Tag: pandemic

Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 22, 2020

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March 22, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 4:30 PM on 3/22/2020.

Updates from the Governor

Yesterday, Governor Walz announced a new Executive Order, which authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to provide assistance during the COVID-19 peacetime emergency. The Minnesota National Guard’s initial mission is to transport personal protective equipment (PPE), such as protective face masks, from storage at Camp Ripley to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Executive Order 20-13 helps address the critically low supply of PPE in Minnesota’s hospitals and health care facilities, as well as the delivery delays from the federal government’s Strategic National Stockpile.

“In times of need, Minnesotans pull together to make sure we have the resources and supplies we need to get through challenges,” said Governor Walz. “Minnesota’s hospitals, health care facilities, and first responders are in desperate need of personal protective equipment, and I’m grateful to have the Minnesota National Guard’s partnership in delivering these supplies for Minnesotans.” Continue reading “Gov. Walz’s COVID-19 Update: March 22, 2020”

What coronavirus symptoms should I look for, and when do I call the doctor? A doctor answers 4 questions

As the nation adjusts to the threat of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, it’s only natural to worry whether a cough or aches and pains could be signs you have become infected by the virus. Dr. William Petri, a professor of medicine and immunologist at the University of Virginia Medical Center, explains when you need to call your doctor.

1. What symptoms should I look for?

People should suspect that they might have COVID-19 if they are experiencing fever, cough and/or shortness of breath. These symptoms, however, are also symptoms of other illnesses. For example, the nation is still in the middle of a flu epidemic, and fever and cough are also symptoms of flu. It is most likely that you have flu or other respiratory illness. So, it is important to pay attention to symptoms but to also know they will not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19.

2. When should I see a doctor?

If your have fever, cough and/or shortness of breath, call your doctor. Do not just show up; it is very important to call first. Most doctors’ offices will have ways to isolate someone who potentially has COVID-19. Your doctor’s office will likely ask screening questions on the phone and will provide instructions about what to do when you arrive. Continue reading.

Sec. Mnuchin battles Fox News’ John Roberts on administration’s virus failures: ‘Nobody expected this to take off at the rate it did’

AlterNet logoTreasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin insisted on Sunday that “nobody” predicted that the new coronavirus pandemic would quickly spread to the United States even though intelligence officials reportedly tried to get the Trump administration to pay attention to the crisis.

During an interview on Fox News Sunday, guest host John Roberts questioned Mnuchin about a recent Washington Post investigation which found that the administration ignored the intelligence officials on the spread of COVID-19.

“The intelligence community was giving the White House warnings back in January that the situation coming out of China was very, very serious and would likely end up in a pandemic,” Roberts explained. “Were you ever warned that something like this was coming down pipe because the initial White House reaction appeared to be, ‘Oh, don’t worry. It’s over there in China.’ I was told, why do we need to respond robustly because there’s only 16 cases here.” Continue reading.

Trump gets polling boost, but will it last?

The Hill logoPresident Trump is getting a bump in the polls over his recent handling of the coronavirus pandemic but analysts warn that the uptick does not yet represent a meaningful shift in support behind the president.

Two new surveys released Friday found majority support for Trump’s handling of the health crisis. One survey showed Trump’s job approval rating moving past the 50 percent mark, a rarity since he took office.

Together, the polls indicate that voters have been encouraged by the president’s new tone and aggressive posture in dealing with the health and economic crises facing the country after a widely-panned Oval Office address this month. Continue reading.

George Takei shreds Trump on MSNBC for pushing racism to distract from his coronavirus failures

AlterNet logoActor, author and activist George Takei blasted President Donald Trump for endangering lives by pushing racism during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Takei was interviewed on MSNBC by David Gura, who asked his opinion on Trump referring to COVID-19 and the “Chinese Virus.”

“His doing that sends a cold chill throughout the Asian American community because he is sending a signal to the haters in his constituency — and there are plenty of them there,” Takei warned.

The iconic actor, who was locked up in an internment camp during World War II, detailed multiple instances of racism connected to the COVID-19 panic.  Continue reading.

Florida got all the emergency medical supplies it requested while other states did not — here’s why

AlterNet logoOn March 11, Florida requested a cache of emergency supplies from the federal government to protect its medical workers against the novel coronavirus.

Three days later, the state got everything it wanted.

Other states had only tiny slivers of their requests fulfilled, including some that had asked for them earlier than Florida. Oregon and Oklahoma received only about 10%; New Jersey got less than 6%. Continue reading.

Used to Meeting Challenges With Bluster and Force, Trump Confronts a Crisis Unlike Any Before

New York Times logoThe ways he dealt with crises in his business, real estate and even his personal life prove jarring as he leads the government’s response to a pandemic.

WASHINGTON — During his campaign for the White House in 2016, President Trump’s advisers briefly tried to run through with him how he would address a large-scale disaster if he won. What, for instance, would he have done during Hurricane Katrina?

“I would have fixed that,” Mr. Trump replied with certitude, referring to the government’s bungled rescue and recovery efforts, according to a campaign official who was present for the exchange. “I would have come up with a much better response.” How? He did not say. He just asserted it would have been better and advisers did not press him to elaborate.

Mr. Trump is no stranger to crisis. He has spent a lifetime grappling with bankruptcy, fending off creditors, evading tax collectors, defending lawsuits, deflecting regulators, spinning reporters and dueling with estranged wives, usually coming out ahead, at least as he defines it. But these were crises of his own creation involving human adversaries he knew how to confront. Nothing in his background in business, entertainment or multiple marriages prepared him for the coronavirus pandemic now threatening America’s health and wealth. Continue reading.

Sticking points force stimulus package talks to spill into Sunday

The Hill logoSenate negotiators will return to work on Sunday after failing to reach a bipartisan agreement “in principle” Saturday evening on a massive stimulus package, despite reporting significant areas of consensus.

Lawmakers had hoped to finalize a deal on Saturday evening after missing a deadline Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) had set for the end of the day Friday.

Instead, negotiators will work to resolve disagreements in several areas ahead of a key procedural vote scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday. Continue reading.

Pence, second lady test negative for coronavirus

The Hill logoNOTE:  We’re interested that people like the Pences, professional athletes and other famous people are able to be tested without needing hospitalization. This is concerning, and not what the Trump White House has told us for days now.  

Vice President Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, have tested negative for coronavirus, according to a statement tweeted by the vice president’s press secretary Katie Miller on Saturday evening. 

“Please to report that the COVID-19 test results came back negative for both Vice President @Mike_Pence and Second Lady @KarenPence,” Miller tweeted.

Pence said earlier Saturday that he and the second lady would be tested for the coronavirus after a member of the vice president’s staff tested positive for COVID-19. Continue reading.

GOP drafting stimulus package without deal with Democrats

The Hill logoSenate Republicans say they are drafting the text of a mammoth stimulus package to stem the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak, even as they have not yet locked in an agreement on the legislation with Democrats.

GOP senators and White House aides said they are drafting the legislation to reflect areas of agreement with Democrats, as well as writing the final sticking points to reflect what they think could win over Democratic support.
“What the leader has instructed his committees to, with our support, is to finish drafting legislation that reflects agreements reached so far and that the chairman and the majority believe Democrats could be in a position to support by the time we vote,” said Eric Ueland, the director of legislative affairs for the White House.  Continue reading.