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US reaches 3m confirmed Covid-19 cases as Pence pushes for schools to reopen – live US reaches 3m confirmed Covid-19 cases as Pence pushes for schools to reopen – live
(32 minutes later)
Johns Hopkins tracker confirms US has hit 3m mark, representing about a quarter of the world’s total casesJohns Hopkins tracker confirms US has hit 3m mark, representing about a quarter of the world’s total cases
A sixth prisoner on death row in California has died from coronavirus, according to officials. Amid a devastating outbreak in the state’s prisons, more than 5,000 have contracted Covid-19.
Nearly 1,400 of the 3,500 prisoners at San Quentin, California’s oldest correctional facility with the state’s only death row for men, have contracted the virus. Although California has a moratorium on the death penalty, six people on death row, and 30 prisoners overall, have died since the pandemic struck.
How did this happen? My colleagues Abené Clayton and Mario Koran reported earlier:
Read more background:
The Ivy League announced that it has put all sports on hold, ruling out holding any games this fall due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is the first Division I conference to say that will not play football as scheduled this year.
“The campus policies make it impractical for competition to occur, at least through the end of the fall semester,” the executive director Robin Harris told ESPN. The Ivy League colleges announced restrictions for students in the coming semester. Harvard said it would only allow 40% of its students to return to campus, and hold all classes remotely.
“It’s certainly the right decision for the Ivy League, but it’s difficult,” Harris said. Student-athletes will still be able to practice on campus, but with safety precautions in place.
Nine in 10 Americans believe that racism and police violence are problems in the country, a Guardian/Opinium Research poll has found, a sign that public opinion is shifting away from the views put forward by Donald Trump.
The US president has been criticised for relentlessly stoking white fear and grievance in recent weeks, putting him at odds with Black Lives Matter anti-racism protests that have swept the nation following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May.
But the Opinium survey of 2,000 US adults, conducted for the Guardian between 19 and 24 June, suggests that Trump is out of sync with the mood across the political spectrum.
Some 91% of Americans now agree that racism is a problem in the US and 72% deem it is a serious one. Similarly, 89% think police violence is a problem and 65% consider it serious.
Donald Trump, who has villanized and denigrated Mexican migrants and threatened Mexico with tariffs, took a different tone with Obrador today.Donald Trump, who has villanized and denigrated Mexican migrants and threatened Mexico with tariffs, took a different tone with Obrador today.
During the meeting, when two protectionist presidents were ironically touting a trade deal, celebrating the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal, both leaders had cordial words for each other.During the meeting, when two protectionist presidents were ironically touting a trade deal, celebrating the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal, both leaders had cordial words for each other.
“We have received from you, President Trump, understanding and respect,” Obrador said, leaving out that Trump had baselessly called Mexican immigrants “rapists” and criminals, and has made a border walk a cornerstone of his campaign and presidency.“We have received from you, President Trump, understanding and respect,” Obrador said, leaving out that Trump had baselessly called Mexican immigrants “rapists” and criminals, and has made a border walk a cornerstone of his campaign and presidency.
“We’re cherished friends, partners, and neighbors,” Trump said of Obrador.“We’re cherished friends, partners, and neighbors,” Trump said of Obrador.
Joe Biden’s take:Joe Biden’s take:
My colleague Sam Levine reports:My colleague Sam Levine reports:
One of the most closely-watched voting rights disputes in America reached the US supreme court on Wednesday as voting rights groups asked the court to take emergency action to allow those with felony convictions to vote in an upcoming August election.One of the most closely-watched voting rights disputes in America reached the US supreme court on Wednesday as voting rights groups asked the court to take emergency action to allow those with felony convictions to vote in an upcoming August election.
The dispute involves a law in Florida, a key battleground state, that requires people with felony convictions to repay any fines and fees they owe before they can vote in the state. Republicans passed the law in 2019 after voters overwhelmingly repealed the state’s lifetime ban on voting for people with felonies. The groups challenging the measure say it amounts to a poll tax. More than 774,000 people can’t vote in the state because of a felony conviction.The dispute involves a law in Florida, a key battleground state, that requires people with felony convictions to repay any fines and fees they owe before they can vote in the state. Republicans passed the law in 2019 after voters overwhelmingly repealed the state’s lifetime ban on voting for people with felonies. The groups challenging the measure say it amounts to a poll tax. More than 774,000 people can’t vote in the state because of a felony conviction.
In late May, US District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that Florida must allow people with felonies to vote again if they cannot repay fines and fees they owe. During a lengthy trial in April and May, it became clear that Florida did not even have a centralized system for figuring out how much money people owe. Those who owe money as part of a sentence can accumulate fines and fees unrelated to their crime as they move through the system, making it extremely difficult to pay them off and vote again.In late May, US District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that Florida must allow people with felonies to vote again if they cannot repay fines and fees they owe. During a lengthy trial in April and May, it became clear that Florida did not even have a centralized system for figuring out how much money people owe. Those who owe money as part of a sentence can accumulate fines and fees unrelated to their crime as they move through the system, making it extremely difficult to pay them off and vote again.
Florida appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th circuit, which issued a brief ruling temporarily blocking Hinkle’s decision while the appeal was pending. The court offered no explanation for its decision.Florida appealed the ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th circuit, which issued a brief ruling temporarily blocking Hinkle’s decision while the appeal was pending. The court offered no explanation for its decision.
The appeals court decision, lawyers wrote in their brief to the supreme court, threatened to create more confusion and would send the state into chaos since people with felony convictions - including some who have already registered requested mail-in ballots - are now unsure if they can legally vote. Even before the decision, there was already mass confusion about the law.The appeals court decision, lawyers wrote in their brief to the supreme court, threatened to create more confusion and would send the state into chaos since people with felony convictions - including some who have already registered requested mail-in ballots - are now unsure if they can legally vote. Even before the decision, there was already mass confusion about the law.
“Three-quarters of a million Floridians deserve better than this. They are entitled to vote, and they are entitled to do so in the August primary and to register in time for the November general election,” the lawyers wrote. “It is not hyperbole to say the court of appeals has risked chaos, confusion, disenfranchisement in upcoming elections.”“Three-quarters of a million Floridians deserve better than this. They are entitled to vote, and they are entitled to do so in the August primary and to register in time for the November general election,” the lawyers wrote. “It is not hyperbole to say the court of appeals has risked chaos, confusion, disenfranchisement in upcoming elections.”
Trump’s rally in Tulsa likely caused a spike in cases. From the Associated Press:Trump’s rally in Tulsa likely caused a spike in cases. From the Associated Press:
Earlier today, Trump met with Mexico’s president Obrador in Washington DC. For The Guardian, David Agren reports from Mexico City:Earlier today, Trump met with Mexico’s president Obrador in Washington DC. For The Guardian, David Agren reports from Mexico City:
As he campaigned for the presidency, Donald Trump promised to build a “big beautiful wall” along the US-Mexico border, claiming it would keep migrants out of the country and stop everything from drugs to disease.As he campaigned for the presidency, Donald Trump promised to build a “big beautiful wall” along the US-Mexico border, claiming it would keep migrants out of the country and stop everything from drugs to disease.
But with Covid-19 cases surging on both sides of the frontier, towns in northern Mexico are pleading to restrict cross-border movement – this time to stop tourists and travellers bringing in coronavirus from the US.But with Covid-19 cases surging on both sides of the frontier, towns in northern Mexico are pleading to restrict cross-border movement – this time to stop tourists and travellers bringing in coronavirus from the US.
Over the weekend, townspeople in Sonoyta on the Arizona border used their own vehicles to block the road leading to Puerto Peñasco, a beach town on the Sea of Cortés popular with US tourists – and they plan to repeat the process this week.Over the weekend, townspeople in Sonoyta on the Arizona border used their own vehicles to block the road leading to Puerto Peñasco, a beach town on the Sea of Cortés popular with US tourists – and they plan to repeat the process this week.
“We invite US tourists not to visit Mexico,” Sonoyta’s mayor, José Ramos Arzate, said in a statement. “We agreed on this to safeguard the health of our community in the face of an accelerated rate of Covid-19 contagion in the neighboring state of Arizona.”“We invite US tourists not to visit Mexico,” Sonoyta’s mayor, José Ramos Arzate, said in a statement. “We agreed on this to safeguard the health of our community in the face of an accelerated rate of Covid-19 contagion in the neighboring state of Arizona.”
Coronavirus cases have mushroomed in several US border states, including Arizona and Texas, which both botched attempts at reopening. Despite the data showing a runaway growth in case figures in the US, Trump has reportedly sought to blame Mexico for the crisis and erroneously claimed Tijuana was “heavily infected with covid”.Coronavirus cases have mushroomed in several US border states, including Arizona and Texas, which both botched attempts at reopening. Despite the data showing a runaway growth in case figures in the US, Trump has reportedly sought to blame Mexico for the crisis and erroneously claimed Tijuana was “heavily infected with covid”.
A dispatch from our west coast office, on California’s regathering storm and Governor Gavin Newsom’s moves to ride it:A dispatch from our west coast office, on California’s regathering storm and Governor Gavin Newsom’s moves to ride it:
California reported more than 9,000 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, a new high in daily cases. New cases actually topped 11,000, said Newsom, though he attributed about 2,000 to a reporting backlog.California reported more than 9,000 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, a new high in daily cases. New cases actually topped 11,000, said Newsom, though he attributed about 2,000 to a reporting backlog.
The state is seeing red flags across the board. In the past two weeks, hospitalizations have risen to 6,100, a 44% increase. Admissions to intensive care have climbed by 34%.The state is seeing red flags across the board. In the past two weeks, hospitalizations have risen to 6,100, a 44% increase. Admissions to intensive care have climbed by 34%.
While testing is up, so is the percentage of positive cases, which has risen above 7%. In the early weeks of the pandemic, the state’s positivity rate topped 40%, largely due to scarcity of tests that meant only those showing clear signs of infection could access testing.While testing is up, so is the percentage of positive cases, which has risen above 7%. In the early weeks of the pandemic, the state’s positivity rate topped 40%, largely due to scarcity of tests that meant only those showing clear signs of infection could access testing.
This week, the state added three counties to a “watch list” of areas where public health experts closely monitor case spikes and hospital capacity.This week, the state added three counties to a “watch list” of areas where public health experts closely monitor case spikes and hospital capacity.
Carmela Coyle, president and chief executive of the California Hospital Association, said doctors have learned a lot in the past four months.Carmela Coyle, president and chief executive of the California Hospital Association, said doctors have learned a lot in the past four months.
“We’re preparing to surge, but we’re going to surge differently this time. We have different tools, and we’ve learned a lot about how to care for Covid-positive patients. We’re putting less patients on ventilators; we have remdesivir.”,“We’re preparing to surge, but we’re going to surge differently this time. We have different tools, and we’ve learned a lot about how to care for Covid-positive patients. We’re putting less patients on ventilators; we have remdesivir.”,
That is a therapeutic drug that has been found to shorten the time to recovery in adults hospitalized with Covid-19.That is a therapeutic drug that has been found to shorten the time to recovery in adults hospitalized with Covid-19.
Public health officials continue to field questions on who is getting sick. While Newsom has previously pointed to the “young and invincible” who fail to take safety precautions because they feel immune, on Wednesday he recognized the toll the pandemic has taken on “essential workers”.Public health officials continue to field questions on who is getting sick. While Newsom has previously pointed to the “young and invincible” who fail to take safety precautions because they feel immune, on Wednesday he recognized the toll the pandemic has taken on “essential workers”.
“There’s a little bit of mythology about reopening the economy,” he said, adding that while some of the state previously shut down, 60% of its economy kept moving. Those who kept working outside the home included farmworkers, grocery store employees and others doing jobs that are “overrepresented in the black and brown community”, Newsom said.“There’s a little bit of mythology about reopening the economy,” he said, adding that while some of the state previously shut down, 60% of its economy kept moving. Those who kept working outside the home included farmworkers, grocery store employees and others doing jobs that are “overrepresented in the black and brown community”, Newsom said.
According to state public health data, Latinos represent an outsized portion of cases.According to state public health data, Latinos represent an outsized portion of cases.
The New York Times has published stunning and upsetting details of transcripts from police body cameras worn during the killing of George Floyd, an African American man, in Minneapolis on 25 May.The New York Times has published stunning and upsetting details of transcripts from police body cameras worn during the killing of George Floyd, an African American man, in Minneapolis on 25 May.
Floyd’s death set off protests against police brutality and structural racism which continue to fuel a national reckoning on race and American identity.Floyd’s death set off protests against police brutality and structural racism which continue to fuel a national reckoning on race and American identity.
Derek Chauvin, the officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, is charged with murder. Three others are charged with aiding and abetting murder.Derek Chauvin, the officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, is charged with murder. Three others are charged with aiding and abetting murder.
According to the Times, the transcripts are included in court filings by lawyers for former officer Thomas Lane, seeking to have charges against him thrown out.According to the Times, the transcripts are included in court filings by lawyers for former officer Thomas Lane, seeking to have charges against him thrown out.
Floyd told officers he could not breathe more than 20 times. “I can’t breathe” was already a slogan of the Black Lives Matter movement, since the death in an illegal chokehold of Eric Garner on Staten Island in 2014.Floyd told officers he could not breathe more than 20 times. “I can’t breathe” was already a slogan of the Black Lives Matter movement, since the death in an illegal chokehold of Eric Garner on Staten Island in 2014.
“Come on, man,” Floyd says in one published transcript. “Oh, oh. I cannot breathe. I cannot breathe. They’ll kill me. They’ll kill me. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.”“Come on, man,” Floyd says in one published transcript. “Oh, oh. I cannot breathe. I cannot breathe. They’ll kill me. They’ll kill me. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.”
Lane is recorded asking Chauvin if Floyd should be turned over, and saying he is worried Floyd may be having a medical emergency.Lane is recorded asking Chauvin if Floyd should be turned over, and saying he is worried Floyd may be having a medical emergency.
Chauvin responds: “Well that’s why we got the ambulance coming.”Chauvin responds: “Well that’s why we got the ambulance coming.”
“OK, I suppose,” Lane replies, later adding: “I think he’s passing out.”“OK, I suppose,” Lane replies, later adding: “I think he’s passing out.”
In another comment recorded in the transcripts, Floyd says: “Momma, I love you. Tell my kids I love them. I’m dead.”In another comment recorded in the transcripts, Floyd says: “Momma, I love you. Tell my kids I love them. I’m dead.”
The arrest was over a report that Floyd had used a counterfeit $20 bill at a grocery store.The arrest was over a report that Floyd had used a counterfeit $20 bill at a grocery store.
McEnany repeatedly links school closures to child abuse, saying studies show reporting of such abuse falls when schools are closed. It’s not very sensitive, at best, to make that her go-to reason for arguing schools should reopen, when teachers unions, parents, administrators and most other interested groups simply want to reopen as soon as possible but as safely as possible too.McEnany repeatedly links school closures to child abuse, saying studies show reporting of such abuse falls when schools are closed. It’s not very sensitive, at best, to make that her go-to reason for arguing schools should reopen, when teachers unions, parents, administrators and most other interested groups simply want to reopen as soon as possible but as safely as possible too.
We haven’t got to Mary Trump’s book yet, oddly.We haven’t got to Mary Trump’s book yet, oddly.
McEanany promises “a safe event, a good event” in Jacksonville next month when the Republican convention comes to town. With covid cases spiking in Florida, that might be a clip which is repeated.McEanany promises “a safe event, a good event” in Jacksonville next month when the Republican convention comes to town. With covid cases spiking in Florida, that might be a clip which is repeated.
Trump mentioned the White House was “flexible” about Jacksonville earlier – McEnany doesn’t say the convention could switch elsewhere or even back to Charlotte, North Carolina.Trump mentioned the White House was “flexible” about Jacksonville earlier – McEnany doesn’t say the convention could switch elsewhere or even back to Charlotte, North Carolina.
McEnany is about to leave, so she reads out information about the mayor of Kansas City writing to the governor about increased violent crime and an initiative from Attorney General William Barr to tackle it. It’s called Operation LeGend, and it’s named after a four-year-old who was killed in gun violence in Kansas City in June.McEnany is about to leave, so she reads out information about the mayor of Kansas City writing to the governor about increased violent crime and an initiative from Attorney General William Barr to tackle it. It’s called Operation LeGend, and it’s named after a four-year-old who was killed in gun violence in Kansas City in June.
And another brief briefing is done.And another brief briefing is done.
On Trump’s taxes and financial records – what happens if the supreme court rules against him? McEnany won’t answer.On Trump’s taxes and financial records – what happens if the supreme court rules against him? McEnany won’t answer.
Payment for the wall did not come up when Trump met President Lopez Obrador earlier, McEnany adds, adding that she has nothing new on the new attempt to trash Daca, the order which protects undocumented migrants brought into the US as children. Immigration “came up briefly” in the Mexico meeting, she says, but she won’t get into their private conversations.Payment for the wall did not come up when Trump met President Lopez Obrador earlier, McEnany adds, adding that she has nothing new on the new attempt to trash Daca, the order which protects undocumented migrants brought into the US as children. Immigration “came up briefly” in the Mexico meeting, she says, but she won’t get into their private conversations.
“I’m not going to get ahead of the president” could be McEnany’s catchphrase, and obviously it’s quite wise because no one ever knows what Trump is going to say next. She brings it out twice, on China/Hong Kong and Israel/Palestine.“I’m not going to get ahead of the president” could be McEnany’s catchphrase, and obviously it’s quite wise because no one ever knows what Trump is going to say next. She brings it out twice, on China/Hong Kong and Israel/Palestine.
What did Trump mean about taking funding from schools when he tweeted about it this morning? Nothing from McEnany first time – a repeat that Trump wants more money for schools in the next relief bill. Second time, McEnany just insists Trump wants students back in schools all at the same time, and it’s for the children’s own goods.What did Trump mean about taking funding from schools when he tweeted about it this morning? Nothing from McEnany first time – a repeat that Trump wants more money for schools in the next relief bill. Second time, McEnany just insists Trump wants students back in schools all at the same time, and it’s for the children’s own goods.
McEnany is asked about the children’s safety – she says Trump will stand up to teachers’ unions who want to keep schools closed. They don’t, of course, but they do want to keep teachers and children safe during a pandemic.McEnany is asked about the children’s safety – she says Trump will stand up to teachers’ unions who want to keep schools closed. They don’t, of course, but they do want to keep teachers and children safe during a pandemic.
McEnany is asked when Trump will detail his plans for a second term. She says he is looking to “substantially bump up money for education” in the immediate term, in the context of further coronavirus stimulus or relief payments.McEnany is asked when Trump will detail his plans for a second term. She says he is looking to “substantially bump up money for education” in the immediate term, in the context of further coronavirus stimulus or relief payments.
Might he speak about it this Saturday in New Hampshire? McEnany says Trump will be talking about rebuilding the economy, among “conservative policies he’s looking at for a second term”.Might he speak about it this Saturday in New Hampshire? McEnany says Trump will be talking about rebuilding the economy, among “conservative policies he’s looking at for a second term”.
About the rally in New Hampshire, a reporter refers to a surge in Covid cases in Tulsa after a rally there last month. Why does Trump not require masks at his rallies?About the rally in New Hampshire, a reporter refers to a surge in Covid cases in Tulsa after a rally there last month. Why does Trump not require masks at his rallies?
McEnany says CDC guidelines are that masks are “recommended not required” and that is why the campaign makes them available but not mandatory at its events.McEnany says CDC guidelines are that masks are “recommended not required” and that is why the campaign makes them available but not mandatory at its events.