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Coronavirus US: Covid-19 cases rise in 41 states as total number nears 3.5m – live updates Coronavirus US: Covid-19 cases rise in 41 states as total number nears 3.5m – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Total number of cases recorded stands at 3,499,398 as only Delaware and Maine see numbers fallingTotal number of cases recorded stands at 3,499,398 as only Delaware and Maine see numbers falling
The US government on Thursday carried out its second federal execution this week, killing by lethal injection a Kansas man whose lawyers contended he had dementia and was unfit to be executed.
Wesley Ira Purkey was put to death this morning at 8:19 a.m. EDT at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Purkey was convicted of kidnapping and killing 16-year-old Jennifer Long before dismembering, burning and dumping her body in a septic pond. He also was convicted in a state court in Kansas after using a claw hammer to kill an 80-year-old woman who had polio.
Legal action to halt the execution had centred around Purkey’s mental capacity to understand what was taking place. However the Associated Press report that heexpressed remorse right before he was executed.
“I deeply regret the pain and suffering I caused to Jennifer’s family,” he said. “I am deeply sorry. I deeply regret the pain I caused to my daughter, who I love so very much. This sanitized murder really does not serve no purpose whatsoever.”
Michelle Obama is launching a podcast, which will exclusively debut on Spotify on 29 July.
The former first lady said of the “The Michelle Obama Podcast” that her hope “is that this series can be a place to explore meaningful topics together and sort through so many of the questions we’re all trying to answer in our own lives.”
The new podcast is the first title in an ongoing collaboration between Spotify and Higher Ground, a production company founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. Last year, the former president and first lady partnered with Spotify to produce exclusive podcasts for the platform.
In a press release it is stated that Michelle Obama’s new podcast expects to hold candid and personal conversations with a focus on topics concerning relationships and health. She expects to have several guests on the series including talk-show host Conan O’Brien and Valerie Jarrett, business woman and former senior advisor to Barack Obama.
“Perhaps most of all, I hope this podcast will help listeners open up new conversations and hard conversations - with the people who matter most to them,” Michelle Obama said. “That’s how we can build more understanding and empathy for one another.”
The Department of Labor have released the latest unemployment stats. They say that in the week ending July 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 1,300,000. That represents a slight decrease of 10,000 on the week before.
The number of people seeking aid has now been slowly declining after the initial spike in March caused by economic lockdown, but still remains historically high.
Nearly 32 million American workers in total are now receiving jobless benefits.
Here’s our full report: 1.3m more file for unemployment as US economy continues to reel
There will be more reaction to these figures over on our live business blog.
Yesterday the Trump communications team were at pains to try and point out that Peter Navarro’s op-ed attack on Dr Anthony Fauci in USA Today did not go through their usual clearance channels.
Now, I’m no expert, but I would hazard a guess that the White House did also not get an advance copy of the piece published by the Washington Post this morning from Maryland’s Republican Governor Larry Hogan which is titled “Fighting alone – I’m a GOP governor. Why didn’t Trump help my state with coronavirus testing?”
It’s a long piece, and one can read some of it as the words of a man trying to get his side of the story in first, but it contains absolutely devastating criticisms of the Federal response to coronavirus, and of Trump personally. Hogan couldn’t understand how in private Governors where getting briefings about just how serious the pandemic could become, while in public the president was so dismissive of the coming threat.
Hogan comes across as proud that for his state he went and procured medical assistance and testing kits from South Korea. Trump was unimpressed. As Hogan puts it:
You can find it here: Washington Post – I’m a GOP governor. Why didn’t Trump help my state with coronavirus testing?
The coronavirus outbreak in Japan that centres around US military personnel in Okinawa has caused some tension in Japanese-US relations over the last few days. The governor of the southern Japanese island has been urging the military to do more to get to grips with it.The coronavirus outbreak in Japan that centres around US military personnel in Okinawa has caused some tension in Japanese-US relations over the last few days. The governor of the southern Japanese island has been urging the military to do more to get to grips with it.
Ramy Inocencio reports for CBS News that the number of infections is up again by two to at least 138. Around 35,000-40,000 personnel are restricted to bases, including families, civilians. Outside the bases, Okinawa has reported only about 150 coronavirus cases.Ramy Inocencio reports for CBS News that the number of infections is up again by two to at least 138. Around 35,000-40,000 personnel are restricted to bases, including families, civilians. Outside the bases, Okinawa has reported only about 150 coronavirus cases.
Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said earlier this week “We need to have the U.S. military take concrete measures so that the infections on bases will not spread to the Japanese community. We are extremely concerned about the impact of the spread of the coronavirus infections on American troops’ rapid response capability.”Japanese defence minister Taro Kono said earlier this week “We need to have the U.S. military take concrete measures so that the infections on bases will not spread to the Japanese community. We are extremely concerned about the impact of the spread of the coronavirus infections on American troops’ rapid response capability.”
Jan-Werner Müller, who teaches politics at Princeton, has written for us today about how the Republican party and the right have turned their pandemic response into a culture war, rather than recognising that freedom for all depends on a way of making the environment safe for all.Jan-Werner Müller, who teaches politics at Princeton, has written for us today about how the Republican party and the right have turned their pandemic response into a culture war, rather than recognising that freedom for all depends on a way of making the environment safe for all.
Read it in full: Jan-Werner Müller – The American right is pushing ‘freedom over fear’. It won’t stop the virusRead it in full: Jan-Werner Müller – The American right is pushing ‘freedom over fear’. It won’t stop the virus
Yesterday the court made available for viewing by appointment new bodycam footage of the events leading up to the killing of George Floyd on 25 May.Yesterday the court made available for viewing by appointment new bodycam footage of the events leading up to the killing of George Floyd on 25 May.
Shaquille Brewster for MSNBC was one of the people who watched it, and he reported on what the footage was like to view, saying “it helps fill out the picture of the interactions between George Floyd, and the four officers on that day.”Shaquille Brewster for MSNBC was one of the people who watched it, and he reported on what the footage was like to view, saying “it helps fill out the picture of the interactions between George Floyd, and the four officers on that day.”
Notably one of the sets of footage belongs to the camera of officer Thomas Lane, who was the first to respond to the call. Brewster reports that you see him tapping on Floyd’s car window with back of his flashlight, and this startles Floyd from the beginning. Brewster reports:Notably one of the sets of footage belongs to the camera of officer Thomas Lane, who was the first to respond to the call. Brewster reports that you see him tapping on Floyd’s car window with back of his flashlight, and this startles Floyd from the beginning. Brewster reports:
Brewster also reports that, among the conflicting reports of how long officer Derek Chauvin held Floyd down, according to the timings that he took while watching the video:Brewster also reports that, among the conflicting reports of how long officer Derek Chauvin held Floyd down, according to the timings that he took while watching the video:
You can watch Brewster’s report here: MSNBC – New bodycam video reveals George Floyd told officers he was scared when approachedYou can watch Brewster’s report here: MSNBC – New bodycam video reveals George Floyd told officers he was scared when approached
Lawyers for the Floyd family announced yesterday that they have filed a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis for Floyd’s death.Lawyers for the Floyd family announced yesterday that they have filed a lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis for Floyd’s death.
Ben Crump, one of the attorneys who filed the lawsuit said: “it was the knee of the entire Minneapolis police department on the neck of George Floyd.”Ben Crump, one of the attorneys who filed the lawsuit said: “it was the knee of the entire Minneapolis police department on the neck of George Floyd.”
Here’s some slightly counter-intuitive news about the economic impact of the coronavirus. According to research by the JPMorgan Chase Institute, Americans who received enhanced unemployment benefits due to the coronavirus pandemic spent more than when they were working.Here’s some slightly counter-intuitive news about the economic impact of the coronavirus. According to research by the JPMorgan Chase Institute, Americans who received enhanced unemployment benefits due to the coronavirus pandemic spent more than when they were working.
Reuters reports that the $600 weekly supplement added to jobless benefits as part of the CARES Act helped unemployed households spend 10% more after receiving benefits than they did before the pandemic.Reuters reports that the $600 weekly supplement added to jobless benefits as part of the CARES Act helped unemployed households spend 10% more after receiving benefits than they did before the pandemic.
Researchers analyzed transactions for 61,000 households that received unemployment benefits between March and May. Spending dropped for all households as the virus spread and led to business shutdowns, but then rose when households began receiving jobless benefits, the study found.Researchers analyzed transactions for 61,000 households that received unemployment benefits between March and May. Spending dropped for all households as the virus spread and led to business shutdowns, but then rose when households began receiving jobless benefits, the study found.
This is a contrast with the pattern you usually see during a recession - when households receiving unemployment benefits usually cut spending because regular benefits amount to only a fraction of a person’s previous earnings.This is a contrast with the pattern you usually see during a recession - when households receiving unemployment benefits usually cut spending because regular benefits amount to only a fraction of a person’s previous earnings.
There is a concern though, that Americans receiving unemployment benefits could be pushed off an income cliff when the supplemental benefits are withdrawn, which is scheduled to happen at the end of the month.There is a concern though, that Americans receiving unemployment benefits could be pushed off an income cliff when the supplemental benefits are withdrawn, which is scheduled to happen at the end of the month.
We should get the latest Bereau of Labor Statistics bulletin on jobless numbers later this morning.We should get the latest Bereau of Labor Statistics bulletin on jobless numbers later this morning.
Here’s a bit of a run-down of some of the coronavirus situation across the country. California, Arizona, Texas and Florida together reported about 36,000 new coronavirus cases yesterday. The restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the pandemic taking hold in the US are becoming unsettlingly reminiscent of the dark days of April.Here’s a bit of a run-down of some of the coronavirus situation across the country. California, Arizona, Texas and Florida together reported about 36,000 new coronavirus cases yesterday. The restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the pandemic taking hold in the US are becoming unsettlingly reminiscent of the dark days of April.
The soaring counts of confirmed infections and a mounting death toll led the mayor of Los Angeles to declare that the nation’s second-largest city is on the verge of resorting to a shutdown of all but essential businesses, reports the Associated Press.The soaring counts of confirmed infections and a mounting death toll led the mayor of Los Angeles to declare that the nation’s second-largest city is on the verge of resorting to a shutdown of all but essential businesses, reports the Associated Press.
More school districts made plans to start their fall semester without on-site instruction, and the 2021 Rose Parade in California was canceled.More school districts made plans to start their fall semester without on-site instruction, and the 2021 Rose Parade in California was canceled.
Other events went ahead undeterred though. Thousands of racing fans gathered at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee for a Nascar event. Officials allowed 20,000 at the track - the largest sporting event in the US since the pandemic began four months ago.Other events went ahead undeterred though. Thousands of racing fans gathered at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee for a Nascar event. Officials allowed 20,000 at the track - the largest sporting event in the US since the pandemic began four months ago.
According to New York Times figures there have been at least 67,515 cases of coronavirus in Tennessee and at least 773 people had died. The state set a record for its highest number of new daily cases on Monday with 2,509 cases.According to New York Times figures there have been at least 67,515 cases of coronavirus in Tennessee and at least 773 people had died. The state set a record for its highest number of new daily cases on Monday with 2,509 cases.
California, Arizona, Florida and Texas reported a total of more than 450 new deaths. In Texas, which again set a record for confirmed new cases - nearly 10,800 - Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has increasingly emphasized face coverings as the way to avoid another lockdown.California, Arizona, Florida and Texas reported a total of more than 450 new deaths. In Texas, which again set a record for confirmed new cases - nearly 10,800 - Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has increasingly emphasized face coverings as the way to avoid another lockdown.
Alabama reported a pandemic-high one-day total of 40 deaths, and officials said the state will begin requiring face masks.Alabama reported a pandemic-high one-day total of 40 deaths, and officials said the state will begin requiring face masks.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock required masks at indoor public spaces and at larger outdoor gatherings in counties where four or more people are known to have Covid-19. The Democratic governor’s order came as the state also reported a record number of new confirmed cases.Montana Gov. Steve Bullock required masks at indoor public spaces and at larger outdoor gatherings in counties where four or more people are known to have Covid-19. The Democratic governor’s order came as the state also reported a record number of new confirmed cases.
In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine, who has faced criticism from fellow Republicans over business closures, gave a televised address with an emotional appeal to residents to make sacrifices to protect their neighbors. But he stopped short of mandating masks.In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine, who has faced criticism from fellow Republicans over business closures, gave a televised address with an emotional appeal to residents to make sacrifices to protect their neighbors. But he stopped short of mandating masks.
Florida surpassed 300,000 confirmed cases overall, reporting 10,181 new infections as its daily average death rate keeps rising. If it was a country, Florida would be in the top ten most affected countries in the world. Major cities have required masks, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has declined to issue a statewide order, arguing that it’s best decided and enforced locally.Florida surpassed 300,000 confirmed cases overall, reporting 10,181 new infections as its daily average death rate keeps rising. If it was a country, Florida would be in the top ten most affected countries in the world. Major cities have required masks, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has declined to issue a statewide order, arguing that it’s best decided and enforced locally.
One bright spot in the otherwise bleak coronavirus news is the promising details released this week about Moderna’s trail Covid-19 vaccine.One bright spot in the otherwise bleak coronavirus news is the promising details released this week about Moderna’s trail Covid-19 vaccine.
Jessica Glenza in New York has been reporting on it for us:Jessica Glenza in New York has been reporting on it for us:
Read it here: Moderna raises vaccine hopes but more trials are vital, say expertsRead it here: Moderna raises vaccine hopes but more trials are vital, say experts
The Associated Press are reporting that early this morning the supreme court cleared the way for the second federal execution this week. The vote to allow the execution of Wesley Ira Purkey to go forward was 5-4, with the court’s four liberal members dissenting.The Associated Press are reporting that early this morning the supreme court cleared the way for the second federal execution this week. The vote to allow the execution of Wesley Ira Purkey to go forward was 5-4, with the court’s four liberal members dissenting.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that “proceeding with Purkey’s execution now, despite the grave questions and factual findings regarding his mental competency, casts a shroud of constitutional doubt over the most irrevocable of injuries.”Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that “proceeding with Purkey’s execution now, despite the grave questions and factual findings regarding his mental competency, casts a shroud of constitutional doubt over the most irrevocable of injuries.”
She was joined by fellow liberal justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan.She was joined by fellow liberal justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan.
But a lower court put an emergency hold on the execution for one hour as it weighed issues in the case, further delaying what initially had been slated for Wednesday evening at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. Protesters against the death penalty had gathered there this week prior to the execution of Daniel Lewis Lee on Tuesday, in the first federal execution after a 17-year hiatusBut a lower court put an emergency hold on the execution for one hour as it weighed issues in the case, further delaying what initially had been slated for Wednesday evening at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. Protesters against the death penalty had gathered there this week prior to the execution of Daniel Lewis Lee on Tuesday, in the first federal execution after a 17-year hiatus
Purkey was convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing 16-year-old Jennifer Long before dismembering, burning and then dumping her body in a septic pond. He also was convicted in a state court in Kansas after using a claw hammer to kill an 80-year-old woman who suffered from polio.Purkey was convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing 16-year-old Jennifer Long before dismembering, burning and then dumping her body in a septic pond. He also was convicted in a state court in Kansas after using a claw hammer to kill an 80-year-old woman who suffered from polio.
Lawyers for the 68-year-old Purkey, of Kansas, argue that he has dementia and is unfit to be executed. They say his condition has deteriorated so severely that he doesn’t understand why he is being executed.Lawyers for the 68-year-old Purkey, of Kansas, argue that he has dementia and is unfit to be executed. They say his condition has deteriorated so severely that he doesn’t understand why he is being executed.
One of the other significant overnight developments was the announcement that Donald Trump has replaced his campaign manager Brad Parscale in a major shake-up of his team as he trails Joe Biden nationally in the polls.One of the other significant overnight developments was the announcement that Donald Trump has replaced his campaign manager Brad Parscale in a major shake-up of his team as he trails Joe Biden nationally in the polls.
Parscale was under pressure after the disastrous rally the Trump campaign held in Tulsa, followed by the cancellation of a planned event in New Hampshire.Parscale was under pressure after the disastrous rally the Trump campaign held in Tulsa, followed by the cancellation of a planned event in New Hampshire.
Parscale will be demoted to senior adviser, and Bill Stepien, the deputy campaign manager, will take over the top position.Parscale will be demoted to senior adviser, and Bill Stepien, the deputy campaign manager, will take over the top position.
My colleague Maanvi Singh has more here: Trump replaces campaign manager Brad Parscale in major shake-upMy colleague Maanvi Singh has more here: Trump replaces campaign manager Brad Parscale in major shake-up
Good morning, welcome to our live coverage of US politics and the coronavirus crisis. Here are some key points from yesterday and overnight, and a little bit of what we can perhaps look forward to today.Good morning, welcome to our live coverage of US politics and the coronavirus crisis. Here are some key points from yesterday and overnight, and a little bit of what we can perhaps look forward to today.
The total number of cases of Covid-19 recorded in the US now stands at 3,499,398 according to the Johns Hopkins tracker. 41 states continue to see rising daily new case numbers. Only Delaware and Maine are seeing numbers fallThe total number of cases of Covid-19 recorded in the US now stands at 3,499,398 according to the Johns Hopkins tracker. 41 states continue to see rising daily new case numbers. Only Delaware and Maine are seeing numbers fall
The governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt announced he has tested positive for coronavirus. Despite his positive test result Republican Stitt said he does not currently plan to roll back the state’s reopeningThe governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt announced he has tested positive for coronavirus. Despite his positive test result Republican Stitt said he does not currently plan to roll back the state’s reopening
Dr Anthony Fauci has stood firm after a series of attacks from the White House, saying “I think you can trust me”Dr Anthony Fauci has stood firm after a series of attacks from the White House, saying “I think you can trust me”
The city of Berkeley is moving forward with a first-of-its kind proposal to replace police with unarmed civilians during traffic stops in an effort to curb racial profilingThe city of Berkeley is moving forward with a first-of-its kind proposal to replace police with unarmed civilians during traffic stops in an effort to curb racial profiling
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was discharged from hospital after being admitted yesterday for treatment of a possible infectionRuth Bader Ginsburg was discharged from hospital after being admitted yesterday for treatment of a possible infection
Twitter is still reeling from a hack that saw the accounts of prominent figures, including Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Barack Obama, Bill Gates and Kanye West compromised by a bitcoin scam.Twitter is still reeling from a hack that saw the accounts of prominent figures, including Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Barack Obama, Bill Gates and Kanye West compromised by a bitcoin scam.
Donald Trump gets his intelligence briefing in the morning. In the afternoon he’ll be at the White House talking about ‘Rolling Back Regulations to Help All Americans’Donald Trump gets his intelligence briefing in the morning. In the afternoon he’ll be at the White House talking about ‘Rolling Back Regulations to Help All Americans’
Joe Biden will deliver pre-taped remarks for a virtual climate town hall launching ‘Biden Climate Voters’ with Governor Jay Inslee this evening. Elizabeth Warren is also out on the virtual campaign trail, and Nancy Pelosi will be holding her weekly press briefing this morningJoe Biden will deliver pre-taped remarks for a virtual climate town hall launching ‘Biden Climate Voters’ with Governor Jay Inslee this evening. Elizabeth Warren is also out on the virtual campaign trail, and Nancy Pelosi will be holding her weekly press briefing this morning
We should get the latest jobless figures today as wellWe should get the latest jobless figures today as well
I’m Martin Belam, I’ll be with you for the next few hours. You can message me at martin.belam@theguardian.comI’m Martin Belam, I’ll be with you for the next few hours. You can message me at martin.belam@theguardian.com