Trump VS COVID-19 Threat

[Patooka]

Here is something that Trump is doing that is seriously troubling. Despite calling this thing a hoax Trump is trying to bring a German firm, CureVac to the states specifically to create a vaccine

German government sources told Reuters on Sunday that the U.S. administration was looking into how it could gain access to a potential vaccine being developed by a German firm, CureVac.

Earlier, the Welt am Sonntag German newspaper reported that U.S. President Donald Trump had offered funds to lure CureVac to the United States, and the German government was making counter-offers to tempt it to stay.

Remember at the start of my post where I said this is troubling? I wasn't referring to this bit which is yet another example of Trump's hypocrisy. The orange cunt can't go more than five minutes without contradicting himself. This is the what the fuck part of the story:

Welt am Sonntag also quoted an unidentified German government source as saying Trump was trying to secure the scientists’ work exclusively, and would do anything to get a vaccine for the United States, “but only for the United States.”

How much of a fucking sociopath do you have to be to look at a pandemic and still scheme in such a manner that screams, "Fuck you, I've got mine"?

 

[Rhea]

I saw that. It is definitely only a sociopath who would even think that.
He is willing see the deaths of thousands. Deaths. Of thousands.
Unbelievable.

 

[blastula]

Mismanagement, missed opportunities: How the White House bungled the coronavirus response

The Trump White House continued to balk at health professionals who wanted to issue stark advice, officials told NBC News. One example: The CDC wanted to recommend that anyone over 60 remain inside their homes whenever possible, but was told not to say that by Trump administration officials, three people familiar with the matter told NBC News.

They did muzzle the experts, but I blame some of the experts too, the ones that would stand next to Trump as he's lying about it in public and say nothing to correct him.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

But when the stock market tanks, it is certainly a big blow to the country and the economy. This is why it is great when the stock market is doing great.

I think this is more the other way around--when the economy is harmed the stock market tanks. It's a symptom, not a cause.

 

[ZiprHead]

Prescient.

 

[TV and credit cards]

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Implores New Yorkers to Stop Crowding Bars and Restaurants - Eater NY - As photos of packed bars and restaurants circulate, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says anything less than six feet away is “too close”

Ted Cruz Says AOC Giving 'Good Advice' About Coronavirus Precautions

Republican Senator Ted Cruz praised a precautionary message to New Yorkers about coronavirus (COVID-19) from Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying it was "good advice" for "everywhere."

Cruz, a staunchly conservative lawmaker from Texas, and Ocasio-Cortez, a self-identified democratic socialist from New York, may be from polar opposites of the American political spectrum, but they are on the same page when it comes to steps people should take in response to the threat of coronavirus. In a Saturday tweet, the New York congresswoman shared advice with her constituents, which Cruz retweeted several hours laters, suggesting people around the country should take note.

Ohio's bars are closed as of 2100 tonight.

 

[lpetrich]

Dave Chang on Twitter: "Hey
@NYGovCuomo @NYCMayor @AOC @SenSchumer @SenGillibrand et al.
Restaurants are too small to fail.
Please act quickly.
Thank you" / Twitter
then
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "Chef Chang is absolutely right.
Fed gov needs to take decisive action NOW to protect restaurant workers, small businesses, & other vulnerable workers.
We need tackle solutions to stabilize liquidity re: rent & wages.
On wages we shld move on UBI & real paid leave. /1 https://t.co/c2LbmgHNdQ" / Twitter
then
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "On rent we need to impose eviction moratoriums immediately as an emergency measure, but that’s not enough. We need to determine medium-term relief solution to offset a pending ripple of missed rent/mortgage payments. /2" / Twitter

Andrew Yang Fan Page on Twitter: "@AOC Thankfully, we have leaders like AOC to lead us during this pandemic. She is absolutely correct. We need a #UBIStimulus RIGHT NOW. She has been calling for this since releasing her Green New Deal, which included a desire to explore UBI options. https://t.co/grIXXKwbSy" / Twitter - AOC talked about the Democratic Party "coming home" to the New Deal and FDR's "Second Bill of Rights" late in it.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

The Federal Government needs to step up. Pay people's average wages and fill the gaps for businesses. This shouldn't be too hard. The Government is taking money out via FICA, so they know the income. Just reverse the flow during the period of a shutdown. It'll cost a fortune ($300 billion or so a week), but it keeps the ship floating. If this shutdown lasts more than a few weeks, many companies won't be able to survive, and it could become catastrophic very quickly.

 

[lpetrich]

From last summer: Rashida Tlaib basic income: her new bill for guaranteed cash payments, explained - Vox

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) is still in her first six months in office, but she has already unveiled one of the most fascinating bills of the 116th Congress: a $3,000-per-adult basic income.

Known as the LIFT+ Act, Tlaib’s proposal is almost identical to the LIFT Act introduced last year by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA). Harris proposed creating a new credit (worth $3,000 for singles and $6,000 for married couples) for the working poor to supplement the earned income tax credit.

Harris’s credit phases out starting at $30,000 for singles without kids and at $60,000 for married couples and singles with kids. For low earners, it phases in dollar for dollar: If you earn $0, you get $0 in benefit. If you make $1,000 a year, you get an additional $1,000 from the LIFT Act. If you make $2,000, you get another $2,000, and so on, until you hit the $3,000/$6,000 maximum for singles and marrieds, respectively.

Tlaib’s plan is the same as the Harris plan with one extremely important exception: no phase-in. Under Harris’s plan, if you earn $0, you get $0. Under Tlaib’s plan, if you earn $0, you get $3,000 per person. No exceptions.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Twitter: "40% of Americans can’t afford a $400 emergency, & that’s before COVID.
The faster we addresses wage & rent concerns for people & small businesses, the faster we can get everyone to self-isolate.
People are going to work &small biz are staying open bc they’ll go under otherwise. https://t.co/tELvZ0uiko" / Twitter

 

[lpetrich]

Romit Bhattacharya on Twitter: "South Korea was doing a heroic job controlling #COVID for the first 30 patients. Then #Patient31 did not adhere to #socialdistancing. Caused 2 clusters responsble for 80% of South Koreas infections. Don't be #Patient31. #CancelEverything #medtwitter https://t.co/Ba6QmG7WuP" / Twitter

Romit Bhattacharya on Twitter: "Contacts tracked incredibly for the first 30 patients. Up to 450 contacts for Patient 18. https://t.co/CKOPdcIISR" / Twitter

Romit Bhattacharya on Twitter: "Attending Church Services and a Hotel Buffet, she exposed thousands of people in a matter of days." / Twitter

Romit Bhattacharya on Twitter: "#DontBePatient31" / Twitter

2019 coronavirus: The Korean clusters

Ed Markey on Twitter: "I am calling on the president to invoke the Defense Production Act and dramatically scale up production of testing kits and protective gear to keep our nation safe during this pandemic. https://t.co/5tasfnhrTc" / Twitter - that's Senator Ed Markey, D-MA

Jake Tapper on Twitter: "Please note new ⁦@CDCgov⁩ guidelines: for the next 8 weeks, events in the US with 50 or more people should be canceled or postponed https://t.co/ELdLDYrWxd" / Twitter
noting
Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready | CDC
Like:

• The overall number of attendees. Larger gatherings (for example, more than 250 people) offer more opportunities for person-to-person contact and therefore pose greater risk of COVID-19 transmission.
• The number of people attending who are at greater risk of more serious illness after contracting COVID-19. Older adults and persons with severe pre-existing health conditions are thought to be at increased risk.
• The density of attendees within a confined area. Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within 6 feet).
• The potential economic impact to participants, attendees, staff, and the larger community.
• The level of transmission in your local community and the level of transmission in the areas from which your attendees will travel. To better understand the level of community transmission in your community (and in the communities from which your attendees will be traveling), consult with your local and/or state public health department.
• If there are ways in which to significantly reduce the number of attendees. For example, for sporting events or school concerts, organizers could consider holding the event but significantly reduce the number of audience members.

Lots of other such stuff in that article, like recommending only very small events or no events for very old or sick people.

 

[lpetrich]

Poll: Democrats are more worried about the coronavirus than Republicans - Vox

The poll found 68 percent of Democrats are worried that someone in their family could catch the virus, while just 40 percent of Republicans and 45 percent of independents share that concern.

...
Nearly 80 percent of Democrats believe the worst is yet to come, but just 40 percent of Republicans and 57 percent of independents believe that. Overall, 53 percent of all voters are concerned that someone in their immediate family might contract the coronavirus, and 60 percent believe the worst is yet to come.

...
In response to every question about whether a respondent would change plans that would expose them to others, like travel, eating out at restaurants, and attending large gatherings, Democratic voters consistently responded affirmatively at much higher rates than Republicans. For example, 61 percent of Democrats said they’ve stopped or plan to stop attending large public gatherings, but only 30 percent of Republicans said the same.

...
The more likely explanation is that, as with so many other issues, people with different political ideologies consume different kinds of information and take cues on how to think about events from different political figures and institutions. Given that President Donald Trump and media institutions that cater to conservative audiences, like Fox News, have been downplaying the issue from day one, it’s not surprising that Republican voters are not nearly as alarmed as Democrats.

President Trump "has continually downplayed the risks it poses and dragged his feet on policy responses that would help contain and mitigate the spread of the virus." Also, "Conservative news outlets like Fox News have also promoted skepticism of the seriousness of the coronavirus as a serious health hazard as part of an effort to shield the Trump administration from criticism."

 

[ZiprHead]

Federal Reserve cuts rates to zero to support the economy during the coronavirus pandemic

 

[lpetrich]

Coronavirus: Bars, restaurants ordered closed in at least 4 states - "California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts close bars and restaurants in effort to slow coronavirus" and "In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all bars, wineries, brew pubs and nightclubs to close, and asked that those over 65 self-isolate."

New York City to close schools; bars, restaurants around U.S. ordered closed over coronavirus

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday evening that Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk and New York City schools will close this week. Cuomo also said in a statement that New York City must put a plan in place to make sure that children who rely on school meals will still get fed and that parents, especially health care workers and first responders, will be provided child care.

In a news conference Sunday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said schools will close Monday and remain closed at least until April 20. The mayor said there is a chance schools could remain closed for the rest of the school year.

NYC parents hail schools closure — but rip de Blasio

California calls for all seniors to stay home, closure of bars and wineries - "Along similar lines, Newsom said his office would on Monday release guidelines about evictions. Policymakers across California are calling for a moratorium on evictions as residents face down the prospect of missed paychecks."

Coronavirus: Newsom calls for CA bar closures, home isolation | The Sacramento Bee

He also asked for closure of bars, wineries, night clubs and brew pubs, and called for restaurants to reduce their occupancy by half. He called that “deep social distancing” and a “pragmatic response to the moment.”

The dramatic announcement, designed to keep people away from each other, stopped short of closing restaurants. Instead, the governor said they can also operate at reduced capacity and with curbside food service and at-home food deliveries.

 

[lpetrich]

Illinois, Ohio closing all bars, restaurants in response to coronavirus | TheHill

"We will be issuing an order closing all bars and restaurants in #Ohio beginning at 9:00 tonight," Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tweeted while noting that establishments would be allowed to continue carryout and delivery services.

"What we can't have is people congregating and seated," he said.

Shortly afterward, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his state also would order restaurants and bars to close to dine-in customers by the end of Monday. The closures would last from March 16 through March 30, he said.

"We are working with restaurant owners and food delivery services across the state to see if restaurants can safely keep their kitchens open, so the restaurants can continue food delivery to people at their homes," Pritzker said at a news conference, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Former Director of White House Pandemic Office Says Disbanding Unit Left U.S. 'Less Prepared' for COVID-19 in Op-Ed
noting
President Trump closed the White House pandemic office. I ran it. - The Washington Post - "In a health security crisis, speed is essential. When this new coronavirus emerged, there was no clear White House-led structure to oversee our response, and we lost valuable time."

How about a hiatus for Sean Hannity? - The Washington Post
He says things like “I’m sure, in the end, the mob in the media, well, they will be advancing their new conspiracy theory and their newest hoax.” Also “Now, let’s put this in perspective. In 2017, 61,000 people in this country died from influenza, the flu. Common flu. Around 100 people die every single day from car wrecks.” and “Sadly, these viruses pop up time to time. Pandemics happen, time to time.”

Trish Regan: “We’ve reached a tipping point. The chorus of hate being leveled at the president is nearing a crescendo as Democrats blame him and only him for a virus that originated halfway around the world. This is yet another attempt to impeach the president.”

Fox News, that is to say, has some viewpoint diversity on the coronavirus: On its news shows, it produces wide-ranging coverage of the latest developments; on one prominent opinion show, it instructs viewers to brace themselves; on yet other opinion shows, it has cast concerns about the coronavirus as a political plot in accordance with the rhetoric of Trump himself. News organizations commonly seek a diversity of opinions, the better to serve a broad audience and otherwise advance discussion of contemporary issues. It’s just not too helpful when “opinions” pooh-pooh a pandemic.

Will the news side and the opinion side have a civil war?

 

[lpetrich]

Trump is increasingly irrelevant - The Washington Post

Trump is incapable of mastering any level of detail or accurately conveying it to the public. He either cannot remember, or never understood, what he is supposed to roll out and instead often chooses to make himself look better. His penchant for ad-libbing (as he did with disastrous result during his Oval Office speech Thursday night) causes more chaos and confusion.

Trump has neither the mental capacity nor the emotional tools to lead in a crisis. Increasingly, the best course of action seems to be to let him blather, but then hand off matters to the real adults who can correct his misstatements or take action in the real national interest.

He is in his second childhood.

 

[TV and credit cards]

I think any additional cash handouts should be targeted to those who lose their jobs or lose days/hours from work during the pandemic. Giving cash to hundreds of millions of employed people who live paycheck to paycheck (and this happens all up and down the pay scale) just incentivizes them to go out and spend. Notice I used the word "out" there.
Additional money should be in the form of a temporary and substantial immediate increase in unemployment benefits and any requirement to look for work should be held in abeyance. Lost earnings due to low customer traffic and the like can be verified after the fact and accounted for when filing taxes. Lost earnings during to the pandemic would have to be reflected in their pay history or the money could be recouped from any tax return or treated like any other debt to the government.

Some of my good recommendations:

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will expand the state’s unemployment insurance system to immediately cover workers who are displaced, even temporarily, by the coronavirus crisis, he announced Sunday.

The state will waive the typical waiting period required to qualify, and also will waive a requirement that people who get jobless benefits seek work. The changes will be made through an executive order from DeWine coming tomorrow.

The emergency measure also will apply to workers who aren’t offered paid leave through work, or who are under quarantine by their job or a health-care professional.

I've been impressed that DeWine hasn't been a worse governor.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

Yeah, Dewine is somehow becoming a statesman.

 

[ZiprHead]

Right now the Stock Market is crashing harder than Donald Trump after Mike Pence forgets to pick up his Adderall "perscription".

..

 

[lpetrich]

NBC New York on Twitter: "BREAKING: NYC restaurants can only serve takeout and delivery options starting Tuesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio orders. Bars that do not serve food must close." / Twitter

Rebecca Katz on Twitter: "Please Share:
In NYC, school meals are available in every school from 7:30am-1pm.
And it’s any school, so if you live closer to another school, go there." / Twitter

Jessica Ramos on Twitter: "CORONAVIRUS UPDATE:
NYC public schools will be closed 3/16-4/20
Grab & go breakfast & lunch will be available at ALL schools.
Senior centers will be closed & converted into feeding centers for seniors to pick up meals.
Please travel with caution & let's end COVID-19! https://t.co/o7pxto0YpJ" / Twitter
She's a NY State Senator.

Kevin McCarthy on Twitter: "Everything you need to know about the Chinese coronavirus can be found on one, regularly-updated website: https://t.co/nGCCDVqcqe" / Twitter
He's R-CA-23 and House Minority leader.
then
Adam Schiff on Twitter: "No, Mr. McCarthy, nationality has no bearing on your likelihood of contracting or spreading the coronavirus.
Misinformation like that leads to discrimination against Asian-Americans.
That kind of destructive xenophobia has no place in our society, or our public health response. https://t.co/7gKARtpKR8" / Twitter
He's D-CA-28 and head of the Intelligence Committee.

Adam Schiff on Twitter: "In any public health crisis, time is precious.
We lost valuable weeks while the Administration was downplaying the seriousness of this now-pandemic, instead of surging our capacity to test, treat, and slow the spread of Coronavirus.
Incompetence kills. https://t.co/CrmQsESdcN" / Twitter

Adam Schiff on Twitter: "Hundreds of constituents have contacted our office with questions about Coronavirus, so I sat down with Dr. @RebeccaKatz5, a public health and infectious disease expert, to get answers.
Our first defense is good information.
Watch our conversation: https://t.co/WvGAWCmSUF" / Twitter
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Get the latest information from the CDC about COVID-19. CDC

Donald J. Trump on Twitter: "So now it is reported that, after destroying his life & the life of his wonderful family (and many others also), the FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has “lost” the records of General Michael Flynn. How convenient. I am strongly considering a Full Pardon!" / Twitter
noting
Adam Schiff on Twitter: "Mr. President, keep your focus on the current crisis. The delay in testing and your failure to lead are already costing us dearly.
Your attacks on the independence of the justice system and rewarding of cronies who lied for you can wait.
Incompetence kills. https://t.co/uebbLzWBtE" / Twitter

Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve” - Washington Post
then
Barack Obama on Twitter: "Watch this. It shows why we should all do the right thing and stay home to the fullest extent possible. All of us can help slow the spread of the virus, protecting the elderly, the vulnerable, and each other. https://t.co/FgffQrMVB7" / Twitter
then
Adam Schiff on Twitter: "I’m working (and tweeting) from home today. And will be for some time.
Not just because someone I know came down with the virus. But because it’s good for everyone.
Slowing the rate of infection means hospitals won’t be overwhelmed, which saves lives.
Help flatten the curve. https://t.co/DYGThKBgPm" / Twitter

 

[ZiprHead]

US HEALTH AGENCY LEADING CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE HIT BY CYBERATTACK

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is leading the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, was hit by a cyberattack on its computer system Sunday evening, according to a report from Bloomberg:

“The attack appears to have been intended to slow the agency’s systems down, but didn’t do so in any meaningful way, said the people, who asked for anonymity to discuss an incident that was not public

“The National Security Council tweeted just before midnight: ‘Text message rumors of a national #quarantine are FAKE. There is no national lockdown. @CDCgov has and will continue to post the latest guidance on #COVID19.'”