Trump projects up to 240,000 coronavirus deaths in U.S., even with mitigation efforts – The Washington Post
Trump projects up to 240,000 coronavirus deaths in U.S., even with mitigation efforts – The Washington Post

“If you had more New Yorks and New Jerseys — you know, Chicago, Detroit, L.A., Dallas, Houston, all of our major cities modeled like New York — that’s what gets us into trouble,” she said.

Source Article from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-white-house-projects-up-to-240000-coronavirus-deaths-in-us-even-with-mitigation-efforts/2020/03/31/62df5344-7367-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html

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Democrats eye potential infrastructure package – CNN
Democrats eye potential infrastructure package – CNN

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Source Article from https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/politics/infrastructure-congress-phase-four-talks/index.html

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IRS Adds To Confusion About Whether Seniors Have To File Tax Returns To Get Stimulus Checks – Forbes
IRS Adds To Confusion About Whether Seniors Have To File Tax Returns To Get Stimulus Checks – Forbes

Each year, about 64 million people collect Social Security benefits: about one family in four receives some kind of Social Security benefits. Of those, nearly 45 million are retired workers who receive, on average, $1,471 per month; another 3 million individuals receive benefits as spouses or children of retired workers. 

Social Security benefits represent about 33% of the income of the elderly. According to the Social Security Administration, among the elderly, half of married couples and 70% of unmarried persons receive 50% or more of their income from Social Security. Nearly 21% of married couples and about 45% of unmarried persons rely on Social Security for 90% or more of their income.

Compare those numbers to just 25,972,101 taxpayers over the age of 65 who filed in 2018 (according to the most recent IRS data available). 

That means more than 20 million taxpayers over the age of 65 do not file a federal income tax return each year – likely because their only source of income is Social Security benefits. 

Initially, that wasn’t a barrier to getting stimulus checks. Congress provided Treasury with a mechanism in the CARES Act for relying on forms 1099-SSA (or RRB equivalent) to issue checks. That carve-out is in the same paragraph that gives taxpayers an alternative if they haven’t filed for the 2019 tax year (Treasury can refer to their 2018 tax return). I wrote about it – as did many others – and for days, the knowledge that they didn’t have to do anything further for benefits provided a sense of relief for seniors. Until Monday, March 30, 2020.

On Monday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) posted a notice about the checks. The guidance included several sentences that seem contrary to the language in the law. Specifically, the guidance advised, “However, some seniors and others who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the stimulus payment.”

Tax professionals like me expected that some non-filers would have to file returns to receive checks. Otherwise, how would the IRS know how to reach them, or that they existed at all?

But seniors? Seniors for whom the Social Security Administration issues tax statements each year AND requires direct deposit for benefit checks? Why the need for more paperwork?

So far, the IRS isn’t commenting. 

But, according to Chye-Ching Huang, Senior Director for Economic Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this wasn’t supposed to be the result of the legislation. The Treasury, she notes, was given “clear and explicit authority” to issue checks based on information available from the Social Security Administration. 

Here’s the language from the law (downloads as a PDF): “if the individual has not filed a tax return for such individual’s first taxable year beginning in 2018, use information with respect to such individual for calendar year 2019 provided in— (i) Form SSA–1099, Social Security Benefit Statement, or (ii) Form RRB–1099, Social Security Equivalent Benefit Statement.”

That language was, Huang says, pretty clearly intended to avoid the mistakes of the past. In 2008, nearly 20 million taxpayers who were traditionally non-filers were required to file tax returns to get rebate checks. That’s why it took almost three months for some taxpayers to receive their checks.

At the time, then National Taxpayer Advocate, Nina Olson, criticized the move, testifying to Congress that it was unnecessary and burdensome for those in need (downloads as a PDF). Specifically, Olson noted in 2008 that there were “significant barriers that will result in substantially less than full participation by this target population.” Some challenges Olson noted were a lack of Internet access or discomfort obtaining tax information from the Internet; lack of mobility; including those who are incapacitated and under the care of guardians, conservators, or nursing homes and hospitals; fear of the IRS or losing benefits; and confusing messages. An estimated 3.5 million of those eligible never got their checks at all that year.

Olson suggested that it may be better to utilize another federal agency for payment delivery, querying at the time, “The 20.5 million Social Security and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries all receive payments from those agencies, and many of those payments are directly deposited into bank accounts. Why not find a way to let those agencies make stimulus payments to individuals without a tax filing requirement instead of requiring them to file ESP-only returns and having the IRS then send them paper checks?”

That was in 2008 when seniors weren’t been told to stay in their homes and tax offices were not shut down. Now, Huang notes, the current COVID-19 crisis has made it even harder for those people to file. Free tax centers for seniors, such as AARP Tax-Aide, are now closed. Tax professionals are staying home. And statistically, the elderly are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19. So why design a system where they may not be able to get financial assistance without exposing themselves to danger?

Throw in the potential for increased scams targeting the elderly, and it’s a recipe for disaster.

For its part, the IRS seems to think that the workaround is simply to wait, advising, “For those concerned about visiting a tax professional or local community organization in person to get help with a tax return, these economic impact payments will be available throughout the rest of 2020.”

For some seniors with bills to pay and food and medication to buy, that might be too late.

Requests for comment made to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), other members of Congress, and the White House were not immediately returned.

Related: Your Money And Coronavirus: A Financial Protection Guide

 

Source Article from https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/03/31/irs-adds-to-confusion-about-whether-seniors-have-to-file-tax-returns-to-get-stimulus-checks/

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California Coronavirus Update: Cases Pass 7,000, With Nearly 150 Deaths – Newsweek
California Coronavirus Update: Cases Pass 7,000, With Nearly 150 Deaths – Newsweek

Coronavirus cases in California have surpassed 7,000, including nearly 150 deaths, as of Tuesday, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

The virus, which was first reported in Wuhan, a city in China’s Hubei province, has spread to more than 803,300 people across 178 countries and regions, with over 82,200 cases reported in China, while the U.S. has the most cases in the world, with more than 164,700 infections, as of Tuesday.

More than 172,600 people have recovered from infection, including nearly 90 percent of China’s patients and nearly 6,000 in the U.S., while over 39,000 people have died. Beijing says the outbreak has been largely contained in China, with more cases reported outside the country than within.

New York has been the worst-hit state in the country, with more than 66,400 cases to date, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo confirms. Thousands of infections have also been reported in a string of other states including California.

California has reported 7,426 confirmed cases and 149 deaths across 47 of its 58 counties, The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday evening.

The state has been under a “stay at home” order from earlier this month, which was issued by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

The order, which went into effect on March 19, is “in place until further notice,” and requires residents to remain at home, while all non-essential businesses, including restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and other places of public gathering, remain closed.

“The California Department of Public Health looks to establish consistency across the state in order to ensure that we mitigate the impact of COVID-19. Our goal is simple, we want to bend the curve, and disrupt the spread of the virus,” the order explains.

Earlier this month, Newsom noted that if no mitigation efforts are taken, over 25 million people (around 56 percent of the state) could be infected in the next few weeks.

California deaths by county

  • Los Angeles – 44
  • Santa Clara – 28
  • Riverside – 9
  • Sacramento – 7
  • Alameda – 7
  • San Diego – 7
  • San Francisco – 6
  • San Mateo – 6
  • San Joaquin – 6
  • Marin – 4
  • Orange – 4
  • Ventura – 4
  • Contra Costa – 3
  • San Bernardino – 3

Top 10 California counties with most confirmed cases

  1. Los Angeles – 2474, according to the LA County Department of Public Health;
  2. Santa Clara – 848, according to the Santa Clara Department of Public Health;
  3. San Diego – 603, according to the San Diego County government website;
  4. Orange – 464, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency;
  5. San Francisco – 374, according to the San Francisco Department of Public Health;
  6. San Mateo – 309, according to San Mateo County Health;
  7. Riverside – 291, according to the LA Times;
  8. Alameda – 264, according to the Alameda County Public Health Department;
  9. Sacramento – 224, according to the Sacramento County government website;
  10. Contra Costra – 187, according to the LA Times.

The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 across the U.S.

Data on COVID-19 cases is from Johns Hopkins University unless otherwise stated.

World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Hygiene advice

  • Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
  • Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.

Medical advice

  • Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.
  • Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people.
  • If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance.
  • Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease.
  • Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.

Mask and glove usage

  • Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
  • Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
  • Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
  • Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
  • Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
  • Do not reuse single-use masks.
  • Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.
  • The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.

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Source Article from https://www.newsweek.com/coronavirus-update-california-latest-cases-deaths-1495263

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How will small business loans work? Treasury updates on stimulus package – AL.com
How will small business loans work? Treasury updates on stimulus package – AL.com

The Small Business Administration has released more details on its $349 billion loan program to give relief to businesses affected by coronavirus pandemic measures.

The loan program was part of the $2 trillion stimulus package signed into law by President Donald Trump last week.

According to the SBA, the Paycheck Protection Program will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30.

All businesses are eligible, including non-profits, veterans organizations, tribal concerns, sole proprietorships, self-employed individuals and independent contractors, with 500 or fewer employees, or no greater than the number of employees set by SBA size standards.

The maximum loan amount is up to $10 million determined by eight weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25 percent of that amount.

If a business maintains its workforce, S.B.A. will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first eight weeks of payroll and certain other expenses, following loan origination.

All loans under this program will have an interest rate of 0.5 percent, and a maturity of two years. The first payment is deferred for six months with a 100 percent guarantee by SBA. No collateral is needed, and no personal guarantees. There will be no borrower or lender fees payable to the S.B.A., the administration said.

For more information, or to apply, click here.

Source Article from https://www.al.com/business/2020/04/how-will-small-business-loans-work-treasury-updates-on-stimulus-package.html

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Justice Department Looking Into Senator’s Stock Sell-Off – NPR
Justice Department Looking Into Senator’s Stock Sell-Off – NPR

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., speaks with reporters at the Capitol in February.

Alex Brandon/AP


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Alex Brandon/AP

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., speaks with reporters at the Capitol in February.

Alex Brandon/AP

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr sold off a large amount of stocks before the coronavirus market crash, and now the Justice Department is looking into his statements around this time period, NPR can report.

Media outlets including CNN, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press have also reported that the FBI has reached out to Burr to assess whether he made stock sales based on nonpublic information.

NPR first broke news of a secret recording in which Burr, R-N.C., privately warned well-connected constituents in February about how bad the coronavirus crisis would become.

ProPublica then reported that the senator dumped up to $1.7 million in stocks, while assuring the public that the U.S. was well positioned to withstand a pandemic.

An insider trading investigation hinges on whether a person made stock transactions based on relevant private information.

As chairman of the Intelligence Committee and a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Burr may have received private information about the coming pandemic.

“Was [that information] something that you and I, if we were shareholders of that company, would have reasonably expected it to be considered significant at the time?” said Doug Davison, a former Securities and Exchange Commission enforcement lawyer, laying out a key question that investigators would have. “The investigation needs to be surgical in the sense that you need to really focus like a laser on what information was provided to the Congress folks. Was it material? Was it nonpublic?”

Burr’s stock transactions — 33 on a single day: Feb. 13 — present a unique challenge for investigators because he is a member of Congress.

First, as chair of the Intelligence Committee, the senator may have been privy to classified information, which complicates an investigation.

Second, as a senator, Burr may be able to cite the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution, which gives lawmakers protections related to their official duties.

“It’s a provision in the Constitution that is designed to give members of Congress freedom to debate, deliberate, to speak without fear of intimidation or threats from the executive branch,” said Katie Goldstein, who formerly headed up the investigations into securities fraud in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. “There could potentially be litigation over … briefing materials that may have been provided to senators or congressmen. If it was provided for the purpose of their committee work or introducing legislation, you could see litigation being raised as a shield [from] having to produce those kinds of materials.”

Third, insider trading investigations typically center on a single company and specific information. The information Burr received may have been about general economic concerns, and his sell-off involved a broad unloading of stocks across numerous economic sectors.

“It’s not prohibitive in terms of making a case, but it certainly is harder when it is generalized information like that,” said Joon Kim, the former acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

But Kim added that these types of challenges are generally not the main focus of investigators.

“The DOJ and SEC don’t go into investigations saying, ‘Oh, this is…going to be challenging, so let’s not do it,’ ” Kim told NPR. “You go in saying, ‘Is there something here that deserves investigation?’ … It seems like they have concluded that it does deserve investigation.”

And Goldstein explained that there are ways investigators could handle issues like classified information or the Speech or Debate Clause: by finding information that showed a subject’s state of mind when that person made stock transactions, such as “an email that someone sends to someone else or a text message or a phone call that…someone has with a third party like their broker or a friend. … With a court order or by finding the right person to interview, the government can get their hands on [that information].”

Burr has previously said he made all of his trading decisions based on public information he learned from watching CNBC.

“The law is clear that any American — including a Senator — may participate in the stock market based on public information, as Senator Burr did,” Burr’s lawyer, Alice Fisher, emphasized in a statement. “Senator Burr welcomes a thorough review of the facts in this matter, which will establish that his actions were appropriate.”

Burr has also asked for the Senate Ethics Committee to investigate his conduct. That secretive committee did not respond to an NPR inquiry.

Both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department declined to comment.

Source Article from https://www.npr.org/2020/03/31/824958381/justice-department-looking-into-senators-stock-selloff

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The coronavirus pandemic could push 11 million people in Asia into poverty, World Bank warns – CNN
The coronavirus pandemic could push 11 million people in Asia into poverty, World Bank warns – CNN

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what’s happening in the world as it unfolds.

Source Article from https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/business/coronavirus-world-bank-asia-intl-hnk/index.html

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Trump warns of ‘painful’ two weeks ahead as White House projects more than 100000 coronavirus deaths – CNN
Trump warns of ‘painful’ two weeks ahead as White House projects more than 100000 coronavirus deaths – CNN

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what’s happening in the world as it unfolds.

Source Article from https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/31/politics/trump-white-house-guidelines-coronavirus/index.html

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CNN’s Chris Cuomo to Brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo: "Are You Thinking About Running For President?" – RealClearPolitics
CNN’s Chris Cuomo to Brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo: "Are You Thinking About Running For President?" – RealClearPolitics

CNN host Chris Cuomo asked his brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) if he is thinking about running for president after all the “adulation” he has gotten for leading New York during the coronavirus. Earlier on Monday, President Trump praised Cuomo and said he would be a better Democratic candidate for president than “Sleepy Joe” Biden.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN HOST: [Trump] is very responsive to poll numbers, and they say you’re popular now because of how you’re doing this. So he weaponizes it and says you know what he should do, he should run for president, this guy, Cuomo. He’d be better than Biden, this guy Cuomo, but I’d beat him, too. Let me ask you something. With all of this adulation that you’re getting for doing your job, are you thinking about running for president? Tell the audience.


GOV. ANDREW CUOMO (D-NY): No. No.


CHRIS CUOMO: No, you won’t answer?


GOV. CUOMO: No. I answered. The answer is no.


CHRIS CUOMO: No, you’re not thinking about it?


GOV. CUOMO: Sometimes it’s one word. I said no.


CHRIS CUOMO: Have you thought about it?


GOV. CUOMO: No.


CHRIS CUOMO: Are you open to thinking about it?


GOV CUOMO: No.


CHRIS CUOMO: Might you think about it at some point?


GOV. CUOMO: No.


CHRIS CUOMO: How can you know what you might think about at some point right now?


GOV. CUOMO: Because I know what I might think about and what I won’t think about. But you’re a great interviewer, by the way.

Source Article from https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/03/30/cnns_chris_cuomo_to_brother_gov_andrew_cuomo_are_you_thinking_about_running_for_president.html

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‘That’s just not true.’ GOP Gov. Hogan contradicts Trump claim that testing problems are fixed – USA TODAY
‘That’s just not true.’ GOP Gov. Hogan contradicts Trump claim that testing problems are fixed – USA TODAY

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, said Tuesday on NPR’s Morning Edition that President Donald Trump was incorrect in saying coronavirus testing problems had been resolved.

“Yeah, that’s just not true. I mean I know that they’ve taken some steps to create new tests, but they’re not actually produced and distributed out to the states.” Hogan said, when host Rachel Martin asked him about Trump’s assertions. “No state has enough testing.” 

In a coronavirus task force briefing Monday, Trump said America’s coronavirus testing was better “than any country in the world.” 

“We have done more tests, by far, than any country in the world, by far. Our testing is also better than any country in the world,” Trump said on Monday.

“We have built an incredible system to the fact we have now done more tests than any other country in the world and now the technology is really booming,” Trump said. 

Source Article from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/31/coronavirus-larry-hogan-says-trumps-claims-testing-not-true/5093609002/

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Coronavirus cases top 784,000 globally: Live updates – CNN
Coronavirus cases top 784,000 globally: Live updates – CNN

Salem Omar woke up with a sore throat on Tuesday morning, so he put on his traditional white Emirati thob and headed straight to the United Arab Emirates’ latest Covid-19 testing facility: a drive-through. 

Instructions blasted through a designated FM radio channel while doctors and nurses whizzed around in scrubs and face-masks, taking nose swabs, printing labels, and stacking up samples to send to a nearby lab.

“In order to ensure my safety and the kids and the family, I decided I would come and do the test as to avoid any risk to other people,” says Omar.

Just 24 hours later, the results would be sent to him via text message.

The UAE is the fifth country in the world to set up drive-through Covid-19 testing, part of an intensive drive to carry out mass screenings for the virus.

The oil-rich state has the second-highest testing density globally. It is screening some 22,900 cases per million people and has conducted over 220,000 tests overall, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).

In just the last week, the UAE more than tripled its purchase of testing kits – from 30,000 to 100,000 – from Seegene, one of its main South Korean suppliers, according to Jeehoon Park, the company’s Middle East Executive Director.

The UAE was the first country in the Middle East to report a confirmed case of Covid-19. As of March 31 the UAE has registered 664 cases and four deaths from the pandemic, according to MOHAP.

Source Article from https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/coronavirus-pandemic-03-31-20/

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Coronavirus latest: 30 March, at a glance – The Guardian
Coronavirus latest: 30 March, at a glance – The Guardian

Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:

Known cases surpass three quarters of a million

According to Johns Hopkins University, at least 777,286 people around the world are known to have been infected since the outbreak began, though the true figure is likely to be higher. The institution says 37,140 people have died and 164,435 have recovered.

France suffers its worst daily death toll

French health authorities report 418 new deaths, taking the total in the country to 3,024. It has become the fourth nation to cross the 3,000 fatalities threshold after China, Italy and Spain.

The daily government tally only accounts for those dying in hospital but authorities say they will very soon be able to compile data on deaths in retirement homes, which is likely to result in a big increase in registered fatalities.

Israeli prime minister tests negative

Benjamin Netanyahu and his key advisers isolated themselves after one of the prime minister’s aides tested positive for the coronavirus. Later, it was confirmed that Netanyahu had tested negative, though his spokesman said he would remain quarantined until further instructions were issued by the Israeli ministry of health.

Italians face lockdown extension despite slowing growth in cases

The lockdown imposed on Italians is being extended at least until Easter, health minister Roberto Speranza says. Italy has been under lockdown for three weeks and the restrictions were due to end on Friday.

Earlier, it was revealed that the number of new cases rose by just 4,050 on Monday; the lowest nominal increase since 17 March.

UK police to get lockdown guidelines

New guidance is being drawn up warning police forces not to overreach their lockdown enforcement powers after some were criticised for deploying controversial tactics in recent days.

Study reveals increased risks from middle age onwards

The first comprehensive study of Covid-19 deaths and hospital admissions in mainland China reveals the increase in risk for patients once they reach middle age. The analysis finds that, while the average death rate for confirmed cases is 1.38%, the rate rises sharply with age – from 0.0016% in the under 10s, to 7.8% for those in their 80s and over.

Tasmania records its second death

Peter Gutwein, the Tasmanian premier, says a man died overnight, bringing the state’s total to two. “This is … two deaths too many, and it serves as a warning to us all that these are going to be tough and difficult times and we must all do our part to keep Tasmania safe,” he said. The new deaths bring Australia’s death toll to 19.

Covid-19 cluster in Bondi

There are signs of community transmission in Waverley and Bondi in New South Wales in Australia, according to the state’s premier Gladys Berejiklian. She says it is too early to say NSW is beating the curve and reduce any restrictions. “Do not leave your home unless you absolutely have to,” she tells residents.

US ‘faces hundreds of thousands of deaths’

As many as 200,000 people in the US may die even if Washington plays its response to the outbreak “almost perfectly”, according Dr Deborah Birx, the response coordinator for the White House coronavirus taskforce.

“If we do things together well, almost perfectly, we could get in the range of 100,000 to 200,000 fatalities,” she told NBC News’ Today. We don’t even want to see that … the best-case scenario would be 100% of Americans doing precisely what is required, but we’re not sure … that all of America is responding in a uniform way to protect one another.”

Rescue flights to repatriate Britons

Tens of thousands of people stranded abroad will be flown back to the UK by airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Titan Airways on chartered planes as part of a partnership between the government and private enterprise announced by the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab.

Source Article from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/31/coronavirus-latest-at-a-glance

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Nearly 100,000 Sign Petition Calling For End To Live Coverage Of Trump’s Coronavirus Briefings – Newsweek
Nearly 100,000 Sign Petition Calling For End To Live Coverage Of Trump’s Coronavirus Briefings – Newsweek

More than 84,000 people have signed a petition calling on news broadcasters to stop providing live coverage of the White House’s briefings on the coronavirus outbreak.

Accusing President Donald Trump of using each briefing as a “live campaign rally,” the petition, which has been published on MoveOn.org, asks CNN, ABC, CBS NBC, NPR and Fox News to consider whether it is necessary to livestream the COVID-19 press conferences in full.

“President Trump is blatantly using the news organizations’ extensive, live coverage to freely campaign for a second term,” the petition claims. “It is wrong and dangerous to provide so much unfettered airtime to someone who is happily, shamelessly spreading terrible, damaging misinformation that is already costing fellow Americans their lives.”

Rather than broadcasting live coverage of the White House’s COVID-19 briefings, the MoveOn petition, started by Julie Rochman, asks broadcasters to monitor the briefings instead “and have your anchors and correspondents quickly share appropriately edited valuable accurate parts.”

The “valuable accurate parts,” the petition states would be the statements coming “from medical experts.”

Cutting out Trump’s own comments, the petition asserts, would “leave the President’s insults, false braggadocio and outright lies on the editing room floor, where they belong.”

“Please stop covering the President’s daily live campaign rally (thinly disguised as a coronavirus ‘news conference’),” the petition implores. “There is no need to do so.”

In the days since the petition was launched, it has quickly garnered support, gaining tens of thousands of signatures since three days ago, when it had just 10.

“Stop giving this tyrant free publicity that is also dangerous to the public,” one of the petition’s signatories wrote.

“All he does is lie and insult the people who actually are doing something constructive. He needs a Time Out,” another said.

Despite criticism of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak, the president has played a key role in the White House’s briefings on COVID-19, often fielding questions on the U.S.’s response to the outbreak, including the country’s rollout of testing and access to personal protective equipment.

In a briefing on Monday, the president took centerstage, responding to a question about why the U.S. was not testing as many people per capita as other countries by asserting that the U.S. was “very much on par” with other nations.

“We have vast farmlands. We have vast areas where they don’t have much of a problem. In some cases, they have no problem whatsoever,” he said. “We have done more tests…I didn’t talk about per capita. We have done more tests, by far, than any country in the world, by far.”

Further, Trump said: “Our testing is also better than any country in the world. And when you look at that, as simple as that looks, that’s something that’s a game changer, and every country wants that. Every country.”

“So rather than asking a question like that,” Trump continued, admonishing the journalist, “you should congratulate the people that have done this testing, because we inherited—this administration inherited a broken system, a system that was obsolete, a system that didn’t work. It was okay for a tiny, small group of people, but once you got beyond that, it didn’t work.”

Since the briefings began, there have been repeated calls for the White House to keep politics out of the briefings, with Scott Dworkin, the co-founder of the Democratic Coalition, being an outspoken critic of Trump’s involvement in the press conferences.

In a string of tweets on Monday, Dworkin called on broadcasters to stop airing Trump’s comments, with the hashtag “#StopAiringTrump”.

“I’m watching Trump’s press conference so you don’t have. Instead of watching, please let all networks know we don’t want a pathologically lying politician’s spin on coronavirus,” he wrote. “We want doctors talking about facts and science. Period. No more Trump propaganda.”

Newsweek has contacted the creator of the MoveOn.org petition, Dworkin, the Trump administration and Trump’s campaign team for comment.

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Source Article from https://www.newsweek.com/nearly-100000-sign-petition-calling-end-live-coverage-trumps-coronavirus-briefings-1495195

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Coronavirus pandemic could kill as many as 200,000 in U.S., White House warns – The Washington Post
Coronavirus pandemic could kill as many as 200,000 in U.S., White House warns – The Washington Post

Karla Adam, Devlin Barrett, Miriam Berger, Abha Bhattarai, Jacob Bogage, Amanda Coletta, Tim Craig, Simon Denyer, Eva Dou, Ruth Eglash, Thomas Heath, Meryl Kornfield, Louisa Loveluck, Katie Mettler, David Montgomery, Loveday Morris, Siobhán O’Grady, Carolyn Y. Johnson, Christopher Rowland, Missy Ryan and Felicia Sonmez contributed to this report. Adam and Loveluck reported from London; Coletta reported from Toronto; Eglash reported from Jerusalem.

Source Article from https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/coronavirus-deaths-warning-america/2020/03/30/522221ce-72a6-11ea-87da-77a8136c1a6d_story.html

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Iconic photos of the USNS Comfort arriving in New York, providing a glimmer of hope – CNBC
Iconic photos of the USNS Comfort arriving in New York, providing a glimmer of hope – CNBC

Two days after President Donald Trump took part in a departure ceremony for the USNS Comfort at Naval Station Norfolk on March 28, the massive hospital ship sailed into New York Harbor to provide much needed medical help to a city overwhelmed with rising numbers of coronavirus cases. 

The USNS Comfort’s sister ship, the USNS Mercy, has already been deployed and moored in Los Angeles where it has been serving patients since Sunday.

As positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise, New York City has already converted the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center into a temporary hospital and is setting up another field hospital in Central Park to help relieve the strain. The USNS Comfort will focus on providing medical services to those not afflicted by the coronavirus as hospitals continue to struggle to treat patients with the virus. 

There are certain photos that stand out to mark pinnacle moments in our history. Images that encompass the emotions, struggles and determination to meet the challenges of our time. The following photos of the USNS Comfort’s arrival into New York City have undoubtedly captured one of these moments, providing a city and country with a sense of hope in the fight against this pandemic. 

Source Article from https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/30/iconic-photos-of-the-usns-comfort-arriving-in-new-york-provides-a-glimmer-of-hope.html

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First child dies from the coronavirus in New York City – Daily Mail
First child dies from the coronavirus in New York City – Daily Mail

First child dies from the coronavirus in New York City as Gov Cuomo begs for help amid a ‘staggering’ number of deaths in the state

  • New York City officials reported the first death of a child from the coronavirus 
  • Officials said minor had underlying condition, but it’s unclear what that was  
  • As of Monday, New York state has 1,218 deaths, with more than 66,000 cases 
  • Surge in cases and deaths prompted Gov Cuomo to issue an urgent appeal for medical volunteers and so far, more than 80,000 have agreed to help
  • The child’s death comes just two days after Illinois reported death of an infant 
  • In that case, health officials didn’t say whether infant had underlying condition 
  • ‘There has never been a case of COVID-19 death in an infant,’ said Illinois Public Health Director, Dr Ngozi Ezike, adding that this could be America’s wake up call
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

By Valerie Edwards For Dailymail.com

Published: 17:32 EDT, 30 March 2020 | Updated: 18:52 EDT, 30 March 2020

New York City has reported its first death of a child from coronavirus as Gov Andrew Cuomo begs for help amid the rising cases in the state. 

The age of the child has not been revealed but, according to NBC, the minor did have an underlying medical condition.  

As of Monday evening, New York state had a total of 1,218 deaths, prompting Cuomo to issue an urgent appeal for medical volunteers. New York City’s death toll rose to 790 on Monday. 

‘Please come help us in New York, now,’ the governor said, adding that confirmed coronavirus cases in the state have surpassed 66,000.  

New York City has reported the death of a child as Gov Andrew Cuomo begs for help as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the state. Bodies are seen being loaded into the back of a refrigerated truck in Brooklyn on Monday 

As of Monday evening, New York state had a total of 1,218 deaths, with the majority being in New York City, prompting Cuomo to issue an urgent appeal for medical volunteers (pictured at an emergency hospital in Central Park on Monday) 

An estimated 80,000 former medical professionals have already stepped up to volunteer. 

Authorities have also warned that the crisis pushing New York’s hospitals to the breaking point is just a preview of what other cities across the US could soon face.

Cuomo said the city needs 1 million additional health care workers.

‘We’ve lost over 1,000 New Yorkers,’ he said. ‘To me, we’re beyond staggering already. We’ve reached staggering.’

At the same time the governor’s appeal went out, Navy hospital ship Mercy, pulled into port with 1,000 beds to help relieve pressure on New York’s hospitals.  

The child’s death comes just two days after Illinois reported that an infant with COVID-19 died on Saturday.  

Cuomo (pictured Monday) said the city needs 1 million additional health care workers

‘There has never been a case of COVID-19 death in an infant,’ said Illinois Public Health Director, Dr Ngozi Ezike.

‘If you haven’t been paying attention, maybe this is your wake-up call,’ Ezike said.

The risk of death and severe illness from COVID-19 is greater for older adults and people with other health problems. 

In most cases, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, which can include fever and cough but also milder cases of pneumonia, sometimes requiring hospitalization.

Children have made up a small fraction of coronavirus cases worldwide. 

At the same time the governor’s appeal went out, Navy hospital ship Mercy (pictured docking on Monday) pulled into port with 1,000 beds to help relieve pressure on New York’s hospitals

A letter published in the New England Journal of Medicine by Chinese researchers earlier this month reported the death of a 10-month-old with COVID-19.

The infant had a bowel blockage and organ failure, and died four weeks after being hospitalized.

Separate research published in the journal Pediatrics traced 2,100 infected children in China and noted one death, a 14-year old. 

The study found less than six per cent of children were seriously ill.

As of Monday afternoon, there were more than 5,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois and 73 deaths. 

Illinois is under a stay-at-home order, with all non-essential business and travel banned. 


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Source Article from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8169293/First-child-dies-coronavirus-New-York-City.html

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Trump spars with Jim Acosta at coronavirus briefing: ‘This is why people don’t want to listen to CNN anymore’ – Fox News
Trump spars with Jim Acosta at coronavirus briefing: ‘This is why people don’t want to listen to CNN anymore’ – Fox News
Video

President Trump extends social distancing period, warns of challenging month ahead

Trump keeps current measures in place through April in attempt to slow spread of coronavirus; chief White House correspondent John Roberts reports.

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

President Trump had a fiery exchange with CNN’s chief White House correspondent Jim Acosta during the daily coronavirus briefing on Monday.

Acosta made a big splash in the Rose Garden when he attempted to grill the president for his rhetoric on the virus outbreak in the weeks leading up to the national crisis.

“What do you say to Americans who are upset with you over the way you downplayed this crisis?” Acosta asked. He referenced earlier quotes from the president, including when Trump said roughly a month ago, “It’s going to disappear. One day, it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.”

Acosta added, “What do you say to Americans who believe that you got this wrong?”

NBC’S CHUCK TODD UNDER FIRE FOR ASKING BIDEN IF TRUMP ‘HAS BLOOD ON HIS HANDS’ FOR DELAYED CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE

The president fired back.

“Well, it will go away and I do want them to stay calm, and we are doing a great job,” Trump responded. “If you look at those individual statements, they’re all true. Stay calm, it will go away — you know that it is going away, and… we’re going to have a great victory. And, it’s people like you and CNN that say things like that — it’s why people just don’t want to listen to CNN anymore. You could ask a normal question.”

The president then defended his rhetoric, “The statements I’ve made are — I want to keep the country calm. I don’t want panic in the country. I can cause panic much better than even you. I would make you look like a minor-league player, but you know what? I don’t want to do that. I want to have our country be calm and strong and fight and win, and it will go away.”

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Trump went on to praise his administration, the task force and private companies who have contributed to the ongoing battle with the virus, saying: “it’s almost a miracle — and it is,” how everything came together.

“And, instead of asking a nasty, snarky question like that, you should ask a real question,” Trump scolded the reporter before moving on to other questions.

Source Article from https://www.foxnews.com/media/trump-cnn-jim-acosta-snarky-coronavirus-briefing

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Illinois governor says feds sent wrong type of protective medical masks – CNN
Illinois governor says feds sent wrong type of protective medical masks – CNN

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what’s happening in the world as it unfolds.

Source Article from https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/30/politics/illinois-governor-wrong-masks-ppe/index.html

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More than 3,000 coronavirus deaths in US as large cities battle hospital bed shortages – USA TODAY
More than 3,000 coronavirus deaths in US as large cities battle hospital bed shortages – USA TODAY

The U.S. hit another grim milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic Monday, recording its 3,000 death as the nation’s most populated cities put out cries for aid and extra hospital beds.

The latest numbers — 3,170 deaths and more than 164,000 confirmed infections in the U.S. as of early Tuesday — come as cities across the nation struggle find adequate health care for patients.

In New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles, mayors and governors are working on alternative hospital arrangements. In Illinois, there are plans to convert Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center — the largest conference center in North America — into a care facility that will be able to accommodate up to 3,000 coronavirus patients.

In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has pleaded with nurses and doctors across the country to travel to his state to help with the outbreak, so long as the situation in their state isn’t dire.

“In this battle, the troops are our healthcare professionals,” Cuomo said. “We need relief. We need relief for nurses working 12-hour shifts. We need relief for doctors. Help us now and we will return the favor.”

New York has more confirmed cases than any other state, with more than 67,000 cases; 1,342 have died, accounting for nearly one-third of all U.S. deaths. On Monday, the USNS Comfort, a Navy hospital ship featuring 1,000 beds and 12 operating rooms, arrived in New York harbor. It could be ready to take in patients as soon as Tuesday.

Source Article from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/03/30/coronavirus-deaths-u-s-hit-3-000-amid-acute-hospital-bed-shortages/5092374002/

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Crowds Gather to See Navy Hospital Ship Dock in NYC Amid COVID-19 Pandemic – Newsweek
Crowds Gather to See Navy Hospital Ship Dock in NYC Amid COVID-19 Pandemic – Newsweek

Large crowds of people gathered despite social distancing guidelines to greet the USNS Comfort Navy ship as it arrived in New York City on Monday morning to help hospitals that are overwhelmed with coronavirus patients.

At around 10 a.m. ET, the USNS Comfort floating hospital docked in New York. The ship, which has 1,000 beds and 12 operation rooms, is expected to be open to patients within 24 hours of arrival. It will not be treating those who have tested positive for COVID-19 but will help alleviate pressure from the city’s hospitals that are seeing a rapid increase in cases of the novel virus.

Citizens in New York began posting images showing crowds ignoring the city’s social distancing measures to watch the USNS Comfort’s arrival. “No social distancing as crowd clusters for a shot of #USNSComfort #nbc4ny,” NBC News New York reporter Andrew Siff tweeted.

“This is incredibly counterproductive. People gathered to watch the US Navy hospital ship dock in New York City. Stay home. Practice social distancing,” CNN Business editor Alexis Benveniste tweeted.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on Sunday said that residents could be fined up to $500 if they are caught breaking social distancing measures. The state has banned gatherings of any size, as well as mandated that people remain at least six feet away from each other to fight the spread of the novel virus.

Police officers have been authorized to break up gatherings, with fines being the last resort if people refuse to disperse. A NYPD spokesperson told Newsweek on Monday afternoon that the department “had a presence at the Pier throughout the day and will continue to disperse any groups that congregate.”

Newsweek reached out to de Blasio’s office for comment.

Global coronavirus cases exceeded 780,000 cases on Monday afternoon, with more than 37,000 deaths and 164,000 recoveries worldwide.

The New York state death toll on Sunday evening exceeded 960, according to figures released by the city and state.

In a news briefing on Monday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed that the death toll had risen to 1,218. Monday also saw nearly 7,000 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York, increasing the total figure to almost 66,500. Of those cases, 36,221 are in New York City, according to city officials.

“If you wait to prepare for a storm to hit, it is too late,” he said. “You have to prepare before the storm hits. And in this case the storm is when you hit that high point, when you hit that apex. How do you know when you’re going to get there? You don’t.”

Cuomo has extended the state’s order for all nonessential workers to remain at home to mid-April.

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Source Article from https://www.newsweek.com/large-crowds-ignore-social-distancing-guidelines-watch-navy-hospital-ship-dock-nyc-amid-1495154

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Trump lashes out at critics as Fauci warns New Orleans and Detroit will ‘take off’ – The Guardian
Trump lashes out at critics as Fauci warns New Orleans and Detroit will ‘take off’ – The Guardian

Donald Trump called Nancy Pelosi a “sick puppy” on Monday, after the House speaker said the president’s mishandling of the coronavirus crisis would contribute to deaths in the US that might have been avoided.

“She’s a sick puppy … that’s a terrible thing to say,” Trump said in a rambling hour-long call-in interview to the cable show Fox & Friends. “My poll numbers are the highest they’ve ever been because of her.”

While the president was attacking his adversaries, the top infectious-disease expert in the US warned that smaller cities were about to witness a rapid acceleration in coronavirus cases.

New Orleans and Detroit are showing signs that “they’re going to take off” and other, smaller cities are “percolating”, Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told ABC News.

According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, by Monday nearly 143,000 Covid-19 cases had been confirmed in the US, with more than 2,500 deaths. New York is by far the state worst hit, with nearly 60,000 cases and about 1,000 deaths.

As the emergency has accelerated, Trump has stepped up his war of words with Democrats and the media, in what critics see as an attempt to distract from the administration’s failings in confronting the virus.

Widespread testing remains unavailable in most of the US, healthcare workers and local leaders raise a daily alarm about dire shortages of medical equipment, and state leaders have imposed a patchwork of restrictions – or declined to impose restrictions – in what emergency response experts have described as a vacuum of federal leadership.

In news conferences, Trump has swung between false assurance – that business as normal would resume by Easter – and crediting himself with avoiding what early models showed could be a worst-case scenario of millions of deaths.

In his interview on Monday, Trump told the Fox News hosts he had saved the country from “deaths like you have never seen before”.


 ‘As the president fiddles, people are dying’: Nancy Pelosi slams Trump’s coronavirus delays – video

Pelosi told CNN on Sunday that “the president’s denial at the beginning was deadly” and said “his delay in getting equipment to where it’s needed is deadly … As the president fiddles, people are dying.”

Trump also repeated a baseless claim he made on Sunday, accusing states including New York, which has had to erect emergency medical facilities in Central Park and move in refrigerator trucks to temporarily store bodies, of squandering medical equipment.

Trump’s charges drew fire from New York’s mayor.

“I find that insulting to our healthcare workers,” Bill de Blasio told CNN. “I find it insensitive.

“What the president should be doing is praising our healthcare workers, not suggesting somehow they’re doing something wrong with the supplies that have been sent. That’s just insensitive and it’s unhelpful.”

The long-running feud between Trump and New York state leaders simmered as dramatic pictures emerged of the US navy hospital ship USNS Comfort arriving in New York harbor. The ship, which can accommodate about 1,000 patients, will not treat coronavirus victims but will take other patients to relieve hospitals on land.

“Welcome to New York, USNS Comfort,” Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted. “We knew from the outset that expanded hospital capacity was critical. We asked and the federal government answered.”


The New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, in Manhattan as the USNS Comfort arrives in New York. Photograph: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

Other states continued to ramp up their responses. The governor of Maryland issued a stay-at-home order effective from Monday evening, becoming the 23rd state to do so. Michigan extended unemployment programs to workers who do not qualify for state benefits, including independent contractors, the self-employed and seasonal workers.

Vermont issued an order requiring any person coming from outside the state “for anything other than an essential purpose” to home-quarantine for 14 days. Arizona announced that schools would remain closed through the end of the spring term. And the Republican governor of Florida, who has resisted issuing a statewide stay-at-home order, urged residents in four southern counties to stay home through “mid-May”.

In California, the San Francisco Bay Area’s shelter-in-place rules were extended on Monday through the end of April. The state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, announced at a press conference that the number of patients hospitalized had doubled and the number of patients admitted to ICUs had tripled over the past four days.

The governor called on healthcare professionals who have recently retired and those who are nearing completion of nursing and medical degrees to meet the “human capital surge” and join the frontline fight against the virus as part of a new initiative. The professionals Newsom wants to enlist in the new California Health Corps include medical doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, behavioral health scientists, pharmacists, EMTs, medical and administrative assistants, as well as certified nursing assistants.

Fauci said at the weekend the US could see more than a million cases and suffer 100,000 to 200,000 deaths. “I don’t want to see it, I’d like to avoid it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw 100,000 deaths,” he said on Monday.

As recently as late February, Trump claimed publicly that the virus would simply “disappear”. But on Fox & Friends he credited his administration with avoiding a death toll in the millions.

“That’s a lot,” he said.

Political leaders from both parties have indicated that Washington could follow its $2tn coronavirus relief package with more stimulus bills, but Trump on Monday criticized Democrats’ demands for protections of the 2020 election in November.

As part of the initial relief package, Democrats sought a provision, later discarded, that would allow all voters to cast ballots by mail.

“The things they had in there were crazy,” Trump told Fox & Friends. “They had levels of voting, that if you ever agreed to it you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.”

Mario Koran contributed reporting

Source Article from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/30/trump-pelosi-coronavirus-response

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