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US coronavirus: US expected to hit three million coronavirus cases – live updates US coronavirus: US expected to hit three million coronavirus cases – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Total US coronavirus cases expected to hit three million today, as US starts move to withdraw from WHOTotal US coronavirus cases expected to hit three million today, as US starts move to withdraw from WHO
The Cook Political Report have published the latest of their monthly assessments of where November’s election might be heading - and they say it is looking “more like a Democratic tsunami than simply a Blue wave.”
Amy Walter writes: “Republican strategists we’ve spoken with this week think Donald Trump is close to the point of no return. A couple of others wondered if Trump had reached his ‘Katrina’ moment: a permanent loss of trust and faith of the majority of voters.”
Based on current polling, they have Joe Biden easily clearing the threshold of votes he needs, with only Arizona, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina as “toss-up” states. They have Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, all states that Trump carried in 2016, as now leaning to Biden.
You can read it all here: Cook Political Report – New July 2020 Electoral College Ratings
Yesterday Dr. Anthony Fauci cautioned in a press conference that “It’s a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death. There’s so many other things that are very dangerous and bad about this virus, don’t get yourself into false complacency.”Yesterday Dr. Anthony Fauci cautioned in a press conference that “It’s a false narrative to take comfort in a lower rate of death. There’s so many other things that are very dangerous and bad about this virus, don’t get yourself into false complacency.”
Last night president Donald Trump tweeted:Last night president Donald Trump tweeted:
Madeline Holcombe over at CNN has a good run-down on the latest state of play with the coronavirus figuresMadeline Holcombe over at CNN has a good run-down on the latest state of play with the coronavirus figures
The United States saw a record number of 60,021 new cases on Tuesday, and 35 states are seeing growing numbers of new cases from last week. ICUs at 56 hospitals in Florida have reached capacity. California hospitalizations are at an all-time high, and Texas had its highest single day increase in coronavirus cases yesterday, with 10,028 new cases.The United States saw a record number of 60,021 new cases on Tuesday, and 35 states are seeing growing numbers of new cases from last week. ICUs at 56 hospitals in Florida have reached capacity. California hospitalizations are at an all-time high, and Texas had its highest single day increase in coronavirus cases yesterday, with 10,028 new cases.
It’s worth a read just to get a grip on how bleak the situation is becoming in some states: CNN – Death rates may be down, but coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are surgingIt’s worth a read just to get a grip on how bleak the situation is becoming in some states: CNN – Death rates may be down, but coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are surging
According to reports in both Harvard Magazine and Harvard Crimson, Harvard and MIT are to sue the Trump Administration to overturn the ruling that overseas students whose courses are to be delivered wholly online cannot come into the US.According to reports in both Harvard Magazine and Harvard Crimson, Harvard and MIT are to sue the Trump Administration to overturn the ruling that overseas students whose courses are to be delivered wholly online cannot come into the US.
The Harvard Crimson quotes university president Lawrence S. Bacow saying in an email that “The order came down without notice—its cruelty surpassed only by its recklessness. We believe that the ICE order is bad public policy, and we believe that it is illegal.”The Harvard Crimson quotes university president Lawrence S. Bacow saying in an email that “The order came down without notice—its cruelty surpassed only by its recklessness. We believe that the ICE order is bad public policy, and we believe that it is illegal.”
You can read more here: Harvard Crimson – Harvard, MIT sue immigration authorities over rule barring international students from online-only universitiesYou can read more here: Harvard Crimson – Harvard, MIT sue immigration authorities over rule barring international students from online-only universities
Sam Levine has been reporting for us on the way that mail in ballots can be rejected for seemingly trivial reasons.Sam Levine has been reporting for us on the way that mail in ballots can be rejected for seemingly trivial reasons.
Levine looks at how problems that have occurred already in this year’s Covid-19 affected primary ballots signal potentially huge problems ahead for November’s elections.Levine looks at how problems that have occurred already in this year’s Covid-19 affected primary ballots signal potentially huge problems ahead for November’s elections.
Read it here: ‘It’s egregious’: thousands of mail-in ballots could be rejected over small errorsRead it here: ‘It’s egregious’: thousands of mail-in ballots could be rejected over small errors
Overnight it has been confirmed by the Supreme Court that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. had an overnight stay in hospital last month, following a fall at a Maryland country club.Overnight it has been confirmed by the Supreme Court that Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. had an overnight stay in hospital last month, following a fall at a Maryland country club.
The story was broken by the Washington Post, who say they received a tip about the incident, which otherwise would not have been disclosed. The person who informed the paper about it described Roberts’ head as being “covered in blood” after the fall. Roberts has previously had seizures, although this has apparently been ruled out in this case.The story was broken by the Washington Post, who say they received a tip about the incident, which otherwise would not have been disclosed. The person who informed the paper about it described Roberts’ head as being “covered in blood” after the fall. Roberts has previously had seizures, although this has apparently been ruled out in this case.
The court’s statement reads:The court’s statement reads:
There’s no specific mandate that the nine members of the court have to disclose medical information.There’s no specific mandate that the nine members of the court have to disclose medical information.
Away from coronavirus for a moment, one of the things that just won’t go away for Donald Trump are questions over his administration’s handling of intelligence suggesting that Vladimir Putin’s Russia were offering bounties to the Taliban for attacks on US military personnel in Afghanistan.Away from coronavirus for a moment, one of the things that just won’t go away for Donald Trump are questions over his administration’s handling of intelligence suggesting that Vladimir Putin’s Russia were offering bounties to the Taliban for attacks on US military personnel in Afghanistan.
Last night Alabama Democratic Party Sen. Doug Jones was interviewed on MSNBC’s The Last Word, and he was pretty stringent about what he saw as Trump’s failings over the issue, saying:Last night Alabama Democratic Party Sen. Doug Jones was interviewed on MSNBC’s The Last Word, and he was pretty stringent about what he saw as Trump’s failings over the issue, saying:
You can watch the clip here: Sen. Doug Jones - Trump needs to get answers about Russian bounty reportsYou can watch the clip here: Sen. Doug Jones - Trump needs to get answers about Russian bounty reports
Why is the US falling behind in Covid-19 fight? Peter Sullivan thinks he has the answer in a piece over on The Hill this morning.Why is the US falling behind in Covid-19 fight? Peter Sullivan thinks he has the answer in a piece over on The Hill this morning.
In the course of the piece there is a warning from Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, about what the worst-hit states need to do - and quickly:In the course of the piece there is a warning from Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute, about what the worst-hit states need to do - and quickly:
You can read it in full here: The Hill - Why the US is falling behind in Covid-19 fightYou can read it in full here: The Hill - Why the US is falling behind in Covid-19 fight
Texas is now one of the worst affected states for new coronavirus cases in the US.Texas is now one of the worst affected states for new coronavirus cases in the US.
Nearly 80% of the state’s hospital beds are in use, and intensive care units are filling up in some of the nation’s biggest cities, including San Antonio and Houston, where leaders are warning their health facilities could become overwhelmed in the coming days. In all, Texas has recorded more than 2,670 deaths and more than 200,000 confirmed cases of the virus.Nearly 80% of the state’s hospital beds are in use, and intensive care units are filling up in some of the nation’s biggest cities, including San Antonio and Houston, where leaders are warning their health facilities could become overwhelmed in the coming days. In all, Texas has recorded more than 2,670 deaths and more than 200,000 confirmed cases of the virus.
Nomaan Merchant has been reporting from Houston for Associated Press on what the situation is like on the ground there - and how relaxing restrictions on gatherings appears to have contributed to the new cases.Nomaan Merchant has been reporting from Houston for Associated Press on what the situation is like on the ground there - and how relaxing restrictions on gatherings appears to have contributed to the new cases.
He cites the example of one family. A few weeks after more than 100 people attended one man’s funeral, his wife herself was on the brink of death.He cites the example of one family. A few weeks after more than 100 people attended one man’s funeral, his wife herself was on the brink of death.
Her oxygen levels had fallen deadly low due to complications from Covid-19, and her heart stopped. Ten people, each in two layers of protective equipment, reports Merchant, surrounded her hospital bed. Two climbed on opposite sides of the bed one pressing on her chest, the other on her abdomen. At the foot of the bed, Dr. Joseph Varon called out a rhythm: one-two, one-two, one-two.Her oxygen levels had fallen deadly low due to complications from Covid-19, and her heart stopped. Ten people, each in two layers of protective equipment, reports Merchant, surrounded her hospital bed. Two climbed on opposite sides of the bed one pressing on her chest, the other on her abdomen. At the foot of the bed, Dr. Joseph Varon called out a rhythm: one-two, one-two, one-two.
“Keep on pumping!” he yelled. But they couldn’t save her.“Keep on pumping!” he yelled. But they couldn’t save her.
At least 10 people who were at the funeral later developed coronavirus symptoms, according to the woman’s daughter, who fell sick herself. Most people weren’t wearing masks. Her daughter says her mother told her she wished they had been more careful.At least 10 people who were at the funeral later developed coronavirus symptoms, according to the woman’s daughter, who fell sick herself. Most people weren’t wearing masks. Her daughter says her mother told her she wished they had been more careful.
“We didn’t take precautions like we should have,” the daughter told Merchant. “We just got totally caught up in the moment.”“We didn’t take precautions like we should have,” the daughter told Merchant. “We just got totally caught up in the moment.”
Now, says Merchant, the 66-year-old Latina woman’s death is a grim warning for Texas, which has seen a surge in the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus since it began aggressively loosening restrictions in May.Now, says Merchant, the 66-year-old Latina woman’s death is a grim warning for Texas, which has seen a surge in the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus since it began aggressively loosening restrictions in May.
Hospitalizations due to Covid-19 in the state have more than doubled in the last two weeks, and Texas is reporting, on average, more than four times as many cases each day as it was a month ago. It surpassed 10,000 new confirmed cases in a single day Tuesday.Hospitalizations due to Covid-19 in the state have more than doubled in the last two weeks, and Texas is reporting, on average, more than four times as many cases each day as it was a month ago. It surpassed 10,000 new confirmed cases in a single day Tuesday.
While rising case numbers partly reflect more testing, Texas has a positive test rate of 13.5%, more than double the rate from a month ago.While rising case numbers partly reflect more testing, Texas has a positive test rate of 13.5%, more than double the rate from a month ago.
“We’re going to get into situations like Italy did, like Spain did, like New York did just a couple of months ago,” said Varon, board chair at United Memorial Medical Center, a small north Houston hospital.“We’re going to get into situations like Italy did, like Spain did, like New York did just a couple of months ago,” said Varon, board chair at United Memorial Medical Center, a small north Houston hospital.
United Memorial has been rapidly dedicating more and more space to virus care. Now, 88 of 117 beds are devoted to such patients and Varon says the hospital may soon turn over the entire facility to treating those with the virus.United Memorial has been rapidly dedicating more and more space to virus care. Now, 88 of 117 beds are devoted to such patients and Varon says the hospital may soon turn over the entire facility to treating those with the virus.
Outside, the Associated Press reports, long lines of cars wait hours for tests.Outside, the Associated Press reports, long lines of cars wait hours for tests.
The hospital has taped off three separate wings with a sequence of large tarps and gates.The hospital has taped off three separate wings with a sequence of large tarps and gates.
Assisting Varon is a team of nurses and volunteer medical students. Anyone seeing a patient with Covid-19 is required to wear two sets of masks, gowns, gloves, shoe and head coverings, and a face shield.Assisting Varon is a team of nurses and volunteer medical students. Anyone seeing a patient with Covid-19 is required to wear two sets of masks, gowns, gloves, shoe and head coverings, and a face shield.
Varon has worked more than 100 days with barely a rest and normally sleeps just a few hours a night. When he isn’t seeing patients or trying to obtain more hospital supplies, he does media interviews to encourage people to wear masks and take the virus seriously.Varon has worked more than 100 days with barely a rest and normally sleeps just a few hours a night. When he isn’t seeing patients or trying to obtain more hospital supplies, he does media interviews to encourage people to wear masks and take the virus seriously.
“People need to see this so they can understand and won’t do stupid things,” he said.“People need to see this so they can understand and won’t do stupid things,” he said.
With the US expected to hit three million coronavirus cases today, Axios have some charts here of the death rates in specific states. It is worth noting that while the mortality rate overall for the US has dropped from “around 7% in mid-April to around 2% by early July” that isn’t true across the board. And the number of daily deaths are ticking up at the moment in a handful of crisis states, among them Florida, Texas and Arizona.With the US expected to hit three million coronavirus cases today, Axios have some charts here of the death rates in specific states. It is worth noting that while the mortality rate overall for the US has dropped from “around 7% in mid-April to around 2% by early July” that isn’t true across the board. And the number of daily deaths are ticking up at the moment in a handful of crisis states, among them Florida, Texas and Arizona.
Read it here: Axios - Coronavirus deaths are rising in hotspotsRead it here: Axios - Coronavirus deaths are rising in hotspots
You may have seen yesterday the front page of the Miami Herald summing up the horns of the dilemma that the US finds itself in over coronavirus. Their lead story was about restaurants and bars in Miami-Dade County having to close again because of a surge in Covid-19 cases. Their second story? The state pushing through for the reopening of schools as soon as possible.You may have seen yesterday the front page of the Miami Herald summing up the horns of the dilemma that the US finds itself in over coronavirus. Their lead story was about restaurants and bars in Miami-Dade County having to close again because of a surge in Covid-19 cases. Their second story? The state pushing through for the reopening of schools as soon as possible.
CNN’s Stephen Collinson has been looking at Donald Trump’s positioning over school reopenings this morning:CNN’s Stephen Collinson has been looking at Donald Trump’s positioning over school reopenings this morning:
You can read it in full here: CNN - Trump leans into old failures in push to reopen schools as virus roarsYou can read it in full here: CNN - Trump leans into old failures in push to reopen schools as virus roars
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.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.
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.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.
My Washington colleague David Smith has more on the details here: Nine out of 10 Americans say racism and police brutality are problems, poll findsMy Washington colleague David Smith has more on the details here: Nine out of 10 Americans say racism and police brutality are problems, poll finds
Joe Biden has won New Jersey’s mostly mail-in Democratic presidential primary. Bernie Sanders still picked up 12% of the vote, despite having pulled out of the race.Joe Biden has won New Jersey’s mostly mail-in Democratic presidential primary. Bernie Sanders still picked up 12% of the vote, despite having pulled out of the race.
The primary got pushed a month later than planned because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy mandated that the election take place mostly by mail-in ballots. New Jersey’s 14 electoral college votes have gone to Democrats in every presidential election since 1988.The primary got pushed a month later than planned because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy mandated that the election take place mostly by mail-in ballots. New Jersey’s 14 electoral college votes have gone to Democrats in every presidential election since 1988.
In the most keenly watched primary race yesterday though, Amy Kennedy has the edge in the battle to face Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey’s second congressional district. Van Drew defected from the Democratic party to the Republicans last fall, after disagreeing with the party hierarchy over the impeachment of Donald Trump.In the most keenly watched primary race yesterday though, Amy Kennedy has the edge in the battle to face Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey’s second congressional district. Van Drew defected from the Democratic party to the Republicans last fall, after disagreeing with the party hierarchy over the impeachment of Donald Trump.
With 254 of 523 precincts reporting so far, Kennedy has wrapped up 59.3%. Her nearest challenger is Brigid Callahan Harrison on 25.5%.With 254 of 523 precincts reporting so far, Kennedy has wrapped up 59.3%. Her nearest challenger is Brigid Callahan Harrison on 25.5%.
“My message to Jeff Van Drew tonight is we have had enough and we demand better,” Kennedy said. “We have had enough division and hate and selfishness. We have had enough of being abandoned and mistreated and forgotten. We have had enough of you and Donald Trump.”“My message to Jeff Van Drew tonight is we have had enough and we demand better,” Kennedy said. “We have had enough division and hate and selfishness. We have had enough of being abandoned and mistreated and forgotten. We have had enough of you and Donald Trump.”
Good morning, welcome to our coverage of US politics on a day when the president of Mexico is due to visit the White House, but events are likely to be over-shadowed by the nation reaching a grim pandemic milestone. Here’s what’s up so far, and a little of what we are expecting to see todayGood morning, welcome to our coverage of US politics on a day when the president of Mexico is due to visit the White House, but events are likely to be over-shadowed by the nation reaching a grim pandemic milestone. Here’s what’s up so far, and a little of what we are expecting to see today
The Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker will almost certainly record the three millionth case of Covid-19 in the US today. The total is currently 2,996,098 US cases out of 11.8m worldwideThe Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker will almost certainly record the three millionth case of Covid-19 in the US today. The total is currently 2,996,098 US cases out of 11.8m worldwide
The Trump administration has officially notified the UN that it is leaving the World Health Organisation - in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. WHO meanwhile says ‘evidence emerging’ of airborne coronavirus spreadThe Trump administration has officially notified the UN that it is leaving the World Health Organisation - in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. WHO meanwhile says ‘evidence emerging’ of airborne coronavirus spread
The US government is trying to claw back the $80m it loaned to Planned Parenthood under the coronavirus aid program, following criticism from conservative lawmakers. But Christian anti-abortion groups have also received millions in taxpayer-backed loansThe US government is trying to claw back the $80m it loaned to Planned Parenthood under the coronavirus aid program, following criticism from conservative lawmakers. But Christian anti-abortion groups have also received millions in taxpayer-backed loans
Mary Trump’s book is out in the wild despite attempts in court to muzzle it - and it claims the president’s personality has been shaped by his “high-functioning sociopath” father during childhood. Here are eight of the boldest claimsMary Trump’s book is out in the wild despite attempts in court to muzzle it - and it claims the president’s personality has been shaped by his “high-functioning sociopath” father during childhood. Here are eight of the boldest claims
Delaware and New Jersey voted yesterday. Because of coronavirus restrictions it wasn’t your normal primary election, and it will take days for the final result to come in, but in the key Democratic fight in New Jersey’s second congressional district, Amy Kennedy looks to have the edge so farDelaware and New Jersey voted yesterday. Because of coronavirus restrictions it wasn’t your normal primary election, and it will take days for the final result to come in, but in the key Democratic fight in New Jersey’s second congressional district, Amy Kennedy looks to have the edge so far
It’s a busy day planned in Washington. There’s a coronavirus task force press briefing, and at 2pm Donald Trump will be greeting the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. There’s a joint declaration to be issued, and they will be delivering a joint statement at around 6:35pmIt’s a busy day planned in Washington. There’s a coronavirus task force press briefing, and at 2pm Donald Trump will be greeting the president of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. There’s a joint declaration to be issued, and they will be delivering a joint statement at around 6:35pm
You can get in touch with me at martin.belam@theguardian.comYou can get in touch with me at martin.belam@theguardian.com