Tag: pandemic

Lockdowns not enough to defeat coronavirus: WHO’s Ryan

LONDON (Reuters) – Countries can’t simply lock down their societies to defeat coronavirus, the World Health Organization’s top emergency expert said on Sunday, adding that public health measures are needed to avoid a resurgence of the virus later on.

“What we really need to focus on is finding those who are sick, those who have the virus, and isolate them, find their contacts and isolate them,” Mike Ryan said in an interview on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show.

“The danger right now with the lockdowns … if we don’t put in place the strong public health measures now, when those movement restrictions and lockdowns are lifted, the danger is the disease will jump back up.” Continue reading.

Rep. Phillips introduces bill to establish COVID-19 oversight panel

The COVID-19 Congressional Oversight Panel (COP) Act  would also expand the oversight role of the Special Inspector General for TARP

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Dean Phillips introduced HR6319, the COVID-19 C.O.P. Act, to create a Congressional panel to provide oversight over the massive spending of taxpayer money in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic fallout. The five-member panel would review data around spending, conduct hearings, and provide regular reports to Congress.

The bill would also authorize the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program to coordinate audits and investigations in connection with the receipt of Federal aid related to the COVID-19 emergency response.

“We are about to inject a massive and unprecedented amount of taxpayers’ money into our economy to protect jobs and keep businesses afloat. This requires proper oversight to prevent corruption and ensure the money is being used efficiently and effectively,” Phillips said. “This Congressional panel and the increased powers for the Inspector General will amplify and strengthen the government’s financial stewardship of this recovery and provide the transparency necessary to inspire Americans’ faith in our government.” Continue reading “Rep. Phillips introduces bill to establish COVID-19 oversight panel”

Deniers and Disbelievers: ‘If I Get Corona, I Get Corona.’

New York Times logoMany have ignored the urgent calls for social distancing. How much they are worsening the coronavirus outbreak may never be known.

NOVATO, Calif. — A climbing destination on the remote eastern side of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, Bishop, Calif., was packed last weekend, as crowded as any holiday, despite growing calls for isolation in advance of a predicted wave of coronavirus cases.

“People were like, ‘Social distancing? I’m going to Bishop. Can’t get any more distant than that,’” said Jeff Deikis, a resident and climber.

Although the risks of climbing are primarily associated with the heights and terrain, adventurers jammed the coffee shops and the brewery in Bishop. Driving four hours from Los Angeles and six hours from San Francisco, packs of climbers scaled the nearby boulders and canyons, sharing fresh air and, perhaps, infectious disease. Continue reading.

Trump: I haven’t consulted past presidents

“I don’t think I’m going to learn much,” he said.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that as he tackles the current national crisis, he doesn’t want to “bother” his predecessors and doesn’t think he’s “going to learn much” from them.

In response to a reporter’s question on whether he would reach out to any former presidents (George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama or Jimmy Carter), Trump implied that wasn’t in the cards.

“I think we’re doing an incredible job. So I don’t want to disturb them, bother them,” he said at the White House coronavirus task force briefing. “I don’t think I’m going to learn much and, you know, I guess you could say that there’s probably a natural inclination not to call.” Continue reading.

Trump Touts ‘Game-Changing’ Drug Cocktail For Coronavirus Linked To Fatal Arrhythmia

The president, who is not a doctor, recommended a potentially dangerous drug combo to his 74 million Twitter followers. “What do we have to lose?” he asked.

President Donald Trump touted a two-drug cocktail Saturday to battle the coronavirus. But the medicines together have been linked to cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death.

Concerned physicians responded to Trump’s tweet crowing about what could be “one of the biggest game-changers in the history of medicine” with warnings about the serious side effects — and urgent pleas not to try to obtain the drugs without a medical prescription in consultation with a doctor.

Donald J. Trump

✔@realDonaldTrump

HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN, taken together, have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine. The FDA has moved mountains – Thank You! Hopefully they will BOTH (H works better with A, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)…..

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Donald J. Trump

✔@realDonaldTrump

Replying to @realDonaldTrump

….be put in use IMMEDIATELY. PEOPLE ARE DYING, MOVE FAST, and GOD BLESS EVERYONE! @US_FDA @SteveFDA @CDCgov @DHSgov

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Hydroxychloroquine, sold under the brand name Plaquenil, and the antibiotic Azithromycin in combination have shown some early promise against COVID-19. But the drugs together have not been approved as safe or effective against the disease by the federal Food and Drug Administration. Any use must take into consideration a potentially deadly side effect. Continue reading.

Trump orders National Guard, building of medical facilities in NY, Calif., Wash.

The Hill logoPresident Trump on Sunday said the National Guard had been activated in New York, California and Washington and that the federal government would provide additional resources to help those states combat the coronavirus.

“We’re dealing also with other states. These states have been hit the hardest,” Trump said at a news briefing at the White House.

Trump said the federal government would fund “100 percent” of the National Guard units carrying out approved missions in those states. The order will provide additional manpower and resources to the three states grappling with some of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the U.S. Continue reading.

No deal yet on stimulus as stock market teeters on the edge

Supporters mustered only 47 votes of the 60 required to take up measure

Negotiations on an economic stimulus measure that had hit about $1.8 trillion by Sunday — and probably climbing — were set to continue Monday morning, top Senate and White House officials said late Sunday night.

“I think we’re very close. The teams are going to work through the night. We’re going to regroup the principals in the morning,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. “We’re going to work very hard to get this done tomorrow.”

White House legislative affairs director Eric Ueland said administration negotiators would be back up at the Capitol by 9 a.m. to continue talks. Continue reading.

Hopes for quick coronavirus stimulus deal break down

The Hill logoHopes for a quick bipartisan deal on a massive stimulus package quickly unraveled on Sunday as lawmakers remain deadlocked on several key provisions.

A meeting between the four congressional leaders and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin failed to break the stalemate as Democrats voiced concern that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is trying to jam them with a bill they have not signed off on.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said as he left the meeting that they did not have a deal. Continue reading.

Donald Trump Continue to Attack the ACA During COVID-19 Pandemic

At his press briefing this weekend, and one day ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Trump doubled down on his lawsuit to repeal the entire law, despite the fact that the law has become one of the most critical tools in the fight against coronavirus.

FALSE CLAIMS:

Trump doubled down on his lawsuit to overturn the ACA and lied that he is putting great health care in its place — he has no plan. 

CNN’s Daniel Dale: “Noted that his administration supports a lawsuit to eradicate the Affordable Care Act, and asked if he’d reconsider given that people are losing jobs/need health care, Trump says what they’re doing is working to ‘get rid of the bad health care and put in a great health care.’”

Trump touted potential coronavirus treatments as being safe and effective, despite health experts warning that hasn’t been proven.

CNN’s Daniel Dale: “Trump on medications approved for other uses and now being tested for the coronavirus: ‘They’re not killing people. We’re not going to have that.’ Doctors warn that there CAN BE serious side effects to these drugs; they haven’t been proven safe and effective here; be careful.” Continue reading “Donald Trump Continue to Attack the ACA During COVID-19 Pandemic”

House HHS Finance Chair Liebling encourages health care organizations to apply for emergency coronavirus funding

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has opened the application window for health care organizations to apply for part of $50 million in emergency funding to cover immediate needs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL – Rochester), the chair of the House Health and Human Services Finance Division, was chief author of the planning, preparation, and response package that lawmakers approved last week, and she encourages providers to apply quickly.

“I thank MDH officials and staff who have worked so hard to quickly develop this grant mechanism and get this money out to health care providers that need it immediately. We know the needs are significant,” Rep. Liebling said, “I hope hospitals, clinics, long-term care providers, ambulance services and other providers will apply for grants that will be critical for their operation to continue, slow the spread of this disease, or respond to the needs of sick patients.”

As part of the application materials, organizations must confirm they are an eligible provider, briefly describe the eligible uses of funds for which they are requesting funding, and provide a budget. They are also asked to prioritize their needs in case MDH isn’t fully able to fund every request. Continue reading “House HHS Finance Chair Liebling encourages health care organizations to apply for emergency coronavirus funding”