Tag: COVID-19

Statement from Legislative Leaders

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt, and Senate Minority Leader Susan Kent released the following statement:

“The four legislative leaders are working closely together and will continue to be in conversation through the weekend about the agenda for the session and how to conduct legislative proceedings in light of COVID-19. No further decisions have been made regarding Capitol access or legislative activity at this time, and we will provide timely updates if there are any changes.” 

 

Bolsonaro aide tests positive for coronavirus days after Trump meeting

Axios logoBrazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s press secretary tested positive for coronavirus days after taking part in meetings with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo reports and multiple American outlets have confirmed.

The latest: Bolsonaro is currently being monitored, according to Brazilian media. Fabio Wajngarten, the aide, was photographed with Trump on Saturday.

  • Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday that he’s “not concerned” about Wajngarten’s diagnosis.
  • Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) both said they will enter self-quarantine after being at Mar-a-Lago with the Brazilian delegation last weekend.

A far-right populist, Bolsonaro had dismissed the alarm around the virus as a “fantasy” spread by the media as recently as Wednesday. Continue reading.

Trump declares national emergency over coronavirus

The Hill logoPresident Trump on Friday declared a national emergency over the coronavirus, freeing up additional resources and funding as federal, state and local governments attempt to combat the rapidly spreading disease.

The move allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to tap into billions of dollars and mobilize personnel more quickly to help state and local agencies and leaders respond.

“I am officially declaring a national emergency — two very big words,” Trump said in remarks in the Rose Garden, adding that the move would release up to $50 billion dollars in federal aid.

Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 13, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Much of our efforts this week have gone towards ensuring Minnesota is properly responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Things are evolving quickly. I want to give you an update on our work at the legislature, as well as information from Minnesota’s Department of Health about ways we can all work together to prevent the spread of the virus and keep our communities safe.

Today, Governor Walz declared a peacetime state of emergency, emphasizing the need to deploy community mitigation strategies (canceling large events, avoiding crowds and travel, keeping substantial space between you and others). These recommendations don’t mean that healthy Minnesotans should bar themselves from leaving their home, rather that practical measures should be taken to prevent the contraction and spread of COVID-19. Most importantly, the Minnesota Department of Health is recommending that if you are sick, to please stay home.

Governor Walz also recommended a series of legislative proposals to better prepare our health care system and provide relief to the Minnesotans that need it, which you can view here. My colleagues and I will be reviewing these and other proposals to help Minnesotans weather this epidemic. Some recent legislation proposed by the Minnesota House include: Continue reading “Rep. Michael Howard (HD50A) Update: March 13, 2020”

Don’t Believe Fox News! COVID-19 Is Far More Dangerous Than Flu

This past Friday, President Donald Trump expressed surprise upon learning that people die from seasonal flu. (In fact, it killed his grandfather.) Fox News figures have similarly downplayed the dangers of coronavirus by comparing it to the deaths that occur from the flu.

The problem with that comparison is coronavirus is much more deadly to those infected than the seasonal flu, and they will spread it to more people because the new disease is also more contagious.

There is also an extra layer of uncertainty, as mortality estimates still vary because of uncertainties about the number of people tested for COVID-19 and the population who might have had mild cases but were never tested. Continue reading.

Trump’s wobbly claim that his wall could stop the coronavirus

Washington Post logoWe’ll have 500 miles [of the Southern border fence] built by very early next year, some time, so, one of the reasons the numbers are so good. We will do everything in our power to keep the infection and those carrying the infection from entering our country. We have no choice. Whether it’s the virus that we’re talking about or many other public health threats. The Democrat policy of open borders is a direct threat to the health and well-being of all Americans. Now you see it with the coronavirus, you see it.”

— President Trump, at a campaign rally in Charleston, S.C., Feb. 28, 2020

“Going up fast. We need the Wall more than ever!”

— Trump, in a tweet, March 10, 2020

Trump is using the covid-19 outbreak to justify his push for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, even though the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public-health experts say they haven’t seen evidence it can stop the virus from spreading.

Trump to declare a national emergency in response to coronavirus

Washington Post logoPresident Trump plans to declare a national emergency Friday, as public life in America continues to grind to a halt. Concerns about the coronavirus pandemic rippled across the globe, as more events were canceled and more landmarks were shuttered; U.S. schools closed to millions of students; Louisiana delayed its presidential primary until summer; and the Group of Seven leaders planned a virtual crisis conference.

Here are some other significant developments:

  • The World Health Organization warned that Europe “has now become the epicenter” of the pandemic, and more European Union nations took action — shutting down schools, implementing travel restrictions and passing other emergency measures.
  • Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said he tested positive for the virus after attending an event in Florida with a Brazilian government aide, who has also tested positive. A top Australian official also tested positive just days after meeting with U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr in Washington.
  • After facing heated, bipartisan criticism over U.S. testing, the Trump administration announced a series of steps to boost the availability of tests and said it would partner with the private sector to set up drive-through testing sites.
  • Scientists have found that the coronavirus can stay infectious for days on some surfaces. They also discovered that the coronavirus can be shed by people before they develop symptoms and can linger in the body for many weeks.

Besieged Trump announces Europe travel ban in effort to stem coronavirus pandemic

Washington Post logoA besieged President Trump, who was slow to treat the coronavirus as a serious threat as it has spread across the United States, announced a drastic emergency measure Wednesday night designed to save American lives from the pandemic.

Trump said the United States would ban all travel from Europe, where the virus has spread uncontrollably, for 30 days beginning Friday at midnight, although the president said the United Kingdom, which is an island yet still has reported hundreds of its own cases, would be exempt. The White House also later clarified that the travel restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens and can be waived in multiple circumstances.

Although he read from a prepared script as he delivered a rare prime-time televised address to the nation from the Oval Office, Trump incorrectly described his own policy. The president said in his speech that the travel restriction from Europe would apply to cargo and trade as well as passengers. But the text of the order, later released by the White House, stated that the ban would not include cargo, allowing for continued trade between the continents to maintain the free flow of commerce. Continue reading.

Rep. Dean Phillips Announces Office Policy to Allow More Flexibility During Coronavirus Response

WASHINGTON, DC – In consultation with public health officials in Washington D.C. and Minnesota, Representative Dean Phillips has announced changes to office protocol to protect the public while continuing to serve his constituents.

This week, the U.S. Capitol Sergeant At Arms ordered limited access to the U.S. Capitol complex and Member offices due to COVID-19 until at least April 1, which means that constituents may not enter the U.S. Capitol and surrounding Congressional office buildings without official business and an escort. While this will restrict physical access to the D.C. office, Rep. Phillips’s constituents can still expect to: Continue reading “Rep. Dean Phillips Announces Office Policy to Allow More Flexibility During Coronavirus Response”