the event, the AP writes. | |
| Macron, who donated 500 million euros on behalf of France, noted that the US “are on the sidelines” but added that it doesn’t compromise or slow down the initiative.Speaking from the Elysee palace in Paris, he said he discussed the issue with President Donald Trump and is convinced that the US will at some point join the initiative, consisting in finding a vaccine as quickly as possible and making it available to all countries. | |
| Macron added that his government is in permanent dialogue with the Trump administration and with American companies. The Guardian has covered more on this topic in our global coronavirus live blog. | |
| Hi all - Sam Levin here in Los Angeles, taking over our live coverage for the rest of the day. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is scaling back its policy of allowing Covid-19 blood tests to hit the market without first proving that they worked. | |
| The FDA is now requiring that companies show their tests or could otherwise have them pulled from the market, the AP reports. The move comes amid growing concerns that some sellers have made false or misleading claims about the accuracy of their tests: | |
| Here’s my colleague Maanvi Singh’s recent explainer on the coronavirus antibody tests and how they work: | |
| The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest developments in California: | The Guardian’s Vivian Ho reports on the latest developments in California: |
| Some California retailers will be allowed to reopen their businesses starting on Friday, governor Gavin Newsom said at his daily briefing. | Some California retailers will be allowed to reopen their businesses starting on Friday, governor Gavin Newsom said at his daily briefing. |
| Shops selling books, clothing, sporting goods, flowers or anything else that a customer can purchase through curbside pickup will have to follow certain modifications, but they will be able to open and operate once again, Newsom said. | Shops selling books, clothing, sporting goods, flowers or anything else that a customer can purchase through curbside pickup will have to follow certain modifications, but they will be able to open and operate once again, Newsom said. |
| “We are entering into the next phase this week.” he said. “End of the week, with modifications, we will allow retail to start operating across the spectrum.” “This is a very positive sign and it has only happened for one reason: the data says it can happen,” Newsom said. | “We are entering into the next phase this week.” he said. “End of the week, with modifications, we will allow retail to start operating across the spectrum.” “This is a very positive sign and it has only happened for one reason: the data says it can happen,” Newsom said. |
| Newsom acknowledged that some regions of that state will require stricter guidelines than the state guidelines, while other regions will not. The six Bay Area counties that led the charge in becoming the first to issue a stay-at-home order in the nation has experienced a much higher rate of infection than more rural areas of the state. Last week, Yuba and Sutter counties, located north of Sacramento, issued a measure that defied the state’s order and reopened businesses starting Monday. Modoc county, located on the Nevada border, was the first to begin pushing for a reopening. “Our rural lifestyle and the fact that many of our residents have been abiding by the guidelines has kept us at zero,” said Modoc county sheriff Tex Dowdy in a statement. “We are the perfect choice to pilot a reopening in the state.” | Newsom acknowledged that some regions of that state will require stricter guidelines than the state guidelines, while other regions will not. The six Bay Area counties that led the charge in becoming the first to issue a stay-at-home order in the nation has experienced a much higher rate of infection than more rural areas of the state. Last week, Yuba and Sutter counties, located north of Sacramento, issued a measure that defied the state’s order and reopened businesses starting Monday. Modoc county, located on the Nevada border, was the first to begin pushing for a reopening. “Our rural lifestyle and the fact that many of our residents have been abiding by the guidelines has kept us at zero,” said Modoc county sheriff Tex Dowdy in a statement. “We are the perfect choice to pilot a reopening in the state.” |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Sam Levin, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Sam Levin, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| An internal White House document suggested the daily coronavirus death toll could nearly double by June, according to the New York Times. But the expert who created the referenced projection said that it showed a range of possibilities and should not be taken as a forecast, although he emphasized that relaxing social distancing too quickly could put the country on a dangerous trajectory. | An internal White House document suggested the daily coronavirus death toll could nearly double by June, according to the New York Times. But the expert who created the referenced projection said that it showed a range of possibilities and should not be taken as a forecast, although he emphasized that relaxing social distancing too quickly could put the country on a dangerous trajectory. |
| The Senate returned to session today, despite lingering concerns about having members return to Washington. The House is expected to return next week. | The Senate returned to session today, despite lingering concerns about having members return to Washington. The House is expected to return next week. |
| The Supreme Court heard oral arguments remotely for the first time in history. The nine justices asked questions via telephone hookup, and the audio of the arguments was streamed on C-SPAN, marking another first for the court. | The Supreme Court heard oral arguments remotely for the first time in history. The nine justices asked questions via telephone hookup, and the audio of the arguments was streamed on C-SPAN, marking another first for the court. |
| The secretary of the Senate said it had “no discretion” to release an alleged complaint filed against Joe Biden. The presumptive Democratic nominee asked the Senate to release any details it has on Tara Reade’s allegation of sexual assault, which Biden has denied, but the secretary’s office said it does not have the authority to do so. | The secretary of the Senate said it had “no discretion” to release an alleged complaint filed against Joe Biden. The presumptive Democratic nominee asked the Senate to release any details it has on Tara Reade’s allegation of sexual assault, which Biden has denied, but the secretary’s office said it does not have the authority to do so. |
| Sam will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | Sam will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| A divide is emerging among congressional leaders on whether Capitol Hill should start using rapid coronavirus testing as lawmakers start returning to Washington. | A divide is emerging among congressional leaders on whether Capitol Hill should start using rapid coronavirus testing as lawmakers start returning to Washington. |
| Following criticism about the fact that rapid testing was available to the White House but not to Congress, Trump told Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and House speaker Nancy Pelosi that Capitol Hill could have access to rapid testing. | Following criticism about the fact that rapid testing was available to the White House but not to Congress, Trump told Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and House speaker Nancy Pelosi that Capitol Hill could have access to rapid testing. |
| But the two congressional leaders jointly declined that offer this weekend. “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.,” McConnell and Pelosi said in a joint statement. | But the two congressional leaders jointly declined that offer this weekend. “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.,” McConnell and Pelosi said in a joint statement. |
| Trump then sent a tweet this morning suggesting he disagreed with the two leaders’ decision. In an interview today, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy said, “I do believe it would be critical to have the testing here because there will be a flare-up. Remember how many people from other parts of the country come to this location.” | Trump then sent a tweet this morning suggesting he disagreed with the two leaders’ decision. In an interview today, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy said, “I do believe it would be critical to have the testing here because there will be a flare-up. Remember how many people from other parts of the country come to this location.” |
| The testing question will likely only intensify next week, as House members return to Capitol Hill. The attending physician of the Capitol has said he does not have enough tests to proactively test every member of the Senate, which returned to session today. | The testing question will likely only intensify next week, as House members return to Capitol Hill. The attending physician of the Capitol has said he does not have enough tests to proactively test every member of the Senate, which returned to session today. |
| The Washington Post has more context about that internal White House document on the country’s projected coronavirus death toll. | The Washington Post has more context about that internal White House document on the country’s projected coronavirus death toll. |
| The New York Times reported earlier today that an internal doucment showed the country’s daily death toll was expected to nearly double by June 1, from 1,750 to 3,000. | The New York Times reported earlier today that an internal doucment showed the country’s daily death toll was expected to nearly double by June 1, from 1,750 to 3,000. |
| Here’s what the Post adds on the projection: | Here’s what the Post adds on the projection: |
| The president has praised states that have start to take steps to reopen their economies, but public health experts have warned the loosening of restrictions could cause a surge in infections. | The president has praised states that have start to take steps to reopen their economies, but public health experts have warned the loosening of restrictions could cause a surge in infections. |
| Man in the mask | Man in the mask |
| Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is seen here wearing a mask as he returns to the Senate to resume the body’s regular business today. | Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell is seen here wearing a mask as he returns to the Senate to resume the body’s regular business today. |
| More financial relief in the face of the coronavirus pandemic may be top of many Americans’ minds, but there is routine business on the chamber’s agenda, too. | More financial relief in the face of the coronavirus pandemic may be top of many Americans’ minds, but there is routine business on the chamber’s agenda, too. |
| The Senate will take up the nomination of Robert Feitel to be the next inspector general for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission today, NPR reports. | The Senate will take up the nomination of Robert Feitel to be the next inspector general for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission today, NPR reports. |
| Tomorrow, the Senate intelligence committee will hear from Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, Republican Texas Representative John Ratcliffe. | Tomorrow, the Senate intelligence committee will hear from Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, Republican Texas Representative John Ratcliffe. |
| Senators will also work on the confirmation of more federal judges and they’ll hold hearings. | Senators will also work on the confirmation of more federal judges and they’ll hold hearings. |
| All kinds of social distancing measures are now in place at the Capitol, with meetings, formal lunches and other business in many cases being switched to larger venues. | All kinds of social distancing measures are now in place at the Capitol, with meetings, formal lunches and other business in many cases being switched to larger venues. |
| Another anti-shutdown protest has popped up outside the Massachusetts capitol in Boston, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering to denounce the state’s stay-at-home order and closure of nonessential businesses. | Another anti-shutdown protest has popped up outside the Massachusetts capitol in Boston, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering to denounce the state’s stay-at-home order and closure of nonessential businesses. |
| Photos of the protest appeared to show participants standing closely together as speakers denounced the stay-at-home order as akin to communism. | Photos of the protest appeared to show participants standing closely together as speakers denounced the stay-at-home order as akin to communism. |
| The pictures raised concerns that the protesters could be unknowingly spreading coronavirus as they ignored recommendations on physical distancing. | The pictures raised concerns that the protesters could be unknowingly spreading coronavirus as they ignored recommendations on physical distancing. |
| It’s important to note that most Massachusetts residents support the steps taken by governor Charlie Baker to limit the spread of the virus. The Republican governor is enjoying an approval rating of 80%. | It’s important to note that most Massachusetts residents support the steps taken by governor Charlie Baker to limit the spread of the virus. The Republican governor is enjoying an approval rating of 80%. |
| Virginia governor Ralph Northam signaled he would be able to ease the state’s shutdown of nonessential businesses order starting May 15. | Virginia governor Ralph Northam signaled he would be able to ease the state’s shutdown of nonessential businesses order starting May 15. |
| The Democratic governor said he was extending the order to keep nonessential businesses closed, which was set to expire Friday, for another week until at least May 14. | The Democratic governor said he was extending the order to keep nonessential businesses closed, which was set to expire Friday, for another week until at least May 14. |
| But Northam said he expected to be able to start the process of reopening by that point. “Everything you have done has truly made a difference. We flattened the curve [of coronavirus cases] and our hospitals have not been overwhelmed,” Northam said. | But Northam said he expected to be able to start the process of reopening by that point. “Everything you have done has truly made a difference. We flattened the curve [of coronavirus cases] and our hospitals have not been overwhelmed,” Northam said. |
| “I am keenly aware that it has come with a tremendous cost. Now we can start to move into a new phase of our response,” he added. | “I am keenly aware that it has come with a tremendous cost. Now we can start to move into a new phase of our response,” he added. |
| Northam has been working with Maryland governor Larry Hogan and Washington mayor Muriel Bowser to coordinate the DC region’s response to coronavirus, but it was unclear if Maryland and the District would take similar steps to start easing restrictions. | Northam has been working with Maryland governor Larry Hogan and Washington mayor Muriel Bowser to coordinate the DC region’s response to coronavirus, but it was unclear if Maryland and the District would take similar steps to start easing restrictions. |
| “Each state has their own situation, their own challenges,” Northam said. “As you know, Maryland, Washington and specifically northern Virginia are in very densely populated areas, so we do communicate. We’re probably not going to do everything on the exact day but we’re working as close as we can.” | “Each state has their own situation, their own challenges,” Northam said. “As you know, Maryland, Washington and specifically northern Virginia are in very densely populated areas, so we do communicate. We’re probably not going to do everything on the exact day but we’re working as close as we can.” |
| Northam’s separate stay-at-home order is currently supposed to remain in effect until June 10. | Northam’s separate stay-at-home order is currently supposed to remain in effect until June 10. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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. | “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. |