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CDC reverses widely criticized coronavirus testing guidelines – live CDC reverses widely criticized coronavirus testing guidelines – live
(32 minutes later)
Agency returns to advising Covid-19 tests for anyone who has contact with someone with the virus after report CDC scientists raised serious objectionsAgency returns to advising Covid-19 tests for anyone who has contact with someone with the virus after report CDC scientists raised serious objections
Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic national committee, quickly released a statement criticizing Trump’s announcement about sending $13 billion in aid to Puerto Rico.
“Donald Trump has consistently treated Puerto Ricans as second-class citizens. His administration failed Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria made landfall and the people desperately needed help, and throughout the recovery process,” Perez said.
“Puerto Ricans will not be fooled by his empty promises -- the deaths, the suffering, and the struggles Puerto Ricans still face are a constant reminder that Trump talks plenty but does very little.”
As Trump announces $13bn in aid to Puerto Rico, it’s important to remember how he has repeatedly disparaged the island’s leaders since Hurricane Maria struck in 2017.
Last year, the president attacked Puerto Rican leaders as “corrupt” and claimed the US territory had “squandered away or wasted” much of its aid money in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
Trump announced his administration was sending $13bn in aid to Puerto Rico, as the island continues to recover from Hurricane Maria.
After announcing the aid, Trump quickly pivoted to attacking his election opponent, Joe Biden.
“Biden’s devastated the island of Puerto Rico,” Trump said. “I’m the best thing that ever happened to Puerto Rico.”
Taking questions from reporters, Trump was asked why he was only sending the aid to Puerto Rico now, when Hurricane Maria struck the island in 2017.
The president claimed his administration had been working on the package for a while. When asked whether the announcement had anything to do with Puerto Rican voters in the crucial swing state of Florida, Trump did not directly answer, instead attacking Biden’s tenure as vice-president under Barack Obama.
Trump said the country will produce 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine by the end of the year.
The president also said he expected that the vaccine would be available to “every American” by April of next year.
CDC director Robert Redfield said Wednesday that the vaccine will not be widely available to the American public until “late second quarter, third quarter 2021.”
Trump has started his press conference at the White House, touting the progress toward developing a coronavirus vaccine.
The president said the eventual vaccine would help to save “millions of lives” and get the country back to “normal”.
As a reminder, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Robert Redfield, said Wednesday that a vaccine would not be widely available to the American public until mid- to late 2021.
As we await the start of Trump’s press conference, Joe Biden has arrived in Duluth, Minnesota, to tour a union training center.As we await the start of Trump’s press conference, Joe Biden has arrived in Duluth, Minnesota, to tour a union training center.
As Biden was shown a welding station at the carpenter’s training facility, he exclaimed, “I’ll be damned!” As Biden was shown a welding station at the carpenters’ training facility, he exclaimed, “I’ll be damned!”
Biden is expected to deliver a speech in Duluth in about 45 minutes, which may very well clash with Trump’s press conference at this rate.Biden is expected to deliver a speech in Duluth in about 45 minutes, which may very well clash with Trump’s press conference at this rate.
The president will also make a campaign appearance in Minnesota this evening, holding a rally in Bemidji.The president will also make a campaign appearance in Minnesota this evening, holding a rally in Bemidji.
The New York Times has obtained emails showing how HHS spokesperson Michael Caputo and his deputy sought to silence the CDC.The New York Times has obtained emails showing how HHS spokesperson Michael Caputo and his deputy sought to silence the CDC.
The Times reports:The Times reports:
HHS announced earlier this week that Caputo was taking a 60-day leave of absence after making controversial statements about CDC scientists, and Alexander is permanently leaving the department.HHS announced earlier this week that Caputo was taking a 60-day leave of absence after making controversial statements about CDC scientists, and Alexander is permanently leaving the department.
Programming note: the president’s press conference, which was scheduled to start about 15 minutes ago, has been pushed back to 2:30 pm ET.Programming note: the president’s press conference, which was scheduled to start about 15 minutes ago, has been pushed back to 2:30 pm ET.
Trump is expected to discuss the timeline for developing a coronavirus vaccine. The president said earlier this week that a vaccine would be available within “weeks”, while Dr Anthony Fauci has said he is cautiously optimistic a vaccine will be available by the end of the year or early next year.Trump is expected to discuss the timeline for developing a coronavirus vaccine. The president said earlier this week that a vaccine would be available within “weeks”, while Dr Anthony Fauci has said he is cautiously optimistic a vaccine will be available by the end of the year or early next year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its widely criticized guidelines on coronavirus testing, once again encouraging Americans to get tested if they have come in contact with someone who has received a positive test result.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its widely criticized guidelines on coronavirus testing, once again encouraging Americans to get tested if they have come in contact with someone who has received a positive test result.
The AP reports:The AP reports:
The update comes one day after the New York Times reported that CDC scientists had not written the August change to the testing guidelines and had raised serious objections to the altered recommendation, which was pushed through by officials at the department of health and human services.The update comes one day after the New York Times reported that CDC scientists had not written the August change to the testing guidelines and had raised serious objections to the altered recommendation, which was pushed through by officials at the department of health and human services.
Trump is reportedly expected to discuss the timeline for developing a coronavirus vaccine during his press conference, which is set to start in just a few minutes.Trump is reportedly expected to discuss the timeline for developing a coronavirus vaccine during his press conference, which is set to start in just a few minutes.
Politico’s Playbook reports:Politico’s Playbook reports:
The press conference comes two days after the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Robert Redfield, testified to the Senate that a coronavirus vaccine would not be widely available to the American public until “late second quarter, third quarter 2021.”The press conference comes two days after the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Robert Redfield, testified to the Senate that a coronavirus vaccine would not be widely available to the American public until “late second quarter, third quarter 2021.”
That timeline is in line with other predictions from health experts, but Trump contradicted Redfield shortly after he testified, saying the CDC director was “confused” when he made the prediction.That timeline is in line with other predictions from health experts, but Trump contradicted Redfield shortly after he testified, saying the CDC director was “confused” when he made the prediction.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi warned in Washington moments ago that the American public could be doubtful about a vaccine against coronavirus if it has been rushed through without going through all the proper approval stages.House speaker Nancy Pelosi warned in Washington moments ago that the American public could be doubtful about a vaccine against coronavirus if it has been rushed through without going through all the proper approval stages.
At a press briefing on Capitol Hill, Pelosi, the California Democrat said: “Unless there is confidence that the vaccine has gone through the clinical trials, and then is approved by the independent scientific advisory committee, as established to do just this, there will be doubts that people will have.”At a press briefing on Capitol Hill, Pelosi, the California Democrat said: “Unless there is confidence that the vaccine has gone through the clinical trials, and then is approved by the independent scientific advisory committee, as established to do just this, there will be doubts that people will have.”
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden indicated this week that he would trust a vaccine endorsed by Anthony Fauci, the top US public health expert on the White House coronavirus task force, but not one promoted by the president alone.Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden indicated this week that he would trust a vaccine endorsed by Anthony Fauci, the top US public health expert on the White House coronavirus task force, but not one promoted by the president alone.
Donald Trump has been implying that a vaccine will be approved within weeks and widely available to Americans soon after, then undercut his director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert Redfield, when that public health official told the Senate this week that any vaccine would not likely be available to the masses until at least the second half of next year.Donald Trump has been implying that a vaccine will be approved within weeks and widely available to Americans soon after, then undercut his director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Robert Redfield, when that public health official told the Senate this week that any vaccine would not likely be available to the masses until at least the second half of next year.
This all bearing in mind that while there are a number of US vaccines in Stage 3 (the gold standard) clinical trials, one had not yet emerged from the process so, even amid “cautious optimism” from Fauci that one will be a safe and effective candidate, there is no approved Covid-19 vaccine in the US at this time for Trump to boast about.This all bearing in mind that while there are a number of US vaccines in Stage 3 (the gold standard) clinical trials, one had not yet emerged from the process so, even amid “cautious optimism” from Fauci that one will be a safe and effective candidate, there is no approved Covid-19 vaccine in the US at this time for Trump to boast about.
Pelosi made it clear today that she also trusts America’s top scientists foremost, and that it’s imperative that it be approved safe and effective by expert standards before it’s distributed.Pelosi made it clear today that she also trusts America’s top scientists foremost, and that it’s imperative that it be approved safe and effective by expert standards before it’s distributed.
“Those are the tests, safety and efficacy. And we want it to be available in a widespread, ethical way. And the best — it’s not even an argument — but the best case for the vaccine is to have it as closely identified with the scientists who will be putting it forth,” she said.“Those are the tests, safety and efficacy. And we want it to be available in a widespread, ethical way. And the best — it’s not even an argument — but the best case for the vaccine is to have it as closely identified with the scientists who will be putting it forth,” she said.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
The Trump administration will ban downloads of TikTok and WeChat starting Sunday. US intelligence officials have warned the Chinese apps pose a national security threat. Normal use of the TikTok app is expected to be blocked starting November 12.The Trump administration will ban downloads of TikTok and WeChat starting Sunday. US intelligence officials have warned the Chinese apps pose a national security threat. Normal use of the TikTok app is expected to be blocked starting November 12.
Trump and Biden will both campaign today in Minnesota, as early voting begins in the state. Early voting also began today in South Dakota and Virginia, where long lines were reported at polling places.Trump and Biden will both campaign today in Minnesota, as early voting begins in the state. Early voting also began today in South Dakota and Virginia, where long lines were reported at polling places.
A firefighter died battling the wildfire in California’s San Bernardino National Forest, the US Forest Service said today. The devastating wildfires have already killed at least three dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes.A firefighter died battling the wildfire in California’s San Bernardino National Forest, the US Forest Service said today. The devastating wildfires have already killed at least three dozen people and destroyed thousands of homes.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
The president’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, did not vote for Trump in 2016 -- because he didn’t vote at all, according to the Washington Post.The president’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, did not vote for Trump in 2016 -- because he didn’t vote at all, according to the Washington Post.
The Post reports:The Post reports:
The voting habits of the president and his top advisers have attracted more attention in recent weeks because of Trump’s repeated attacks against voting by mail.The voting habits of the president and his top advisers have attracted more attention in recent weeks because of Trump’s repeated attacks against voting by mail.
The president has repeatedly suggested voting by mail is rife with fraud, but he has cast his own Florida ballot by mail as recently as last month. (Voter fraud is actually very rare, and US states have been collecting ballots through the mail for decades.)The president has repeatedly suggested voting by mail is rife with fraud, but he has cast his own Florida ballot by mail as recently as last month. (Voter fraud is actually very rare, and US states have been collecting ballots through the mail for decades.)
Despite the president’s complaints about voting by mail, the Post counted 16 Trump administration officials who have mailed in their ballots in recent years.Despite the president’s complaints about voting by mail, the Post counted 16 Trump administration officials who have mailed in their ballots in recent years.
Trump once again sought to compare the Obama administration’s response to swine flu to his response to coronavirus, even though coronavirus has killed far more Americans than swine flu did in 2009.
The president said in a tweet, “Biden FAILED BADLY with the Swine Flu. It was the Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight’. He didn’t have a clue. We have done an incredible job with the much tougher China Virus!”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12,469 Americans died of swine flu during the 2009 pandemic.
In comparison, 197,763 Americans have already died of coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University. The country’s death toll is expected to surpass 200,000 in the next few days.
Both of Virginia’s Democratic senators voted early today, the first day of in-person early voting in Virginia.
Senator Mark Warner arrived at his polling station in Alexandria, Virginia, moments ago to cast his ballot for Joe Biden.
Senator Tim Kaine, who was Democrats’ vice presidential nominee in 2016, also voted early this morning, and he encouraged his constituents to do the same.
Early voting also begins today in South Dakota and Minnesota, where Trump and Biden will both campaign later in the day.
The Guardian’s Sam Levine reports:
Michigan must accept ballots that are postmarked the day before election day and arrive in the weeks following, a judge ruled Friday in a decision that will likely result in thousands of more voters having their ballots counted in a key battleground state.
Michigan is one of many states that requires absentee ballots to arrive by election day in order to be counted. But the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with reports of mail delays, have made that deadline unrealistic, Judge Cynthia Diane Stevens of the Michigan court of claims wrote in her ruling on Friday.
The decision is deeply consequential in Michigan, a key swing state Donald Trump won by around 10,000 votes in 2016. One of the top reasons mail-in ballots get rejected is because they arrive past the deadline to be counted. 6,405 ballots were rejected for arriving late during Michigan’s August primary and Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat who serves as the state’s top election official, had called for extending the deadline.
“Applying the strict, 8:00 p.m. ballot receipt deadline on absent voter ballots imposes too great a restriction for the upcoming general election,” Stevens wrote in her opinion.
“Some flexibility must be built into the deadline in order to account for the significant inability of mail to arrive on what would typically be a reliable, predictable schedule.” She ordered ballots to be counted as long as they are postmarked by 2 November and arrive within 14 days of Election Day.
The Michigan ruling is the second in two days that extends ballot receipt deadlines in a key swing state. On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court also blocked the state from enforcing an election night deadline for absentee ballots, instead ordering the state to count them as long as they were postmarked by election day and arrived by the following Friday.
The Michigan ruling came in a suit filed by Priorities USA, a top Democratic Super PAC.
Michigan also restricts who can return an absentee ballot on behalf of a voter. On Friday, Stevens, citing the pandemic, said the state could not enforce those restrictions from the Friday before election day through election night.
Joe Biden has started receiving classified intelligence briefings, according to NBC News.
NBC reported that Biden received a briefing in Wilmington on Wednesday, about a month after he formally accepted the Democratic presidential nomination.
Such briefings are usually only offered to candidates once they officially become nominees.
Biden referenced the briefings yesterday, during a virtual fundraiser with donors in Colorado.
The Democratic nominee criticized Trump for sowing doubts about the legitimacy of the election, saying, “It goes beyond what he’s saying. It goes to what he’s encouraging.”
The White House has just added two events to Trump’s schedule today, including a press conference this afternoon.
At 11:45 am ET, the president will greet Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait.
Trump will then hold a press conference at 2 pm ET.
The president’s last press conference, on Wednesday, attracted criticism after Trump contradicted the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the timeline of developing a coronavirus vaccine.
Trump also controversially suggested the country’s coronavirus death toll would be much lower if Americans who died in Democratic-controlled states were not counted.
The polling analysis site FiveThirty unveiled its Senate election forecast today, and Democrats are currently “slightly favored” to take control of the chamber.
According to the FiveThirtyEight model, Democrats have an 80% chance of holding between 47 and 54 seats in the Senate.
The model considered 40,000 simulations for the outcome of the Senate races, and Democrats win control of the chamber in 58 in 100 scenarios.
A new set of polls shows Trump trailing Biden in Maine and Arizona, while the two are running neck and neck in North Carolina.
According to the New York Times-Siena College polls, Biden leads by 9 points among Arizona’s likely voters and 17 points among Maine’s likely voters.
In North Carolina, the two nominees are virtually tied, with Biden attracting the support of 45% of likely voters while Trump is the preferred candidate for 44% of likely voters.
Trump’s lagging performance appears to be having down-ballot effects on the Senate races in the three states.
According to the polls, Democratic candidate Sara Gideon leads Republican senator Susan Collins by 5 points, 49%-44%.
In Arizona, Democratic candidate Mark Kelly has pulled ahead of Republican senator Martha McSally by 8 points, 50%-42%.
And in North Carolina, Democratic candidate Cal Cunningham has opened up a larger lead than Biden in the state. Cunningham has a 5-point lead over Republican senator Thom Tillis, 42%-37%.
As a reminder, Democrats need to flip four Senate seats to take control of the chamber if they don’t win the White House. If Biden wins the presidential race, Democrats need to only flip three seats.
Two other states -- Virginia and South Dakota -- will also start early voting today, along with Minnesota.
At one early voting site n Richmond, Virginia, dozens of people lined up outside the polling station even before it opened.
Reminder: there are 46 days left until the presidential election on November 3.
Trump and Joe Biden are both campaigning today in Minnesota, a state that Hillary Clinton won by just 1.5 points in 2016.
The president will speak at a “Great American Comeback” event in Bemidji, and Biden will travel to Duluth for a tour of a union training center.
Trump has repeatedly said he wants to flip Minnesota in November, but polls indicate Biden has a significant edge in the state.
According to a Washington Post-ABC News poll released this week, Biden leads Trump by 16 points among Minnesota’s likely voters, 57%-41%.
But there is another reason Trump and Biden may both be invested in traveling to Minnesota today: it is the first day of early voting in the state.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
The AP has spoken to more migrant women who say they were operated on without their informed consent by a gynecologist, Dr Mahendra Amin, at an immigration detention center in Georgia.
The AP reports:
The lawyer who helped file the complaint previously told the Washington Post that she had not directly spoken to anyone from the detention center who had been forced to receive a hysterectomy, but rather she wanted to trigger an investigation into the possibility.
The complaint sparked immediately outcry and comparisons to past historical instances of the US government forcing women from marginalized communities to undergo forced sterilization. As the AP notes, 33 US states had forced sterilization programs in the 20th century.