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| Coronavirus US live: Fauci testifies pandemic is not 'under control' in America | Coronavirus US live: Fauci testifies pandemic is not 'under control' in America |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Public health expert tells Senate if US opens prematurely, there will be ‘spikes’ in coronavirus cases that could turn into larger outbreaks | Public health expert tells Senate if US opens prematurely, there will be ‘spikes’ in coronavirus cases that could turn into larger outbreaks |
| House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – She Who Would Turn America Communist, according to Donald Trump this morning – has released Democrats’ new coronavirus economic stimulus bill. It would cost more than $3tn and provide nearly $1tn of aid for states, cities, local governments and essential workers and more cash payments to individual Americans. | |
| The White House has said repeatedly that it’s not interested and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has said there is no urgency to act. Nonetheless, the Associated Press reports: | |
| There’s also more in there for the small business Paycheck Protection Program, for the US Postal Office and more. | |
| But, to stress, Trump has already signed around $3tn of stimulus spending into law and he doesn’t want to do more and has floated things like payroll tax cuts and concessions on immigration policy as the price of action, prospects Democrats do not like in the slightest. | |
| McConnell has called the Democratic bill a “big laundry list of pet priorities” and said: “I don’t think we have yet felt the urgency of acting immediately.” | |
| In turn, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has warned that if Trump and congressional Republicans “slow walk” more aid they will repeat President Herbert Hoover’s inadequate response to the Great Depression of the 1930s. | |
| US unemployment is now at Great Depression levels, so the comparison was apt. | |
| Senate health committee hearing wraps | |
| Committee chairman Lamar Alexander concluded by asking rhetorically what can the US can learn to prepare for the next pandemic? What can we learn about the federal stockpile? Hospitals having beds ready? Better buying channels for personal protective equipment? | |
| The chairman, Republican of Tennessee, thanked the members and witnesses who took part in what was a very calm and simultaneously devastating hearing that exposed the extent that America is still in the grip of the virus and systems are not in place yet to prevent many more people dying and a potential second wave of the disease. | |
| And public health expert and witness Anthony Fauci warned that if America rushes to reopen without declining infections and proper countermeasures in place for testing, quarantining those affected, contact tracing, hospital capacity, etc, we run “the real risk we will trigger an [further] outbreak that we will not be able to control”. | |
| The hearing is winding up now, but not before Republican Senator Mitt Romney, of Utah, described scathingly how he is not impressed with the US’s early testing track record on coronavirus. | The hearing is winding up now, but not before Republican Senator Mitt Romney, of Utah, described scathingly how he is not impressed with the US’s early testing track record on coronavirus. |
| He addressed assistant health secretary and admiral, Brett Giroir, a witness at the hearing today, who was also presenting in the White House rose garden last night, alongside the president, lauding how much testing the US is doing for Covid-19. | He addressed assistant health secretary and admiral, Brett Giroir, a witness at the hearing today, who was also presenting in the White House rose garden last night, alongside the president, lauding how much testing the US is doing for Covid-19. |
| “I understand that politicians are going to frame data in a way that’s most positive politically, but of course I don’t expect that from admirals,” Romney said. | “I understand that politicians are going to frame data in a way that’s most positive politically, but of course I don’t expect that from admirals,” Romney said. |
| “But yesterday you celebrated that we had done more tests, and more tests per capita, even, than South Korea, and you ignored the fact that they accomplished theirs at the beginning of the outbreak, while we treaded water during February and March,” Romney said. | “But yesterday you celebrated that we had done more tests, and more tests per capita, even, than South Korea, and you ignored the fact that they accomplished theirs at the beginning of the outbreak, while we treaded water during February and March,” Romney said. |
| “And as a result, by March 6, the US had completed just 2,000 tests, whereas South Korea had conducted more than 140,000 tests, so partially as a result of that they have 256 deaths and we have 80,000. I find our testing record is nothing to celebrate whatsoever.” | “And as a result, by March 6, the US had completed just 2,000 tests, whereas South Korea had conducted more than 140,000 tests, so partially as a result of that they have 256 deaths and we have 80,000. I find our testing record is nothing to celebrate whatsoever.” |
| Romney concluded: | Romney concluded: |
| “The fact is their [South Korea’s] test numbers are going down, down, down, down now because they don’t have the kind of outbreak we have, ours are going up, up, up as they have to. That’s an important lesson for us as we think about the future. | “The fact is their [South Korea’s] test numbers are going down, down, down, down now because they don’t have the kind of outbreak we have, ours are going up, up, up as they have to. That’s an important lesson for us as we think about the future. |
| Here’s the clip: | Here’s the clip: |
| Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just made a devastating confirmation of what most already realized. | Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just made a devastating confirmation of what most already realized. |
| He admitted to the Senate health committee hearing underway in Washington that the US failed to contain the coronavirus, thus preventing the fast spread that occurred across the country and so far has killed at least 80,000 people in America. | He admitted to the Senate health committee hearing underway in Washington that the US failed to contain the coronavirus, thus preventing the fast spread that occurred across the country and so far has killed at least 80,000 people in America. |
| Instead, the US had to move almost directly to the mitigation stage - to try to reduce the severity of the crisis, having failed in late February and early March to prevent the crisis. | Instead, the US had to move almost directly to the mitigation stage - to try to reduce the severity of the crisis, having failed in late February and early March to prevent the crisis. |
| Back in early March, Redfield had almost but not quite given up on the holy grail of containment. | Back in early March, Redfield had almost but not quite given up on the holy grail of containment. |
| This will continue to be essential reading from my colleagues Ed Pilkington and Tom McCarthy. | This will continue to be essential reading from my colleagues Ed Pilkington and Tom McCarthy. |
| Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine complained that while the federal government is ramping up coronavirus testing now, it was far behind where it should have been in the vital early stages as the disease was beginning to spread in the US. | Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine complained that while the federal government is ramping up coronavirus testing now, it was far behind where it should have been in the vital early stages as the disease was beginning to spread in the US. |
| Last evening at the White House, Donald Trump was talking of “victory” and “prevailing” in the testing test, if you will. There was a banner in the rose garden talking of America leading the world on testing. | Last evening at the White House, Donald Trump was talking of “victory” and “prevailing” in the testing test, if you will. There was a banner in the rose garden talking of America leading the world on testing. |
| But Kaine just reminded those at the hearing and those listening in, that in “the critical month of March”, the US was testing its citizens at a rate 40 times less than one of the countries leading the fight against coronavirus, South Korea, was. | But Kaine just reminded those at the hearing and those listening in, that in “the critical month of March”, the US was testing its citizens at a rate 40 times less than one of the countries leading the fight against coronavirus, South Korea, was. |
| And he added that the Trump administration’s own experts say the US needs to be conducting 1.3 million tests a day. “Yesterday there were 300,000 tests,” Kaine said. Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire also spoke on that issue. | And he added that the Trump administration’s own experts say the US needs to be conducting 1.3 million tests a day. “Yesterday there were 300,000 tests,” Kaine said. Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire also spoke on that issue. |
| Tim Scott, Republican of South Carolina, aske Anthony Fauci for advice on reopening. | Tim Scott, Republican of South Carolina, aske Anthony Fauci for advice on reopening. |
| He says that in his state they have seen a little less than 8,000 cases and 350 deaths. Scott says the state has plans to test widely and by the end of this month “we will have tested 100% of nursing home residents”, and says South Carolina is increasing contact tracing. | He says that in his state they have seen a little less than 8,000 cases and 350 deaths. Scott says the state has plans to test widely and by the end of this month “we will have tested 100% of nursing home residents”, and says South Carolina is increasing contact tracing. |
| “We are taking every measure to protect older Carolinians and those with underlying health conditions,” he said. | “We are taking every measure to protect older Carolinians and those with underlying health conditions,” he said. |
| He said the state did not set out to keep quarantine in place until there was a vaccine. | He said the state did not set out to keep quarantine in place until there was a vaccine. |
| “We are too often faced with a false dichotomy, saving the economy or saving lives.” He said there is a lot of despair as people wait for good news. As we start to reopen what else would you suggest we do to protect our vulnerable population?” | “We are too often faced with a false dichotomy, saving the economy or saving lives.” He said there is a lot of despair as people wait for good news. As we start to reopen what else would you suggest we do to protect our vulnerable population?” |
| Fauci: “You have put things in place that would optimize your ability to reopen. The vulnerable [people] should be the protected right up to the end” of the process of reopening. | Fauci: “You have put things in place that would optimize your ability to reopen. The vulnerable [people] should be the protected right up to the end” of the process of reopening. |
| Massachusetts Democratic Senator and recent 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren just took the proverbial (remote) stage. | Massachusetts Democratic Senator and recent 2020 candidate Elizabeth Warren just took the proverbial (remote) stage. |
| She said: “In the last 16 weeks over 1.3 million Americans have been infected with coronavirus, 80,000 people have died and 30 million people have lost their jobs. Dr Fauci you have advised six presidents, do we have coronavirus contained?” | She said: “In the last 16 weeks over 1.3 million Americans have been infected with coronavirus, 80,000 people have died and 30 million people have lost their jobs. Dr Fauci you have advised six presidents, do we have coronavirus contained?” |
| The US top public health expert Dr Anthony Fauci, testifying remotely, responded starkly: “If you mean ‘do we have it under control?’, no.” | The US top public health expert Dr Anthony Fauci, testifying remotely, responded starkly: “If you mean ‘do we have it under control?’, no.” |
| Fauci pointed out that new cases and deaths are declining in New York, the country’s (and indeed the world’s) most serious coronavirus hotspot in April, but “in other parts of the country we are seeing spikes,” he said. | Fauci pointed out that new cases and deaths are declining in New York, the country’s (and indeed the world’s) most serious coronavirus hotspot in April, but “in other parts of the country we are seeing spikes,” he said. |
| Numbers in some places are coming down, he said, and added that the US is “going in the right direction - but it does not mean by any means that we have it under control.” | Numbers in some places are coming down, he said, and added that the US is “going in the right direction - but it does not mean by any means that we have it under control.” |
| Fauci confirmed Warren quoting that the US is seeing 25,000 new infections a day and 2,000 deaths a day right. | Fauci confirmed Warren quoting that the US is seeing 25,000 new infections a day and 2,000 deaths a day right. |
| Warren said: “We know it’s possible to get this virus under control.” | Warren said: “We know it’s possible to get this virus under control.” |
| She said South Korea was the best example. But she said that “we are three months in and we continue to set records for cases and deaths.” | She said South Korea was the best example. But she said that “we are three months in and we continue to set records for cases and deaths.” |
| Fauci warned again that if there are not sufficient systems put in place by the fall, for testing, contact tracing and other measures, that there will “inevitably” be a second wave of illness in the US. | Fauci warned again that if there are not sufficient systems put in place by the fall, for testing, contact tracing and other measures, that there will “inevitably” be a second wave of illness in the US. |
| Warren concluded: “The time for magical thinking is over, we are running out of time to save lives.” | Warren concluded: “The time for magical thinking is over, we are running out of time to save lives.” |
| More from the supreme court | More from the supreme court |
| Justice Sonia Sotomayor in oral arguments earlier told Trump lawyer Patrick Strawbridge: Counsel, there is a long, long history of Congress seeking records and getting them ... from presidents,” The AP reports. | Justice Sonia Sotomayor in oral arguments earlier told Trump lawyer Patrick Strawbridge: Counsel, there is a long, long history of Congress seeking records and getting them ... from presidents,” The AP reports. |
| Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Steven Breyer have brought up requests for documents during Watergate and Whitewater. | Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Steven Breyer have brought up requests for documents during Watergate and Whitewater. |
| Justice Elena Kagan says in the past Congress and the president have been able to come to agreements. | Justice Elena Kagan says in the past Congress and the president have been able to come to agreements. |
| Trump is asking the justices to put an end to subpoenas issued by congressional committees and the Manhattan district attorney for tax, bank and other financial records. | Trump is asking the justices to put an end to subpoenas issued by congressional committees and the Manhattan district attorney for tax, bank and other financial records. |
| Rulings against the president could result in the release of information during Trumps campaign for reelection. | Rulings against the president could result in the release of information during Trumps campaign for reelection. |
| And this: | And this: |
| Oral arguments just finished in the (remote) session, hearing cases about Donald Trump’s tax records and finances. | Oral arguments just finished in the (remote) session, hearing cases about Donald Trump’s tax records and finances. |
| Supreme Court justices are asking whether there is any limit to Congress’s ability to subpoena records related to the president. | Supreme Court justices are asking whether there is any limit to Congress’s ability to subpoena records related to the president. |
| Here’s invaluable background from my colleague Martin Pengelly, who wrote earlier: | Here’s invaluable background from my colleague Martin Pengelly, who wrote earlier: |
| When Trump ran for president in 2016, he bucked tradition by refusing to release such information. Saying he was under audit, which would not in fact have precluded action, he promised to release his returns in due course. He has not. | When Trump ran for president in 2016, he bucked tradition by refusing to release such information. Saying he was under audit, which would not in fact have precluded action, he promised to release his returns in due course. He has not. |
| Details of the president’s tax affairs have been reported by various outlets, the New York Times winning a Pulitzer in 2019 for a wide-ranging investigation which the prize committee said “debunked [Trump’s] claims of self-made wealth and revealed a business empire riddled with tax dodges”. | Details of the president’s tax affairs have been reported by various outlets, the New York Times winning a Pulitzer in 2019 for a wide-ranging investigation which the prize committee said “debunked [Trump’s] claims of self-made wealth and revealed a business empire riddled with tax dodges”. |
| But Trump’s taxes remain one of the most tantalising mysteries in American politics. | But Trump’s taxes remain one of the most tantalising mysteries in American politics. |
| This morning, the court heard cases originating in Congress and New York state. Both seek records from Mazars USA, Trump’s accountants. | This morning, the court heard cases originating in Congress and New York state. Both seek records from Mazars USA, Trump’s accountants. |
| Scotus is taking up Trump’s bid to shield his bank and financial records from Congress, The AP reports. | Scotus is taking up Trump’s bid to shield his bank and financial records from Congress, The AP reports. |
| Several justices want to know whether there’s a limit to ensure subpoenas aren’t used to harass the president. | Several justices want to know whether there’s a limit to ensure subpoenas aren’t used to harass the president. |
| Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked a lawyer arguing Tuesday on behalf of the House of Representatives: The concern has been expressed that Congress could be using this subpoena power to harass a political rival ... so what is the limiting principle?” | Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg asked a lawyer arguing Tuesday on behalf of the House of Representatives: The concern has been expressed that Congress could be using this subpoena power to harass a political rival ... so what is the limiting principle?” |
| Justice Brett Kavanaugh is one of Trump’s two nominees to the court. Kavanaugh asked the lawyer for the House: The question then boils down to how can we both protect the House’s interest in obtaining information it needs to legislate but also protect the presidency. How can the court balance those interests? | Justice Brett Kavanaugh is one of Trump’s two nominees to the court. Kavanaugh asked the lawyer for the House: The question then boils down to how can we both protect the House’s interest in obtaining information it needs to legislate but also protect the presidency. How can the court balance those interests? |
| Trump is fighting subpoenas by congressional committees and Manhattan prosecutors for tax records. The court is hearing arguments by phone because of the coronavirus. | Trump is fighting subpoenas by congressional committees and Manhattan prosecutors for tax records. The court is hearing arguments by phone because of the coronavirus. |
| There are few senators in the actual hearing room on Capitol Hill. | There are few senators in the actual hearing room on Capitol Hill. |
| One instantly-recognizable character is libertarian Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky. He’s not wearing a mask, instead wearing a chunky beard. Paul, of course, had coronavirus early in the epidemic and was the first senator to be so diagnosed, in later March. | One instantly-recognizable character is libertarian Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky. He’s not wearing a mask, instead wearing a chunky beard. Paul, of course, had coronavirus early in the epidemic and was the first senator to be so diagnosed, in later March. |
| Also in the room is Republican Susan Collins, of Maine, also not waring a mask. Senators and the few staff present are sitting very far apart from each other. | Also in the room is Republican Susan Collins, of Maine, also not waring a mask. Senators and the few staff present are sitting very far apart from each other. |
| Also visible Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, of Virginia, who is generally known to be a stronger senator than he was a veep pick for Hillary Clinton in 2016. The ticket was not a smash-hit. Many are hoping Joe Biden will make a much more exciting choice. | Also visible Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, of Virginia, who is generally known to be a stronger senator than he was a veep pick for Hillary Clinton in 2016. The ticket was not a smash-hit. Many are hoping Joe Biden will make a much more exciting choice. |
| It cannot fail to be observed that Kaine looks like an old-fashioned highway robber, with a colorful bandanna tied around his face. But at least he, like many of the small numbers of staff dotted around the periphery of the room, is wearing a face covering. | It cannot fail to be observed that Kaine looks like an old-fashioned highway robber, with a colorful bandanna tied around his face. But at least he, like many of the small numbers of staff dotted around the periphery of the room, is wearing a face covering. |
| He greeted Republican (and masked) Senator Richard Burr with an elbow bump, though Burr may have later taken his mask off, per the Twitterverse. | He greeted Republican (and masked) Senator Richard Burr with an elbow bump, though Burr may have later taken his mask off, per the Twitterverse. |
| Some others are not complying, or are showing spotty adherence.... | Some others are not complying, or are showing spotty adherence.... |
| Bernie Sanders just pressed Senate hearing witness Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of health, that if (hopefully when) a successful vaccine is developed to immunize people against Covid-19 that it reaches all Americans “regardless of income” or any health situations. | Bernie Sanders just pressed Senate hearing witness Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of health, that if (hopefully when) a successful vaccine is developed to immunize people against Covid-19 that it reaches all Americans “regardless of income” or any health situations. |
| Giroir said it was his office’s job to serve “all segments of society”. When Sanders pressed him again on whether everyone would get the vaccine, Giroir began to say “they should, I do not represent..” | Giroir said it was his office’s job to serve “all segments of society”. When Sanders pressed him again on whether everyone would get the vaccine, Giroir began to say “they should, I do not represent..” |
| But Sanders cut him off, saying: “You represent an administration that makes that decision.” | But Sanders cut him off, saying: “You represent an administration that makes that decision.” |
| Giroir asserted that, yes, all Americans would have access to the vaccine regardless of ability to pay, or any health factors. | Giroir asserted that, yes, all Americans would have access to the vaccine regardless of ability to pay, or any health factors. |