Tag: pandemic

Governors Plead With Trump For Dwindling Hospital Supplies

As President Donald Trump’s administration has repeatedly botched the response to the coronavirus crisis, he has tried to avoid taking responsibility for key aspects of the emergency management and shift it to others. In particular, he has tried to encourage state governors to manage their own crises, even as they often lack the resources wielded by the federal government.

“Governors are supposed to be doing a lot of this work,” Trump said on Thursday at a White House press briefing, referring, in part, to the acquisition of hospital supplies. “The federal government is not supposed to be out there buying vast amounts of items, and then shipping. We’re not a shipping clerk. As with testing — the governors are supposed to be doing it.”

This echoed his previous remarks to governors on a conference call Monday, according to the New York Times. Continue reading.

Minnesota COVID-19 Update: March 21, 2020

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March 21, 2020

Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 5:40 PM on 3/21/2020.
Updates from the Governor

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today reported the first confirmed death of a Minnesota resident due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The death of the Ramsey County resident occurred March 19. The person had recently tested positive for COVID-19 and was in their 80s.

“Gwen and I extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones during this time of loss,” said Governor Tim Walz. “As COVID-19 continues to spread in Minnesota, we must all do what we can to keep each other safe.”

Continue reading “Minnesota COVID-19 Update: March 21, 2020”

California Gov. Newsom issues statewide stay-at-home order

Axios logoNearly 40 million people in California are now required to a stay at home to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to a Thursday evening order from Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Why it matters: This is the first statewide order of its kind in the U.S. since the coronavirus outbreak began.

Where it stands: Newsom announced the order late Thursday, less than an hour after Los Angeles County officials ordered people to remain at home. Multiple counties in the San Francisco Bay Area issued similar orders in recent days. Continue reading.

Washington scrambles to prevent massive unemployment spike

The Hill logoThe coronavirus is quickly taking a sledgehammer to the historically low unemployment rates that have defined much of President Trump‘s time in office.

The pandemic’s toll on the economy is now a key focus of Washington’s response to the growing public health crisis, with Congress and the White House scrambling to provide relief for struggling workers and businesses.

“It’s going to be a big problem,” said Jay Shambaugh, director of the Hamilton Project and a senior economics fellow at the Brookings Institution. “Unemployment is going to be where we see the economic damage, and is rising, frankly, faster than we expected just a week or two ago.” Continue reading.

Statement from Speaker Hortman and Majority Leader Winkler on first Minnesota death from COVID-19

House DFL logoSAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on the first death in Minnesota from COVID-19:

“Our thoughts go out to the loved ones of the Minnesotan who passed away,” said Speaker Hortman. “We have to do all we can to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable among us during this crisis. I strongly encourage all Minnesotans to follow the guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health and to stay home if at all possible.”

“We are facing a challenge unprecedented in recent history, but we are confident in Minnesotans’ ability to do what we need to do and help each other make it through,” said Majority Leader Winkler. “We are going to continue doing everything we can to help Minnesotans navigate this crisis. I extend my sympathies to the family and friends of this Minnesotan.”

 

McConnell introduces third coronavirus relief proposal

The Hill logoSenate Republicans have reached a deal among themselves on legislation for the third coronavirus funding package amid growing concerns about a widespread outbreak in the United States.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced the agreement on the Senate floor, noting that Republicans would begin negotiating with Democrats on Friday.

Sixty votes would be needed to pass a coronavirus bill, meaning it will have to be bipartisan. Continue reading.

Stimulus plan hinges on McConnell, Schumer repairing toxic relationship

The Hill logoThe next stimulus deal will require extensive negotiations between Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) — two lawmakers who don’t have much of a working relationship.

GOP leaders are zeroing in on a massive economic stimulus package that’s agreeable to Senate Republicans as a whole, but talks with Democrats are just getting started. That means work on the bill will spill over into next week.

Schumer said on MSNBC Thursday that he expected to begin meeting with McConnell later in the day. Continue reading.

CDC, the top U.S. public health agency, is sidelined during coronavirus pandemic

Washington Post logoAs the United States enters a critical phase in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the country’s leading public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, appears to be on the sidelines, with its messages increasingly disrupted or overtaken by the White House.

Neither CDC Director Robert Redfield nor Anne Schuchat — the principal deputy director who has played key roles in the agency’s emergency responses stretching back two decades, including the 2009 influenza pandemic — have appeared on the podium during White House briefings by the coronavirus task force for more than a week.

Redfield did join a smaller briefing Wednesday afternoon, for the first time since March 9. He and three other task force members stood with President Trump and Vice President Pence for the day’s second task force appearance. The event, which lasted seven minutes, followed a task force meeting with nurses groups, according to the White House. Trump and Pence were the only ones who spoke, and they took no questions. Continue reading

Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 20, 2020

Neighbors,

News continues to pour in on the COVID-19 crisis. Today, Governor Walz signed several Executive Orders.

Taking effect tomorrow at 5:00 p.m., Executive Order (EO) 20-10 prohibits price gouging during the peacetime emergency. Minnesota does not have a statute on price gouging, and this EO will line it up with most other states. Violators are subject to investigation and enforcement by the Attorney General’s office.

Under Executive Order 20-11, the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is authorized to seek federal authority to temporarily waive or modify certain requirements for federal programs, ensuring these programs continue providing critical support to Minnesota families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “Rep. Laurie Pryor (HD48A) Update: March 20, 2020”

State Dept. urges US citizens to avoid all international travel

The Hill logoThe State Department on Thursday issued a level four travel advisory applying to all countries, instructing Americans not to travel internationally and urging U.S. citizens abroad to return home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The move represents the most drastic warning the department has issued to Americans traveling abroad as the world grapples with the coronavirus outbreak that has spread to over 150 countries and sickened close to 10,000 people in the United States.

“The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period,” the advisory posted Thursday afternoon states. Continue reading.