This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/sep/18/donald-trump-joe-biden-minnesota-us-election-coronavirus-covid-live-updates

The article has changed 41 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 19 Version 20
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
That’s it from me today. The Guardian’s west coast team will take over the blog for the next few hours.
Here’s where the day stands so far:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its widely criticized recommendation on coronavirus testing. The CDC said today that anyone who has had contact with someone who tested positive for the virus should receive a test, virtually reinstating the agency’s previous recommendation. The announcement came one day after after the New York Times reported that CDC scientists did not write the altered August guideline and actively raised objections to it.
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 are both campaigning today in Minnesota, as early voting begins in the state. Biden delivered a speech at a union training center in Duluth, once again criticizing Trump by characterizing the presidential election as a race of “Park Avenue versus Scranton.” Trump will speak at a campaign rally in Bemidji this evening.
Trump announced his administration would send $13 billion in aid to Puerto Rico, as the island continues to recover from Hurricane Maria. A reporter asked the president at his press conference why the administration was sending the aid now, when the hurricane struck in 2017. Trump insisted it was because his administration had been working on the plan for a while, dodging a question about whether it was related to Puerto Rican voters in the crucial swing state of Florida.
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.
Joe Biden has wrapped up his campaign speech at a union training center in Duluth, Minnesota.
The Democratic nominee closed the speech by calling for the country’s wealthiest citizens and companies to be taxed fairly.
“I’m not looking to punish anyone,” Biden said. “But dammit, it’s about time the super wealthy and corporate America start paying their fair share.”
The Democratic nominee also reminded Minnesotans to vote, given early voting in the state started today.
Joe Biden criticized Trump for not yet releasing his plans on infrastructure or health care, despite repeated promises to do so.
“He has no plan,” the Democratic nominee said of the president.
Speaking in Duluth, Biden made an experience-based pitch for his candidacy, saying he knows “how to do the job of being president.”
Biden said of Trump, “He doesn’t have a clue how to be president.”
Joe Biden began his Duluth speech by talking about the importance of union jobs, but the Democratic nominee quickly pivoted to criticizing Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.Joe Biden began his Duluth speech by talking about the importance of union jobs, but the Democratic nominee quickly pivoted to criticizing Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden said if Trump had acted earlier to mitigate the spread of the virus, tens of thousands of Americans would not be dead and would instead be “sitting at the dinner table tonight”.Biden said if Trump had acted earlier to mitigate the spread of the virus, tens of thousands of Americans would not be dead and would instead be “sitting at the dinner table tonight”.
Echoing his comment at his CNN town hall last night, Biden said the presidential election was a race of “Park Avenue versus Scranton”.Echoing his comment at his CNN town hall last night, Biden said the presidential election was a race of “Park Avenue versus Scranton”.
“All Trump sees from Park Avenue is Wall Street,” Biden said, arguing the president only cares about the stock market and not average Americans.“All Trump sees from Park Avenue is Wall Street,” Biden said, arguing the president only cares about the stock market and not average Americans.
Joe Biden is now speaking at a union training center in Duluth, Minnesota, as early voting begins in the state.Joe Biden is now speaking at a union training center in Duluth, Minnesota, as early voting begins in the state.
The Democratic nominee was introduced by the state’s two Democratic senators, Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar.The Democratic nominee was introduced by the state’s two Democratic senators, Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar.
Biden’s remarks are expected to focus on creating more union jobs in the US and preventing manufacturing jobs from being outsourced.Biden’s remarks are expected to focus on creating more union jobs in the US and preventing manufacturing jobs from being outsourced.
During his press conference, the president was asked if he believes he knows better than the experts in his administration, after Trump contradicted the directors of the CDC and the FBI this week.During his press conference, the president was asked if he believes he knows better than the experts in his administration, after Trump contradicted the directors of the CDC and the FBI this week.
“Yeah, in many cases, I do,” Trump replied.“Yeah, in many cases, I do,” Trump replied.
Trump contradicted the Senate testimony of CDC director Robert Redfield on Wednesday, claiming Redfield was “confused” when he said a coronavirus vaccine would not be widely available until mid- to late 2021.Trump contradicted the Senate testimony of CDC director Robert Redfield on Wednesday, claiming Redfield was “confused” when he said a coronavirus vaccine would not be widely available until mid- to late 2021.
Last night, the president also took issue with the congressional testimony of FBI director Christopher Wray, who told the House that Russia was interfering in the 2020 elections “primarily to denigrate vice-president Biden and what the Russians see as kind of an anti-Russian establishment”.Last night, the president also took issue with the congressional testimony of FBI director Christopher Wray, who told the House that Russia was interfering in the 2020 elections “primarily to denigrate vice-president Biden and what the Russians see as kind of an anti-Russian establishment”.
Trump told reporters today, “I think we have a bigger problem with China than we do with Russia.”Trump told reporters today, “I think we have a bigger problem with China than we do with Russia.”
Trump closed his press conference by once again spreading falsehoods about voting by mail, which he described as “the scam of all time”.Trump closed his press conference by once again spreading falsehoods about voting by mail, which he described as “the scam of all time”.
The president also implied he was expecting federal judges to interfere with the election results to prevent fraud, even though voter fraud is very rare.The president also implied he was expecting federal judges to interfere with the election results to prevent fraud, even though voter fraud is very rare.
“I think it’s going to be a terrible time for this country, and we’re counting on federal judges to do a great constitutional job,” Trump said. “Hopefully they’ll be able to see this clearly and stop it.”“I think it’s going to be a terrible time for this country, and we’re counting on federal judges to do a great constitutional job,” Trump said. “Hopefully they’ll be able to see this clearly and stop it.”
Exiting the briefing room, Trump ignored a reporter who asked, “Is it still a scam if you win, sir?”Exiting the briefing room, Trump ignored a reporter who asked, “Is it still a scam if you win, sir?”
Trump dodged a question about reports that the US Postal Service scrapped a plan to send 650 million masks to Americans.Trump dodged a question about reports that the US Postal Service scrapped a plan to send 650 million masks to Americans.
“I don’t know. I don’t run it,” Trump said.“I don’t know. I don’t run it,” Trump said.
The president went on to criticize the management of USPS, claiming it had been “a mess for many, many generations”.The president went on to criticize the management of USPS, claiming it had been “a mess for many, many generations”.
Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic national committee, quickly released a statement criticizing Trump’s announcement about sending $13bn in aid to Puerto Rico.Tom Perez, the chairman of the Democratic national committee, quickly released a statement criticizing Trump’s announcement about sending $13bn 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.“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.”“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.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.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.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.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.”“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.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.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 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.