Donald Trump has activated emergency powers under the Defense Protection Act to force General Motors to start producing ventilators to help fight the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision comes after weeks during which the president has resisted a growing clamour from governors to invoke the DPA. He has previously insisted there was no need to do so because so many companies were voluntarily turning their output towards the battle against Covid-19.
He also signed the $2.2trn stimulus bill which had earlier passed the House without issues, despite libertarian-minded Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie threatening to stall it in protest at the lack of scrutiny it had received.
Criticism of Mr Massie had made unlikely allies – albeit temporary ones – of Mr Trump and former Democratic secretary of state and 2004 presidential nominee John Kerry.
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Hello and welcome to The Independent's rolling coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in the US and the Donald Trump administration's response to it.
Trump questions needs for ventilators and eyes return to work
Donald Trump has raised fresh alarm by dismissing demands from state governors like New York's Andrew Cuomo for more ventilators in hospitals to fight the coronavirus, telling Fox News host Sean Hannity the equipment is unnecessary and that states “shouldn’t be relying on the federal government”.
"I don't believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You know, you go into major hospitals sometimes and they'll have two ventilators. Now all of a sudden they're saying, 'Can we order 30,000 ventilators?'", the president said during last night's phone interview with his favourite network.
The president also addressed the question of when US citizens could return to work - in vaguer terms than he deployed on Tuesday when he suggested 12 April would be a "beautiful" time for such a measure in the interests of "packing" churches in time for Easter.
"I think we can start by opening up certain parts of the country: you know, the farm belt, certain parts of the Midwest, other places," Trump told Hannity. "I think we can open up sections, quadrants, and then just keep them going until the whole country is opened up."
"Every day that we stay out it gets harder to bring it back very quickly," he said earlier on Thursday during another contentious press conference.
This tweet feels pretty indicative of his thinking:
Trump also said in that session that federal officials are developing guidelines to rate counties by risk of virus spread, as he aims to begin to ease nationwide guidelines meant to stem the coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter to the nation's governors, the president said the new guidelines are meant to enable state and local leaders to make "decisions about maintaining, increasing, or relaxing social distancing and other measures they have put in place." States and municipalities would still retain authority to set whatever restrictions deem necessary.
Donald Trump has raised fresh alarm by dismissing demands from state governors like New York's Andrew Cuomo for more ventilators in hospitals to fight the coronavirus, telling Fox News host Sean Hannity the equipment is unnecessary and that states “shouldn’t be relying on the federal government”.
"I don't believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators. You know, you go into major hospitals sometimes and they'll have two ventilators. Now all of a sudden they're saying, 'Can we order 30,000 ventilators?'", the president said during last night's phone interview with his favourite network.
The president also addressed the question of when US citizens could return to work - in vaguer terms than he deployed on Tuesday when he suggested 12 April would be a "beautiful" time for such a measure in the interests of "packing" churches in time for Easter.
"I think we can start by opening up certain parts of the country: you know, the farm belt, certain parts of the Midwest, other places," Trump told Hannity. "I think we can open up sections, quadrants, and then just keep them going until the whole country is opened up."
"Every day that we stay out it gets harder to bring it back very quickly," he said earlier on Thursday during another contentious press conference.
This tweet feels pretty indicative of his thinking:
Trump also said in that session that federal officials are developing guidelines to rate counties by risk of virus spread, as he aims to begin to ease nationwide guidelines meant to stem the coronavirus outbreak.
In a letter to the nation's governors, the president said the new guidelines are meant to enable state and local leaders to make "decisions about maintaining, increasing, or relaxing social distancing and other measures they have put in place." States and municipalities would still retain authority to set whatever restrictions deem necessary.
The White House is still developing the new guidelines and gathering the data to back them up, Dr Deborah Birx, co-ordinator for coronavirus response, told reporters on Thurday.
"What we are trying to do is utilise a very laser-focused approach rather than an generic horizontal approach," she said.
Birx acknowledged concerns that people could simply move between areas with different infection risks - and potentially different restrictions on movement and gathering amid the outbreak.
"Part of this will be the need to have highly responsible behavior between counties," she said, saying the administration would provide additional guidance to states next week, once the new plan is finalised.
Administration officials indicated it would not involve any restrictions on travel between hotspots and those with lower rates of infection.
Other lines from Trump yesterday:
- He's refusing to countenance cancelling the Republican National Convention in August ("No way!")
- He declared a state of emergency in Maryland
Other lines from Trump yesterday:
- He's refusing to countenance cancelling the Republican National Convention in August ("No way!")
- He declared a state of emergency in Maryland
- He's going to visit Norfolk, Virginia, on Saturday to see off the USNS Comfort, the 1,000-bed hospital ship heading to assist New York
Here's John T Bennett with the latest.
Here's John T Bennett with the latest.
Trump complains about 'little wiseguy' governor and attacks AOC
The president's war with state governors looks set to continue, despite a relatively cordial exchange with them via conference call yesterday, in which Trump again stressed the need to reopen businesses and to recognise regional differences in the virus' impact.
The president's war with state governors looks set to continue, despite a relatively cordial exchange with them via conference call yesterday, in which Trump again stressed the need to reopen businesses and to recognise regional differences in the virus' impact.
"We all have to get smart," Trump said on the call. "We have to open up our country, I'm sorry."
Mississippi Republican governor Tate Reeves, who has not ordered business closures or limits on social behaviour, thanked the president for recognising that the virus has affected states differently and "one size does not fit all."
"I appreciate you realising that," the toadying Reeves told him.
Trump did subsequently grumble about one of those he spoke with being a wiseguy though:
He also moaned about a "young woman governor" who had annoyed him, drawing this reponse:
Perhaps it was his blind optimism on the international emergency that most aggravated his anxious audience watching on from home:
Another of Trump's enemies he found to time to harangue yesterday was progressive Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whom he rebuked as a "little grandstander".
JTB has more on this too.
Mississippi Republican governor Tate Reeves, who has not ordered business closures or limits on social behaviour, thanked the president for recognising that the virus has affected states differently and "one size does not fit all."
"I appreciate you realising that," the toadying Reeves told him.
Trump did subsequently grumble about one of those he spoke with being a wiseguy though:
He also moaned about a "young woman governor" who had annoyed him, drawing this reponse:
Perhaps it was his blind optimism on the international emergency that most aggravated his anxious audience watching on from home:
Another of Trump's enemies he found to time to harangue yesterday was progressive Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whom he rebuked as a "little grandstander".
JTB has more on this too.
China offers help as US becomes world epicentre
With the US now the global epicentre of the virus having contracted 85,000 cases and seen over 1,200 deaths, the president has spoken to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, who has offered to help America battle the outbreak to stop its further spread.
Incredibly - and yet not altogether surprisingly - Trump delayed that call with Xi by 90 minutes to make time for his phone interview with Hannity.
Hospitals in cities like New York and New Orleans are currently struggle to cope with the wave of incoming patients as the crisis deepens.
Xi's offer of assistance comes amid a long-running war of words between Beijing and Washington over various issues including the coronavirus epidemic.
Trump and some US officials have accused China of a lack of transparency on the virus and Trump has at times called the coronavirus a "China virus" as it originated there, angering Beijing.
In the call, Xi reiterated to Trump that China had been open and transparent about the epidemic, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
Trump said on Twitter that he discussed the coronavirus outbreak "in great detail" with Xi.
"China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the virus," Trump said. "We are working closely together. Much respect!".
French president Emmanuel Macron has also pledged "a new strong initiative" between nations after speaking to Trump.
The World Health Organisation said the United States, which saw 17,099 new coronavirus cases and 281 deaths in the past 24 hours, is now the eye of the storm.
Like US hospitals now, China's medical system struggled to contain the coronavirus just two months ago, but draconian city lockdowns and severe travel restrictions has seen China dramatically ease the epidemic.
Mainland China reported its first local coronavirus case in three days and 54 new imported cases on Friday, as Beijing ordered airlines to sharply cut international flights, for fear travellers could reignite the coronavirus outbreak.
The 55 new cases detected on Thursday were down from 67 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said on Friday, taking the tally of infections to 81,340. China's death toll stood at 3,292 as of Thursday, up by five from a day earlier.
The central province of Hubei, with a population of about 60m, reported no new cases on Thursday, a day after lifting a lockdown and reopening its borders as the epidemic eased there.
The commercial capital of Shanghai reported the most new imported cases with 17, followed by 12 in the southern province of Guangdong and four each in the capital Beijing and the nearby city of Tianjin.
Shanghai now has 125 patients who arrived from overseas, including 46 from Britain and 27 from the United States.
In effect from Sunday, China has ordered its airlines to fly only one route to any country, on just one flight each week. Foreign airlines must comply with similar curbs on flights to China, although many had already halted services.
Conrad Duncan has this report.
With the US now the global epicentre of the virus having contracted 85,000 cases and seen over 1,200 deaths, the president has spoken to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, who has offered to help America battle the outbreak to stop its further spread.
Incredibly - and yet not altogether surprisingly - Trump delayed that call with Xi by 90 minutes to make time for his phone interview with Hannity.
Hospitals in cities like New York and New Orleans are currently struggle to cope with the wave of incoming patients as the crisis deepens.
Xi's offer of assistance comes amid a long-running war of words between Beijing and Washington over various issues including the coronavirus epidemic.
Trump and some US officials have accused China of a lack of transparency on the virus and Trump has at times called the coronavirus a "China virus" as it originated there, angering Beijing.
In the call, Xi reiterated to Trump that China had been open and transparent about the epidemic, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
Trump said on Twitter that he discussed the coronavirus outbreak "in great detail" with Xi.
"China has been through much & has developed a strong understanding of the virus," Trump said. "We are working closely together. Much respect!".
French president Emmanuel Macron has also pledged "a new strong initiative" between nations after speaking to Trump.
The World Health Organisation said the United States, which saw 17,099 new coronavirus cases and 281 deaths in the past 24 hours, is now the eye of the storm.
Like US hospitals now, China's medical system struggled to contain the coronavirus just two months ago, but draconian city lockdowns and severe travel restrictions has seen China dramatically ease the epidemic.
Mainland China reported its first local coronavirus case in three days and 54 new imported cases on Friday, as Beijing ordered airlines to sharply cut international flights, for fear travellers could reignite the coronavirus outbreak.
The 55 new cases detected on Thursday were down from 67 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said on Friday, taking the tally of infections to 81,340. China's death toll stood at 3,292 as of Thursday, up by five from a day earlier.
The central province of Hubei, with a population of about 60m, reported no new cases on Thursday, a day after lifting a lockdown and reopening its borders as the epidemic eased there.
The commercial capital of Shanghai reported the most new imported cases with 17, followed by 12 in the southern province of Guangdong and four each in the capital Beijing and the nearby city of Tianjin.
Shanghai now has 125 patients who arrived from overseas, including 46 from Britain and 27 from the United States.
In effect from Sunday, China has ordered its airlines to fly only one route to any country, on just one flight each week. Foreign airlines must comply with similar curbs on flights to China, although many had already halted services.
Conrad Duncan has this report.
House set to approve $2.2trn rescue package
The House of Representatives is meanwhile expected to approve a $2.2trn (£1.85trn) economic stimulus package on Friday that has already passed the Senate, handing it on to Trump to sign off from the Oval Office and deliver some much needed fiscal relief to the nation.
On a call with fellow Democrats on Thursday afternoon, House speaker Nancy Pelosi urged House members not to do anything to delay the unprecedented economic aid package.
Representative Madeleine Dean said the message on the two-hour call was "Let's get this done tomorrow if we possibly can. If not, at the very latest Saturday."
Dean said she would drive to Washington from her Pennsylvania district for the debate, due to start at 9 am EST (1pm GMT). "It was so obvious from everyone's conversation on the call, we know what we have to do. We have to get relief to the American people now," Dean said.
The Senate bill - which would be the largest fiscal relief measure ever passed by the US Congress - will rush direct payments to Americans within three weeks if the Democratic-controlled House backs it.
"The House of Representatives must now pass this bill, hopefully without delay. I think it's got tremendous support," Trump said at a daily coronavirus briefing.
The measure includes $500bn (£408bn) to help hard-hit industries and a comparable amount for payments of up to $3,000 (£2,451) to millions of families.
The legislation will also provide $350bn (£286bn) for small-business loans, $250bn (£204bn) or expanded unemployment aid and at least $100bn (£82bn) for hospitals and related health systems.
The Republican-led Senate approved it 96-0 late on Wednesday. The unanimous vote, a rare departure from bitter partisanship in Washington, underscored how seriously members of Congress are taking the global pandemic as Americans suffer and the medical system reels.
Pelosi told a weekly news conference she expected the bill would have strong support from House Democrats and Republicans.
The current crisis has dealt a crushing blow to the economy, with thousands of businesses closing or cutting back. The Labor Department reported that the number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits surged to 3.28m, the highest level ever.
Pelosi said there was no question more money would be needed to fight the coronavirus. She said House committees would be working on the next phase in the near term, even if the full chamber is not in session.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy also backs the relief plan. But he wants it to be allowed to work before deciding on more legislation.
"This will be probably the largest bill anybody in Congress has ever voted for," he told reporters. McCarthy predicted the measure would pass on Friday morning.
The massive coronavirus relief bill follows two others that became law this month. The money at stake amounts to nearly half of the total $4.7trn (£3.8trn) the federal government spends annually.
Pelosi said House leaders were planning to fast-track the rescue plan by passing it via a voice vote on Friday. She had said that if there were calls for a roll-call vote, lawmakers might be able to vote by proxy, as not all would be able to be in Washington.
The Capitol has laid out special procedures because of the coronavirus - including barring members from sitting beside one another - to minimise the threat of infection, both to members and staff.
There could be opposition. Republican Representative Thomas Massie said he opposed the bill, and was uncomfortable with the idea of allowing it to pass on a voice vote, rather than recording how each House member voted.
"I'm having a real hard time with this," Massie, an outspoken fiscal conservative, said on 55KRC talk radio in Cincinnati.
The House has 430 members, most of whom have been out of Washington since 14 March. It would be difficult for all of them to return, given that two have tested positive for the respiratory disease, a handful are in self-quarantine, and several states have issued stay-at-home orders. There are five vacant House seats.
For Indy Premium, here's Ben Chu's analysis.
The House of Representatives is meanwhile expected to approve a $2.2trn (£1.85trn) economic stimulus package on Friday that has already passed the Senate, handing it on to Trump to sign off from the Oval Office and deliver some much needed fiscal relief to the nation.
On a call with fellow Democrats on Thursday afternoon, House speaker Nancy Pelosi urged House members not to do anything to delay the unprecedented economic aid package.
Representative Madeleine Dean said the message on the two-hour call was "Let's get this done tomorrow if we possibly can. If not, at the very latest Saturday."
Dean said she would drive to Washington from her Pennsylvania district for the debate, due to start at 9 am EST (1pm GMT). "It was so obvious from everyone's conversation on the call, we know what we have to do. We have to get relief to the American people now," Dean said.
The Senate bill - which would be the largest fiscal relief measure ever passed by the US Congress - will rush direct payments to Americans within three weeks if the Democratic-controlled House backs it.
"The House of Representatives must now pass this bill, hopefully without delay. I think it's got tremendous support," Trump said at a daily coronavirus briefing.
The measure includes $500bn (£408bn) to help hard-hit industries and a comparable amount for payments of up to $3,000 (£2,451) to millions of families.
The legislation will also provide $350bn (£286bn) for small-business loans, $250bn (£204bn) or expanded unemployment aid and at least $100bn (£82bn) for hospitals and related health systems.
The Republican-led Senate approved it 96-0 late on Wednesday. The unanimous vote, a rare departure from bitter partisanship in Washington, underscored how seriously members of Congress are taking the global pandemic as Americans suffer and the medical system reels.
Pelosi told a weekly news conference she expected the bill would have strong support from House Democrats and Republicans.
The current crisis has dealt a crushing blow to the economy, with thousands of businesses closing or cutting back. The Labor Department reported that the number of Americans filing claims for unemployment benefits surged to 3.28m, the highest level ever.
Pelosi said there was no question more money would be needed to fight the coronavirus. She said House committees would be working on the next phase in the near term, even if the full chamber is not in session.
House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy also backs the relief plan. But he wants it to be allowed to work before deciding on more legislation.
"This will be probably the largest bill anybody in Congress has ever voted for," he told reporters. McCarthy predicted the measure would pass on Friday morning.
The massive coronavirus relief bill follows two others that became law this month. The money at stake amounts to nearly half of the total $4.7trn (£3.8trn) the federal government spends annually.
Pelosi said House leaders were planning to fast-track the rescue plan by passing it via a voice vote on Friday. She had said that if there were calls for a roll-call vote, lawmakers might be able to vote by proxy, as not all would be able to be in Washington.
The Capitol has laid out special procedures because of the coronavirus - including barring members from sitting beside one another - to minimise the threat of infection, both to members and staff.
There could be opposition. Republican Representative Thomas Massie said he opposed the bill, and was uncomfortable with the idea of allowing it to pass on a voice vote, rather than recording how each House member voted.
"I'm having a real hard time with this," Massie, an outspoken fiscal conservative, said on 55KRC talk radio in Cincinnati.
The House has 430 members, most of whom have been out of Washington since 14 March. It would be difficult for all of them to return, given that two have tested positive for the respiratory disease, a handful are in self-quarantine, and several states have issued stay-at-home orders. There are five vacant House seats.
For Indy Premium, here's Ben Chu's analysis.
Joe Biden releases new campaign video criticising Trump’s response
The Democratic front-runner's new promo says the president "has failed our country at a time when we need him most", a sentiment many will agree with.
Like the Priorities USA's clip Trump is trying to have taken down (this one), the short makes extensive use of the president's own words: dismissing the coronavirus as a hoax, berating reporters etc.
James Crump has this report.
The Democratic front-runner's new promo says the president "has failed our country at a time when we need him most", a sentiment many will agree with.
Like the Priorities USA's clip Trump is trying to have taken down (this one), the short makes extensive use of the president's own words: dismissing the coronavirus as a hoax, berating reporters etc.
James Crump has this report.
Dr Deborah Birx making ‘fundamental scientific errors’ in rush to reopen US, warns expert behind White House data
That's the verdict of Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology at Harvard University, on the White House response co-ordinator, whom he argues is dealing is "false reassurance".
Andrew Naughtie has this report.
'You're wasting everyone's time': CNN anchor attacks White House official
This is fabulous from Brianna Keilar, putting Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro to the sword after he was blasé about the massive increase in unemployment benefit claims yesterday and vague on ventilator deliveries.
“Peter, why are you wasting your time on this and not solving the problem you have? Peter, why are you even talking about this?” she demands of him as he splutters and falters.
James Crump has more on this.
This is fabulous from Brianna Keilar, putting Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro to the sword after he was blasé about the massive increase in unemployment benefit claims yesterday and vague on ventilator deliveries.
“Peter, why are you wasting your time on this and not solving the problem you have? Peter, why are you even talking about this?” she demands of him as he splutters and falters.
James Crump has more on this.
British PM Boris Johnson has coronavirus
Wow. I'm sure we can expect a commiseratory tweet from Trump on this shortly.
In the meantime, here's the US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, wishing him well...
...and here's Andrew Woodcock with our story.
Wow. I'm sure we can expect a commiseratory tweet from Trump on this shortly.
In the meantime, here's the US ambassador to the UK, Woody Johnson, wishing him well...
...and here's Andrew Woodcock with our story.
Kellyanne Conway launches attack on De Blasio and Biden during coronavirus outbreak
Also returning to haunt American television screens yesterday was the White House counselor, walking back that Easter timeframe and attacking Biden and New York mayor Bill de Blasio.
"We have the mayor saying – not playing politics here – we have a mayor saying, 'Look at me, I'm on the subway, go out on the town,'" she said of De Blasio. "And then he recommended what show everybody should go see."
John T Bennett had the misfortune of watching.
Seventeen-year-old Californian dies of Covid-19 after being denied treatment over lack of insurance
Chris Riotta has this report on a tragedy I fear we could see repeated again and again.
Chris Riotta has this report on a tragedy I fear we could see repeated again and again.
New York nurses union slams Cuomo over equipment as Clintons send pizzas and Fauci doughnuts go on sale
A New York nurses’ union has hit out at governor Andrew Cuomo for insisting nursing staff have enough protective equipment, suggesting his claims are “dangerous” and “misleading.”
During a daily news briefing on Wednesday, Cuomo assured people that hospitals now have plenty of personal protective gear (PPE) for staff members.
“The equipment we are bringing today will resolve that immediate need. There will be no hospital in the city of New York who will say today their nurses and doctors can’t get equipment,” he said.
“If you’re saying there’s enough, but that ‘enough’ involves following guidelines where there are a lot of risks involved, it’s misleading,” countered Pat Kane said, a registered nurse and the executive director of the New York State Nurses Association.
The union backlash comes after a photo showing Mount Sinai Health System nurses wearing bin bags as protective clothing surfaced online.
In other news from the Big Apple, Bill and Hillary Clinton sent 400 pizzas to medical staff working overtime to contain the outbreak in the city...
...while a Rochester bakery has started putting Anthony Fauci's face on doughnuts.
Louise Hall has this on the nurses union.
A New York nurses’ union has hit out at governor Andrew Cuomo for insisting nursing staff have enough protective equipment, suggesting his claims are “dangerous” and “misleading.”
During a daily news briefing on Wednesday, Cuomo assured people that hospitals now have plenty of personal protective gear (PPE) for staff members.
“The equipment we are bringing today will resolve that immediate need. There will be no hospital in the city of New York who will say today their nurses and doctors can’t get equipment,” he said.
“If you’re saying there’s enough, but that ‘enough’ involves following guidelines where there are a lot of risks involved, it’s misleading,” countered Pat Kane said, a registered nurse and the executive director of the New York State Nurses Association.
The union backlash comes after a photo showing Mount Sinai Health System nurses wearing bin bags as protective clothing surfaced online.
In other news from the Big Apple, Bill and Hillary Clinton sent 400 pizzas to medical staff working overtime to contain the outbreak in the city...
...while a Rochester bakery has started putting Anthony Fauci's face on doughnuts.
Louise Hall has this on the nurses union.
Mike Huckabee rebuked for joking about wearing Incredible Hulk mask for Fox interview
The former Arkansas governor - and father to Trump's former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders - is under fire for this staggeringly idiotic and insensitive tweet.
Media Matters's Andrew Lawrence said it best with three words:
The former Arkansas governor - and father to Trump's former press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders - is under fire for this staggeringly idiotic and insensitive tweet.
Media Matters's Andrew Lawrence said it best with three words:
Mexicans call for crackdown on Americans crossing border as US cases soar
If you're a fan of blackly comic irony in times of crisis, this one's for you.
If you're a fan of blackly comic irony in times of crisis, this one's for you.
Trump hits out at 'third rate Grandstander' over opposition to rescue bill and says it is 'HELL dealing with the Dems'
As we touched on earlier, GOP congressman Thomas Massie has said he is considering voting against the stimulus package in the House today on idealogical grounds.
Trump does not like that, and uses his first tweets of the day to label him "a third rate Grandstander", repeating a new favourite insult also served up to AOC yesterday.
As we touched on earlier, GOP congressman Thomas Massie has said he is considering voting against the stimulus package in the House today on idealogical grounds.
Trump does not like that, and uses his first tweets of the day to label him "a third rate Grandstander", repeating a new favourite insult also served up to AOC yesterday.
Oh look, there's more.
Here's Oliver O'Connell with a full report on Massie.
DC insiders are worried Trump might have a coronavirus quid pro quo up his sleeve
Here's Andrew Feinberg with the word from Capitol Hill.
“It’s worse than 9/11, it’s worse than Pearl Harbor," one official told him. "[Trump] had the information and he ignored it because he saw the measures they were recommending at the time [when] Singapore and South Korea got the virus… and he didn’t want to do that because it was going to hurt the economy. But by waiting he hurt the economy more and made more people from this disease.”
Here's Andrew Feinberg with the word from Capitol Hill.
“It’s worse than 9/11, it’s worse than Pearl Harbor," one official told him. "[Trump] had the information and he ignored it because he saw the measures they were recommending at the time [when] Singapore and South Korea got the virus… and he didn’t want to do that because it was going to hurt the economy. But by waiting he hurt the economy more and made more people from this disease.”
America struggles to decide whether gun shops are essential businesses
Uh oh. I do not like where this conversation is going...
Uh oh. I do not like where this conversation is going...
Fifty eight per cent of Americans say Trump 'too slow to act' on coronavirus but majority approve of response
An ABC News/Washington Post poll released on Friday reports that 51 per cent of Americans take a favourable view of the president's response to the coronavirus disaster.
Evidentally more people need to watch this:
However, 58 per cent of respondents to the survey said he was initially "too slow to take action to address the problem", which is an understatement, I'd say.
The big man is pleased though and has been crowing abour it on Twitter just now:
An ABC News/Washington Post poll released on Friday reports that 51 per cent of Americans take a favourable view of the president's response to the coronavirus disaster.
Evidentally more people need to watch this:
However, 58 per cent of respondents to the survey said he was initially "too slow to take action to address the problem", which is an understatement, I'd say.
The big man is pleased though and has been crowing abour it on Twitter just now:
Don Jr posts racist 'Kung Flu' meme on Instagram
As the US overtook China and Italy to become the worst hit country in the world by coronavirus, the president's eldest son was busy posting racist memes on social media because what else is new?
You can see it via the tweet below, if you feel you must:
Don Jr also badly undermined his old man's attempt to reset relations with China last night in a separate but equally dumb and unwelcome tweet:
As the US overtook China and Italy to become the worst hit country in the world by coronavirus, the president's eldest son was busy posting racist memes on social media because what else is new?
You can see it via the tweet below, if you feel you must:
Don Jr also badly undermined his old man's attempt to reset relations with China last night in a separate but equally dumb and unwelcome tweet:
Medal of Honour recipient and war hero Bennie Adkins hospitalised with Covid-19
Alabama Medal of Honour recipient Bennie Adkins, 86, has been hospitalised with coronavirus, his foundation announced on Thursday evening.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has hit home,” the Bennie Adkins Foundation said on Facebook. “Bennie has been hospitalised and is critically ill with Covid-19 respiratory failure. We ask for your thoughts and prayers.”
Adkins, a retired command sergeant major, received his medal from Barack Obama in September 2014 in tribute to his service during the Vietnam War.
He was first drafted into the Army in 1956 and went on to serve with the Special Forces for 13 years, complete three tours in Vietnam.
You can read a more extensive account of his illustrious career over at Army Times.
Get well soon sir.
Alabama Medal of Honour recipient Bennie Adkins, 86, has been hospitalised with coronavirus, his foundation announced on Thursday evening.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has hit home,” the Bennie Adkins Foundation said on Facebook. “Bennie has been hospitalised and is critically ill with Covid-19 respiratory failure. We ask for your thoughts and prayers.”
Adkins, a retired command sergeant major, received his medal from Barack Obama in September 2014 in tribute to his service during the Vietnam War.
He was first drafted into the Army in 1956 and went on to serve with the Special Forces for 13 years, complete three tours in Vietnam.
You can read a more extensive account of his illustrious career over at Army Times.
Get well soon sir.
