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Coronavirus US live: Cuomo says New York reopening won't be 'trade-off' as Trump urges Americans back to work Coronavirus US live: death toll surpasses 70,000 as Trump reportedly plans to wind down task force
(32 minutes later)
New York governor says ‘a human life is priceless’ as president says ‘now it’s time to go back to work’ US deaths represent more than a quarter of global coronavirus deaths, while White House reportedly will wind down task force in coming weeks
Dr Anthony Fauci denied that the White House is looking to wind down its coronavirus task force in the coming weeks.
“That’s not true,” the infectious disease expert told CBS News. “I’ve been in every task force meeting, and that’s not what they are doing.”
Fauci is scheduled to testify before the Senate’s health, education, labor and pensions committee next Tuesday, where senators will almost certainly ask him about the task force’s recent activity.
The news that Trump is considering winding down the White House coronavirus task force comes as the president has largely abandoned the group’s daily briefings.
The president and the health experts on the task force were previoulsy holding daily updates on the coronavirus response, but Trump appears to have dropped the briefings since his infamous suggestion that Americans ingest disinfectants to protect against the virus.
Trump has increasingly found other venues to take questions from reporters about the coronavirus response, including a White House recognition ceremony for first responders and this morning’s walk out to Marine One before flying to Arizona.
The White House is reportedly looking to wind down the coronavirus task force in the coming weeks, even as the rate of new coronavirus infections continue to rise in most of the country.The White House is reportedly looking to wind down the coronavirus task force in the coming weeks, even as the rate of new coronavirus infections continue to rise in most of the country.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
The report comes as the US coronavirus death toll surpassed 70,000, with one projection warning the country’s daily death toll could reach 3,000 by June 1 if social distancing restrictions are relaxed too quickly.The report comes as the US coronavirus death toll surpassed 70,000, with one projection warning the country’s daily death toll could reach 3,000 by June 1 if social distancing restrictions are relaxed too quickly.
The news also comes just hours after the Washington Post reported one volunteer for Kushner’s coronavirus response effort was so alarmed by the team’s mismanagement that the person filed a complaint with the House oversight committee.The news also comes just hours after the Washington Post reported one volunteer for Kushner’s coronavirus response effort was so alarmed by the team’s mismanagement that the person filed a complaint with the House oversight committee.
The US coronavirus death toll has surpassed 70,000, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins Univeristy.The US coronavirus death toll has surpassed 70,000, according to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins Univeristy.
According to the university’s numbers, 70,115 Americans have now died of the virus, representing more than a quarter of all coronavirus deaths reported across the world.According to the university’s numbers, 70,115 Americans have now died of the virus, representing more than a quarter of all coronavirus deaths reported across the world.
The US has also reported more cases of the virus than any other country in the world. As of this afternoon, the US has confirmed 1,192,119 cases of coronavirus.The US has also reported more cases of the virus than any other country in the world. As of this afternoon, the US has confirmed 1,192,119 cases of coronavirus.
New York remains the state that has suffered the most coronavirus deaths, losing at least 24,999 residents to the virus. But while New York has recently seen a decrease in its number of coronavirus cases and deaths, other states are still on the rise.New York remains the state that has suffered the most coronavirus deaths, losing at least 24,999 residents to the virus. But while New York has recently seen a decrease in its number of coronavirus cases and deaths, other states are still on the rise.
Today is Cinco de Mayo, and Trump has chosen to celebrate the holiday by retweeting a photo from exactly four years ago showing him eating a taco bowl.Today is Cinco de Mayo, and Trump has chosen to celebrate the holiday by retweeting a photo from exactly four years ago showing him eating a taco bowl.
“Remember this?” Trump wrote of the photo, which he first shared during the 2016 campaign. The original caption on the photo says, “The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics!”“Remember this?” Trump wrote of the photo, which he first shared during the 2016 campaign. The original caption on the photo says, “The best taco bowls are made in Trump Tower Grill. I love Hispanics!”
When it was first tweeted, the photo quickly became the subject of criticism and mockery, considering Trump began his presidential campaign by saying some Mexican immigrants were “rapists” who brought drugs into the US.When it was first tweeted, the photo quickly became the subject of criticism and mockery, considering Trump began his presidential campaign by saying some Mexican immigrants were “rapists” who brought drugs into the US.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” Trump said in June 2015. “They’re sending people that have a lot of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” Trump said in June 2015. “They’re sending people that have a lot of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg criticized Trump for blocking Dr Anthony Fauci from testifying to the House.Former Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg criticized Trump for blocking Dr Anthony Fauci from testifying to the House.
Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, warned that blocking the infectious disease expert’s testimony is “a gift for those seeking to discredit American global leadership.”Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, warned that blocking the infectious disease expert’s testimony is “a gift for those seeking to discredit American global leadership.”
Buttigieg specificially pointed to an article from a state-run Chinese outlet that argues “this U.S. administration has simply dropped the ball because of either self-conceited arrogance or gross negligence, or both.”Buttigieg specificially pointed to an article from a state-run Chinese outlet that argues “this U.S. administration has simply dropped the ball because of either self-conceited arrogance or gross negligence, or both.”
Buttigieg’s warning come hours after Trump said he did not believe Fauci should testify before the Democratic-controlled House because it would be a “set-up.” The expert is scheduled to appear before the Republican-controlled Senate.Buttigieg’s warning come hours after Trump said he did not believe Fauci should testify before the Democratic-controlled House because it would be a “set-up.” The expert is scheduled to appear before the Republican-controlled Senate.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the state’s reopening plan would not be a “trade-off” between the economy and public health. “To me, a human life is priceless,” Cuomo said. The governor’s comments came after Trump told reporters this morning, “We did everything right, but now it’s time to go back to work.”New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the state’s reopening plan would not be a “trade-off” between the economy and public health. “To me, a human life is priceless,” Cuomo said. The governor’s comments came after Trump told reporters this morning, “We did everything right, but now it’s time to go back to work.”
Trump claimed (without any evidence) that Democrats want the government’s response to coronavirus to fail. The president said before leaving for Arizona today, “They frankly want our situation to be unsuccessful, which means death.” Trump added that Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, would not testify before the Democratic-controlled House because it’s a “set-up.”Trump claimed (without any evidence) that Democrats want the government’s response to coronavirus to fail. The president said before leaving for Arizona today, “They frankly want our situation to be unsuccessful, which means death.” Trump added that Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, would not testify before the Democratic-controlled House because it’s a “set-up.”
A poll showed large majorities of Americans oppose reopening most businesses. More than 7 in 10 Americans said movie theaters, nail salons and gyms should not yet reopen in their states, despite Trump’s insistence that the economy must start reopening.A poll showed large majorities of Americans oppose reopening most businesses. More than 7 in 10 Americans said movie theaters, nail salons and gyms should not yet reopen in their states, despite Trump’s insistence that the economy must start reopening.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
A volunteer for Jared Kushner’s coronavirus response effort was so worried about the mismanagement of the team that the person reportedly filed a complaint with the House oversight committee.A volunteer for Jared Kushner’s coronavirus response effort was so worried about the mismanagement of the team that the person reportedly filed a complaint with the House oversight committee.
The Washington Post reports:The Washington Post reports:
The reported complaint will likely intensify concerns about whether the administration is prepared for a potential surge in infections if social distancing restrictions are relaxed too quickly.The reported complaint will likely intensify concerns about whether the administration is prepared for a potential surge in infections if social distancing restrictions are relaxed too quickly.
Senator Richard Burr, the chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said he hopes to fast-track the nomination of congressman John Ratcliffe as the director of national intelligence.Senator Richard Burr, the chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said he hopes to fast-track the nomination of congressman John Ratcliffe as the director of national intelligence.
“I think he did a very successful job,” Burr said of Ratcliffe’s confirmation hearing this morning. “It’s my intent to run this nomination as quickly through the committee as —possibly next week and then hopefully work with the majority leader to get it to the floor.”“I think he did a very successful job,” Burr said of Ratcliffe’s confirmation hearing this morning. “It’s my intent to run this nomination as quickly through the committee as —possibly next week and then hopefully work with the majority leader to get it to the floor.”
Most Senate Democrats are unlikely to support Ratcliffe’s nomination, especially considering Trump previously rescinded the congressman’s DNI nomination over concerns about his record.Most Senate Democrats are unlikely to support Ratcliffe’s nomination, especially considering Trump previously rescinded the congressman’s DNI nomination over concerns about his record.
But Ratcliffe still faces a good chance of confirmation considering Republicans control the Senate and have largely signaled support for his nomination.But Ratcliffe still faces a good chance of confirmation considering Republicans control the Senate and have largely signaled support for his nomination.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo asked, “How much is a human life worth?” at his daily press conference, implicitly criticizing states which have rushed to reopen their economies in recent weeks.New York governor Andrew Cuomo asked, “How much is a human life worth?” at his daily press conference, implicitly criticizing states which have rushed to reopen their economies in recent weeks.
“The faster we reopen the lower the economic costs, but the higher the human costs because the more lives lost. That, my friends, is the decision we are really making,” said Cuomo.“The faster we reopen the lower the economic costs, but the higher the human costs because the more lives lost. That, my friends, is the decision we are really making,” said Cuomo.
“To me ... a human life is priceless,” Cuomo later added. “Our reopening plan doesn’t have a trade-off.” New York’s reopening plan, he said, would have a “circuit breaker” to reimpose restrictions if the coronavirus begins to rapidly spread and send people into hospitals.“To me ... a human life is priceless,” Cuomo later added. “Our reopening plan doesn’t have a trade-off.” New York’s reopening plan, he said, would have a “circuit breaker” to reimpose restrictions if the coronavirus begins to rapidly spread and send people into hospitals.
He also called on federal leaders to provide aid to states. Economic restrictions have blown state budgets wide open. The virus left New York with a $13bn deficit.He also called on federal leaders to provide aid to states. Economic restrictions have blown state budgets wide open. The virus left New York with a $13bn deficit.
“The debate now is – the blue states have the coronavirus… the Republicans are saying we don’t want to give money to the blue states,” said Cuomo. The virus, he said, doesn’t kill Democrats or Republicans, “It kills Americans.”“The debate now is – the blue states have the coronavirus… the Republicans are saying we don’t want to give money to the blue states,” said Cuomo. The virus, he said, doesn’t kill Democrats or Republicans, “It kills Americans.”
He added, “If we can’t get past this now, when can we ever get past it?”He added, “If we can’t get past this now, when can we ever get past it?”
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the projection showing up to 3,000 daily coronavirus deaths by June 1 was “based on faulty assumptions.”White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the projection showing up to 3,000 daily coronavirus deaths by June 1 was “based on faulty assumptions.”
“The Johns Hopkins’ study being pushed around by the media as factual is based on faulty assumptions and is in no way representative of any federal government projections and, as Johns Hopkins stated, should not be taken as a forecast,” McEnany said in a statement.“The Johns Hopkins’ study being pushed around by the media as factual is based on faulty assumptions and is in no way representative of any federal government projections and, as Johns Hopkins stated, should not be taken as a forecast,” McEnany said in a statement.
She went on to echo Trump’s comments moments ago, saying, “This ‘study’ considered zero mitigation, meaning it was conducted as though no federal guidelines were in place, no contract tracing, no expansion of testing, while removing all shelter in place protocols laid out in the phased approach of the Opening Up America Again guidelines for individuals with co-morbidities.”She went on to echo Trump’s comments moments ago, saying, “This ‘study’ considered zero mitigation, meaning it was conducted as though no federal guidelines were in place, no contract tracing, no expansion of testing, while removing all shelter in place protocols laid out in the phased approach of the Opening Up America Again guidelines for individuals with co-morbidities.”
Justin Lessler, the epidemiologist who created the model, did say that the projection “was not in any way intended to be a forecast,” but he added that the numbers demonstrated how infections could spiral out of control if social distancing restrictions are relaxed too quickly. “There are reopening scenarios where it could get out of control very quickly,” Lessler said.Justin Lessler, the epidemiologist who created the model, did say that the projection “was not in any way intended to be a forecast,” but he added that the numbers demonstrated how infections could spiral out of control if social distancing restrictions are relaxed too quickly. “There are reopening scenarios where it could get out of control very quickly,” Lessler said.
Wearing a mask in public, keeping distance from others and frequently washing your hands may have a compounded benefit – persuading others in your community to do the same.Wearing a mask in public, keeping distance from others and frequently washing your hands may have a compounded benefit – persuading others in your community to do the same.
Social cues from friends and family – in addition to guidance from health officials – are important to encouraging Americans to take precautions to avoid spreading the coronavirus, according to recent research.Social cues from friends and family – in addition to guidance from health officials – are important to encouraging Americans to take precautions to avoid spreading the coronavirus, according to recent research.
The findings come from Yale’s Program on Climate Change Communication, who has made similar conclusions about how perceived social norms drive individual action to thwart the climate crisis.The findings come from Yale’s Program on Climate Change Communication, who has made similar conclusions about how perceived social norms drive individual action to thwart the climate crisis.
The working paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, says this “horizontal” communication is key, particularly for Americans who don’t trust information from authorities. “The conventional approach to promoting preventive behaviors in a public health crisis is ‘top-down’ communication from authority figures, opinion leaders, and mainstream media Outlets,” the paper says. “However, some traditional, official information sources are perceived as partisan. This means that for some audiences, critical information about recommended behaviors comes from sources they do not trust.”The working paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, says this “horizontal” communication is key, particularly for Americans who don’t trust information from authorities. “The conventional approach to promoting preventive behaviors in a public health crisis is ‘top-down’ communication from authority figures, opinion leaders, and mainstream media Outlets,” the paper says. “However, some traditional, official information sources are perceived as partisan. This means that for some audiences, critical information about recommended behaviors comes from sources they do not trust.”
People surveyed were more likely to engage in certain protective behaviors if they thought their friends and family members were as well. At the top of the list were: no longer shaking hands, covering their mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing, keeping six feet from others and washing hands.People surveyed were more likely to engage in certain protective behaviors if they thought their friends and family members were as well. At the top of the list were: no longer shaking hands, covering their mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing, keeping six feet from others and washing hands.
Trump said he would wear a mask in Arizona, where he will visit a facility that has been producing face masks to help limit the spread of coronavirus.Trump said he would wear a mask in Arizona, where he will visit a facility that has been producing face masks to help limit the spread of coronavirus.
Asked about whether he would cover his face, the president told reporters, “I think it’s a mask facility, right? If it’s a mask facility, I will, yeah. I don’t know if it’s a mask facility.”Asked about whether he would cover his face, the president told reporters, “I think it’s a mask facility, right? If it’s a mask facility, I will, yeah. I don’t know if it’s a mask facility.”
According to the president’s public schedule, he will paricipate in a tour of the company Honeywell’s mask production assembly line in Phoenix, Arizona.According to the president’s public schedule, he will paricipate in a tour of the company Honeywell’s mask production assembly line in Phoenix, Arizona.
Trump has been generally resistant to wearing a mask, even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that Americans cover their faces to mitigate the spread of the virus.Trump has been generally resistant to wearing a mask, even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that Americans cover their faces to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Vice President Mike Pence was also criticized last week for not wearing a mask while visiting the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota, despite the clinic’s requirement to do so. Pence later acknowledged he should have worn a mask during the visit.Vice President Mike Pence was also criticized last week for not wearing a mask while visiting the Mayo Clinic facilities in Minnesota, despite the clinic’s requirement to do so. Pence later acknowledged he should have worn a mask during the visit.
Trump made a fair amount of news while taking questions from reporters before leaving for his trip to Arizona, where he will visit a facility producing face masks.Trump made a fair amount of news while taking questions from reporters before leaving for his trip to Arizona, where he will visit a facility producing face masks.
The president was asked about the internal document obtained by the New York Times, which included a projection indicating the country’s daily coronavirus death toll could reach 3,000 by June 1.The president was asked about the internal document obtained by the New York Times, which included a projection indicating the country’s daily coronavirus death toll could reach 3,000 by June 1.
Trump claimed that projection assumed no efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, so it would not be accurate. “That’s a report with no mitigation,” Trump said. “But we’re doing a lot of mitigation.”Trump claimed that projection assumed no efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus, so it would not be accurate. “That’s a report with no mitigation,” Trump said. “But we’re doing a lot of mitigation.”
But the creator of the projection said yesterday that the numbers, while not finalized, represent the potential effects of states reopening too quickly. “There are reopening scenarios where it could get out of control very quickly,” epidemiologist Justin Lessler said.But the creator of the projection said yesterday that the numbers, while not finalized, represent the potential effects of states reopening too quickly. “There are reopening scenarios where it could get out of control very quickly,” epidemiologist Justin Lessler said.
And yet moments ago, Trump once again expressed support for states starting to relax social distancing restrictions, despite concerns that it could cause a surge in infections. “We did everything right, but now it’s time to go back to work,” Trump said.And yet moments ago, Trump once again expressed support for states starting to relax social distancing restrictions, despite concerns that it could cause a surge in infections. “We did everything right, but now it’s time to go back to work,” Trump said.