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Trump pledges to break stimulus gridlock as millions go without Covid-19 benefits – live Trump pledges to break stimulus gridlock as millions go without Covid-19 benefits – live
(32 minutes later)
President mulls executive order to provide economic relief for Americans but offers little detail for plansPresident mulls executive order to provide economic relief for Americans but offers little detail for plans
Susan Rice, the former national security adviser who is now a potential running mate for Joe Biden in November’s presidential election, has spoken to the Atlantic about how female politicians are judged differently to their male counterparts.
“I am accused of using profanity. I cop guilty to that. I do occasionally use profanity,” Rice said in an interview with Edward-Isaac Dovere. “Does anybody talk about Dick Cheney’s foul mouth? Or does that in any way define him as the vice president of the United States? I think it’s sexist; that’s what it is.”
Daniel Strass and Lauren Gambino looked at the sexism that has overshadowed Biden’s search for a female vice-presidential candidate.
“Even in this moment of women ascending to heights that we never have in our country’s history, it’s still really being talked about and debated through the lens of a man,” said Jess Morales Rocketto, the executive director at Care in Action, told the Guardian this week.
You can read that story in full here:
Edward Helmore has news on racial disparities among young Covid-19 patients:
Hispanic and black children are far more likely to be hospitalized with Covid-19 than white children, a new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found.
While the study acknowledged that most pediatric incidents of Covid-19 are asymptomatic or mild, and hospitalization rates among children of all ethnicities remain low, it found that rates of hospitalization among Hispanic children were around eight times higher than for white children. Black children were hospitalized at rates five times higher those for white children.
The report – which was released on Friday – focused on data from 14 states. It found that 42% of children studied had one or more underlying medical conditions. Of those, obesity was found to be the most prevalent, a condition that affects almost one in five US children and is more common in black and Hispanic populations.
“Reasons for disparities in Covid-19-associated hospitalization rates by race and ethnicity are not fully understood,” the authors of the study wrote, and called for greater understanding of social forces that affect health.
“Continued tracking of Sars-CoV-2 infections among children is important to characterize morbidity and mortality,” it added. “Reinforcement of prevention efforts is essential in congregate settings that serve children, including childcare centers and schools.”
But the report also noted that hospitalization rates related to Covid-19 for children across all ethnicities remains low (8 per 100,000 population) compared with that among adults (164.5 per 100,000). Those under age two had the highest pediatric hospitalization rate.
You can read the full report below:
The White House has announced Donald Trump will hold a press conference at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey at 3.30pm ET today.The White House has announced Donald Trump will hold a press conference at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey at 3.30pm ET today.
The president will presumably follow up on his pledge to use executive orders to extend Covid-19 relief measures while Congress remains deadlocked on the measures. The president said on Friday that “if Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage, I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.”The president will presumably follow up on his pledge to use executive orders to extend Covid-19 relief measures while Congress remains deadlocked on the measures. The president said on Friday that “if Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage, I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need.”
Trump is expected to defer payroll taxes and extend enhanced unemployment benefits through to the end of the year.Trump is expected to defer payroll taxes and extend enhanced unemployment benefits through to the end of the year.
Here’s the Associated Press on how doctors are hoping to increase voter registration ahead of November’s elections:Here’s the Associated Press on how doctors are hoping to increase voter registration ahead of November’s elections:
An emergency room doctor in Boston is assembling thousands of voter registration kits for distribution at hospitals and doctor’s offices.An emergency room doctor in Boston is assembling thousands of voter registration kits for distribution at hospitals and doctor’s offices.
Later this month, students at Harvard and Yale’s medical schools are planning a contest to see which of the Ivy League rivals can register the most voters.Later this month, students at Harvard and Yale’s medical schools are planning a contest to see which of the Ivy League rivals can register the most voters.
And a medical student in Rhode Island has launched an effort to get emergency ballots into the hands of patients who find themselves unexpectedly in the hospital around election day.And a medical student in Rhode Island has launched an effort to get emergency ballots into the hands of patients who find themselves unexpectedly in the hospital around election day.
Amid the dual public health crises of Covid-19 and racism, some in the medical community are prescribing a somewhat nontraditional remedy: voting.Amid the dual public health crises of Covid-19 and racism, some in the medical community are prescribing a somewhat nontraditional remedy: voting.
Hospitals, doctors and healthcare institutions across the country this month are committing to efforts to engage Americans in the election process as part of Civic Health Month, a nationwide campaign that kicked off 1 August.Hospitals, doctors and healthcare institutions across the country this month are committing to efforts to engage Americans in the election process as part of Civic Health Month, a nationwide campaign that kicked off 1 August.
Hospital networks in Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin and elsewhere are among more than 60 institutions participating, along with thousands of individual physicians.Hospital networks in Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin and elsewhere are among more than 60 institutions participating, along with thousands of individual physicians.
You can read the full story below:You can read the full story below:
Fox News’s Chad Pergram reports Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order later today on unemployment benefits as Congress remains stalled in its efforts to agree on an economic relief package.Fox News’s Chad Pergram reports Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order later today on unemployment benefits as Congress remains stalled in its efforts to agree on an economic relief package.
Pergram quotes a senior White House official as saying: “The unemployment insurance measure is one of several [executive orders] the President will sign to provide relief ... in the face of Democrat inaction”.Pergram quotes a senior White House official as saying: “The unemployment insurance measure is one of several [executive orders] the President will sign to provide relief ... in the face of Democrat inaction”.
Democrats want a sizable aid package to address the surge in Covid-19 across the US, mass unemployment and the poverty threatening the millions of Americans who now find themselves without jobs. They say the White House has rejected an offer from Democrats to reduce their demands by about a trillion dollars – from $3tn to $2tn.Democrats want a sizable aid package to address the surge in Covid-19 across the US, mass unemployment and the poverty threatening the millions of Americans who now find themselves without jobs. They say the White House has rejected an offer from Democrats to reduce their demands by about a trillion dollars – from $3tn to $2tn.
While millions of Americans are suffering economic hardship during the pandemic, many of the wealthiest in the country have become richer. For example, in the 12 weeks between 18 March and 11 June, the combined wealth of all US billionaires increased by more than $637bn to a total of $3.581tn. Shares in their companies haven’t done badly either: Tesla’s share price is up 83% in the last three months and Amazon’s is up 33%.While millions of Americans are suffering economic hardship during the pandemic, many of the wealthiest in the country have become richer. For example, in the 12 weeks between 18 March and 11 June, the combined wealth of all US billionaires increased by more than $637bn to a total of $3.581tn. Shares in their companies haven’t done badly either: Tesla’s share price is up 83% in the last three months and Amazon’s is up 33%.
Bernie Sanders tweeted on Saturday morning that this vast wealth should be used to help all Americans.Bernie Sanders tweeted on Saturday morning that this vast wealth should be used to help all Americans.
“We are going to tax Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and the other billionaires’ outrageous pandemic wealth accumulation so we can provide health care to all our people,” he wrote on Twitter.“We are going to tax Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and the other billionaires’ outrageous pandemic wealth accumulation so we can provide health care to all our people,” he wrote on Twitter.
That followed a video posted by the senator on Friday night, in which he outlined how he would tax billionaires.That followed a video posted by the senator on Friday night, in which he outlined how he would tax billionaires.
“At a time when so many are hurting, the very, very, very rich should not be getting much richer. By taxing the wealth gains made by just a few hundred billionaires during this pandemic, we can provide health care for all,” he said.“At a time when so many are hurting, the very, very, very rich should not be getting much richer. By taxing the wealth gains made by just a few hundred billionaires during this pandemic, we can provide health care for all,” he said.
CNN has reported from Seagoville prison and camp in Texas. Covid-19 has spread rapidly through America’s prison system, and Seagoville, a federal correctional facility, is the hardest hit of them all. More than 1,300 of the 1,750 inmates at the prison, many with underlying conditions, have tested positive for Covid-19 and three have died.CNN has reported from Seagoville prison and camp in Texas. Covid-19 has spread rapidly through America’s prison system, and Seagoville, a federal correctional facility, is the hardest hit of them all. More than 1,300 of the 1,750 inmates at the prison, many with underlying conditions, have tested positive for Covid-19 and three have died.
“It came through here so fast that it’s out of control,” one inmate, Bobby Williams, told CNN. “We’re packed like sardines.”“It came through here so fast that it’s out of control,” one inmate, Bobby Williams, told CNN. “We’re packed like sardines.”
Many have argued that ill and older patients should have been released from jails to ease outbreaks and protect vulnerable patients. However, CNN reports progress on that front has been slow.Many have argued that ill and older patients should have been released from jails to ease outbreaks and protect vulnerable patients. However, CNN reports progress on that front has been slow.
“It’s been disappointing because most of these people were elderly and sick and now they’re the most at risk from this disease,” Kevin Ring, president of criminal justice reform group Families Against Mandatory Minimums, told CNN.“It’s been disappointing because most of these people were elderly and sick and now they’re the most at risk from this disease,” Kevin Ring, president of criminal justice reform group Families Against Mandatory Minimums, told CNN.
You can read the full report here.You can read the full report here.
My colleague Ed Pilkington has had a wide-ranging look at the failure to contain Covid-19 in the US. Here’s an extract:My colleague Ed Pilkington has had a wide-ranging look at the failure to contain Covid-19 in the US. Here’s an extract:
A letter landed on the desk of the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, this week that given the public health catastrophe swirling all around him might give him pause. His state is one of 21 across the US that have been placed by the White House coronavirus taskforce in the “red zone”, indicating the disease is now so prevalent that immediate restrictions must be imposed to avoid dire consequences.A letter landed on the desk of the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, this week that given the public health catastrophe swirling all around him might give him pause. His state is one of 21 across the US that have been placed by the White House coronavirus taskforce in the “red zone”, indicating the disease is now so prevalent that immediate restrictions must be imposed to avoid dire consequences.
Kemp, a Republican governor and Donald Trump ally, has adopted a controversial approach to Covid-19. Since early July the virus has roared across his state, with new infections rising sharply to top a devastating tally of 182,000.Kemp, a Republican governor and Donald Trump ally, has adopted a controversial approach to Covid-19. Since early July the virus has roared across his state, with new infections rising sharply to top a devastating tally of 182,000.
Deaths too have ticked dramatically upwards, with new daily peaks pushing the toll close to 4,000. Yet Kemp continues to expend much of his political energy fighting local officials rather than the microbe.Deaths too have ticked dramatically upwards, with new daily peaks pushing the toll close to 4,000. Yet Kemp continues to expend much of his political energy fighting local officials rather than the microbe.
For weeks he has been suing the Democratic mayor of the largest city, Atlanta, to stop her mandating masks. Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is African American, as is more than half of her city, has decried the move by Kemp, who is white, as an act of “personal retaliation”.For weeks he has been suing the Democratic mayor of the largest city, Atlanta, to stop her mandating masks. Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is African American, as is more than half of her city, has decried the move by Kemp, who is white, as an act of “personal retaliation”.
in packed dance floors. Yet Kemp continues to allow clubs, bars and indoor restaurants to carry on with abandon.in packed dance floors. Yet Kemp continues to allow clubs, bars and indoor restaurants to carry on with abandon.
Social media images show high school corridors crammed with non-mask-wearing pupils on the first day of the new school year. Yet Kemp persists on passing the buck on whether to open classrooms to individual school districts. In Atlanta alone, 260 staff tested positive for the virus, or exposure to it, even before classes began.Social media images show high school corridors crammed with non-mask-wearing pupils on the first day of the new school year. Yet Kemp persists on passing the buck on whether to open classrooms to individual school districts. In Atlanta alone, 260 staff tested positive for the virus, or exposure to it, even before classes began.
It is against this backdrop that the letter dropped on Kemp’s desk. Signed by almost 2,400 doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other public health workers at the coalface of the pandemic response, it paints a devastating picture of mortally ill people stretching hospitals to breaking point right across the state under Kemp’s watch.It is against this backdrop that the letter dropped on Kemp’s desk. Signed by almost 2,400 doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other public health workers at the coalface of the pandemic response, it paints a devastating picture of mortally ill people stretching hospitals to breaking point right across the state under Kemp’s watch.
You can read the full article below:You can read the full article below:
Good morning. With Congress still apparently no closer to agreeing to a package to help those Americans whose finances have been hit by the economic impact of Covid-19, Donald Trump says he intends to step in. Here’s more from my colleague David Smith in Washington DC:Good morning. With Congress still apparently no closer to agreeing to a package to help those Americans whose finances have been hit by the economic impact of Covid-19, Donald Trump says he intends to step in. Here’s more from my colleague David Smith in Washington DC:
Donald Trump has promised unilateral action to provide economic relief for millions of Americans hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but he offered few specific details and admitted the move is likely to face legal challenges.Donald Trump has promised unilateral action to provide economic relief for millions of Americans hit by the coronavirus pandemic, but he offered few specific details and admitted the move is likely to face legal challenges.
The president’s pledge to rescue people from poverty and homelessness took place against the unlikely backdrop of his luxury golf club, where annual fees run to hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, with members in T-shirts not physically distancing as they watched and applauded him.The president’s pledge to rescue people from poverty and homelessness took place against the unlikely backdrop of his luxury golf club, where annual fees run to hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, with members in T-shirts not physically distancing as they watched and applauded him.
Trump called the sudden press conference at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday evening after the collapse of talks between White House and Democratic negotiators in Washington. “If Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage, I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need,” the president said.Trump called the sudden press conference at his club in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Friday evening after the collapse of talks between White House and Democratic negotiators in Washington. “If Democrats continue to hold this critical relief hostage, I will act under my authority as president to get Americans the relief they need,” the president said.
He vowed to suspend payroll tax and extend unemployment benefits until the end of the year, defer student loan payments indefinitely and forgive interest, and extend a moratorium on evictions.He vowed to suspend payroll tax and extend unemployment benefits until the end of the year, defer student loan payments indefinitely and forgive interest, and extend a moratorium on evictions.
Asked when the executive orders would be ready, Trump said it “could be by the end of the week. They’re being drawn by the lawyers right now.”Asked when the executive orders would be ready, Trump said it “could be by the end of the week. They’re being drawn by the lawyers right now.”
Meanwhile, my colleague Dominic Rushe tells the story of one American feeling the effects of the delay in agreeing a new package of benefits:Meanwhile, my colleague Dominic Rushe tells the story of one American feeling the effects of the delay in agreeing a new package of benefits:
Karen L, who did not wish to give her last name, was furloughed by American Airlines in April. The resident of Miami has been struggling to get her unemployment checks ever since. Florida and other states have been overwhelmed by the number of claims.Karen L, who did not wish to give her last name, was furloughed by American Airlines in April. The resident of Miami has been struggling to get her unemployment checks ever since. Florida and other states have been overwhelmed by the number of claims.
“They owe me 15 weeks,” she said. “I just keep calling but it’s a futile effort. Every day, three or four hours, sending emails. I am losing hope.”“They owe me 15 weeks,” she said. “I just keep calling but it’s a futile effort. Every day, three or four hours, sending emails. I am losing hope.”
Her partner, who also lost his job, was receiving the extra $600 but is now qualified for just $125 a week. His payments have stopped and the couple have no idea why. “We have maxed out our credit cards,” she said. “I had to tell my landlord we couldn’t pay the rent.”Her partner, who also lost his job, was receiving the extra $600 but is now qualified for just $125 a week. His payments have stopped and the couple have no idea why. “We have maxed out our credit cards,” she said. “I had to tell my landlord we couldn’t pay the rent.”
Rodgers said inaction from Congress was causing “unnecessary strain and stress” and that the money was needed for as long as the pandemic continued. His research shows that the states with higher coronavirus rates have the highest unemployment claims. “I would be more sympathetic to the Republican view if we had stronger job creation,” he said.Rodgers said inaction from Congress was causing “unnecessary strain and stress” and that the money was needed for as long as the pandemic continued. His research shows that the states with higher coronavirus rates have the highest unemployment claims. “I would be more sympathetic to the Republican view if we had stronger job creation,” he said.
Without more aid to states and local government, a new wave of layoffs is likely for federal employees. Those losses would disproportionately affect women and people of color who have already been hit hardest by the recession, said Rodgers. “The public sector is where many women and minorities got their toehold in the middle class. If these jobs aren’t supported, we will see an expansion in gender and racial income inequality.”Without more aid to states and local government, a new wave of layoffs is likely for federal employees. Those losses would disproportionately affect women and people of color who have already been hit hardest by the recession, said Rodgers. “The public sector is where many women and minorities got their toehold in the middle class. If these jobs aren’t supported, we will see an expansion in gender and racial income inequality.”