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| Coronavirus US live: Trump claims without evidence that Democrats want Covid-19 response to fail | Coronavirus US live: Trump claims without evidence that Democrats want Covid-19 response to fail |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Trump says Fauci can’t testify before House because it is a ‘set-up’, and says Democrats ‘frankly want our situation to be unsuccessful’ | Trump says Fauci can’t testify before House because it is a ‘set-up’, and says Democrats ‘frankly want our situation to be unsuccessful’ |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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| The working paper, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, says this “horizontal” communication is key, particularly for Americans who don’t trust information from authorities.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.” | |
| 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. |
| Trump said moments ago that Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, could not testify before the Democratic-controlled House because it was a “set-up.” | Trump said moments ago that Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, could not testify before the Democratic-controlled House because it was a “set-up.” |
| But days ago, the White House said Fauci could not testify because it would be “counterproductive” to take him away from his work responding to the pandemic. | But days ago, the White House said Fauci could not testify because it would be “counterproductive” to take him away from his work responding to the pandemic. |
| “While the Trump Administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19, including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development, it is counterproductive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at congressional hearings,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said Friday. “We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time.” | “While the Trump Administration continues its whole-of-government response to COVID-19, including safely opening up America again and expediting vaccine development, it is counterproductive to have the very individuals involved in those efforts appearing at congressional hearings,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said Friday. “We are committed to working with Congress to offer testimony at the appropriate time.” |
| However, that explanation seemed a little questionable once it was confirmed that Fauci would be testifiying before the Republican-controlled Senate. | However, that explanation seemed a little questionable once it was confirmed that Fauci would be testifiying before the Republican-controlled Senate. |
| Taking questions from reporters before leaving for a trip to Arizona, Trump confirmed Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease specialist, would testify before the Senate but not the House. | Taking questions from reporters before leaving for a trip to Arizona, Trump confirmed Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease specialist, would testify before the Senate but not the House. |
| Asked why he would not let Fauci testify before the Democratic-controlled House, Trump said, “Because the House is a set-up. The House is a bunch of Trump haters.” | Asked why he would not let Fauci testify before the Democratic-controlled House, Trump said, “Because the House is a set-up. The House is a bunch of Trump haters.” |
| The president then alarmingly accused Democrats of wanting the country’s response to coronavirus to fail. “They frankly want our situation to be unsuccessful, which means death,” Trump said, providing no evidence for the sensational accusation. | The president then alarmingly accused Democrats of wanting the country’s response to coronavirus to fail. “They frankly want our situation to be unsuccessful, which means death,” Trump said, providing no evidence for the sensational accusation. |
| Some of the president’s allies have similarly claimed, without any kind of proof, that Democrats are resisting the reopening of the economy to hurt Trump’s chances of reelection. | Some of the president’s allies have similarly claimed, without any kind of proof, that Democrats are resisting the reopening of the economy to hurt Trump’s chances of reelection. |
| But that baseless argument ignores the fact that large majorities of Americans are opposed to reopening businesses like movie theaters, dine-in restaurants and nail salons. | But that baseless argument ignores the fact that large majorities of Americans are opposed to reopening businesses like movie theaters, dine-in restaurants and nail salons. |
| Congressman John Ratcliffe has already provided some answers at his Senate confirmation hearing that will likely cause some alarm among Trump’s critics. | Congressman John Ratcliffe has already provided some answers at his Senate confirmation hearing that will likely cause some alarm among Trump’s critics. |
| For example, the potential director of national intelligence said of Russia’s meddling in US elections, “They may have been successful in [sowing discord], but they have not been successful in changing votes or the outcome of any election.” | For example, the potential director of national intelligence said of Russia’s meddling in US elections, “They may have been successful in [sowing discord], but they have not been successful in changing votes or the outcome of any election.” |
| That is not necessarily true. Although no votes appear to have been directly falsified by Russia in the 2016 election, it is not known whether the Kremlin’s disinformation campaign made the difference in Trump’s victory. | That is not necessarily true. Although no votes appear to have been directly falsified by Russia in the 2016 election, it is not known whether the Kremlin’s disinformation campaign made the difference in Trump’s victory. |
| Asked whether he agreed with the Senate intelligence committee’s conclusion that Russia interfered to help Trump in the 2016 race, Ratcliffe replied, “I have no reason to dispute the committee’s finding.” But he added that he also had no reason to dispute the findings of House intelligence committee, which did not reach that conclusion. | Asked whether he agreed with the Senate intelligence committee’s conclusion that Russia interfered to help Trump in the 2016 race, Ratcliffe replied, “I have no reason to dispute the committee’s finding.” But he added that he also had no reason to dispute the findings of House intelligence committee, which did not reach that conclusion. |
| In some non-coronavirus news: Republican congressman John Ratcliffe is testifying before the Senate intelligence committee this morning after being nominated to become the next director of national intelligence. | In some non-coronavirus news: Republican congressman John Ratcliffe is testifying before the Senate intelligence committee this morning after being nominated to become the next director of national intelligence. |
| Ratcliffe is sure to face tough questions from the panel’s Democratic members, considering Trump previously rescinded the congressman’s nomination for the job over concerns about his record. | Ratcliffe is sure to face tough questions from the panel’s Democratic members, considering Trump previously rescinded the congressman’s nomination for the job over concerns about his record. |
| Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the committee, opened his remarks by saying he was willing to give Ratcliffe the benefit of the doubt, but he added, “I don’t see what has changed since last summer when the president decided not to proceed with your nomination over concerns about your inexperience, partisanship and past statements that seemed to embellish your record.” | Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the committee, opened his remarks by saying he was willing to give Ratcliffe the benefit of the doubt, but he added, “I don’t see what has changed since last summer when the president decided not to proceed with your nomination over concerns about your inexperience, partisanship and past statements that seemed to embellish your record.” |
| However, Ratcliffe still faces a good chance of being confirmed considering the panel and the Senate as a whole are both controlled by Republicans. | However, Ratcliffe still faces a good chance of being confirmed considering the panel and the Senate as a whole are both controlled by Republicans. |
| New York state is reporting another 1,700 deaths at nursing homes and adult-care facilities, as governor Andrew Cuomo faces questions over how he has handled oversight of the facilities, which have become particularly vulnerable to outbreaks. | New York state is reporting another 1,700 deaths at nursing homes and adult-care facilities, as governor Andrew Cuomo faces questions over how he has handled oversight of the facilities, which have become particularly vulnerable to outbreaks. |
| The AP reports: | The AP reports: |
| Cuomo has said the state will launch an investigation of nursing homes to determine whether the facilities followed proper protocols on sanitization and personal protective equipment. | Cuomo has said the state will launch an investigation of nursing homes to determine whether the facilities followed proper protocols on sanitization and personal protective equipment. |
| But nursing home operators have accused Cuomo’s administration of providing inadequate support amid the crisis, noting that their facilities were required to readmit virus patients once hospitals deemed them to be medically stable, potentially causing a surge in cases. | But nursing home operators have accused Cuomo’s administration of providing inadequate support amid the crisis, noting that their facilities were required to readmit virus patients once hospitals deemed them to be medically stable, potentially causing a surge in cases. |
| Despite the president’s shift to focus on reopening the economy, large majorities of Americans say they do not believe most businesses should reopen at this time. | Despite the president’s shift to focus on reopening the economy, large majorities of Americans say they do not believe most businesses should reopen at this time. |
| According to a new Washington Post-University of Maryland poll, 74% of Americans said they were opposed to reopening dine-in restaurants and nail salons in their states. More than 8 in 10 Americans (82%) said movie theaters should not be allowed to reopen in their states. | According to a new Washington Post-University of Maryland poll, 74% of Americans said they were opposed to reopening dine-in restaurants and nail salons in their states. More than 8 in 10 Americans (82%) said movie theaters should not be allowed to reopen in their states. |
| Gun stores, barbershops and hair salons, retail shops and golf courses all received a majority “no” vote on whether they should be allowed to reopen. | Gun stores, barbershops and hair salons, retail shops and golf courses all received a majority “no” vote on whether they should be allowed to reopen. |
| The results also provide a likely reason why Americans remain opposed to reopening: the poll found that 63% of Americans are still worried about becoming seriously ill from coronavirus, which is almost identical to the number from two weeks ago. | The results also provide a likely reason why Americans remain opposed to reopening: the poll found that 63% of Americans are still worried about becoming seriously ill from coronavirus, which is almost identical to the number from two weeks ago. |
| All of this paints a very glaring picture that Trump and his allies are not successfully carrying along the rest of the country as they try to focus on reopening. | All of this paints a very glaring picture that Trump and his allies are not successfully carrying along the rest of the country as they try to focus on reopening. |
| Good morning. This is Joan Greve, taking over the blog for Joanna Walters. | Good morning. This is Joan Greve, taking over the blog for Joanna Walters. |
| Trump and his allies are signaling a desire to focus on reopening the economy, even as coronavirus projections suggest relaxing social distancing restrictions too quickly could cause thousands of additional deaths. | Trump and his allies are signaling a desire to focus on reopening the economy, even as coronavirus projections suggest relaxing social distancing restrictions too quickly could cause thousands of additional deaths. |
| Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie told CNN yesterday, “Of course, everybody wants to save every life they can -- but the question is, towards what end, ultimately?” | Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie told CNN yesterday, “Of course, everybody wants to save every life they can -- but the question is, towards what end, ultimately?” |
| Christie, who led Trump’s 2016 transition team, added, “Are there ways that we can ... thread the middle here to allow that there are going to be deaths, and there are going to be deaths no matter what?” | Christie, who led Trump’s 2016 transition team, added, “Are there ways that we can ... thread the middle here to allow that there are going to be deaths, and there are going to be deaths no matter what?” |
| CNN’s Dana Bash pressed the former Republican governor on whether Americans should accept reopening even as one projection suggests the country could see up to 3,000 deaths a day by June 1. “They’re going to have to,” Christie said. | CNN’s Dana Bash pressed the former Republican governor on whether Americans should accept reopening even as one projection suggests the country could see up to 3,000 deaths a day by June 1. “They’re going to have to,” Christie said. |
| But there are some polls out this morning showing that, despite Christie’s alarming advice, Americans are not willing to go along with reopening if it means thousands of additional deaths. More on that in a minute ... | But there are some polls out this morning showing that, despite Christie’s alarming advice, Americans are not willing to go along with reopening if it means thousands of additional deaths. More on that in a minute ... |
| Donald Trump is effectively abandoning a public health strategy for the coronavirus pandemic and showing “clear willingness to trade lives for the Dow Jones”, critics say. | Donald Trump is effectively abandoning a public health strategy for the coronavirus pandemic and showing “clear willingness to trade lives for the Dow Jones”, critics say. |
| A leaked internal White House report predicts the daily death toll from the virus could reach about 3,000 on 1 June, almost double the current tally of about 1,750, the New York Times revealed on Monday. | A leaked internal White House report predicts the daily death toll from the virus could reach about 3,000 on 1 June, almost double the current tally of about 1,750, the New York Times revealed on Monday. |
| Yet at the same time, Trump has scrapped daily coronavirus taskforce briefings and marginalized his medical experts in favour of economic officials flooding the airwaves to urge states to reopen for business – even amid rising infection rates. | Yet at the same time, Trump has scrapped daily coronavirus taskforce briefings and marginalized his medical experts in favour of economic officials flooding the airwaves to urge states to reopen for business – even amid rising infection rates. |
| “They’ve decided in a very utilitarian kind of way that the political damage from a collapsed economy is greater than the political damage from losing as many as 90,000 more Americans just in June,” said Rick Wilson, a former Republican strategist. “We’re witnessing the full-scale application of a kind of grisly realpolitik that is a clear willingness to trade lives for the Dow Jones.” | “They’ve decided in a very utilitarian kind of way that the political damage from a collapsed economy is greater than the political damage from losing as many as 90,000 more Americans just in June,” said Rick Wilson, a former Republican strategist. “We’re witnessing the full-scale application of a kind of grisly realpolitik that is a clear willingness to trade lives for the Dow Jones.” |
| The latest comments from Anthony Fauci, the long-time director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the most senior public health expert on the White House coronavirus task force, will turn your head. | The latest comments from Anthony Fauci, the long-time director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the most senior public health expert on the White House coronavirus task force, will turn your head. |
| He was interviewed on CNN and also did an interview for National Geographic. | He was interviewed on CNN and also did an interview for National Geographic. |
| He discussed with CNN’s Chris Cuomo last night to what extent America’s state, national and local leaders are willing to accept more sickness and death from coronavirus in order to release the stifled social and economic energy of the country. | He discussed with CNN’s Chris Cuomo last night to what extent America’s state, national and local leaders are willing to accept more sickness and death from coronavirus in order to release the stifled social and economic energy of the country. |
| “It’s the balance of something that’s a very difficult choice,” Fauci said. | “It’s the balance of something that’s a very difficult choice,” Fauci said. |
| Then he went on: “How many deaths and how much suffering are you willing to accept to get back to what you want to be some form of normality sooner rather than later?” he asked. | Then he went on: “How many deaths and how much suffering are you willing to accept to get back to what you want to be some form of normality sooner rather than later?” he asked. |
| That’s a question that Donald Trump is now asking out loud, effectively, as are some others. More on that in a moment. | That’s a question that Donald Trump is now asking out loud, effectively, as are some others. More on that in a moment. |
| Fauci also accompanied his question with this point, after a discussion of forecasts yesterday that showed a projected doubling of deaths, almost, in the case of a rushed reopening, saying: | Fauci also accompanied his question with this point, after a discussion of forecasts yesterday that showed a projected doubling of deaths, almost, in the case of a rushed reopening, saying: |
| “When we have a lot of virus activity and you know that you are able to contain it to a certain degree” with the kinds of mitigating measures we’ve been practicing, such as social distancing and wearing masks in public “and you start to leapfrog over some of these, you are inviting a rebound [of coronavirus cases] . And rebound is going to give you spikes and spikes are going to give you the kind of numbers” being discussed. | “When we have a lot of virus activity and you know that you are able to contain it to a certain degree” with the kinds of mitigating measures we’ve been practicing, such as social distancing and wearing masks in public “and you start to leapfrog over some of these, you are inviting a rebound [of coronavirus cases] . And rebound is going to give you spikes and spikes are going to give you the kind of numbers” being discussed. |
| Meanwhile, in National Geographic interview, Fauci said the scientific evidence was “very, very strongly leaning toward” the conclusion that the virus originated in nature and jumped from animals to humans. | Meanwhile, in National Geographic interview, Fauci said the scientific evidence was “very, very strongly leaning toward” the conclusion that the virus originated in nature and jumped from animals to humans. |
| That was after secretary of state Mike Pompeo contradicted his own intelligence and military chiefs and, without any evidence details, said there was “enormous evidence” that the coronavirus originated in a Chinese lab and also was probably manmade. | That was after secretary of state Mike Pompeo contradicted his own intelligence and military chiefs and, without any evidence details, said there was “enormous evidence” that the coronavirus originated in a Chinese lab and also was probably manmade. |
| Good morning, US live blog readers, it’s a very lively start to the day and there is a lot going on in the world of politics and the coronavirus. Our principal blogger Joanie Greve will be with you at the top of the hour, but let’s get going. | Good morning, US live blog readers, it’s a very lively start to the day and there is a lot going on in the world of politics and the coronavirus. Our principal blogger Joanie Greve will be with you at the top of the hour, but let’s get going. |
| Here’s what’s in the news today so far: | Here’s what’s in the news today so far: |
| Top US public health expert Dr Anthony Fauci is rhetorically asking America this question: “How many deaths and how much suffering are you willing to accept to get back to what you want to be some form of normality sooner rather than later?” That’s from a CNN interview last night. | Top US public health expert Dr Anthony Fauci is rhetorically asking America this question: “How many deaths and how much suffering are you willing to accept to get back to what you want to be some form of normality sooner rather than later?” That’s from a CNN interview last night. |
| Fauci also warned that “you are going to get a rebound” in the number of coronavirus cases in the US if there is a “premature” rush to reopen society and business. This as a number of top models forecast a likely surge in new cases and deaths. | Fauci also warned that “you are going to get a rebound” in the number of coronavirus cases in the US if there is a “premature” rush to reopen society and business. This as a number of top models forecast a likely surge in new cases and deaths. |
| Donald Trump has promised/warned (depending on your view) that his White House coronavirus briefings will be back soon because “everyone” enjoys them especially, he admitted in an interview with the New York Post, him – and...those ratings. | Donald Trump has promised/warned (depending on your view) that his White House coronavirus briefings will be back soon because “everyone” enjoys them especially, he admitted in an interview with the New York Post, him – and...those ratings. |
| Meanwhile, Chinese state TV called the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, “insane” for suggesting (against the opinions of the US’s intelligence and military leaders – and Dr Fauci!) that the coronavirus at the root of the pandemic was probably made in a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan. | Meanwhile, Chinese state TV called the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, “insane” for suggesting (against the opinions of the US’s intelligence and military leaders – and Dr Fauci!) that the coronavirus at the root of the pandemic was probably made in a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan. |
| The US president is visiting Arizona today to tour a Honeywell production line that’s churning out surgical face masks. Air Force One has been wheeled out for the president’s journey for the first time since late March. | The US president is visiting Arizona today to tour a Honeywell production line that’s churning out surgical face masks. Air Force One has been wheeled out for the president’s journey for the first time since late March. |
| As of today, the US has almost 1.2m confirmed coronavirus cases and has an official death toll of 68,934. | As of today, the US has almost 1.2m confirmed coronavirus cases and has an official death toll of 68,934. |