US unemployment figures have again shattered records, with 6.6 million Americans filing for benefits as the coronavirus pandemic brings society to a grinding halt and threatens economic collapse.
Donald Trump attempted to pivot away from the deadly outbreak in his latest press briefing on Wednesday – a day on which the country’s death toll hit 5,000 from 216,000 cases - threatening Iran, questioning China’s figures and attacking Fox News reporter John Roberts for asking him about a “false story”.
The latest horror stories from the US include the tragic death of a six-week-old infant in Connecticut, New York’s death toll doubling in 72 hours and the state of Michigan surpassing California’s case numbers, reporting 2,000 fresh instances in just one day.
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LA Mayor awkwardly tries to put on a face mask during a press briefing
LA mayor Eric Garcetti awkwardly tried on a face mask while advising everyone in California to wear one, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a press conference on Wednesday evening, Mr Garcetti told residents of the state to wear face masks, but said they should still continue to self-isolate.
The mayor said that the masks are an extra precaution but added: "To be clear, you should still stay at home. This isn't an excuse to suddenly all go out".
James Crump reports:
LA mayor Eric Garcetti awkwardly tried on a face mask while advising everyone in California to wear one, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a press conference on Wednesday evening, Mr Garcetti told residents of the state to wear face masks, but said they should still continue to self-isolate.
The mayor said that the masks are an extra precaution but added: "To be clear, you should still stay at home. This isn't an excuse to suddenly all go out".
James Crump reports:
LA mayor awkwardly tries on face mask as he urges everyone in California to wear them at home
The Independent'We’re going to have to get used to seeing each other like this'
Trump says he asked the Saudi Arabia crown prince for the country to cutback on oil
President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter Thursday that he had a discussion with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia about cutting oil production for the time being.
"Just spoke to my friend MBS (Crown Prince) of Saudi Arabia, who spoke with President Putin of Russia, & I expect & hope that they will be cutting back approximately 10 Million Barrels, and maybe substantially more which, if it happens, will be GREAT for the oil & gas industry," he wrote in a tweet.
The president added this would be "great news" for everyone as oil prices plummet during the coronavirus pandemic.
President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter Thursday that he had a discussion with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia about cutting oil production for the time being.
"Just spoke to my friend MBS (Crown Prince) of Saudi Arabia, who spoke with President Putin of Russia, & I expect & hope that they will be cutting back approximately 10 Million Barrels, and maybe substantially more which, if it happens, will be GREAT for the oil & gas industry," he wrote in a tweet.
The president added this would be "great news" for everyone as oil prices plummet during the coronavirus pandemic.
New York state could run out of ventilators in six days, governor says
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has warned the state could run out of its ventilator stockpile in the next six days depending on how many Covid-19 positive patients need the machines.
The number of ventilators available in the state and nationwide has become a concern when treating coronavirus patients, as the virus tends to attack the upper respiratory system.
Based on the current "burn rate" of ventilators in New York, the state has anticipated it will run out in six-days time.
Full story here:
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has warned the state could run out of its ventilator stockpile in the next six days depending on how many Covid-19 positive patients need the machines.
The number of ventilators available in the state and nationwide has become a concern when treating coronavirus patients, as the virus tends to attack the upper respiratory system.
Based on the current "burn rate" of ventilators in New York, the state has anticipated it will run out in six-days time.
Full story here:
New York will run out of ventilators within six days, governor warns amid coronavirus crisis
The Independent"If a person comes in and needs a ventilator and you don't have one, the person dies," Governor Andrew Cuomo says
Fox News coverage of the coronavirus is called a 'danger to public health'
In an open letter to Fox News heads Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch, a group of 74 professors of journalism and journalists have called the network's coverage of the coronavirus pandemic a "danger to public health".
The letter says that Fox News is endangering its own viewers, the average age of whom is 65, making them one of the two most at-risk groups to experience complications if they contract the virus.
"Viewers of Fox News, including the president of the United States, have been regularly subjected to misinformation relayed by the network--false statements downplaying the prevalence of Covid-19 and its harms; misleading recommendations of activities that people should undertake to protect themselves and others, including casual recommendations of untested drugs; false assessments of the value of measures urged upon the public by their elected political leadership and public health authorities," the letter says.
Breaking news here:
In an open letter to Fox News heads Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch, a group of 74 professors of journalism and journalists have called the network's coverage of the coronavirus pandemic a "danger to public health".
The letter says that Fox News is endangering its own viewers, the average age of whom is 65, making them one of the two most at-risk groups to experience complications if they contract the virus.
"Viewers of Fox News, including the president of the United States, have been regularly subjected to misinformation relayed by the network--false statements downplaying the prevalence of Covid-19 and its harms; misleading recommendations of activities that people should undertake to protect themselves and others, including casual recommendations of untested drugs; false assessments of the value of measures urged upon the public by their elected political leadership and public health authorities," the letter says.
Breaking news here:
74 journalism professors call Fox News coronavirus coverage a 'danger to public health'
The Independent'Viewers of Fox News, including the president of the United States, have been regularly subjected to misinformation relayed by the network' says letter
Georgia governor just now discovers Covid-19 can spread prior to someone showing symptoms
The governor of Georgia said he only recently discovered that coronavirus patients could transmit the virus before they showed any symptoms, as he announced plans for a belated shelter-in-place order across the state.
Governor Brian Kemp had earlier urged Georgia residents to stay in their homes to prevent the spread of the virus, but resisted tougher measures seen in other states until Wednesday, when he made the discovery that had been in the public domain for some months.
"The reason I'm taking this action, like I've continued to tell people, I'm following the data, I'm following the advice of Dr. [Kathleen] Toomey," Mr Kemp said, referring to Georgia's public health commissioner.
Richard Hall with the full story:
The governor of Georgia said he only recently discovered that coronavirus patients could transmit the virus before they showed any symptoms, as he announced plans for a belated shelter-in-place order across the state.
Governor Brian Kemp had earlier urged Georgia residents to stay in their homes to prevent the spread of the virus, but resisted tougher measures seen in other states until Wednesday, when he made the discovery that had been in the public domain for some months.
"The reason I'm taking this action, like I've continued to tell people, I'm following the data, I'm following the advice of Dr. [Kathleen] Toomey," Mr Kemp said, referring to Georgia's public health commissioner.
Richard Hall with the full story:
Georgia governor only just discovers that coronavirus spreads before symptoms show
The IndependentPublic health officials have long known of asymptomatic transmission of the virus
Doctor calls Trump administration's response to Covid-19 'weak' on Fox News
An infectious disease physician hit out at the US government on Fox News, claiming the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in the US was caused by the government's "weak response".
Appearing on Fox News Dr Desai advised that the country needed to implement more aggressive lockdown measures to stem the number of cases by completely banning all air and rail travel.
"If we did do this shutdown if we shut down rail and airlines and did it the way I'm suggesting and really kind of policed it and had one squad car driving around making sure everyone's in their homes we would see a drop off in cases within two weeks," he said.
Louise Hall with the full story:
An infectious disease physician hit out at the US government on Fox News, claiming the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in the US was caused by the government's "weak response".
Appearing on Fox News Dr Desai advised that the country needed to implement more aggressive lockdown measures to stem the number of cases by completely banning all air and rail travel.
"If we did do this shutdown if we shut down rail and airlines and did it the way I'm suggesting and really kind of policed it and had one squad car driving around making sure everyone's in their homes we would see a drop off in cases within two weeks," he said.
Louise Hall with the full story:
Dr Desai hits out at Trump administration's 'weak' coronavirus measures
The Independent‘They should’ve been working on it for months’
Democrats postpone convention to nominate candidate to take on Trump amid coronavirus pandemic
Democrats will wait until August to officially determine the party's nominee in the presidential election this fall.
The Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee has been postponed from mid-July to mid-August, after former vice president Joe Biden suggested party officials should move the event amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, the party said: "In light of the unprecedented health crisis facing our country, the 2020 Democratic National Convention will now be held the week of August 17 in Milwaukee, providing our team more time to determine the most appropriate structure for this historic event."
Breaking news here:
Democrats will wait until August to officially determine the party's nominee in the presidential election this fall.
The Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee has been postponed from mid-July to mid-August, after former vice president Joe Biden suggested party officials should move the event amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement, the party said: "In light of the unprecedented health crisis facing our country, the 2020 Democratic National Convention will now be held the week of August 17 in Milwaukee, providing our team more time to determine the most appropriate structure for this historic event."
Breaking news here:
Democrats postpone convention to nominate candidate to take on Trump
The IndependentDemocrats will wait until August to officially determine the party's nominee in the presidential election this fall. The Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee has been postponed from mid-July to mid-August, after former vice president Joe Biden suggested party officials should move the event amid the coronavirus pandemic.
US House to form coronavirus spending watchdog
The House is forming a special committee composed of Republicans and Democrats to act as a watchdog over federal dollars devoted to responding to the coronavirus outbreak, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday.
The committee will "ensure that the taxpayer's dollars" will be spent "wisely" and "efficiently," Ms Pelosi told reporters. "We do need transparency. And we need accountability."
Her comments come after both chambers passed three coronavirus relief bills that Donald Trump signed into law, including a $2.2trn economic recovery package.
Griffin Connolly reports:
The House is forming a special committee composed of Republicans and Democrats to act as a watchdog over federal dollars devoted to responding to the coronavirus outbreak, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday.
The committee will "ensure that the taxpayer's dollars" will be spent "wisely" and "efficiently," Ms Pelosi told reporters. "We do need transparency. And we need accountability."
Her comments come after both chambers passed three coronavirus relief bills that Donald Trump signed into law, including a $2.2trn economic recovery package.
Griffin Connolly reports:
US House to form coronavirus spending watchdog
The IndependentThe House is forming a special committee composed of Republicans and Democrats to act as a watchdog over federal dollars devoted to responding to the coronavirus outbreak, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday. The committee will "ensure that the taxpayer's dollars" will be spent "wisely" and "efficiently," Ms Pelosi told reporters. "We do need transparency. And we need
Pentagon might provide 100,000 body bags to US citizens during coronavirus pandemic
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has requested 100,000 body bags for authorities to the US Department of Defense to be used as the death toll continues to rise during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Reuters.
Bloomberg previously reported the Pentagon was looking to purchase more body bags, but the department would first use up its stockpile of nearly 50,000.
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is now currently working with its contractor to acquire more bags in anticipation of what the US could need as the novel virus spreads.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has requested 100,000 body bags for authorities to the US Department of Defense to be used as the death toll continues to rise during the coronavirus pandemic, according to Reuters.
Bloomberg previously reported the Pentagon was looking to purchase more body bags, but the department would first use up its stockpile of nearly 50,000.
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is now currently working with its contractor to acquire more bags in anticipation of what the US could need as the novel virus spreads.
The DLA has not announced a specific date for when these body bags would be available for FEMA, but the organisation requested the extra items as soon as possible.
This request comes after the federal government said it was anticipating 100,000 to 200,000 people could die before the spread of Covid-19 declines. As of Thursday, more than 216,000 people in the US have tested positive for the virus and 5,148 people have died.
Two cruise ships to disembark in Florida after state governor is called 'immoral'
Florida will allow two cruise ships impacted by a coronavirus outbreak to disembark most of their 2,500 passengers after Holland America Line ships struck a deal with local and federal officials following a contentious battle.
Governor Ron DeSantis faced intense pressure to allow the vessels to dock as numerous fatalities were reported and sick passengers were quarantined to their cabins, many of them lacking windows and medical resources.
Breaking news here:
Florida will allow two cruise ships impacted by a coronavirus outbreak to disembark most of their 2,500 passengers after Holland America Line ships struck a deal with local and federal officials following a contentious battle.
Governor Ron DeSantis faced intense pressure to allow the vessels to dock as numerous fatalities were reported and sick passengers were quarantined to their cabins, many of them lacking windows and medical resources.
Breaking news here:
Two cruise ships to disembark in Florida after governor blasted as 'immoral' for turning them away
The IndependentFlorida will allow two cruise ships impacted by a coronavirus outbreak to disembark most of their 2,500 passengers after Holland America Line ships struck a deal with local and federal officials following a contentious battle. Governor Ron DeSantis faced intense pressure to allow the vessels to dock as numerous fatalities were reported and sick passengers were quarantined to
US gun sales shatter records as shops selling firearms are considered essential
Americans purchased a record-breaking number of firearms throughout the month of March, according to the latest figures, as gun shops in many states across the country were declared essential businesses amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Nearly two million guns were purchased throughout the month, the New York Times reported, making March the second-busiest month for gun sales in American history.
The FBI's background check system meanwhile conducted a record 3.7 million firearm background checks in March, a figure that skyrocketed from 850,000 in February.
Chris Riotta with the report:
Americans purchased a record-breaking number of firearms throughout the month of March, according to the latest figures, as gun shops in many states across the country were declared essential businesses amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Nearly two million guns were purchased throughout the month, the New York Times reported, making March the second-busiest month for gun sales in American history.
The FBI's background check system meanwhile conducted a record 3.7 million firearm background checks in March, a figure that skyrocketed from 850,000 in February.
Chris Riotta with the report:
US gun sales break records as shops selling firearms declared essential
The IndependentFBI processes 3.7 million background checks as gun control advocates warn against fear-buying during the Covid-19 outbreak
Why five states are refusing to 'lockdown' against coronavirus
By the time Florida's stay-at-home order kicks in on 2 April, two weeks after the arrival of thousands of spring breakers on the state's beaches, the number of identified coronavirus cases in the state climbed past 5,000.
Arizona's governor issued a stay-at-home order this week after banning cities from setting their own measure, tying the hands of mayors across the state against the advice of health officials.
Without a nationwide order to keep people indoors and close non-essential businesses in an effort to curb the viral spread through stringent "social distancing" measures, a staggered and patchwork response from state governments has made attempts to quarantine Americans essentially moot.
By April, 12 states have not issued statewide orders to stay at home, and 12 states have not closed so-called "nonessential" businesses.
But there remains a handful of states without either of those orders, on neither state or city levels, as health officials across the US continue to urge people to stay indoors and avoid going outside and risk interacting with infected people or unknowingly infecting others.
Alex Woodward reports:
By the time Florida's stay-at-home order kicks in on 2 April, two weeks after the arrival of thousands of spring breakers on the state's beaches, the number of identified coronavirus cases in the state climbed past 5,000.
Arizona's governor issued a stay-at-home order this week after banning cities from setting their own measure, tying the hands of mayors across the state against the advice of health officials.
Without a nationwide order to keep people indoors and close non-essential businesses in an effort to curb the viral spread through stringent "social distancing" measures, a staggered and patchwork response from state governments has made attempts to quarantine Americans essentially moot.
By April, 12 states have not issued statewide orders to stay at home, and 12 states have not closed so-called "nonessential" businesses.
But there remains a handful of states without either of those orders, on neither state or city levels, as health officials across the US continue to urge people to stay indoors and avoid going outside and risk interacting with infected people or unknowingly infecting others.
Alex Woodward reports:
Why five states are refusing 'lockdowns' against coronavirus
The IndependentWithout stay-at-home orders on the state or local level, 'holdouts' in rural America face threats from an outbreak and the closures of vulnerable hospitals
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Engineer derails train near Navy mercy ship over coronavirus conspiracy theory
A man deliberately derailed a train at the Port of Los Angeles on Tuesday to draw attention to a conspiracy theory about the true purpose of a US Navy hospital ship stationed there.
The incident happened when Eduardo Moreno, a train engineer, drove a speeding Pacific Harbour Line train through multiple barriers before missing the USNS Mercy by more than 250 meters.
According to the US Department of Justice, prosecutors charged the 44-year-old from San Pedro with the deliberate wrecking of a train.
A man deliberately derailed a train at the Port of Los Angeles on Tuesday to draw attention to a conspiracy theory about the true purpose of a US Navy hospital ship stationed there.
The incident happened when Eduardo Moreno, a train engineer, drove a speeding Pacific Harbour Line train through multiple barriers before missing the USNS Mercy by more than 250 meters.
According to the US Department of Justice, prosecutors charged the 44-year-old from San Pedro with the deliberate wrecking of a train.
Gino Spocchia with the full story:
Engineer derails train near Navy mercy ship over coronavirus conspiracy theory
The IndependentThe 44-year-old engineer said it 'it was fricking exciting' to derail a locomotive in aid of a conspiracy theory
Gay and bisexual men banned from donating plasma for coronavirus antibody treatment
As the US government urges Americans to give blood to aid in both the treatment and study of coronavirus, some people remain banned from contributing.
Gay and bisexual men have long been barred from donating blood and plasma by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has now confirmed that the ban also covers plasma donations from gay and bisexual men who have tested positive for coronavirus - that is, people who may possess antibodies crucial to treating Covid-19 and eventually finding a vaccine against it.
So far, it seems that the government does not intend to change its policy. “At this time, FDA’s recommendations regarding blood donor deferral for men who have sex with men have not changed,” the organisation told CNN, “but we are actively considering the situation as the outbreak progresses.”
Campaign organisation GLAAD has begun a petition to “lift the ban that hinders gay men, bisexual men, and men who have sex with men from donating blood and plasma”. So far, it has gathered nearly 20,000 signatures.
Here's more from Andrew Naughtie.
As the US government urges Americans to give blood to aid in both the treatment and study of coronavirus, some people remain banned from contributing.
Gay and bisexual men have long been barred from donating blood and plasma by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has now confirmed that the ban also covers plasma donations from gay and bisexual men who have tested positive for coronavirus - that is, people who may possess antibodies crucial to treating Covid-19 and eventually finding a vaccine against it.
So far, it seems that the government does not intend to change its policy. “At this time, FDA’s recommendations regarding blood donor deferral for men who have sex with men have not changed,” the organisation told CNN, “but we are actively considering the situation as the outbreak progresses.”
Campaign organisation GLAAD has begun a petition to “lift the ban that hinders gay men, bisexual men, and men who have sex with men from donating blood and plasma”. So far, it has gathered nearly 20,000 signatures.
Here's more from Andrew Naughtie.
Ben McAdams: 'You don't know how this is going to hit you'
The Utah congressman has given his first interview to NBC's Today show since being released from hospitalisation with Covid-19.
This is what he had to say about his experiences: "It was quite an ordeal. I'm doing so much better right now. I’m probably not quite 100%, but after we spoke it really took a turn for the worse. I found myself in the hospital for eight days and just had trouble breathing, couldn't keep my oxygen levels up and it hit me really, really hard and so it's good to be back on my feet right now. I'm virus free."
The Utah congressman has given his first interview to NBC's Today show since being released from hospitalisation with Covid-19.
This is what he had to say about his experiences: "It was quite an ordeal. I'm doing so much better right now. I’m probably not quite 100%, but after we spoke it really took a turn for the worse. I found myself in the hospital for eight days and just had trouble breathing, couldn't keep my oxygen levels up and it hit me really, really hard and so it's good to be back on my feet right now. I'm virus free."
Dr Fauci was also on the show and was as unflappable as ever, even on the subject of threats of made against his own safety:
Senator who contracted coronavirus leaves Florida beach house after local outcry
“I ask everyone to join me in doing your part to #FlattenTheCurve and #StayHome as we fight the spread of Covid-19.”
With Trump retweeting praise from cronies - Don Jr, Ronna McDaniel, Brad Parscale, Eric Bolling, you know the line up - let's turn our attention to one Bruce Thompson.
A state senator from Georgia, Thompson travelled to his Florida beach house to recuperate from a case of Covid-19 this week, only to head home again after the local sheriff called him “irresponsible” - and assigned a police detail to enforce a two-week quarantine on him.
A state senator from Georgia, Thompson travelled to his Florida beach house to recuperate from a case of Covid-19 this week, only to head home again after the local sheriff called him “irresponsible” - and assigned a police detail to enforce a two-week quarantine on him.
Thompson, who represents Georgia’s 14th state senate district, was hospitalised with symptoms of coronavirus in mid-March. He spent several days in intensive care and was at one point unable to breathe unassisted.
In a Facebook post on 22 March summarising the experience, he wrote: “Thank you to the amazing healthcare workers at Northside Cherokee who provided first class service - they and thousands of others across the country are on the frontlines in this battle.
“I ask everyone to join me in doing your part to #FlattenTheCurve and #StayHome as we fight the spread of Covid-19.”
It was after this that Thompson went to his vacation home in Florida’s Franklin County, despite restrictions on travel. Local residents, who are on orders to stay at home to help slow the virus’s spread, raised the alarm with the authorities when they saw out-of-town visitors arriving in a convoy of three cars.
Andrew Naughtie picks up the story.
Trump berates Chuck Schumer after criticism of medical goods distribution
Here's the latest from Nero:
That rant at Schumer comes in response to this tweet from the New York senator a little while ago.
The president's subsequent retweet appears not to have been very carefully chosen:
Here's the latest from Nero:
That rant at Schumer comes in response to this tweet from the New York senator a little while ago.
The president's subsequent retweet appears not to have been very carefully chosen:
US employment claims hit record 6.6 million as coronavirus devastates economy
The surging layoffs have led many economists to envision as many as 20 million lost jobs by the end of April. The unemployment rate could spike to as high as 15 per cent this month, above the previous record of 10.8 per cent set during a deep recession in 1982.
Here's Chris Riotta's report.
American unemployment figures have once again shattered records, with 6.6 million Americans filing for benefits as the coronavirus pandemic brought society to a grinding halt in most states across the country and threatened economic collapse.
The number of people in the US filing for unemployment in a single week doubled the previous record of 3.3 million, which came just a week earlier.
"We've never seen anything like this," Aaron Sojourner, labour economist at the University of Minnesota, told The Washington Post. "The scale of the job losses in the past two weeks is on par with what we saw in two years during the Great Recession."
The surging layoffs have led many economists to envision as many as 20 million lost jobs by the end of April. The unemployment rate could spike to as high as 15 per cent this month, above the previous record of 10.8 per cent set during a deep recession in 1982.
Here's Chris Riotta's report.
Second World War veteran, 104, survives coronavirus in Oregon
Gino Spocchia has this on the extraordinary case of Bill Lapschies.
Gino Spocchia has this on the extraordinary case of Bill Lapschies.
More US states try to ban abortion during outbreak following Texas's lead
It seems it's not just the drug cartels seeing an opportunity in the upending of life as we know it... Pro-life interest groups are at it as well.
It seems it's not just the drug cartels seeing an opportunity in the upending of life as we know it... Pro-life interest groups are at it as well.
