Donald Trump has issued his starkest warning yet on the threat posed by the coronavirus outbreak to the US, telling the country it is facing “a hell of a bad two weeks” and saying observing social distancing rules is “a matter of life and death”.
“I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead,” he said during a White House briefing. “This is going to be one of the roughest two or three weeks we’ve ever had in our country. ... We’re going to lose thousands of people.”
With the US death toll growing past 4,000 and the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases reaching more than 200,000, officials are now warning the disease could ultimately kill between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans, even if people continue to stay home and limit their contact with others.
The president said he stopped comparing the outbreak to the flu because of "the severity" and "the violence of it" despite warnings from health officials for weeks about the crucial differences.
Asked why he hasn't considered a national stay-at-home order, leaving states to create a patchwork response to quarantine people during the pandemic, he said "states are different" and that "some states don't have much of a problem."
He said: "They don't have thousands of people that are positive or thousands of people that think they might have it, or hundreds of people in some cases.
The president also renewed threats against Iran, which he claims is planned a "sneak attack" against US forces in Iraq.
His threat follows criticism about US sanctions against Iran that has deprived the country of critically needed medical supplies as it combats the coronavirus pandemic. The Pentagon has reportedly been ordered to plan for escalation in Iraq, while the region's leaders are addressing a crisis that's disproportionately impacting Iranians.
Those threats — along with the escalation of a drug war in South American and the Caribbean — follow the administration's decision to not reopen the federal health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act to allow Americans to buy health insurance during the coronavirus pandemic.
The president had previously considered re-opening the annual federal sign-up period, which ended at the end of last year, to assist people who are now facing the pandemic without any health coverage — including thousands of people who lost their employer-provided care after being laid off from their jobs.
During a White House briefing on Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence failed to answer questions about how Americans can access insurance during the crisis, leaving the president to say he is "looking at it."
"Mike was able to speak for five minutes and not even touch your question," the president said.
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President issues dire warning on US coronavirus prospects and says social distancing 'a matter of life and death'
Donald Trump has issued his starkest warning yet on the threat posed by the coronavirus outbreak to the US, telling the country it is facing “a hell of a bad two weeks” and saying observing social distancing rules is “a matter of life and death”.
“I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead,” he said at his latest briefing from the White House. “This is going to be one of the roughest two or three weeks we’ve ever had in our country... We’re going to lose thousands of people.”
Trump's comments came after he announced on Sunday that he was extending to 30 April the social distancing guidelines that advise Americans to cease large gatherings, work from home, suspend onsite learning at schools and more in a nationwide effort to stem the spread of the virus.
It was an abrupt reversal for Trump, who spent much of last week targeting 12 April as the day he wanted to see Americans "pack the pews" for Easter Sunday services.
Trump called the data "very sobering," saying it was his understanding that 100,000 deaths was a minimum that would be difficult to avoid. He also sought to rewrite his past minimisation of the outbreak, saying he rejected those who compared the new coronavirus to the flu - when in fact he repeatedly did so publicly.
"This could be hell of a bad two weeks," the president said. "You know 100,000 is, according to modeling, a very low number. In fact, when I first saw the number... they said it was unlikely you'll be able to attain that. We have to see but I think we're doing better than that."
Here's John T Bennett's report.
Donald Trump has issued his starkest warning yet on the threat posed by the coronavirus outbreak to the US, telling the country it is facing “a hell of a bad two weeks” and saying observing social distancing rules is “a matter of life and death”.
“I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead,” he said at his latest briefing from the White House. “This is going to be one of the roughest two or three weeks we’ve ever had in our country... We’re going to lose thousands of people.”
Trump's comments came after he announced on Sunday that he was extending to 30 April the social distancing guidelines that advise Americans to cease large gatherings, work from home, suspend onsite learning at schools and more in a nationwide effort to stem the spread of the virus.
It was an abrupt reversal for Trump, who spent much of last week targeting 12 April as the day he wanted to see Americans "pack the pews" for Easter Sunday services.
Trump called the data "very sobering," saying it was his understanding that 100,000 deaths was a minimum that would be difficult to avoid. He also sought to rewrite his past minimisation of the outbreak, saying he rejected those who compared the new coronavirus to the flu - when in fact he repeatedly did so publicly.
"This could be hell of a bad two weeks," the president said. "You know 100,000 is, according to modeling, a very low number. In fact, when I first saw the number... they said it was unlikely you'll be able to attain that. We have to see but I think we're doing better than that."
Here's John T Bennett's report.
Experts warn US death toll could ultimately hit 240,000
With the US approaching 4,000 deaths and 188,000 cases of Covid-19, officials are now warning the disease could ultimately kill between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans, even if people continue to stay home and limit their contact with others.
"We really believe we can do a lot better than that," said Dr Deborah Birx, the co-ordinator of the White House coronavirus task force. That would require all Americans to take seriously their role in preventing the spread of disease, she said.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, added: "This is a number that we need to anticipate, but we don't necessarily have to accept it as being inevitable."
The jaw-dropping projections were laid out during a grim, two-hour White House briefing yesterday. Officials described a death toll that in a best-case scenario would likely be greater than the more than 53,000 American lives lost during the First World War. And the model's high end neared the realm of possibility that Americans lost to the virus could approach the 291,000 Americans killed on the battlefield during the Second World War.
"There's no magic bullet," Dr Birx said. "There's no magic vaccine or therapy. It's just behaviours. Each of our behaviours, translating into something that changes the course of this viral pandemic."
Dr Fauci called the numbers "sobering" and urged Americans to "step on the accelerator" with their collective mitigation efforts.
"We are continuing to see things go up," Dr Fauci said. "We cannot be discouraged by that because the mitigation is actually working and will work."
Dr Birx said pandemic forecasts initially predicted 1.5m to 2.2m deaths in the US. But that was a worst-case scenario, without efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus through social distancing. She added that states that have not yet seen a spike in cases as New York has could take action to flatten the curve of rising hospitalisations and deaths.
It's not only social distancing that could make a difference, but also the frantic efforts by hospitals around the country to prepare for an onslaught of seriously ill patients. The better prepared hospitals are, the greater the chances of lives being saved.
With the US approaching 4,000 deaths and 188,000 cases of Covid-19, officials are now warning the disease could ultimately kill between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans, even if people continue to stay home and limit their contact with others.
"We really believe we can do a lot better than that," said Dr Deborah Birx, the co-ordinator of the White House coronavirus task force. That would require all Americans to take seriously their role in preventing the spread of disease, she said.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, added: "This is a number that we need to anticipate, but we don't necessarily have to accept it as being inevitable."
The jaw-dropping projections were laid out during a grim, two-hour White House briefing yesterday. Officials described a death toll that in a best-case scenario would likely be greater than the more than 53,000 American lives lost during the First World War. And the model's high end neared the realm of possibility that Americans lost to the virus could approach the 291,000 Americans killed on the battlefield during the Second World War.
"There's no magic bullet," Dr Birx said. "There's no magic vaccine or therapy. It's just behaviours. Each of our behaviours, translating into something that changes the course of this viral pandemic."
Dr Fauci called the numbers "sobering" and urged Americans to "step on the accelerator" with their collective mitigation efforts.
"We are continuing to see things go up," Dr Fauci said. "We cannot be discouraged by that because the mitigation is actually working and will work."
Dr Birx said pandemic forecasts initially predicted 1.5m to 2.2m deaths in the US. But that was a worst-case scenario, without efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus through social distancing. She added that states that have not yet seen a spike in cases as New York has could take action to flatten the curve of rising hospitalisations and deaths.
It's not only social distancing that could make a difference, but also the frantic efforts by hospitals around the country to prepare for an onslaught of seriously ill patients. The better prepared hospitals are, the greater the chances of lives being saved.
Dr Birx said the experiences of Washington state and California give her hope that other states can keep the coronavirus under control through social distancing. That's because they moved quickly to contain the early clusters of coronavirus by closing schools, urging people to work from home, banning large gatherings and taking other measures now familiar to most Americans, she noted.
"I am reassured by looking at the Seattle line," she added. "California and Washington state reacted very early to this." Many other states and local governments already have stiff controls in place on mobility and gatherings.
Trump says ventilators being held back for 'surge' as protective gear shortage looms
Another eyebrow-raiser from the president yesterday came when he moved to downplay concerns from New York's Andrew Cuomo and other governors that their states' hospitals don't have enough ventilators to treat an anticipated crush of patients. Trump said the federal government currently has a stockpile of 10,000 ventilators that it plans on distributing as needed.
"Now, when the surge occurs, if it occurs fairly evenly, we'll be able to distribute them very quickly before they need them," he said. "But we want to have a reserve right now. It's like having oil reserves."
Speaking of the federal stockpile, the US government has nearly run out of protective gear to combat the coronavirus pandemic, two officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have told Reuters.
Here's John T Bennett on that ventilator line.
Another eyebrow-raiser from the president yesterday came when he moved to downplay concerns from New York's Andrew Cuomo and other governors that their states' hospitals don't have enough ventilators to treat an anticipated crush of patients. Trump said the federal government currently has a stockpile of 10,000 ventilators that it plans on distributing as needed.
"Now, when the surge occurs, if it occurs fairly evenly, we'll be able to distribute them very quickly before they need them," he said. "But we want to have a reserve right now. It's like having oil reserves."
Speaking of the federal stockpile, the US government has nearly run out of protective gear to combat the coronavirus pandemic, two officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have told Reuters.
The near-exhausted supply includes masks, respirators, gloves, gowns and face shields, the officials said. A small amount of gear has reportedly been set aside for federal first responders.
The US Strategic National Stockpile aims to provide medical supplies during emergencies so severe they cause shortages. But states across the country have called on the federal government in recent weeks to send them large quantities of gear to help hospitals deal with surging cases of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Connecticut governor Ned Lamont, a Democrat, also suggested on Tuesday that the stockpile was empty, calling it a "disturbing" development.
Trump contested the idea that the stockpile was "empty" during his White House news conference, saying that equipment was going directly to those in need - a more efficient process: "We're having them brought ideally from the manufacturer directly to the hospital or state where it's going."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) took control of the stockpile management earlier this month and has been distributing supplies to states, according to one of the DHS officials.
FEMA spokeswoman Lizzie Litzow said the agency knew in its planning for the virus that the stockpile alone would not meet the needs of states, adding the federal government would "exhaust all means" to find supplies.
Litzow also said that an economic stimulus bill passed by Congress last week included $16bn (£13bn) to build up the stockpile.
The US Strategic National Stockpile aims to provide medical supplies during emergencies so severe they cause shortages. But states across the country have called on the federal government in recent weeks to send them large quantities of gear to help hospitals deal with surging cases of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Connecticut governor Ned Lamont, a Democrat, also suggested on Tuesday that the stockpile was empty, calling it a "disturbing" development.
Trump contested the idea that the stockpile was "empty" during his White House news conference, saying that equipment was going directly to those in need - a more efficient process: "We're having them brought ideally from the manufacturer directly to the hospital or state where it's going."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) took control of the stockpile management earlier this month and has been distributing supplies to states, according to one of the DHS officials.
FEMA spokeswoman Lizzie Litzow said the agency knew in its planning for the virus that the stockpile alone would not meet the needs of states, adding the federal government would "exhaust all means" to find supplies.
Litzow also said that an economic stimulus bill passed by Congress last week included $16bn (£13bn) to build up the stockpile.
Here's John T Bennett on that ventilator line.
President urges Florida to welcome cruise ship with deadly coronavirus outbreak
During the same briefing, Trump urged Florida officials to open an Atlantic Coast port to a Dutch cruise ship stuck at sea with a deadly coronavirus outbreak onboard, urging state governor Ron DeSantis to drop his opposition.
Weighing in on the fate of Holland America Line's MS Zaandam during a White House briefing, Trump said he would call DeSantis, who has declared the vessel unwelcome to prevent its sick passengers from being "dumped" on his state.
"They're dying on the ship," Trump said, adding, "I'm going to do what's right, not only for us but for humanity."
The remarks contrast with his response in February to a different cruise ship, the Grand Princess, which he said should remain at sea instead of coming into port in California.
The Zaandam, idled off the Pacific coast of Central America after the cruise line announced that some passengers were infected with coronavirus and that four had died, was allowed to sail through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean on Sunday.
Nearly two-thirds of the passengers - those who passed a medical screening - were moved onto the Zaandam's sister ship, the Rotterdam, before the canal transit, and both vessels are now headed to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, officials said.
The Zaandam was carrying nearly 1,050 passengers and crew, and the Rotterdam almost 1,450. But it remained uncertain who would be permitted to disembark in Florida, where concerns about the spread of coronavirus were mounting.
"We cannot afford to have people who aren't even Floridians dumped into South Florida using up those valuable resources," DeSantis told Fox News on Monday, referring to the state's medical facilities. He told a news conference on Monday he preferred to send medical help to the Zaandam.
But in a blog posted on the website of Holland America, a unit of world cruise leader Carnival Corp, company president Orlando Ashford urged authorities to show compassion.
"We are dealing with a 'not my problem' syndrome," he said. "The international community, consistently generous and helpful in the face of human suffering, shut itself off to Zaandam."
As of Monday, 76 passengers and 117 crew members on the Zaandam were showing influenza-like symptoms, including eight people who have tested positive for Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, Ashford said.
Chris Riotta has more on this.
During the same briefing, Trump urged Florida officials to open an Atlantic Coast port to a Dutch cruise ship stuck at sea with a deadly coronavirus outbreak onboard, urging state governor Ron DeSantis to drop his opposition.
Weighing in on the fate of Holland America Line's MS Zaandam during a White House briefing, Trump said he would call DeSantis, who has declared the vessel unwelcome to prevent its sick passengers from being "dumped" on his state.
"They're dying on the ship," Trump said, adding, "I'm going to do what's right, not only for us but for humanity."
The remarks contrast with his response in February to a different cruise ship, the Grand Princess, which he said should remain at sea instead of coming into port in California.
The Zaandam, idled off the Pacific coast of Central America after the cruise line announced that some passengers were infected with coronavirus and that four had died, was allowed to sail through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean on Sunday.
Nearly two-thirds of the passengers - those who passed a medical screening - were moved onto the Zaandam's sister ship, the Rotterdam, before the canal transit, and both vessels are now headed to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, officials said.
The Zaandam was carrying nearly 1,050 passengers and crew, and the Rotterdam almost 1,450. But it remained uncertain who would be permitted to disembark in Florida, where concerns about the spread of coronavirus were mounting.
"We cannot afford to have people who aren't even Floridians dumped into South Florida using up those valuable resources," DeSantis told Fox News on Monday, referring to the state's medical facilities. He told a news conference on Monday he preferred to send medical help to the Zaandam.
But in a blog posted on the website of Holland America, a unit of world cruise leader Carnival Corp, company president Orlando Ashford urged authorities to show compassion.
"We are dealing with a 'not my problem' syndrome," he said. "The international community, consistently generous and helpful in the face of human suffering, shut itself off to Zaandam."
As of Monday, 76 passengers and 117 crew members on the Zaandam were showing influenza-like symptoms, including eight people who have tested positive for Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, Ashford said.
Chris Riotta has more on this.
California nursing home hit as convention centres become field hospitals
A southern California nursing home has been hit hard by the coronavirus, with more than 50 residents infected - a troubling development amid cautious optimism that cases in the state may peak more slowly than expected.
Cedar Mountain Post Acute Rehabilitation in Yucaipa has been told to assume that all its patients have the Covid-19 virus, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health director Trudy Raymundo said. As of Tuesday, 51 residents and six staff members had tested positive. Two patients have died, including an 82-year-old woman who had existing health problems.
The nursing home east of Los Angeles isn't accepting new residents and the facility has been closed to visitors under governor Gavin Newsom's two-week-old stay-at-home order, Raymundo said.
The announcement came as Newsom said extraordinary efforts to keep people home have bought the time needed to prepare for an expected peak surge of coronavirus cases in coming weeks.
Newsom said the slower-than-forecast increase in cases means the peak is now likely to occur in May, though he was reluctant to say whether that means the impact on the state won't be nearly as dire as initially feared.
Like New York, where field hospitals have been set up in Central Park, at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens and aboard the USNS Comfort, Los Angeles has turned over its Convention Center to the National Guard to use as a makeshift treatment unit to relieve the strain on city hospitals.
One month ago today, the same venue played host to a Bernie Sanders rally featuring a guest appearance by Public Enemy. That seems like centuries ago now.
Here's Santa Clara following suit:
A southern California nursing home has been hit hard by the coronavirus, with more than 50 residents infected - a troubling development amid cautious optimism that cases in the state may peak more slowly than expected.
Cedar Mountain Post Acute Rehabilitation in Yucaipa has been told to assume that all its patients have the Covid-19 virus, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health director Trudy Raymundo said. As of Tuesday, 51 residents and six staff members had tested positive. Two patients have died, including an 82-year-old woman who had existing health problems.
The nursing home east of Los Angeles isn't accepting new residents and the facility has been closed to visitors under governor Gavin Newsom's two-week-old stay-at-home order, Raymundo said.
The announcement came as Newsom said extraordinary efforts to keep people home have bought the time needed to prepare for an expected peak surge of coronavirus cases in coming weeks.
Newsom said the slower-than-forecast increase in cases means the peak is now likely to occur in May, though he was reluctant to say whether that means the impact on the state won't be nearly as dire as initially feared.
Like New York, where field hospitals have been set up in Central Park, at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens and aboard the USNS Comfort, Los Angeles has turned over its Convention Center to the National Guard to use as a makeshift treatment unit to relieve the strain on city hospitals.
One month ago today, the same venue played host to a Bernie Sanders rally featuring a guest appearance by Public Enemy. That seems like centuries ago now.
Here's Santa Clara following suit:
Larry David and Dolly Parton are the heroes we need right now
Time for something more upbeat.
Two of the greatest living Americans - Larry David and Dolly Parton - are doing their bit for the coronavirus fightback.
The famously anti-social creator of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm has offered a rare public service annoucement urging people not to waste this once-in-a-lifetime chance to stay indoors and watch TV all day by going out and endangering others...
...while the country music superstar and national treasure is launching a children's reading initiative to comfort kids with bedtime stories during the crisis.
Time for something more upbeat.
Two of the greatest living Americans - Larry David and Dolly Parton - are doing their bit for the coronavirus fightback.
The famously anti-social creator of Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm has offered a rare public service annoucement urging people not to waste this once-in-a-lifetime chance to stay indoors and watch TV all day by going out and endangering others...
...while the country music superstar and national treasure is launching a children's reading initiative to comfort kids with bedtime stories during the crisis.
People are dying because of Trump, says Chelsea Clinton
The former first daughter has joined House speaker Nancy Pelosi in calling out Trump's slow response to the coronavirus crisis, saying people are dying because of the president’s “failure in public health, leadership and humanity”.
Andrew Buncombe has this report.
The former first daughter has joined House speaker Nancy Pelosi in calling out Trump's slow response to the coronavirus crisis, saying people are dying because of the president’s “failure in public health, leadership and humanity”.
Andrew Buncombe has this report.
CNN anchor and NY governor's brother Chris Cuomo tests positive: 'You don't want this'
The combative news host was not going to let a little thing like contracting Covid-19 stop him from taking to the air last night to broadcast from his home, warning the country to stay vigilant, adhere to social distancing and not get scared by the death toll statistics.
In a moving address, Cuomo revealed his diagnosis and expressed his fears for his family.
His bravery is to be commended and his speedy recovery devoutly to be wished.
He even found time to interview JB Pritzker and critical care nurse Carley Rice of Albany, Georgia:
The combative news host was not going to let a little thing like contracting Covid-19 stop him from taking to the air last night to broadcast from his home, warning the country to stay vigilant, adhere to social distancing and not get scared by the death toll statistics.
In a moving address, Cuomo revealed his diagnosis and expressed his fears for his family.
His bravery is to be commended and his speedy recovery devoutly to be wished.
He even found time to interview JB Pritzker and critical care nurse Carley Rice of Albany, Georgia:
Bill Gates calls for nationwide shutdown
The Microsoft founder has taken to the pages of The Washington Post to demand the government instigate a measure Trump dismissed as "pretty unlikely" on Monday.
“Despite urging from public health experts, some states and counties haven’t shut down completely. In some states, beaches are still open; in others, restaurants still serve sit-down meals,” Gates wrote.
“This is a recipe for disaster. Because people can travel freely across state lines, so can the virus. The country’s leaders need to be clear: Shutdown anywhere means shutdown everywhere.
"Until the case numbers start to go down across America - which could take 10 weeks or more - no one can continue business as usual or relax the shutdown.”
The tech innovator and philanthopist also noted that while a vaccine for Covid-19 could be developed within 18 months, "creating a vaccine is only half the battle" and its production would need to be ramped up dramatically around the world.
"We can start now by building the facilities where these vaccines will be made," he wrote. "Because many of the top candidates are made using unique equipment, we’ll have to build facilities for each of them, knowing that some won’t get used."
"Private companies can’t take that kind of risk, but the federal government can. It’s a great sign that the administration made deals this week with at least two companies to prepare for vaccine manufacturing. I hope more deals will follow," he added.
The Microsoft founder has taken to the pages of The Washington Post to demand the government instigate a measure Trump dismissed as "pretty unlikely" on Monday.
“Despite urging from public health experts, some states and counties haven’t shut down completely. In some states, beaches are still open; in others, restaurants still serve sit-down meals,” Gates wrote.
“This is a recipe for disaster. Because people can travel freely across state lines, so can the virus. The country’s leaders need to be clear: Shutdown anywhere means shutdown everywhere.
"Until the case numbers start to go down across America - which could take 10 weeks or more - no one can continue business as usual or relax the shutdown.”
The tech innovator and philanthopist also noted that while a vaccine for Covid-19 could be developed within 18 months, "creating a vaccine is only half the battle" and its production would need to be ramped up dramatically around the world.
"We can start now by building the facilities where these vaccines will be made," he wrote. "Because many of the top candidates are made using unique equipment, we’ll have to build facilities for each of them, knowing that some won’t get used."
"Private companies can’t take that kind of risk, but the federal government can. It’s a great sign that the administration made deals this week with at least two companies to prepare for vaccine manufacturing. I hope more deals will follow," he added.
Russian military plane jets out for US loaded with medical supplies to aid coronavirus fight
A Russian military transport plane took off from an airfield outside Moscow early on Wednesday and is headed for the United States with a load of medical equipment and masks to help Washington fight coronavirus, Russian state TV reported.
Vladimir Putin offered Russian help in a phone conversation with Trump on Monday (having been kept on hold while he spoked to Fox and Friends), when the two leaders discussed how best to respond to the virus.
The flight, which was organised by the Russian Defence Ministry, is likely to be unpopular with some critics of Trump who have urged him to keep his distance from Putin and who argue that Moscow uses such aid as a geopolitical and propaganda tool to advance its influence, something the Kremlin denies.
"Trump gratefully accepted this humanitarian aid," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was reported as saying by the Interfax news agency. Trump himself spoke enthusiastically about the Russian help after his call with Putin.
Russia's TV showed the plane taking off from a military air base outside of Moscow in darkness on Wednesday morning. Its cargo hold was filled with cardboard boxes and other packages.
In Russia, where some doctors have questioned the accuracy of official data, the official tally of confirmed cases is 2,337 cases with 17 deaths.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have been strained in recent years by everything from Syria to Ukraine to election interference, something Russia denies.
Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said Moscow hoped the United States might also be able to provide medical help to Russia if necessary when the time came.
"It is important to note that when offering assistance to US colleagues, the president [Putin] assumes that when US manufacturers of medical equipment and materials gain momentum, they will also be able to reciprocate if necessary," Peskov said.
Peskov, who complained about difficulties expediting the aid to the United States thrown up by some US officials, was quoted as saying that Russia and China cooperated in a similar way because "at a time when the current situation affects everyone without exception... there is no alternative to working together in a spirit of partnership and mutual assistance".
Russia has also used its military to send planeloads of aid to Italy to combat the spread of coronavirus, exposing the European Union's failure to provide swift help to a member in crisis and handing Putin a publicity coup at home and abroad.
A Russian military transport plane took off from an airfield outside Moscow early on Wednesday and is headed for the United States with a load of medical equipment and masks to help Washington fight coronavirus, Russian state TV reported.
Vladimir Putin offered Russian help in a phone conversation with Trump on Monday (having been kept on hold while he spoked to Fox and Friends), when the two leaders discussed how best to respond to the virus.
The flight, which was organised by the Russian Defence Ministry, is likely to be unpopular with some critics of Trump who have urged him to keep his distance from Putin and who argue that Moscow uses such aid as a geopolitical and propaganda tool to advance its influence, something the Kremlin denies.
"Trump gratefully accepted this humanitarian aid," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was reported as saying by the Interfax news agency. Trump himself spoke enthusiastically about the Russian help after his call with Putin.
Russia's TV showed the plane taking off from a military air base outside of Moscow in darkness on Wednesday morning. Its cargo hold was filled with cardboard boxes and other packages.
In Russia, where some doctors have questioned the accuracy of official data, the official tally of confirmed cases is 2,337 cases with 17 deaths.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have been strained in recent years by everything from Syria to Ukraine to election interference, something Russia denies.
Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said Moscow hoped the United States might also be able to provide medical help to Russia if necessary when the time came.
"It is important to note that when offering assistance to US colleagues, the president [Putin] assumes that when US manufacturers of medical equipment and materials gain momentum, they will also be able to reciprocate if necessary," Peskov said.
Peskov, who complained about difficulties expediting the aid to the United States thrown up by some US officials, was quoted as saying that Russia and China cooperated in a similar way because "at a time when the current situation affects everyone without exception... there is no alternative to working together in a spirit of partnership and mutual assistance".
Russia has also used its military to send planeloads of aid to Italy to combat the spread of coronavirus, exposing the European Union's failure to provide swift help to a member in crisis and handing Putin a publicity coup at home and abroad.
Barack Obama urges climate action in veiled attack on Trump for failing over coronavirus
Former president Barack Obama has publicly dismissed his successor's actions on the coronavirus pandemic, comparing the crisis to Donald Trump’s climate denialism as the Republican rolled back Obama-era fuel standards.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced it would weaken tough fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks introduced by Obama and designed to combat the climate crisis.
In a rare rebuttal to Trump, who has repeatedly blamed the previous administration for his coronavirus response failings, the Democrat alluded to the president’s denialist attitude of the pandemic being comparable to his actions on the climate.
Former president Barack Obama has publicly dismissed his successor's actions on the coronavirus pandemic, comparing the crisis to Donald Trump’s climate denialism as the Republican rolled back Obama-era fuel standards.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced it would weaken tough fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks introduced by Obama and designed to combat the climate crisis.
In a rare rebuttal to Trump, who has repeatedly blamed the previous administration for his coronavirus response failings, the Democrat alluded to the president’s denialist attitude of the pandemic being comparable to his actions on the climate.
Obama said on Twitter: “We've seen all too terribly the consequences of those who denied warnings of a pandemic. We can't afford any more consequences of climate denial. All of us, especially young people, have to demand better of our government at every level and vote this fall.”
Here's Gino Spocchia's report.
Trump's allies warn against feud with Michigan governor over fears of losing crucial swing-state in November
The president's advisersare trying to contain a politically risky election-year fight with Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer as he struggles to balance presidential politics with a global pandemic in one of the nation's most important swing states.
Both sides have tried to de-escalate the feud this week, although Trump's supporters in particular sought to downplay tensions that ratcheted up over the weekend when the Republican president unleashed a social media broadside against Whitmer, a Democrat who had been critical of the federal government's response to the coronavirus outbreak. Trump has clashed with other Democratic governors as well, but he saved his most aggressive insults for the first-term female governor who is considered a leading vice presidential prospect for his opponent.
"Everyone should be shedding the partisanship and coming together," Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in an interview when asked about Trump's attacks, suggesting that some of his criticism had been mischaracterised.
"I am rooting for Governor Whitmer," said McDaniel, who lives in Michigan. "I think she's done good things... I just didn't like her trying to lay every problem at the president's feet."
The backpedaling underscores the nature of the dispute, which comes seven months before Election Day in a state that could make or break Trump's re-election bid. Michigan is an elite presidential battleground that has historically celebrated bipartisanship and pragmatism while rewarding candidates who rally behind key institutions in crisis. Four years ago, Trump eked out a win by about 11,000 votes out of more than 4.5m cast in the state.
Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee and McDaniel's uncle, lost his home state of Michigan in 2012 after opposing federal efforts to rescue the automotive industry. And Trump, by unleashing a personal attack against the state's governor in the midst of a pandemic, has sparked new fears that he, too, may be hurting himself and his party on the eve of the next election.
Michigan congressman Paul Mitchell, a Republican, said he raised concerns about Trump's political attack with the administration directly.
"I did relay to the administration that I didn't think it was helpful and why play that game," Mitchell said in an interview. "These are times when the American people look for leaders. Leaders don't whine. Leaders don't blame."
He said he raised similar concerns with Whitmer's office, suggesting that her criticisms about the federal response have not necessarily been accurate. "This is not the time where we need more drama in this country," Mitchell said.
While political fights are common for Trump, Whitmer's rise in Democratic politics has been defined by her decision usually not to attack the president.
Whitmer, a 48-year-old longtime state legislator and attorney, ran for governor as a pragmatic liberal, emphasising her bipartisan work while pledging to fix Michigan's crumbling roads. She rarely talked about Trump before the election or after.
But as a frequent guest on national media in recent weeks, Whitmer has criticised the federal response while pleading for ventilators, personal protection equipment and test kits as Michigan has emerged as one of the hardest-hit states. Republicans were especially upset after she implied during a Friday radio interview that the Trump administration was intentionally withholding medical supplies from Michigan.
In a weekend tweet storm as the coronavirus death toll surged, Trump called her "Gretchen 'Half' Whitmer," charging that she was "way over her head" and "doesn't have a clue" about how to handle the health crisis. Two days earlier, Trump said publicly that he had instructed vice president Mike Pence, the leader of the White House's pandemic response, not to call "the woman in Michigan".
Here's Clark Mindock's profile of Governor Whitmer, dating from her delivering the Democratic rebuttal to Trump's State of the Union address in February.
The president's advisersare trying to contain a politically risky election-year fight with Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer as he struggles to balance presidential politics with a global pandemic in one of the nation's most important swing states.
Both sides have tried to de-escalate the feud this week, although Trump's supporters in particular sought to downplay tensions that ratcheted up over the weekend when the Republican president unleashed a social media broadside against Whitmer, a Democrat who had been critical of the federal government's response to the coronavirus outbreak. Trump has clashed with other Democratic governors as well, but he saved his most aggressive insults for the first-term female governor who is considered a leading vice presidential prospect for his opponent.
"Everyone should be shedding the partisanship and coming together," Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in an interview when asked about Trump's attacks, suggesting that some of his criticism had been mischaracterised.
"I am rooting for Governor Whitmer," said McDaniel, who lives in Michigan. "I think she's done good things... I just didn't like her trying to lay every problem at the president's feet."
The backpedaling underscores the nature of the dispute, which comes seven months before Election Day in a state that could make or break Trump's re-election bid. Michigan is an elite presidential battleground that has historically celebrated bipartisanship and pragmatism while rewarding candidates who rally behind key institutions in crisis. Four years ago, Trump eked out a win by about 11,000 votes out of more than 4.5m cast in the state.
Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee and McDaniel's uncle, lost his home state of Michigan in 2012 after opposing federal efforts to rescue the automotive industry. And Trump, by unleashing a personal attack against the state's governor in the midst of a pandemic, has sparked new fears that he, too, may be hurting himself and his party on the eve of the next election.
Michigan congressman Paul Mitchell, a Republican, said he raised concerns about Trump's political attack with the administration directly.
"I did relay to the administration that I didn't think it was helpful and why play that game," Mitchell said in an interview. "These are times when the American people look for leaders. Leaders don't whine. Leaders don't blame."
He said he raised similar concerns with Whitmer's office, suggesting that her criticisms about the federal response have not necessarily been accurate. "This is not the time where we need more drama in this country," Mitchell said.
While political fights are common for Trump, Whitmer's rise in Democratic politics has been defined by her decision usually not to attack the president.
Whitmer, a 48-year-old longtime state legislator and attorney, ran for governor as a pragmatic liberal, emphasising her bipartisan work while pledging to fix Michigan's crumbling roads. She rarely talked about Trump before the election or after.
But as a frequent guest on national media in recent weeks, Whitmer has criticised the federal response while pleading for ventilators, personal protection equipment and test kits as Michigan has emerged as one of the hardest-hit states. Republicans were especially upset after she implied during a Friday radio interview that the Trump administration was intentionally withholding medical supplies from Michigan.
In a weekend tweet storm as the coronavirus death toll surged, Trump called her "Gretchen 'Half' Whitmer," charging that she was "way over her head" and "doesn't have a clue" about how to handle the health crisis. Two days earlier, Trump said publicly that he had instructed vice president Mike Pence, the leader of the White House's pandemic response, not to call "the woman in Michigan".
Here's Clark Mindock's profile of Governor Whitmer, dating from her delivering the Democratic rebuttal to Trump's State of the Union address in February.
Churchgoers flock to hear Louisiana pastor despite virus ban
Buses and cars filled a church parking lot in the town of Central, Louisiana, on Tuesday evening as worshipers flocked to hear a pastor who is facing misdemeanour charges for holding services despite a ban on gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A few protesters turned out too, including a man shouting through a bullhorn against the gathering at the Life Tabernacle Church. Another demonstrator held up a sign reading: "God don't like stupid."
Afterward, as people began leaving the church, some chatted outside the front doors and many appeared to not be adhering to social distancing recommendations to remain at least six feet apart. Hugs and handshakes were shared freely as people said their goodbyes and departed.
Hours earlier, pastor Tony Spell was issued a summons for holding services previously at the church in violation of the governor's order banning gatherings.
Buses and cars filled a church parking lot in the town of Central, Louisiana, on Tuesday evening as worshipers flocked to hear a pastor who is facing misdemeanour charges for holding services despite a ban on gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.
A few protesters turned out too, including a man shouting through a bullhorn against the gathering at the Life Tabernacle Church. Another demonstrator held up a sign reading: "God don't like stupid."
Afterward, as people began leaving the church, some chatted outside the front doors and many appeared to not be adhering to social distancing recommendations to remain at least six feet apart. Hugs and handshakes were shared freely as people said their goodbyes and departed.
Hours earlier, pastor Tony Spell was issued a summons for holding services previously at the church in violation of the governor's order banning gatherings.
'The first great crisis of the post-American world'
Here's some interesting - if fairly grim - historical perspective on our current disasterscape from the co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Here's some interesting - if fairly grim - historical perspective on our current disasterscape from the co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
US airstrikes killed civilians in Somalia, Amnesty report says
In non-coronavirus news, US airstrikes in Somalia killed two civilians and injured three in February, according to human rights watchdog Amnesty International, releasing a statement that raises questions about America's own investigations of such allegations.
US Africa Command said it was assessing the accusation and typically goes to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties.
American forces have been fighting a decade-long struggle against the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab in East Africa. The insurgency wants to overthrow Somalia's shaky, internationally backed government and rule using its own strict interpretation of Islamic law.
US surgeon-general issues unofficial 'national stay-at-home order' as Florida coronavirus cases double in four days
Dr Jerome Adams was on NBC's Today show this morning and had the following to say on the outbreak with regard to certain state governors not playing ball:
Dr Adams was speaking after the number of cases in Ron DeSantis's Florida doubled in just four days.
'It is like Lord of the Flies out there, it's like eBay for states and hospitals'
Connecticut senator Chris Murphy and his colleague for Hawaii Brian Schatz have introduced legislation requiring the federal government to take over the medical supply chain to guard against "profiteering" from states in need.
"It is Lord of the Flies out there right now, as Governor [Andrew] Cuomo said yesterday – it's like eBay for states and hospitals," he told MSNBC's Morning Joe. "They all go online every single day to try to bid on a ventilator, and they run up the price."
Connecticut senator Chris Murphy and his colleague for Hawaii Brian Schatz have introduced legislation requiring the federal government to take over the medical supply chain to guard against "profiteering" from states in need.
"It is Lord of the Flies out there right now, as Governor [Andrew] Cuomo said yesterday – it's like eBay for states and hospitals," he told MSNBC's Morning Joe. "They all go online every single day to try to bid on a ventilator, and they run up the price."
US coronavirus death toll passes 4,000 as cases near 200,000
Here's Gino Spocchia with the latest statistics from the US, which continue to make for grim reading.
Here's Gino Spocchia with the latest statistics from the US, which continue to make for grim reading.
White House listing 100,000 to 240,000 coronavirus deaths as 'goals' causes offensive
While the chart Trump displayed yesterday was intended to illustrate that the US could face a projected 1.5m to 2.2m deaths from the deadly outbreak if it did nothing - and therefore cutting those alarming numbers down to 100,000-240,000 through social distancing laws would constitute a major "win" - its title certainly did come off as more than a little callous, given that we're talking about human lives on the line here.
Greg Evans has this report on the reaction for Indy100.
While the chart Trump displayed yesterday was intended to illustrate that the US could face a projected 1.5m to 2.2m deaths from the deadly outbreak if it did nothing - and therefore cutting those alarming numbers down to 100,000-240,000 through social distancing laws would constitute a major "win" - its title certainly did come off as more than a little callous, given that we're talking about human lives on the line here.
Greg Evans has this report on the reaction for Indy100.
