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Coronavirus US live: Fauci testifies rush to reopen would have 'serious' consequences Coronavirus US live: Fauci testifies rush to reopen would have 'serious' consequences
(32 minutes later)
Public health expert tells Senate if US opens prematurely, there will be ‘spikes’ in coronavirus cases that could turn into larger outbreaksPublic health expert tells Senate if US opens prematurely, there will be ‘spikes’ in coronavirus cases that could turn into larger outbreaks
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders just asked Dr Anthony Fauci about the death toll from the coronavirus in the US, which now officially stands a little over 80,000.Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders just asked Dr Anthony Fauci about the death toll from the coronavirus in the US, which now officially stands a little over 80,000.
To begin with, however, Sanders, who recently dropped out of the 2020 election race to be the Democratic nominee, said: “It is sad to say we have a president who from day one downplayed the dangers of the pandemic.”To begin with, however, Sanders, who recently dropped out of the 2020 election race to be the Democratic nominee, said: “It is sad to say we have a president who from day one downplayed the dangers of the pandemic.”
He added that Donald Trump “told us the crisis would be over in a few months and we didn’t need to worry, he fired members of the government who wanted to move aggressively and he cut funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).”He added that Donald Trump “told us the crisis would be over in a few months and we didn’t need to worry, he fired members of the government who wanted to move aggressively and he cut funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).”
Sanders then said that the official statistic is that 80,000 Americans have died, but there are some leading epidemiologists who believe the real death toll is higher, perhaps even 50% higher, what did Fauci think of that, he asked.Sanders then said that the official statistic is that 80,000 Americans have died, but there are some leading epidemiologists who believe the real death toll is higher, perhaps even 50% higher, what did Fauci think of that, he asked.
Fauci said: “I’m not sure if it’s going to be 50% higher, but most of us feel the number of deaths are likely to be higher.”Fauci said: “I’m not sure if it’s going to be 50% higher, but most of us feel the number of deaths are likely to be higher.”
Fauci said that especially in New York City [where the official death toll has surpassed 20,000] there may have been people who died at home who died of Covid-19 but were not counted as Covid deaths.Fauci said that especially in New York City [where the official death toll has surpassed 20,000] there may have been people who died at home who died of Covid-19 but were not counted as Covid deaths.
“The number is almost certainly higher,” Fauci said.“The number is almost certainly higher,” Fauci said.
Washington state Senator Patty Murray just said to Anthony Fauci: “You’ve warned of needless suffering and death but the president is giving the opposite message” and asked him for his view on reopening the US.Washington state Senator Patty Murray just said to Anthony Fauci: “You’ve warned of needless suffering and death but the president is giving the opposite message” and asked him for his view on reopening the US.
Fauci said: “What we have worked out is a guideline framework for how you safely open America again ... I get concerned if you have a situation where you are not seeing gradual, over 14-day, decrease [in new cases of coronavirus].”Fauci said: “What we have worked out is a guideline framework for how you safely open America again ... I get concerned if you have a situation where you are not seeing gradual, over 14-day, decrease [in new cases of coronavirus].”
If such a decrease is seen, that may allow an early phase of gradual reopening, Fauci said, with further phases and “checkpoints” on elements such as hospital capacity, testing and other measures to deal with a subsequent new outbreak.If such a decrease is seen, that may allow an early phase of gradual reopening, Fauci said, with further phases and “checkpoints” on elements such as hospital capacity, testing and other measures to deal with a subsequent new outbreak.
“If places jump over those checkpoints and prematurely open up without being able to respond, we will start to see little spikes” that could turn into larger outbreaks, Fauci warned.“If places jump over those checkpoints and prematurely open up without being able to respond, we will start to see little spikes” that could turn into larger outbreaks, Fauci warned.
Murray asked: “So if they don’t go by the guidelines consequences could be dire?”Murray asked: “So if they don’t go by the guidelines consequences could be dire?”
Fauci said: “The consequences could be serious.”Fauci said: “The consequences could be serious.”
Senate health committee chairman, Lamar Alexander, just asked public health expert Anthony Fauci: “Let’s look down the road three months”, what should happen when there will be about 5,000 campuses across the country and 20,000 public schools waiting to welcome millions of students back in August?Senate health committee chairman, Lamar Alexander, just asked public health expert Anthony Fauci: “Let’s look down the road three months”, what should happen when there will be about 5,000 campuses across the country and 20,000 public schools waiting to welcome millions of students back in August?
Fauci: “I would have to be very realistic...in this case the idea of having treatments available or a vaccine to facilitate the re-entry of students would be a bit of a bridge too far.”Fauci: “I would have to be very realistic...in this case the idea of having treatments available or a vaccine to facilitate the re-entry of students would be a bit of a bridge too far.”
Fauci said that remdesivir, the drug recently given emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), showed some efficacy but it was “modest” and used in patients severely ill in hospital.Fauci said that remdesivir, the drug recently given emergency approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), showed some efficacy but it was “modest” and used in patients severely ill in hospital.
So Fauci has no definitive solution for students and teachers eager to get back to a normal education system.So Fauci has no definitive solution for students and teachers eager to get back to a normal education system.
Even as Donald Trump urges getting people back to work and reopening the economy, analysis shows thousands of people are getting sick from Covid-19 on the job.Even as Donald Trump urges getting people back to work and reopening the economy, analysis shows thousands of people are getting sick from Covid-19 on the job.
Recent figures show a surge of infections in meatpacking and poultry-processing plants, The Associated Press reports.Recent figures show a surge of infections in meatpacking and poultry-processing plants, The Associated Press reports.
There’s been a surge of new cases among construction workers in Austin, Texas, where that sector recently returned to work.There’s been a surge of new cases among construction workers in Austin, Texas, where that sector recently returned to work.
The White House has proved vulnerable, with staff testing positive.The White House has proved vulnerable, with staff testing positive.
The developments underscore the high stakes for communities nationwide as they gradually loosen restrictions on business.The developments underscore the high stakes for communities nationwide as they gradually loosen restrictions on business.
“The people who are getting sick right now are generally people who are working,” Dr. Mark Escott, a regional health official, told Austin’s city council. “That risk is going to increase the more people are working.”“The people who are getting sick right now are generally people who are working,” Dr. Mark Escott, a regional health official, told Austin’s city council. “That risk is going to increase the more people are working.”
There are plenty of new infections outside the workplace in nursing homes, and among retired and unemployed people, particularly in densely populated places such as New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia and urban parts of New Jersey and Massachusetts.There are plenty of new infections outside the workplace in nursing homes, and among retired and unemployed people, particularly in densely populated places such as New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia and urban parts of New Jersey and Massachusetts.
Yet of the 15 US counties with the highest per-capita infection rates between April 28 and May 5, all are homes to meatpacking and poultry-processing plants or state prisons, according to data compiled by the AP.Yet of the 15 US counties with the highest per-capita infection rates between April 28 and May 5, all are homes to meatpacking and poultry-processing plants or state prisons, according to data compiled by the AP.
The county with the highest per-capita rate was Tennessee’s Trousdale County, where nearly 1,300 inmates and 50 staffers recently tested positive at the privately run Trousdale Turner Correctional Center.The county with the highest per-capita rate was Tennessee’s Trousdale County, where nearly 1,300 inmates and 50 staffers recently tested positive at the privately run Trousdale Turner Correctional Center.
The No. 2 county on AP’s list is Nobles County in Minnesota, which now has about 1,100 cases, compared to two in mid-April. There and Nebraska’s Dakota County and Indiana’s Cass County are home to huge meat-processing industries.The No. 2 county on AP’s list is Nobles County in Minnesota, which now has about 1,100 cases, compared to two in mid-April. There and Nebraska’s Dakota County and Indiana’s Cass County are home to huge meat-processing industries.
Also hard hit by recent infections are counties in Virginia, Delaware and Georgia where poultry-processing plants are located.Also hard hit by recent infections are counties in Virginia, Delaware and Georgia where poultry-processing plants are located.
In New York, the hardest-hit state during most of the pandemic, people staying at home are still getting sick.In New York, the hardest-hit state during most of the pandemic, people staying at home are still getting sick.
Meanwhile in Pennsylvania, of 2,578 new cases between May 4 and May 6, more than 40% were people living in long-term care facilities.Meanwhile in Pennsylvania, of 2,578 new cases between May 4 and May 6, more than 40% were people living in long-term care facilities.
And across the country many health workers were among the earliest Americans to test positive. They continue to be infected in large numbers.And across the country many health workers were among the earliest Americans to test positive. They continue to be infected in large numbers.
CDC director Robert Redfield says about the US’s coronavirus crisis: “We are not out of the woods yet.”CDC director Robert Redfield says about the US’s coronavirus crisis: “We are not out of the woods yet.”
He said the CDC has conducted a state by state examination of testing capacity. “We’re working directly with the states’ public health leaders” to find out what they’re doing and what they need, Redfield said.He said the CDC has conducted a state by state examination of testing capacity. “We’re working directly with the states’ public health leaders” to find out what they’re doing and what they need, Redfield said.
This may be an allusion to reports last week that after the Trump administration shelved the CDC’s big report on recommendations for how to reopen the US safely, especially in relation to businesses and schools, that CDC officials were prepared to skirt Washington and take their advice direct to state governors and their public health departments - presumably those that were willing to listen, at least.This may be an allusion to reports last week that after the Trump administration shelved the CDC’s big report on recommendations for how to reopen the US safely, especially in relation to businesses and schools, that CDC officials were prepared to skirt Washington and take their advice direct to state governors and their public health departments - presumably those that were willing to listen, at least.
“Rapid, extensive, widely available and timely testing is essential,” Redfield said.“Rapid, extensive, widely available and timely testing is essential,” Redfield said.
Fauci said that clinical trials are underway in the US now. They will move to the next phases of testing in the lates spring and early summer.Fauci said that clinical trials are underway in the US now. They will move to the next phases of testing in the lates spring and early summer.
“If we are successful, we hope to know that by late fall or early winter,” he said.“If we are successful, we hope to know that by late fall or early winter,” he said.
That doesn’t mean a vaccine is ready for the public, that means results from the clinical trials.That doesn’t mean a vaccine is ready for the public, that means results from the clinical trials.
Fauci just avoided repeating his warnings from last night about opening the country up too soon.Fauci just avoided repeating his warnings from last night about opening the country up too soon.
Now it’s onto the CDC director Robert Redfield’s opening statement.Now it’s onto the CDC director Robert Redfield’s opening statement.
Fauci has opened by summarizing the fourfold strategic plan the public health experts are executing: improve knowledge, develop new diagnostics, finding new therapeutic treatments, and develop a vaccine.Fauci has opened by summarizing the fourfold strategic plan the public health experts are executing: improve knowledge, develop new diagnostics, finding new therapeutic treatments, and develop a vaccine.
There are a number of vaccine programs working hard to find a way to inoculate against Covid-19.There are a number of vaccine programs working hard to find a way to inoculate against Covid-19.
He’s now going into some medical details.He’s now going into some medical details.
Patty Murray, Democratic Senator of Washington State, has opened with a blistering statement. She said that families across America are counting on Congress to tell them the truth about coronavirus.Patty Murray, Democratic Senator of Washington State, has opened with a blistering statement. She said that families across America are counting on Congress to tell them the truth about coronavirus.
“It’s clear they will not get it from President Trump. Lives are at stake. The president is not telling the truth,” she said“It’s clear they will not get it from President Trump. Lives are at stake. The president is not telling the truth,” she said
She called on Congress to “dig into the facts” of what went wrong in the handling of the coronavirus crisis in the US.She called on Congress to “dig into the facts” of what went wrong in the handling of the coronavirus crisis in the US.
She called the federal government’s response “a disaster on its own”, citing “delay, allowing inaccurate antibody tests to flood the market” as well as “political interference’ in the procurement of medical equipment, and an administration that “promoted dangerous, unproven treatments” - by which she probably means the president touting hydroxychloroquine as a “miracle” treatment and then musing at a White House press briefing whether taking disinfectant internally could be looked at by his health experts as a treatment - which disinfectant manufacturers promptly warned is potentially deadly.She called the federal government’s response “a disaster on its own”, citing “delay, allowing inaccurate antibody tests to flood the market” as well as “political interference’ in the procurement of medical equipment, and an administration that “promoted dangerous, unproven treatments” - by which she probably means the president touting hydroxychloroquine as a “miracle” treatment and then musing at a White House press briefing whether taking disinfectant internally could be looked at by his health experts as a treatment - which disinfectant manufacturers promptly warned is potentially deadly.
She then added that the CDC spent weeks preparing guidance for safely reopening the county “and the Trump administration tossed it in the trash can for being ‘too prescriptive’.She then added that the CDC spent weeks preparing guidance for safely reopening the county “and the Trump administration tossed it in the trash can for being ‘too prescriptive’.
“Since the committee last heard from these witnesses on March 13 we have seen over 80,000 deaths nationally...still Trump continues to ignore the facts and the experts who say we are nowhere near where we need to be to safely reopen,” she said.“Since the committee last heard from these witnesses on March 13 we have seen over 80,000 deaths nationally...still Trump continues to ignore the facts and the experts who say we are nowhere near where we need to be to safely reopen,” she said.
That’s what Senate committee chairman Lamar Alexander just said. He warned against “finger pointing”, saying that “most of us” underestimated the viciousness of coronavirus and just how very contagious it is.That’s what Senate committee chairman Lamar Alexander just said. He warned against “finger pointing”, saying that “most of us” underestimated the viciousness of coronavirus and just how very contagious it is.
CNN flashed up a stark note last night. On March 11, the death toll from coronavirus in the US was 38. In just two months it went from that number to the death toll by May 11 of 80,000 souls in America.CNN flashed up a stark note last night. On March 11, the death toll from coronavirus in the US was 38. In just two months it went from that number to the death toll by May 11 of 80,000 souls in America.
“Even the experts underestimated Covid-19,” Alexander said.“Even the experts underestimated Covid-19,” Alexander said.
“We also intend to prepare for the next pandemic, which we know is coming.”“We also intend to prepare for the next pandemic, which we know is coming.”
The hearing has begun. Committee chairman Senator Lamar Alexander is chairing the hearing remotely, from home in Tennessee, and has just popped up on our screens.The hearing has begun. Committee chairman Senator Lamar Alexander is chairing the hearing remotely, from home in Tennessee, and has just popped up on our screens.
Weirdly, the screen just flashed to Bernie Sanders trying to jam earphones into his ears in order, like the rest of us, to tune in remotely. There are no members of the public permitted in the hearing room on Capitol Hill, which looks sparse and sad!Weirdly, the screen just flashed to Bernie Sanders trying to jam earphones into his ears in order, like the rest of us, to tune in remotely. There are no members of the public permitted in the hearing room on Capitol Hill, which looks sparse and sad!
We’re awaiting Anthony Fauci’s opening statement, in expectation that he is going to double down on his stance, which splits dramatically with Donald Trump (his ultimate boss) on the pace at which the US should reopen for business and societal movements.We’re awaiting Anthony Fauci’s opening statement, in expectation that he is going to double down on his stance, which splits dramatically with Donald Trump (his ultimate boss) on the pace at which the US should reopen for business and societal movements.
Fauci is expected to warn, as he emailed to the New York Times last night, that “needless suffering and death” will result if states open too soon.Fauci is expected to warn, as he emailed to the New York Times last night, that “needless suffering and death” will result if states open too soon.