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Fauci says new US coronavirus cases could hit 100,000 a day in stark warning to Senate – live Fauci says new US coronavirus cases could hit 100,000 a day in stark warning to Senate – live
(32 minutes later)
Top health expert says US is sliding backwards on handling of pandemic and that he fears the rate of death and infection will rise dramaticallyTop health expert says US is sliding backwards on handling of pandemic and that he fears the rate of death and infection will rise dramatically
With the stroke of his pen, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves retired the state’s 126-year-old flag, immediately removing its official status.
“This is not a political moment to me but a solemn occasion to lead our Mississippi family to come together, to be reconciled, and to move on,” Reeves said in a statement. “We are a resilient people defined by our hospitality. We are a people of great faith. Now, more than ever, we must lean on that faith, put our divisions behind us, and unite for a greater good.”
A coalition of legislators passed a bill to change the flag, which features the Confederate battle emblem – a red field topped by a blue X with 13 white stars. White supremacist lawmakers put the emblem on the Mississippi flag in 1894. Critics have asked for it to be changed for decades, arguing that the hateful symbol has not place on the flag of a state where 38% of the population is Black,
A commission will now design a new flag, which voters will be asked to approve in the 3 November election.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, told senators that the US is “going in the wrong direction” in its handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He warned that the death toll “is going to be very disturbing” unless officials intervene, and urged Americans to wear masks and practice social distancing in public spaces.
The US has bought up virtually all the stocks of remdesivir, one of two drugs that appear to work against Covid-19, for the next three months leaving almost none rest of the world. The Trump administration has bought more than 500,000 doses — all of what the drug’s producer Gilead will make in July and 90% of what it expects too produce in August and September.
Speaking in Delaware, Joe Biden said the pandemic is unlikely to have subsided by January 2021, and if he’s elected. “On the day I’m sworn in, I’ll get right to work implementing all aspects of the response that remain undone,” he said.
Former combat pilot Amy McGrath has won the Democratic primary race in Kentucky to face off against Senate majority leader and pro-Trumpian Mitch McConnell. McGrath faced a tough challenge from progressive Charles Booker.
Democratic leaders said they want a full congressional briefing on alleged Russian bounties on the heads of US troops in Afghanistan. The House’s No. 2 Democrat, Steny Hoyer, said he believes that Russia “remains involved in a negative way in Afghanistan”,
Bail for the former Atlanta police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks has been st at $500,ooo, by a Fulton County superior court judge. Garrett Rolf, who was fired from the police department after shooting and killing Brooks on 12 June, will be required to turn in his passport, wear an ankle monitor, observe a curfew and refrain from contacting any current Atlanta police officers, members of Brooks’ family or any witnesses.Bail for the former Atlanta police officer who fatally shot Rayshard Brooks has been st at $500,ooo, by a Fulton County superior court judge. Garrett Rolf, who was fired from the police department after shooting and killing Brooks on 12 June, will be required to turn in his passport, wear an ankle monitor, observe a curfew and refrain from contacting any current Atlanta police officers, members of Brooks’ family or any witnesses.
Prosecutors said that Rolfe would try to skip out on future court proceedings, but the judge, Jane Barwick, ruled that “ he does have sufficient ties to the community and he is not a flight risk.”Prosecutors said that Rolfe would try to skip out on future court proceedings, but the judge, Jane Barwick, ruled that “ he does have sufficient ties to the community and he is not a flight risk.”
Rolfe faces a possible life sentence or the death penalty if he is convicted. He faces felony murder and 10 other charges for killing 27-year-old Brooks.Rolfe faces a possible life sentence or the death penalty if he is convicted. He faces felony murder and 10 other charges for killing 27-year-old Brooks.
Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh, blogging from the West Coast.Hi there, it’s Maanvi Singh, blogging from the West Coast.
South Dakota governer Kristi Noem has said the state won’t be enforcing social distancing at the Mouth Rushmore independence day celebration, even as coronavirus cases climb across the country. The event with Donald Trump, which will take place on 3rd July, could draw around 7,500 participants, according to the website detailing logistics.South Dakota governer Kristi Noem has said the state won’t be enforcing social distancing at the Mouth Rushmore independence day celebration, even as coronavirus cases climb across the country. The event with Donald Trump, which will take place on 3rd July, could draw around 7,500 participants, according to the website detailing logistics.
Free face masks will be available for those who “choose to wear one”, Noem, a Republican said in an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham. “We won’t be social distancing, we’re asking them to come, be ready to celebrate the freedoms and the liberties we have in this country.”Free face masks will be available for those who “choose to wear one”, Noem, a Republican said in an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham. “We won’t be social distancing, we’re asking them to come, be ready to celebrate the freedoms and the liberties we have in this country.”
Noem said she’s asked residents to focus on “personal responsibility.” “We told those folks that have concerns that they stay can home,” she said.Noem said she’s asked residents to focus on “personal responsibility.” “We told those folks that have concerns that they stay can home,” she said.
Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt has added his voice to a chorus of elected Republicans now calling on people to wear masks in public.Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt has added his voice to a chorus of elected Republicans now calling on people to wear masks in public.
Top congressional Republicans on the mask wagon include Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, and senior Republican senators such as Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. A Fox News host and a growing list of Republican governors are all spreading the word about masks.Top congressional Republicans on the mask wagon include Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and House minority leader Kevin McCarthy, and senior Republican senators such as Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. A Fox News host and a growing list of Republican governors are all spreading the word about masks.
So are senior Republican statesmen such as former vice president Dick Cheney. So is CDC director Robert Redfield, who pleaded with young Americans to wear masks at a hearing today.So are senior Republican statesmen such as former vice president Dick Cheney. So is CDC director Robert Redfield, who pleaded with young Americans to wear masks at a hearing today.
There remains one prominent voice missing from the chorus, and it’s not vice president Mike Pence, who finally at a Sunday appearance in Dallas called on the public to wear mask.There remains one prominent voice missing from the chorus, and it’s not vice president Mike Pence, who finally at a Sunday appearance in Dallas called on the public to wear mask.
California recorded more than 8,000 coronavirus infections on Monday, smashing the state’s daily record for the third time in eight days. Yesterday saw the state record more than 6,000 cases attributed to the virus.California recorded more than 8,000 coronavirus infections on Monday, smashing the state’s daily record for the third time in eight days. Yesterday saw the state record more than 6,000 cases attributed to the virus.
And California is bracing for more bad news. Across the Golden State, cases have steadily risen alongside admissions to hospitals and ICUs.And California is bracing for more bad news. Across the Golden State, cases have steadily risen alongside admissions to hospitals and ICUs.
But the trends are applying uneven pressure to the state’s regions. As of Saturday in Southern California’s Riverside County, 99% of ICU beds were in use, leaving just 5 available for new admissions.But the trends are applying uneven pressure to the state’s regions. As of Saturday in Southern California’s Riverside County, 99% of ICU beds were in use, leaving just 5 available for new admissions.
Imperial County, which borders Mexico, has in recent weeks sent 500 patients to neighboring regions because hospital capacity had been maxed, California governor Gavin Newsom said Monday.Imperial County, which borders Mexico, has in recent weeks sent 500 patients to neighboring regions because hospital capacity had been maxed, California governor Gavin Newsom said Monday.
In hard-hit Los Angeles County, new cases topped 3,000 on Monday alone and raised fear that infections could spike further in the week ahead. LA Health officials say the surge is likely the result of businesses and restaurants not following guidelines, even weeks after reopening, and Californians letting down their guard.In hard-hit Los Angeles County, new cases topped 3,000 on Monday alone and raised fear that infections could spike further in the week ahead. LA Health officials say the surge is likely the result of businesses and restaurants not following guidelines, even weeks after reopening, and Californians letting down their guard.
The metrics have 19 counties, home to 72% of the state’s population on a “watch list”, monitored closely by public health experts. Four additional counties are expected to join the list by day’s end, said Newsom, fueling concern that family gatherings over Independence Day weekend could send cases upward.The metrics have 19 counties, home to 72% of the state’s population on a “watch list”, monitored closely by public health experts. Four additional counties are expected to join the list by day’s end, said Newsom, fueling concern that family gatherings over Independence Day weekend could send cases upward.
It’s been enough for Newsom to encourage certain counties to “toggle back” reopening plans and consider issuing new stay-at-home orders — and he indicated he’s willing to use a heavier hand to make sure the measures are enforced.It’s been enough for Newsom to encourage certain counties to “toggle back” reopening plans and consider issuing new stay-at-home orders — and he indicated he’s willing to use a heavier hand to make sure the measures are enforced.
“If you’re not going to stay home, if you’re not going to wear masks in public, we have to enforce”, he said, adding that additional details can be expected later in the week.“If you’re not going to stay home, if you’re not going to wear masks in public, we have to enforce”, he said, adding that additional details can be expected later in the week.
While data on Monday can be inflated from reporting delays over the weekend, writes Mercury News, Monday’s 8,000 new cases is 25% higher than any previous Monday.While data on Monday can be inflated from reporting delays over the weekend, writes Mercury News, Monday’s 8,000 new cases is 25% higher than any previous Monday.
Challenged on whether Trump even reads his intelligence briefings (every indication being that he does not), McEnany unravels this whopper:Challenged on whether Trump even reads his intelligence briefings (every indication being that he does not), McEnany unravels this whopper:
Asked why the president does not recommend wearing a face mask, McEnany says Trump is tested for Covid frequently and he believes mask-wearing is an individual choice.Asked why the president does not recommend wearing a face mask, McEnany says Trump is tested for Covid frequently and he believes mask-wearing is an individual choice.
McEnany is asked whether Trump will act against Russia if the intelligence is corroborated.McEnany is asked whether Trump will act against Russia if the intelligence is corroborated.
“The president has always taken tough, unadulterated action against Russia,” McEnany says.“The president has always taken tough, unadulterated action against Russia,” McEnany says.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany is holding a press briefing. She begins with an attack on intelligence leaks. Prompted no doubt by the Times scoop this afternoon that intelligence agents watched Russian agents move money to the Taliban. The information appears to have been leaked to rebut White House disinformation –including McEnany’s – casting doubt about the integrity of the intelligence.White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany is holding a press briefing. She begins with an attack on intelligence leaks. Prompted no doubt by the Times scoop this afternoon that intelligence agents watched Russian agents move money to the Taliban. The information appears to have been leaked to rebut White House disinformation –including McEnany’s – casting doubt about the integrity of the intelligence.
“This is a piece of intelligence information that has no consensus, has not been verified,” McEnany says.“This is a piece of intelligence information that has no consensus, has not been verified,” McEnany says.
New York state has expanded the list of states travelers from which are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the Empire State, governor Andrew Cuomo announced.New York state has expanded the list of states travelers from which are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival in the Empire State, governor Andrew Cuomo announced.
The newly added states are California, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and Tennessee, the New York Times reports.The newly added states are California, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada and Tennessee, the New York Times reports.
Already on the list were Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.Already on the list were Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
A new set of polling data from Pew Research has this doozy: The share of Republicans who say they’re satisfied with the direction of the country has dropped below 50%... to 19%:A new set of polling data from Pew Research has this doozy: The share of Republicans who say they’re satisfied with the direction of the country has dropped below 50%... to 19%:
In the same poll, a 56-42 majority said Trump has a responsibility to release his tax returns, with 20% of Republicans saying so. A 55-25 majority said Trump had changed the tone of political debate in the country for the worse and nearly six in ten disapprove of Trump’s job performance as president.In the same poll, a 56-42 majority said Trump has a responsibility to release his tax returns, with 20% of Republicans saying so. A 55-25 majority said Trump had changed the tone of political debate in the country for the worse and nearly six in ten disapprove of Trump’s job performance as president.
Trump was narrowly seen, by a 51-48 margin, as more likely to make good decisions about the economy than Joe Biden. Pew adds:Trump was narrowly seen, by a 51-48 margin, as more likely to make good decisions about the economy than Joe Biden. Pew adds:
The US has bought up virtually all the stocks for the next three months of one of the two drugs proven to work against Covid-19, leaving none for the UK, Europe or most of the rest of the world.The US has bought up virtually all the stocks for the next three months of one of the two drugs proven to work against Covid-19, leaving none for the UK, Europe or most of the rest of the world.
Experts and access to medicines campaigners are alarmed both by the US unilateral action on remdesivir and the wider implications, for instance in the event of a vaccine becoming available. The Trump administration has already shown it is prepared to outbid and outmanoeuvre all other countries to secure the medical supplies it needs for the US.Experts and access to medicines campaigners are alarmed both by the US unilateral action on remdesivir and the wider implications, for instance in the event of a vaccine becoming available. The Trump administration has already shown it is prepared to outbid and outmanoeuvre all other countries to secure the medical supplies it needs for the US.
“They’ve got access to most of the drug supply [of remdesivir] so there’s nothing for Europe,” said Dr Andrew Hill, senior visiting research fellow at Liverpool University.“They’ve got access to most of the drug supply [of remdesivir] so there’s nothing for Europe,” said Dr Andrew Hill, senior visiting research fellow at Liverpool University.
Remdesivir, the first drug approved by licensing authorities in the US to treat Covid-19, is made by Gilead. It has been shown to help people recover faster from the disease. The first 140,000 doses, supplied to drug trials around the world, have been used up. The Trump administration has now bought more than 500,000 doses, which is all of Gilead’s production for July and 90% of August and September.Remdesivir, the first drug approved by licensing authorities in the US to treat Covid-19, is made by Gilead. It has been shown to help people recover faster from the disease. The first 140,000 doses, supplied to drug trials around the world, have been used up. The Trump administration has now bought more than 500,000 doses, which is all of Gilead’s production for July and 90% of August and September.
“President Trump has struck an amazing deal to ensure Americans have access to the first authorised therapeutic for Covid-19,” said the US health and human services secretary Alex Azar. “To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it. The Trump administration is doing everything in our power to learn more about life-saving therapeutics for Covid-19 and secure access to these options for the American people.”“President Trump has struck an amazing deal to ensure Americans have access to the first authorised therapeutic for Covid-19,” said the US health and human services secretary Alex Azar. “To the extent possible, we want to ensure that any American patient who needs remdesivir can get it. The Trump administration is doing everything in our power to learn more about life-saving therapeutics for Covid-19 and secure access to these options for the American people.”
Read the full story:Read the full story:
US intelligence picked up transfers of large sums from Russian military intelligence to Taliban-linked bank accounts, the New York Times reports, shoring up its reporting on a suspected Russian bounty offer in 2019 for attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan.US intelligence picked up transfers of large sums from Russian military intelligence to Taliban-linked bank accounts, the New York Times reports, shoring up its reporting on a suspected Russian bounty offer in 2019 for attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Donald Trump has cast doubt on whether such a Russian program existed, and the White House has said US intelligence was inconclusive.Donald Trump has cast doubt on whether such a Russian program existed, and the White House has said US intelligence was inconclusive.
Since the Times published its first story in the series on Friday, Trump has made shifting defenses, each of which has been collapsed by additional reporting.Since the Times published its first story in the series on Friday, Trump has made shifting defenses, each of which has been collapsed by additional reporting.
First Trump claimed he was never briefed about the Russian bounty program. Then he said intelligence advisors told him that assessments about the program weren’t “credible”, and the press secretary said that internal debate about the intelligence assessment had kept it from reaching the president.First Trump claimed he was never briefed about the Russian bounty program. Then he said intelligence advisors told him that assessments about the program weren’t “credible”, and the press secretary said that internal debate about the intelligence assessment had kept it from reaching the president.
Since then various outlets have reported that the assessment had in fact appeared in the president’s daily intelligence briefing, that the national security council convened an interagency meeting about responses to the Russian threat – indicating it was taken seriously – and now we learn there’s a money trail.Since then various outlets have reported that the assessment had in fact appeared in the president’s daily intelligence briefing, that the national security council convened an interagency meeting about responses to the Russian threat – indicating it was taken seriously – and now we learn there’s a money trail.
When it briefed Republicans yesterday about intelligence on the bounty program, the White House neglected to mention the money trail, the Times reports. Read further by clicking through below.When it briefed Republicans yesterday about intelligence on the bounty program, the White House neglected to mention the money trail, the Times reports. Read further by clicking through below.
One more last question for Biden. It’s a follow-up about his hazy distinction between removing statues of the founders versus Confederate leaders.One more last question for Biden. It’s a follow-up about his hazy distinction between removing statues of the founders versus Confederate leaders.
Asked whether it’s OK for the statues to be torn down by protesters, Biden says, “I think it’s better if they’re taken down like they took the Confederate flag off the Mississippi flag.Asked whether it’s OK for the statues to be torn down by protesters, Biden says, “I think it’s better if they’re taken down like they took the Confederate flag off the Mississippi flag.
“But I can understand the anger and anguish people feel.”“But I can understand the anger and anguish people feel.”
Then he’s asked whether he’d commit to three debates against Trump. He will.Then he’s asked whether he’d commit to three debates against Trump. He will.
Then he’s asked whether, as a 77-year-old, he’s been tested for cognitive decline. He says he’s tested every day and he’s eager to put his cognitive capabilities up against the cognitive capabilities of the man he’s running against.Then he’s asked whether, as a 77-year-old, he’s been tested for cognitive decline. He says he’s tested every day and he’s eager to put his cognitive capabilities up against the cognitive capabilities of the man he’s running against.
That’s a wrap.That’s a wrap.
Last question for Biden: how do you get Americans on the same page on wearing masks and coronavirus response?Last question for Biden: how do you get Americans on the same page on wearing masks and coronavirus response?
“Lower the rhetoric of division,” Biden says. Then he pivots to hit Trump for having tweeted out footage on Sunday of a supporter shouting “white power! White power!”“Lower the rhetoric of division,” Biden says. Then he pivots to hit Trump for having tweeted out footage on Sunday of a supporter shouting “white power! White power!”
Biden:Biden:
“Instead of for example when the golf cart goes by yelling ‘white supremacy,’ and the president tweets it out, don’t do thing like that.”“Instead of for example when the golf cart goes by yelling ‘white supremacy,’ and the president tweets it out, don’t do thing like that.”
Biden says “the sort of race-baiting the president has engaged in” has gotten “a free pass” but it’s harmful.Biden says “the sort of race-baiting the president has engaged in” has gotten “a free pass” but it’s harmful.
Then Biden says that for Trump, everything is always about Trump.Then Biden says that for Trump, everything is always about Trump.
“It’s not about I. It’s about us,” Biden said. “And I think changing the tone of the administration across the board, allowing the scientists to speak... and when a mistake is made saying ‘I made a mistake, I was wrong’... The words of a president matter, no matter who the president is.”“It’s not about I. It’s about us,” Biden said. “And I think changing the tone of the administration across the board, allowing the scientists to speak... and when a mistake is made saying ‘I made a mistake, I was wrong’... The words of a president matter, no matter who the president is.”